!magine a place you’ve never been. Stepping into a world you’ve never known. A world where you can roam with the largest land animals on Earth. Here you will experience what it feels like to coexist in harmony with them. What it feels like to be welcomed by them as one of their own. Where you walk beside them, together on common ground, in awe of their magnitude and inspired by the bonds they share with each other. Becoming part of a global movement to protect them for generations to come. This is an experience that brings us together like never before. This is the all-new Elephant Valley.
Together We Roam
Your journey begins meandering down a lush pathway lined with thorny acacia. Crossing over a bridge, you notice footprints much larger than your own, each imprint creating micro ecosystems vital to this verdant environment. Sounds of snapping branches, falling trees, and cracking tree trunks echo in the distance. A herd of African savanna elephants created this unique passageway. Browsing and consuming immense amounts of vegetation, they have altered the terrain. Elephants are the architects of the earth, moving trees and carving corridors that are then used by people and other wildlife across the savanna. It’s a beautiful balance between all who inhabit this dynamic landscape.
You come upon a location marker adorned with thousands of colorful beads and intricate patterns that reflect traditional Samburu artistry. At each of these stopping points throughout Elephant Valley, larger-than-life moments await, amplifying the delicate balance between wildlife, people, and the planet we all share.
Past broken tree lines, a three-part rock formation featuring elephant-sized illustrations celebrates thriving generations of these gentle giants at the Safari Park and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s ongoing commitment to elephant conservation worldwide.
Voices from local community members can be heard as you approach The Baraza, a Swahili word for council or meeting place. This is a traditional space where communities living among wildlife across the savanna gather, and where generational wisdom is often exchanged.
Following in the footsteps of elephants, people, and other wildlife, you witness your first glimpse of the grandeur ahead, a breathtaking panoramic view of Elephant Valley. But this is just the beginning of what’s to come, elephants are on the horizon!
Meandering paths guide guests through the dynamic and immersive Denny Sanford's Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Closer than Ever Before
As you quietly approach, two massive ears—each almost the size of a dining table and weighing up to 100 pounds—flare open to listen intently. A six-foot trunk, with 40,000 individual muscles and the ability to lift more than 700 pounds, delicately reaches toward you. Walking beside one another, you notice intricacies of wrinkled dust-laden skin; sensitive, soft feet; and long, black eyelashes. Just inches away, dark brown eyes gaze intently into yours, offering a window into their world. This breathtaking moment together changes you forever.
Closer than ever before, transformative opportunities like these await you at every turn. Tucked alongside the pathway, and standing face-to-face on common ground, you feel the awe and wonder of being so near—and the magnificent honor of becoming part of their herd.
After getting lost in the awe, and walking alongside each other, you find yourself immersed in the heart of Elephant Valley. With generations of elephants on both sides of you, you hear sounds of rumbling and trumpeting as they navigate their multidimensional ecosystem, browsing on broad varieties of vegetation. In the distance, several members of the herd begin to saunter across the valley toward vibrant watering holes.
Elephant Valley offers the opportunity to experience daily life within the herd, from taking dust baths and wading in the pool to browsing for tasty snacks and exploring their habitat.
Sharing the Savanna
At the top of an elevated bridge, you’re surrounded by sweeping views of Elephant Valley, while rolling hillsides teeming with giraffes, rhinos, and Cape buffalo are just on the horizon. Walking over the bridge to reach the other side of the valley, you notice two elephants crossing through a passageway directly beneath you! This ele-underpass is similar to wildlife corridors in native habitats. Critical to human-elephant coexistence, they offer continued access to vital resources like food and water, while ensuring safe thoroughfares for both people and wildlife across the savanna.
Moments of Reflection
Wandering along a winding path, you find yourself standing at the edge of a watering hole, as reflections of the elephants who just passed beneath you glisten in the sunlight. Looking up from the base of the valley, you watch as each of them begins to submerge their 8,000-pound bodies underwater. Shortly after, other members of the herd join in the fun—drinking, splashing, and cooling off from their afternoon of foraging in the sun.
Right before you, the largest land animals on Earth are buoyant, seemingly almost weightless. The social bonds they share and express between one another, so familiar to our own. And despite their mammoth size, the sensitivities of each individual as they engage with the others and their environment reminds us of their vulnerability—true gentle giants.
Stepping away from the watering hole, you reflect on your journey through Elephant Valley. You have made a lifelong connection with one of the most powerful, sensitive, and complex animals on the planet. Meandering through the grass of Mkutano Park, you realize that in this moment, you have been changed.
Elephants are excellent natural swimmers that can cross deep rivers and lakes to travel, play, and cool off.
A Future for Elephants
As you depart Elephant Valley, zigzagging down the path at Tembo Trail, you hear sounds of elephants, people, and other wildlife in the distance. Every footprint along the way is a transcendent reminder that coexistence is the key to sustainable conservation.
From decades-long care and cutting-edge science at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, to transformative conservation partnerships around the world, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to saving, protecting, and caring for elephants worldwide.
Conservation is the beating heart of Elephant Valley—woven into every path, every story, and every moment. Here we have the honor and unique opportunity to experience nature at its very best, creating life-changing connections between people and wildlife that spark change and offer hope for generations to come.
THIS IS HUGE
To learn more about the immersive experiences that await you at the all-new Elephant Valley and our global conservation for elephants worldwide, please visitsdzsafaripark.org/elephantvalley.
