Life

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This Is Your Perfect Safe Outdoor Getaway

by Kate Brierley

One of my earliest memories as a child is being at the zoo with my family, watching wide-eyed as the staff held up giant lettuce leaves for the giraffes to crane their giant necks down and snack on.

Between seeing just how tall these amazing animals were in real life, and learning that their spots actually help to keep them cool, my six-year-old mind was blown.

Our family zoo trip was all about seeing the animals, but also about spending the day with the people closest to me, and coming to understand that the world is so much bigger than I ever realized. In just a day, we visited jungles, deserts, and wetlands. How cool is that?!

Giving that experience to my own sons is something I’ve looked forward to since I became a mom. The zoo is not just a place to learn and be inspired, but to bond and make lasting memories.

Two of the most famous and fun-filled zoos out there are the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, both of which are now open, and serving up unforgettable experiences in the midst of these challenging times. Whether you’re raring for a change of scenery, or on the hunt for a safe, family-friendly activity, here are our top five reasons to include the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in your plans.

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The Zoo puts the safety of its wildlife, staff, and guests at the top of its priority list, and has done so for more than 100 years. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are equipped to welcome visitors with all of the required safety measures, and then some.

Your visit to either park includes even more space than usual and added hand sanitizing stations throughout the grounds. Cloth face coverings are required for visitors over two years old. There’s also extra, more frequent, and even more diligent cleaning and disinfecting taking place throughout the facilities all day long, and most dining facilities are open and set up for socially distanced seating.

You’ll also notice suggested routes throughout parts of the parks for the safest, most enjoyable experience possible. Picture helpful signage, one-way direction routes, and additional ground spacing markers to maintain the standard six feet of separation.

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Just because the Zoo and Safari Park were closed for a few months doesn't mean the wildlife went anywhere. Sure, you can still expect to see your favorites. Get excited to meet the new faces born during closure, and the ones just making their public debut.

At the Zoo, the new faces you can expect to see include the Andean bear cub named Agapito, two Amur leopard cubs, and twin ring-tailed lemurs. The Zoo also welcomed its first pygmy hippo calf in more than 40 years!

New to the Safari Park include a giraffe calf named Zahara, a cheetah cub, two porcupine pups (or porcupettes), two greater one-horned rhino calves, and a zebra foal. We told you there was plenty new to enjoy!

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One of the best things about these parks is how much they have to offer from all around the world, in a safe and centralized location. They are home to more than 3,500 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies, each with its own needs.

The Safari Park alone includes a diverse array of habitats available to experience, including ones mimicking Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. Enjoy the different environments, the animals who live there, and the reactions from your family.

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Historically, the Zoo and Safari Park draw guests from around the world. Because the parks are practicing extra caution, they’re allowing less than half of the number of guests on the grounds each day than they usually do.

What does this mean for you? You can feel safe knowing you’ll have plenty of space for your crew to explore, while also getting a chance to have a front-row seat to all of your family’s favorite animals!

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The Safari Park has many wide-open spaces, offering a unique experience to reconnect with wildlife.

Explore at your own pace, or take a guided safari that spotlights some of the most popular animals in the park. Get an up-close view that you wouldn’t experience otherwise — including a look at the newest (and most adorable) additions.

Images: Molly Kugelmann/ Bustle

This article is sponsored by the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. The Zoo and Safari Park are open every day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. (Hours are subject to change, so check the websites sandiegozoo.org and sdzsafaripark.org for the most up-to-date information.)