Our Wildlife Safari...

Leslie's visit had been postponed numerous times for a variety of reasons. I was not about to let a foot fracture get in the way of our fun plans.

Thankfully, Steve's calendar was open to help transport me around the San Diego Zoo Safari Park so that Leslie and I could follow through with our exciting itinerary, beginning with a Deluxe Wildlife Safari.
"This 90 minute safari takes you into the Safari Park’s expansive, multi-species savanna habitats for up-close views of wildlife including a variety of birds and mammals. This excursion spends more time in the habitats than the standard Wildlife Safari, for more viewing of wildlife and amazing photo opportunities. Each tour visits multiple habitats representing areas of Africa and/or Asia."

A highlight was hanging out with the Masai giraffes, the largest-bodied giraffe species, making it the tallest land animal on Earth (growing up to 18 feet).





It was extra special to get this close to the Southern White Rhinos.
The cool building, in the background, is where we had lunch reservations, promptly after the safari.
I love this description, "Ambassadors from another age: The rhinoceros looks as though it has lumbered into our time from some primeval era. Its heavyset body stands on sturdy legs like tree trunks. Its eyes peer from a massive head that tapers to that battering ram of a horn. In our imaginations, the rhino is the embodiment of brute strength. Yet most of the time this fearsome creature is content to browse peacefully on vegetation."
"Today, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has the largest crash of rhinos and the most successful managed-care breeding program for rhinos anywhere in the world. The Safari Park holds the record for the most rhinos born in a zoo: 187 from 3 species, including 5 generations of black rhinos and 7 generations of greater one-horned rhinos. One of our youngest calves is a fifth-generation greater one-horned rhino, the first such birth in the world!"

What a delight to actually watch a baby rhino nursing.  Wow! A rhino mother may tend to her calf for up to four years unless she has another baby, in which case she pushes her older calf into independence to make way for the new arrival.





A new favorite might be the Nile lechwe. Native to the floodplains of the Nile River Valley, their sweet heart-shaped noses are endearing.


"Hello up there! Why do so many people look up to giraffes—besides the obvious reason? The long and short of it is that they are a wonderful example of nature’s creativity."
I just find them so incredibly sweet and very calm. Giraffes are one of my top favorite animals.
Did you know? Although a study of giraffe genetics published in the scientific journal Current Biology concluded that there are actually four distinct species of giraffes—said to be as different from each other as polar bears are from brown bears—one is currently recognized, with nine subspecies.

While the 90 minute safari could have gone on longer with all the possibilities for animal ogling, lunch at The Watering Hole was timed perfectly. And my gosh, look at this view.

The service, food, and ambiance were perfect!
Wanting to adventure further, we boarded the African Tram without Steve (he wanted to walk about).

This is a photo of my favorite animal seen from the tour!
Dune, the camel, wished us a happy Hump Day.



We always enjoy ending our day at the gorillas. Leslie needed to meet her namesake, after all. Our timing was great as they were all given snacks which is quite entertaining to watch.
“A good friend is a connection to life —
 a tie to the past, a road to the future,
the key to sanity in a totally insane world.“
-Lois Wyse

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