Safari West

• Hours: Tours are given daily. The tent cabins are open year round
• Reservations: Required
• Cost: Tour fee
• Location: Northwest side of Calistoga, directions below
• How Long: Allow a an hour or less, depending on how soon you arrive after the last eruption
• Best Time to Visit: Any time, but part of the tour is in an open vehicle which can be hot in summer and chilly in winter

Safari West is home to over 400 wild animals, but it's not a zoo. The brainchild of Peter Lang, the 400-acre wildlife preserve is part bed and breakfast and part jeep safari adventure. And it's closer to home (for most of us) than Africa, located between Santa Rosa and Calistoga north of Napa.

Safari West's jeep safari tours are open to the public, even if you aren't staying at the bed and breakfast. Our tour began in the animal compound, where our guide introduced us to Safari West's smaller animals. A big bucket of carrots divided up among the kids in the group attracted the giraffes, and giggling kids fed them every morsel. They giggled even more when we visited the baby wildebeest, and a couple of parents took home once-in-a-lifetime photos of their children following the tottering critter through the barn.

The jeep portion of the tour roamed over Safari West's property, with frequent stops to view the varied wildlife while our driver/guide explained the animals' origin and behavior. Among the critters you may see are antelope, zebra, wildebeest, and dozens of other animals roaming the wine country foothills.

In addition to their daily jeep tours, Safari West also offers special tours through the year, including a Valentine's Day sex tour, photo safaris, and sunset safaris.

Getting to Safari West

3115 Porter Creek Road
Santa Rosa CA 94515
707-579-2551
website

From downtown Calistoga, take Grant Street/Myrtledale Road to Tubbs Lane and turn left, or take Foothill Boulevard and turn right.