SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Have you ever wanted to walk alongside elephants? Guests of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will get the chance to do so starting early next year.
The Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, the largest project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance‘s century-long history, is about 80% complete and expected to open in early 2026, the organization announced this week.
Once it opens, Elephant Valley will offer guests an immersive experience to learn about the critical role of elephants in our ecosystem and the herd’s social structure.
According to a news release from the Wildlife Alliance, “guests will encounter what it feels like to walk beside the herd” as the gentle giants surround them on multiple sides.
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Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) -
Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) -
Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)
Visitors can walk through pathways lined with African thorn trees which are known to be a common source of food for elephants.
The Wildlife Alliance says Elephant Valley was designed to reflect life in the African savanna year-round. The project includes the addition of more than 350 individual rare and endangered plants that have been curated by a team of expert horticulturists and arborists.
At the center of Elephant Valley, the Mkutano House restaurant will provide guests with views of one of two watering holes where elephants swim and play. The watering holes are 240,000 gallons and serve as a spot for elephants’ natural bonding behavior.
According to the Wildlife Alliance, Mkutano House — whose name refers to the Swahili word for “gathering with purpose” — was inspired by locations visited by people who have gone on African safaris.
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Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) -
Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) -
Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) -
Elephant Valley is expected to open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2026. (Emily Senninger/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)
African savanna elephants are listed as “Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Upon its completion, Elephant Valley will educate guests about the threats taking a toll on their populations as well as the work being done to support elephant conservation efforts in the African savanna.
The announcement regarding Elephant Valley’s anticipated opening was made on Tuesday to coincide with World Elephant Day.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
