Safari West Wildlife Foundation

What Safari West Wildlife Foundation does

Safari West Wildlife Preserve and Tent Camp, operated by the Safari West Zoological Society (a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN: 41-3811709), is a 400-acre wildlife preserve located at 3115 Porter Creek Road in Santa Rosa, California. Founded in 2001, the organization operates what it markets as the 'Sonoma Serengeti,' a naturalistic habitat housing African wildlife species including giraffes and elephants. The company offers guided safari tours, overnight glamping tent accommodations (recognized as USA Today 10 Best Glamping Spot #5), South African braai dining experiences, private safaris, school field trips, and corporate meeting/retreat venues. Supporting revenue and engagement programs include an Animal Adoption Program, Wild Gift eCards, an online and on-site gift shop, and the Conservation Dinner Series with corporate partners such as Recology.

The business operates as a direct-to-consumer attraction with revenue drawn from seven streams: safari tour admissions, overnight accommodations, dining, gift shop and merchandise sales, animal adoption donations, group and private event bookings, and tax-deductible charitable contributions. Pricing is quote-based through an online reservation system and phone booking (800-616-2695); it is not publicly disclosed. The company markets through a multi-channel approach spanning six social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok), TripAdvisor, blog content, an email newsletter, signature events, and earned media coverage from outlets including the Press Democrat. A remote engagement layer is provided through the Zoolife Live Camera platform, which enables global audiences to observe animals virtually. Safari West is governed as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and is explicitly distinct from the Sonoma Savanna Youth Foundation (formerly known as Safari West Wildlife Foundation).

Name

Safari West Wildlife Foundation

Legal name

Safari West Zoological Society

Website

https://safariwestwildlifefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Safari West is a 400-acre wildlife preserve and tent camp in Santa Rosa, California, operated by the Safari West Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It offers guided safari tours, overnight glamping, dining, and educational programs to individual travelers, families, corporate groups, and schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Tourism and Hospitality

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (THAJAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks (THAAAFAD), Safari Lodges & Tented Camps (THAAAHAC), Safari Camps & Tented Lodges (THAGAOAF), Safari & Wildlife Adventure Tour Operators (Land-Based) (THAAADAD), Safari & Game Drives (Land-Based) (THAAAEAC), Safari & Wilderness Luxury Resorts (THAGACAD)

Keywords

• Wildlife preserve tours
• Safari tourism experiences
• Glamping accommodations
• Wildlife conservation education
• Zoological hospitality services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Rosa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Safari Tours and Admissions: Revenue from guided safari tour tickets and general admission fees for visitors exploring the Sonoma Serengeti wildlife preserve
2. Overnight Accommodations: Revenue from glamping tent accommodations and overnight stays among wildlife, providing unique lodging experiences
3. Dining Services: Revenue from on-site dining featuring South African braai experiences for guests
4. Gift Shop and Merchandise: Sales from gift shop merchandise, wild gift eCards, and themed products
5. Animal Adoption Program: Donation-based program allowing supporters to adopt animals, supporting animal care and conservation efforts
6. Group Events and Private Safaris: Revenue from private safari bookings, group visits, meeting and retreat venues, and special events
7. Donations and Charitable Support: Tax-deductible donations to Safari West Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) public charity supporting wildlife research, conservation, education, and animal care

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Safari West operates a 400-acre African-style wildlife preserve ("Sonoma Serengeti") in Santa Rosa, California, providing guided safari tours, overnight glamping tent accommodations, South African braai dining experiences, and private safari bookings. The preserve also offers educational field trips, corporate meeting/retreat venues, an Animal Adoption Program, and a gift shop, with remote wildlife viewing available via the Zoolife live camera platform. All operations are managed by Safari West Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

Product overview

Safari West is a wildlife preserve and tent camp offering a unified experience centered on African wildlife conservation and education. The core offerings include guided safari tours, overnight glamping accommodations, South African braai dining, and private safari experiences. Supporting services include an Animal Adoption Program, School Field Trips, Meeting/Retreat Venues, and a Gift Shop. The preserve also offers digital access through Zoolife Live Camera for remote animal viewing. All operations are managed by Safari West Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Safari Tours Guided safari experiences allowing visitors to explore the Sonoma Serengeti and observe wildlife including giraffes, elephants, and other African animals in a natural setting. Targeted at tourists and families seeking authentic African-style safari experiences.
• Overnight Glamping Accommodations Glamping-style tent camp accommodations allowing guests to stay overnight among wildlife on the preserve. Recognized as USA Today 10 Best Glamping Spot #5. Targeted at tourists seeking unique overnight lodging that combines comfort with wilderness.
• South African Braai Dining Experience On-site South African braai (barbecue) dining experience offered at the preserve, including the Conservation Dinner Series featuring talks from industry experts. Targeted at safari guests and visitors to the preserve.
• Private Safaris Personalized private safari adventures offering face-to-face encounters with wildlife on guided tours. Targeted at visitors seeking exclusive, customized safari experiences.
• Wild Experiences (Enrichment Tours) Signature experiences allowing guests to create animal enrichment activities, connect with wildlife, and support conservation efforts. Targeted at visitors seeking hands-on wildlife engagement.
• School Field Trips Educational programs designed for school groups, providing hands-on wildlife learning experiences. Targeted at teachers and educational organizations seeking immersive conservation education for students.
• Meeting and Retreat Venues Corporate meeting and retreat venue rentals at the wildlife preserve. Targeted at companies and organizations seeking distinctive event venues for meetings, retreats, and team-building.
• Animal Adoption Program Donation-based program allowing supporters to adopt animals, providing closer connection to specific animals while supporting animal care and conservation efforts. Targeted at individual conservation donors and animal supporters.
• Safari West Gift Shop On-site and online gift shop offering wildlife-themed merchandise and gift items, including Wild Gift eCards. Targeted at visitors and remote gift purchasers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZoolifecoreTechnology or IntegrationZoolife provides live streaming camera technology enabling Safari West to offer remote wildlife viewing experiences. This partnership extends visitor engagement beyond physical visits, allowing global audiences to observe animals and connect with wildlife virtually.
• RecologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecology, a resource recovery company, participates in Safari West's Conservation Dinner Series. Their research coordinator and representatives give talks on sustainability topics, contributing to the educational programming at the wildlife preserve.
• Safari West Zoological SocietycoreOthersSafari West is operated by the Safari West Zoological Society, a nonprofit public benefit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 41-3811709). The society is dedicated to advancing wildlife research, conservation, education, and exceptional animal care.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• andBeyond: Luxury African safari tour operator and lodge company offering high-end safari experiences across Africa. Comparable in safari product concept and luxury positioning, but operates in a different geography and serves as the international alternative Safari West positions itself against.

Direct peers

• AutoCamp: California-based glamping and outdoor hospitality brand with locations in Russian Hill, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and other destinations. Direct competitor in the California glamping segment where Safari West's tent camp competes for the same Bay Area / Wine Country traveler.
• The Wilds: A 10,000-acre wildlife conservation park in Cumberland, Ohio operated by the Columbus Zoo, offering guided safari tours, overnight lodging, and conservation programs. Closest analog to Safari West's combination of safari tours, overnight accommodations, and conservation mission.
• Under Canvas: Luxury safari-inspired glamping operator with camps near U.S. national parks. Direct competitor in the upscale safari-tented-camp category, offering a similar overnight-in-nature experience with comparable nightly price points.
• Collective Retreats: Luxury glamping operator with retreat properties in scenic U.S. destinations offering tented accommodations and curated experiences. Comparable in product format (luxury tented lodging + experiences) and target market (experience-seeking travelers willing to pay premium for overnight stays).
• Alila Ventana Big Sur: Luxury glamping and tented camp resort in Big Sur, California offering upscale wilderness accommodations with dining and programming. Comparable to Safari West's overnight glamping product targeting the same affluent California experiential traveler.
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Operates a large-scale open-range wildlife park in Escondido, California featuring African and Asian species with safari tours, overnight experiences, and conservation programming. Directly comparable to Safari West in safari-park format, animal collection scale, and California location.

Regional players

• San Francisco Zoo: Regional zoological park within the same San Francisco Bay Area market offering wildlife exhibits, education programs, and group events. Comparable as a regional wildlife/education destination competing for school field trips and family visits.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Major nonprofit aquarium in Northern California offering wildlife experiences, education programs, and membership models. Comparable as a regional nonprofit wildlife institution competing for the same Northern California visitor, education, and donation dollars.
• Oakland Zoo: California zoological park offering wildlife experiences, conservation education, and group programs in the same Bay Area regional market. Comparable in operating model (501(c)(3), education programs, school field trips) and customer overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SafariWest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCV37zLi8Omu1smORmD5cWiQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SafariWest
• Instagraminstagram.com/safariwest
• Pinterestpinterest.com/safariwest
• TikToktiktok.com/@safariwestpreserve
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safari-west-wildlife-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safari West Wildlife Foundation