At The Backroads

Wild Animal Park is nestled among the hills of San Pasqual Valley, in Escondido.

Wild Animal Park, San Pasqual Valley

The 1800 acre park is a unique refuge of both wildlife and plant species and leads in the conservation and re-introduction of endangered plants and animals into the wild.

Sign Post of the Conservation Programs of Wild Animal Park

This park started as a breeding ground for San Diego Zoo but it has come a long way since its conception that it is now a separate park on its own. The park is huge, and a walk on its trails to various exhibits can be a long one. However, it is hard to get a continuous walk here even if one could, for there are just so many distractions in the park to slow down your walk.

Giraffes, in African Safari Exhibit

Unless of course, one does not enjoy seeing the animals lounging in an almost natural setting, and is not fascinated by the horticultural treats the park offers, then, walking continuously for several miles can be easily accomplished. From the park entrance, you have a choice to either take the African Aviary to your right

Inside the African Aviary

or just take the walk path directly to Nairobi village, either way, you would be rewarded by beautiful sights of plants and birds. As you emerge from the aviary, you’ll encounter Nairobi Village.

Flamingos @ Nairobi Village

Park’s Pink Back Pelicans and Wild Migratory Birds Party @ Nairobi Village

Hidden Jungle, Nairobi Village

For those visiting with kids, Nairobi Village has Samburu Jungle Gym,

 Towards Samburu Jungle Gym

an animal themed playground for kids and Discovery Station that encourages children to learn about Africa while playing. Just behind the aviary on the right is the gorilla habitat, but I usually proceed on my left first towards the Discovery Center, passing the hanging wooden bridge

Wooden Bridge Towards Condor Ridge and Kupanda Falls

and then towards the Condor Ridge.

Conifer Forest, Condor Ridge Area

The first habitat you will encounter at Condor Ridge is a Conifer Forest that provides roosting places for endangered thick-billed parrots, which once ranged in forests across Arizona, New Mexico and North Mexico ( source: Wild Animal Park web page ). At the end of the trail is an observation deck with an interpretative center for the recovery efforts for desert bighorn sheep

Desert Bighorn Sheep

and California Condor.

California Condor

The California Condor, North America’s largest flying bird, is symbolic of successful native species recovery programs. From the trail of Condor Ridge, one looks out at the valley below and at the Baja Gardens on the top of the slopes.

Old World Succulent and Baja Gardens

To reach the Baja Garden from Condor Ridge, you trace the trail back to the Conifer Forest where you hear the rushing stream in Kupanda Falls,

Kupanda Falls

make a right turn towards the California Native Gardens. On your way to the California Native Gardens you will pass the Old World Succulent and Baja Gardens.

Old World Succulent and Baja Gardens

Trail @ Baja Gardens

The tallest succulent in the picture above are Boojum, they can reach a height up to 60 ft and live up to 250 years old.

Boojum Bending from its Height

Boojum are rare plants from Baja California, Mexico. Wild Animal Park works not only in the conservation and recovery of endangered animals but also of plants. Boojum are leafless during the dry season, but comes January they will sprout a golden seedpods.

Birds Perched on the Spiny Branches of Boojum

Blogger’s Portrait with the Giant Cacti

More Cacti and Succulents with the Blogger

The trail from Baja Gardens continue to California Native Garden and Riparian Trail, where their full glory can be experienced in spring during their spectacular bloom. At the end of the Riparian Trail you have nowhere to go but to turn back to the Conifer Forest.

Conifer Forest

The Conifer Forest, the Condor Ridge, the Baja Garden, the California Native Garden, the Bonsai Garden are all part of the 1.4 mile trail of the Kupanda Falls Botanical Garden. These gardens are off the beaten path, and many visitors never realize their existence here at Wild Animal Park. There is a downhill trail from the Conifer Forest, this connects to the 2 mile trail of Kilimanjaro Safari Walk. Taking this downhill trail will bring you to the Tiger Habitat Exhibit and the now closed Lion Habitat Exhibit, which had been moved to Lion’s Camp.

@ Tiger Exhibit

From the Tiger Overlook, we take the trail towards the Kilimanjaro Safari Walk which passes through another hanging wooden bridge that sways as you walk.

Hanging Wooden Bridge

Emerging from the wooded trail, you will now see the vast open exhibit of the African Safari.

Kilimanjaro Safari Walk

Giraffes Viewed from the Safari Viewpoint

If you walk straight South from this trail, you will hit Lion’s Camp, however, if you will take a short detour Northwest towards the Roar and Snore Campground and past Herb Garden, you will have the better viewing for the elephants.

Trail Towards Roar and Snore Campground

Past these trees and cabin tents, you will again be in an open space to view the elephants. The East side are the African Elephants,

African Elephants

Mom and Baby Elephant

on the side closer to the Elephant Show are the Asian Elephants.

Asian Elephants

When you are done viewing the elephants, you can trace back the trail you took towards the Lion’s Camp.

Trail to Lion’s Camp from Roar and Snore

Would you be able to hear the lions roar? Hmmm, maybe.

Eezo @ Lion’s Camp

More of Lion’s Camp to Heart of Africa in Part 2 of this Wild Animal Park Walk next…..