A new elephant experience is coming to San Diego zoo safari park next year, blending immersive habitat design with conservation and education.
Iconic habitat opens in 2026
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park revealed it will launch Denny Sanford Elephant Valley in early 2026, celebrating World Elephant Day and marking its largest project ever. Already 80% complete, Elephant Valley is set to deepen public understanding of elephants and inspire care for wildlife.
Inside the Elephant Valley experience
Elephant Valley promises visitors a chance to walk among the herd, learning firsthand how elephants serve as ecosystem engineers and build complex social bonds. The habitat authentically recreates the African savanna with over 350 rare and endangered plants, including rescued cycads and native thorn trees. Guests can dine at Mkutano House beside a 240,000-gallon watering hole, watching elephants swim and play.
Bridging cultures and conservation
Beyond up-close encounters, the new exhibit highlights conservation partnerships in Kenya and celebrates the vibrant cultures where elephants and people coexist. Visitors will see how local communities and organizations like Save the Elephants, The Nature Conservancy, Northern Rangelands Trust, and Kenya Wildlife Service work to protect wildlife.
Making a difference for elephants
Elephant Valley reflects the urgent need to protect African elephants, which are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is actively advancing conservation science, supporting fieldwork, and collaborating to improve coexistence between elephants and humans.
Shawn Dixon, interim president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said:
“Every detail of this habitat has been purposefully designed to reflect the elephants’ natural environment, supporting their well-being while inspiring meaningful connections. We’re eager to welcome guests in early 2026 to experience a place unlike any other—where wildlife and people come together in powerful new ways.”
Plan your visit
Elephant Valley opens at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in early 2026.
