The Best Israel Zoo and Safari Park
Family Fun by Day, Midnight Tours for Adults

Visit the Safari, the best Israel zoo and safari park.

You'll spend a wonderful day with the wild animals of Africa in the heart of Israel, just a 15 minute drive from the center of Tel Aviv.

All the photos on this page were taken at the Safari by photographers Tibor Jager or Nir Geiger

The Safari prides itself on the large herds of African wildlife that roam the Park.

You can view the animals up real close in a natural looking environment.

The Israel Zoo and Safari is spread out, covering 250 acres and hosting 1600 species. it is the largest wildlife collection in the Middle East. It is thrilling to see the animals being themselves as they walk around and interact with each other, rather than in cages.

israel zoo and safari herds feeding winter

I especially recommend joining one of the special tours that take place when the park is closed to the public.

These insider tours offer a totally different perspective! You can choose early morning, dusk and night safaris for the family, or one-of-a-kind midnight tours for adults only!

More about guided tours later on this page…

Breeding Endangered Species

As you can see from the baby photos throughout this page, this Israel zoo and Safari has been exceptionally successful in breeding its animals and in particular, many endangered species.

israel zoo and safari rahamim baby orangutan with mother

Orangutans...

Elephants...

israel zoo and safari elephant mother and baby

Lemurs...

and many, many more. You stand a good chance of seeing one or more of these wild baby animals.

They usually thrive at the Safari. When they grow up, they are sometimes contributed to preservation projects and zoos worldwide with whom the Safari cooperates.

What to See at the Israel Zoo and Safari

The Israel Zoo and Safari is divided into three sections:

1. The Safari Park. As you drive with your car (or on a Safari provided train) along a winding road, you get to see a tremendous variety of wild animals - zebras, rhinos, hippos, gnus, oryx, pink flamingos and more...

israel zoo and safari pink flamingos at the lake

Animals sometimes come up right to the car! Just remember that you are the guest and stay in the vehicle. This takes about 30 – 45 minutes and all will love it.

2. The Lion Safari – is where you can see the more dangerous animals – the lions and tigers.

They are not kidding about keeping your windows closed! The car ride takes about 15 - 20 minutes.

3. The Zoo. Take a map at the entrance. The Israel zoo is divided according to continent and there are great explanations and descriptions all along the way. You can walk around from 1 to 3 hours and see a tremendous amount of animals from very small ones to elephants, gorillas, polar bears and more.

When you arrive, you'll see posted the feeding times of some of the animals -its fun to watch.

Although the terrain is flat and well tended, the zoo area is big. You or your kids may get tired walking a lot - especially when its hot. You can rent a small buggy that fits 4 people. There are lots of places to stop and rest - benches, picnic areas and food stands along the way.

The entire park is child friendly and during vacations, there are activities for kids like musical plays, animal face painting, and games. These are in addition to the petting zoo and the farm with pony rides that are open all year round.

The Israel Zoo and Safari - Facts and Tips

Address: 1 Tzvi Street, Ramat-Gan. A fifteen minute taxi ride car from central Tel Aviv.

Price: 69 shekels, Free entrance for children under 2 years old

When:

The park is open all year round, every day of the year except for 4 days: Yom Kippur, Yom Kippur Eve, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israel Memorial Day.

Month	Entrance Hours	Closing Hours
Dec, Jan, Feb	9 AM – 2:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	4:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM
March	9 AM – 3:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	5:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM
April	9 AM – 4 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	6 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM
May, June, July	9 AM – 5 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	7 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM
August	9 AM – 5:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	7:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM
Sept	9 AM – 4 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	6 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM
Oct , Nov	9 AM – 2:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves from 9 AM - 2 PM	4:30 PM On Friday and holiday eves, park closes at 4 PM

If possible, avoid visiting the Israel Zoo and Safari during school vacations and holidays. The Safari area can get really crowded.

If you do arrive on holidays and during the summer, try to arrive as early as possible, at 9 AM when the park just opens. The crowds usually start around midday.

Or even better, come for the guided tours that take place before and after park hours.

Israel Zoo and Safari – Superb Guided Tours

I can’t recommend these special guided tours enough!

They include a ride on the safari train with your guide and most also include a guided walk through selected parts of the zoo in which you get a real behind-the-scenes look at the wild animals and the zookeepers at work.

You can choose early morning, dusk, night safaris or for adults only, midnight tours.

Morning Safari

Early morning is a perfect time! It isn’t hot yet and everything is sort of hushed.

israel zoo safari open bus ride and tour

As you ride the safari train with your guide, you get to see the zoo keepers cleaning, preparing and feeding the animals breakfast. Many of the safari animals are excited and rushing to get to breakfast. You can help the keepers feed some of the animals and hear the guides tell real stories from the zoo. Although the guide speaks to the group in Hebrew, the tour is still lots of fun.

Price: 74 shekels, 94 shekels includes breakfast

Age: Participants must be over 3 years old

Safari in the Afternoon or at Dusk

Like on the morning safari, you ride the safari train with your guide. As the twilight approaches, the atmosphere at the safari changes. You watch the zookeepers put down hay for night-time feeding. You get to feed the giraffes. In the zoo, you see the animals often impatiently waiting impatiently for dinner and entrance to the heated night area.

During the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach) the monkeys and apes love their ‘matza’ (unleavened bread eaten on Passover)!

Price: 68 shekels

Age: Participants must be over 3 years old

Night Safari

What a great atmosphere – riding the open safari train in the night air.

In the dark with only the guide’s spotlight, all your senses are attuned and you can see, hear and smell the the rhinos and hippos wandering freely close-by. Later, you walk around the zoo and see which animals are awake at night. Hear the guides tell real stories about the animals at Safari. Even though the guide speaks to the group in Hebrew, the tour is still fascinating.

The tour includes visiting the lion den at night!

Price: 85 Shekels

Age: Participants must be over 5 years old

Love, Sex and Safari at Midnight

The midnight safari is for adults only! The theme of the tour is exploring the love and mating habits of the animals at the Israeli Zoo and Safari.

israel zoo and safari water colbosi in love

You travel on the Safari train, visit the lions’ night quarters and hopefully catch some activities too.

The guide regales the group (in Hebrew) with tales of mating, jealousy and love that take place at the Safari.

Price: 96 Shekels

Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old

The Israel Zoo and Safari is a great place to visit, especially if you're travelling with kids. Click here to visit the Israel Safari's website. Unfortunately its only in Hebrew, but you can use Google to easily translate.

Have fun!