Lions, rhinos, luxury tents—and a national travel award

A hidden savannah in wine country

In the hills just outside Santa Rosa, you’ll find something you don’t expect: giraffes. And zebras. And rhinos. And now, one of the best places in the entire country to go glamping.

Safari West isn’t new to Sonoma County locals, but thanks to USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the rest of the country is catching on. The preserve just landed the No. 1 spot-on their list of America’s best glamping destinations. Not bad for a place that started as a private wildlife collection and a ranch.

But this story goes deeper than luxury tents and safari rides. Safari West has become a national example of how wildlife tourism can fuel conservation and education, not just photo ops. And it all started with a Hollywood kid who liked animals.

From “Flipper” to the foothills

Peter Lang grew up on movie sets where his dad, Otto Lang, directed animal-centered TV shows like “Flipper” and “Daktari.” By the time Peter was an adult, he had his own collection of exotic animals — starting with a few antelope grazing on his ranch in Beverly Hills.

In 1989, he bought a 400-acre ranch in Sonoma County to give his animals more space and more purpose. That land would become Safari West.

He didn’t do it alone. Dr. Nancy Lang, a respected biologist and former San Francisco Zoo curator, brought scientific rigor to the mix. Together, they built something rare: a private preserve focused on endangered species that opened to the public in 1993. Their first day? Dead quiet. But it didn’t stay that way for long.

An open-air classroom with hooves

Safari West opened to the public with a handful of safari trucks and a big idea — let people see endangered animals up close, but make it feel real. No cages. No gimmicks. Just open land, roaming herds, and guides who know their stuff.

Then in 1999, they added overnight stays: luxury tents imported from Botswana, with hardwood floors and bathrooms. Glamping, before it was trendy. Guests woke to giraffes outside their tents and dinner under the stars. It took off. Today, the preserve welcomes over 60,000 visitors a year.

Lang built much of the place himself. He milled wood for buildings. He served as head chef. Nancy ran education programs and washed dishes when needed. It was a family operation in every sense.

More than just a pretty preserve

Behind the scenes, Safari West has always had a bigger goal: protect endangered species and get people to care about them.

They’ve been part of global breeding programs for years, helping preserve genetic lines of animals that are vanishing in the wild. In 2023, one of their white rhinos gave birth to the first rhino calf ever born in Sonoma County. It was a huge win for the species — and the preserve.

Their nonprofit arm, the Safari West Wildlife Foundation, focuses on education. Thousands of kids visit each year, many on scholarships. The preserve offers behind-the-scenes tours, Junior Keeper days, and even virtual safaris for classrooms. Some of those kids grow up to be zookeepers, biologists or vets. The impact is real.

The night the flames came

In 2017, the Tubbs Fire came within feet of destroying Safari West. Peter Lang stayed behind to protect the animals, and against all odds, not one was lost. He lost his house, but saved the preserve. That night became part of local legend.

Since then, Safari West has invested heavily in fire protection and emergency response. They even helped create a roundtable of zoos and animal facilities to prepare for future disasters. Firefighters now train on the property. Safety isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the mission.

Charting the next chapter

The Langs aren’t done. New species may be coming to the preserve, but only if they support conservation goals. More breeding programs are likely, especially with the success of the rhino birth.

They’re also expanding their sustainability work. Blue oak replanting, better water management, and maybe even solar power are on the list. And the tent camp? Expect upgrades — not more tents, but better amenities and fire safety improvements.

Safari West is also going digital. They recently launched a live giraffe cam through a partnership with Zoolife, letting anyone in the world watch the herd roam the savannah. Virtual safaris are opening the experience to classrooms and fans everywhere.

A mission with muddy boots

It’s easy to think of Safari West as a quirky roadside attraction or a fun weekend getaway. But it’s more than that. It’s a serious conservation operation that just happens to be a blast to visit.

Every ticket helps feed the animals. Every overnight stay supports the staff and the programs. And every kid who leaves wide-eyed and muddy might be the next person to help save a species.

Safari West doesn’t feel like a zoo. It doesn’t feel like a resort. It feels like an adventure with a purpose — and now the rest of the country knows it too.

To learn more or plan a visit, go to safariwest.com.