Butterfly Jungle Flutters into San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Now that the weather is finally warming up and Spring Break is right around the corner, I have a ton of exciting, engaging activities planned for my kids! We love being outdoors and since it’s still relatively mild, we decided to head down to San Diego Zoo Safari Park for a first look at the new Butterfly Jungle.  I can’t say that I’ve ever had a butterfly on my back (perhaps it’s better than a monkey?) but my little girl was absolutely tickled when she saw this Common Blue Morpho take a rest break:

With over 30 species of butterflies fluttering through Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle, it’s almost certain one of these beauties will land on your shoulder…or your finger…or your head!  Located at the lush Hidden Jungle aviary, visitors will be immersed amongst thousands of butterflies from all over the world.  Some of the featured species include the following: monarch, giant swallowtail, zebra longwing, orange-barred tiger and Grecian shoemaker.

Because the lifespan of butterflies is typically just a few weeks, the exhibit will run through April 7th!  To make the most of your visit, I recommend visiting the park early and picking up a free timed ticket at the front entrance or at the booth across from Hidden Jungle to avoid long waits and crowds.  This will give you the freedom to show up at a designed time, but be sure to do it early in the day, as the time slots will run out. Remember that entrance into the Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to Safari Park.

During the exhibit, the park will have butterfly-themed experiences including butterfly cupcakes & fudge, the hilarious Flutterby Players, themed merchandise, photo displays, and more.  And if you happen to take a Roar & Snore Safari during the exhibit, you’ll get an exclusive early morning visit to the Butterfly Jungle before it opens to the public!

To prepare for your visit, be sure to print out the Butterfly I.D. Guide, available on the website. I think this is a fantastic way for parents to make this an engaging educational experience!  Safari Park is also hosting several contests. Here is a brief overview:

Follow Safari Park on Instagram and document your experience by tagging your photos with the hashtag #ButterflyJungle.  Each week the park will select one winner for a 4-person safari adventure.

Create a Butterfly Jungle pin board with at least 10 photos. Each week the park will select one winner for a 4-person safari adventure.

Spot the difference between Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle photos for a chance to win a 4-person safari adventure.

Children 11 and under can print out and color their butterfly picture where they will be entered to win a weekly prize drawing.

For more information about Butterfly Jungle at Safari Park, just visit their website.