safari zone six flags

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure: An Interactive Zoo Experience You Won’t Want To Miss

If you ever thought of going on a safari, here’s your chance— in NJ. The wildly popular Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure in Jackson opens the weekend of April 1 and is teeming with over 1,200 exotic animals from six continents ready to greet you and the whole family. Drive your car down a winding path where African elephants, reticulated giraffes, and red rhinos pass by your window (and maybe even stop traffic) in areas that mimic their natural habitats. Ready to go? Scroll down for all the details for going on a wild adventure at Six Flags Wild Safari—no passport needed. ( Feature Photo Credit: Six Flags Safari )

The zebras show off their stripes during the Six Flags in New Jersey. Photo Credit: Six Flags Safari

All the animals at Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is unique because you never have to leave your car. The drive-thru is separated into 12 sections to show how animals live in distinct natural habitats. You’ll have the opportunity to watch a Roosevelt Elk run in The Americas, see an ostrich peck at your window in Afrikka, or view an African Lion at rest in Kingsland. As you wind around the loop, slow down by Baboon Village. This fan-favorite is where you can watch this rowdy troop jump all over a large metal piece in their exhibit (this metal piece is actually from “Lightning Loops,” a Six Flags Great Adventure rollercoaster that was deconstructed years ago). And not to worry, the baboons are no longer allowed to jump on your car like they were years ago ( whew ).

See animals in their natural habitat from the safety of your vehicle. Photo Credit: Six Flags Safari

Here’s what to know about the Drive-Thru before you go

The Six Flags Wild Safari Park is a total of 4.5 miles of paved road, and the drive-thru timing depends on the animals’ behavior (if they are out and about) and the traffic since you drive through super slowly—but expect it to take at least an hour. To make the experience even better, you can download a guide for all the details on the animals and facts. During the tour, you will see gates with signs that say “checkpost” to guide you to where you are and what you will see. Safari team members are available at many of the gates to help you with anything you might need during your adventure. And the animals can be temperamental (especially in crummy weather), so be prepared that you might not always see specific species. Whether you’re planning to go for the day or even just a quick visit, you’ll want to purchase tickets online and reserve a time and date to go. Tickets start at $24.99 for adults and $19.99 for seniors and children under 48″. 

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru is only part of the park

If your family is still up for an adventure, New Jersey’s largest and most popular theme park, Six Flags Great Adventure , is right next door with rides, restaurants, and hours of entertainment. Six Flags Great Adventure’s main park has plenty of thrilling and tame rides for all ages and lots of special events planned for 2023. This Spring Break, visit Six Flags in New Jersey for Scream Break from April 8-15 for a frighteningly good time that includes some of the features from Fright Fest, like haunted houses, a scare zone, ghouls, and nighttime rides. If you’re thinking about going this summer, you’ll want to head over to Six Flag’s water park, Hurricane Harbor, and spend the rest of the day sliding and splashing on the lazy river and in the pools—a perfect ending to a day “on safari.” New this year, there will be lots of tamer options for younger kids, including a treehouse splash park and 7 new colorful slides that spin and whirl smaller riders. And good to know if you want to add this to your day— Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor require separate ticket purchases from the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure.

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure 1 Six Flags Boulevard Jackson, NJ 08527 (732) 928-2000

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About Author

Melanie Bodner has always had a love for writing, but now she has a new love…being a mom. Before having her kids, Melanie was no stranger to writing or working with children. She wrote for a local newspaper as a reporter and taught English and Dance in a public school. Now Melanie enjoys spending time with her kids, doing yoga, writing and decorating her home. Check out her Instagram @burlapbythebeach.

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Key Information

The Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is once again a self-drive attraction at an extra charge (although free to Six Flags Members and Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor New Jersey pass holders). Drivers go on safari through the 350acre park with its 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions.  The drive takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the pace of the driver.

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SIX FLAGS SAFARI: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure to reopen this month: Here’s what to expect for 2022 season

• Updated: Mar. 16, 2022, 10:38 a.m. |
• Published: Mar. 16, 2022, 10:38 a.m.

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure in Jackson, N.J., is set to open Saturday for the 2022 season. (Courtesy/Six Flags)

• Priya Shahi | [email protected]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure will open on Saturday, March 19, for the 2022 season, with new animals and guest enhancements to improve the tour experience. Explore a 350-acre wildlife preserve that has 1,200 animals from six continents.

Throughout the spring, guests can expect to see new baby animals, including American bison, zebra, kangaroo, giraffes and more. Here are some animals that were born on site or were placed in the safari that you can spot during your Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure.

• Sawyer, the Southern White Rhinoceros: Throughout the spring season, guests can expect to see Sawyer, the southern white rhinoceros, who will join three adult female rhinos in the Afrikka section of the safari. Six-year-old Sawyer is gray in color and weighs 3,800 pounds. As a “mega-herbivore,” he munches on mainly hay and grain, and continues to grow. He lives side-by-side with other animals native to Africa, such as elephants, ostriches and zebras.

Sawyer, a southern white rhinoceros, joins three adult female rhinos in the Afrikka section of the safari. Six Flags Great Adventure

• Three Reticulated Giraffe Calves: This winter, three reticulated giraffe calves were born in the safari and have joined the group of 13 giraffes. It will not be hard to spot these calves that have brown-orange patches separated by thick, bright white lines, creating a patten of polygon-shaped spots. As the tallest land mammal on Earth, these calves can grow up to 17 feet tall and weigh from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds.

The safari is home to 13 giraffes in total. Six Flags Great Adventure

• Two Sable Antelope Calves: Get ready to see two sable antelope calves born in the safari and residing in the Serengeti Grasslands section. They resemble a horse, gloating a tufted tail, mane and impressive, ringed horns that curve like a scimitar. They live along with exotic hoof stock like addax, white-tailed gnu (black wildebeest) and aoudad.
• Two Red Lechwe Calves: You can identify two red lechwe calves, born onsite this winter, by their reddish fur, white-ringed eyes and tall horns reaching up to three feet long. This type of antelope is usually found near aquatic areas in Zambia and Botswana, and are considered a “near threatened species” in the wild. In the safari, they reside in the Wilde Plains section with a vast array of African species such as giraffe, greater kudu, ankole cattle, dama gazelle, white bearded gnu, bongo and more.
• Two Asian Water Buffalo Calves: While they bear some similarities to their African cousins, the Cape buffalo, Asian water buffalos are domesticated animals. Two Asian water buffalo calves just joined the Afrikka section in the safari -- and, staying true to their name, as they are often found submerged in ponds with only their heads visible above water.

NEW FEATURES

With Six Flags’ expansive modernization and beautification efforts, there will be a new roadway entrance and upgraded safari plaza to welcome guests.

Guests can also enjoy a smoother ride across the Safari Drive-Thru Adventure in a two-lane roadway with five newly paved miles of blacktop.

There is an option for an immersive experience with a new audio tour. Energetic narrators will showcase 11 simulated natural habitats featuring more than 70 different species of animals. Guests will learn fun and educational facts about the animals, hear fascinating animal sounds and music from around the world. The audio tour is free, and can be streamed from any mobile device.

To accommodate those who drive electric cars, there will be Volta Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, which are compatible with all electric vehicles, with available units in the safari parking lot later this season.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Six Flags Academic Adventures programs were developed by the park’s New Jersey state-certified teacher and tailored to the appropriate age groups while following state learning standards. Six Flags offers five programs that have been updated for 2022 including a new, off-road experience:

• Safari Off Road Education – This new program introduced in 2022 includes a fun and educational tour on a giant, off-road vehicle. It features a personal tour guide and driver, and an opportunity to feed giraffes and meet small exotic animals up close.
• Science on Safari – This contactless safari experience features a special Academic Adventure audio tour, grade-specific guidebook and optional visit with an animal educator.
• Wild Encounters – This outreach program brings exotic animals to schools for a 45-minute presentation.
• Cyber Safari – The safari’s virtual education program offers an animal meet and greet session, and the option for a longer virtual outreach program.
• Free Online Classroom – Six Flags Great Adventure’s YouTube channel offers free videos for students in kindergarten through 12th grade that cover conservation, adaptation, genetics and evolution.

ADMISSION, PRICING AND HOURS

A one-day ticket to Six Flags Great Adventure costs as low as $39.99. Six Flags announced a three-tiered Pass Program to maximize the value and experience for guests in 2022. Among the three, the Thrill Seeker Pass is the most affordable, and serves those who are frequent home park visitors. The Extreme Pass is ideal for live-on-the-edge thrills all year, without blockout dates. The Ultimate Pass provides the best value for everything offered; it includes all of the advantages of an Extreme Pass, plus more.

Thrill Seeker Pass ($79.99)

• Access to Six Flags Great Adventure, Hurricane Harbor New Jersey & Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure on Select Dates
• General Parking
• 1 Single-Use Skip the Line Pass (Weekday Visit; Theme Park Only)
• 2 Specialty Rate Tickets for Friends & Family
• Six Flags Rewards

Extreme Pass ($169.99)

• Unlimited Access to All Six Flags Outdoor Parks
• Includes two Junior Passes (guests under 42″, good all season!)
• Merchandise Discount - 25% off Most Items
• Food Discount - 15% off Most Items
• 2 Single-Use Skip the Line Passes (Weekday Visit; Theme Park Only)
• 1 One-Day Dining Deal
• 5 Specialty Rate Tickets for Friends & Family
• Flexible Pay Option

Ultimate Pass Benefits

• Unlimited Visits to All Six Flags Outdoor Parks
• Preferred Parking (Reservations Required)
• Merchandise Discount - 35% off Most Items
• Food Discount - 20% off Most Items
• 50% Off Discount on All Season THE FLASH Pass
• 10 Meal Dining Plan
• $25 in Merchandise credit
• 5 Single-Use Skip the Line Passes (Any Visit; Theme Park Only)
• 10 Specialty Rate Tickets for Friends & Family
• 1 Single-Use Games Play Pass (Theme Park Only)

The operating hours for the Park are typically from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.. The wild safari opens earlier at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.. Be sure to check their website for scheduled hours on the morning of the day you are going to visit because park hours are subject to change.

The Six Flags Great Adventure parks are currently hiring for the 2022 season, here is more information on how to apply.

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