Published on
August 12, 2025
On World Elephant Day, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park proudly shared that the much-anticipated Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will welcome guests in early 2026. This groundbreaking project, the largest ever undertaken by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, is now 80 per cent finished and will create a fully immersive space aimed at elephant conservation education.
Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will be the first exhibit of its kind, deepening the Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s mission in global conservation. Guests will see how the Alliance protects wildlife and learns how its collaboration with worldwide partners protects elephants while respecting the needs of people. Special focus will be on Kenya, where the exhibit will celebrate the region’s rich cultures that coexist with elephants, ensuring that both wildlife and communities thrive.
The Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is finally coming to life thanks to more than 4,100 generous supporters, topped by the lead gift from Denny Sanford, whose big-hearted commitment helped turn a bold vision into a go-live date. When the last shovel of dirt is piled, the exhibit will give our guests a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, strengthening the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s title as a world leader in wildlife science and conservation storytelling.
A World-Class Conservation Exhibit
More than a collection of yards and fences, Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is a game-changing cornerstone for elephant protection. It’s the biggest conservation investment in our 100-year history, and every inch is dedicated to showing how elephants shape the planet and how humanity can courageously stand up for their future.
The elephants will move through sun-drenched hills that feel like home, giving them the room to walk, dig, and bond freely. That space lets their true selves shine, from playful dust baths to gentle trunk hugs. Guests will feel that magic up close and grasp, perhaps for the first time, how intertwined elephants, ecosystems, and conservation are.
The Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will do more than protect elephants; it will give visitors a chance to learn how people and elephants can live side by side, especially in Kenya. Interactive displays, films, and storytelling will spotlight the communities and cultures that are creating peaceful solutions for elephants and humans. By telling these success stories from Kenya and beyond, the exhibit will encourage everyone to take part in conservation around the globe.
Boosting San Diego’s Tourism with Elephant Valley
When the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley opens in early 2026, it will draw locals and travelers from around the world to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, strengthening the city’s standing as a top destination for family-friendly, educational travel. As the safari park’s largest wildlife conservation project in 109 years, the valley will give visitors an unforgettable chance to see elephants and get involved in the conservation story.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park has always been a must-visit destination, luring people from every corner of the globe with its wide-open spaces and incredible animal displays. With the launch of Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, the park is about to step up its game on the global wildlife tourism stage. Elephant lovers, conservation champions, and families searching for the perfect day out will all find a welcoming home here.
The park’s latest growth spurt means even more good news for the city’s tourism scene. More visitors will mean more feet on the ground, giving a boost to restaurants, hotels, and shops all across the area. But the exhibit is also a win on the education front. Local schools and community groups can bring their students for up-close, hands-on lessons about why wildlife conservation matters and how everyone can pitch in.
A Vision for Tomorrow
Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is one more step in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s larger promise to give tomorrow’s wildlife a fighting chance. For decades, the Alliance has led the way in protecting at-risk creatures. This newest area is a fresh reminder that saving elephants and their wild world is a promise the organization takes seriously, one generation at a time.
The Exhibit will also be a high-tech lab for scientists and conservationists studying elephant behavior, health, and social life. Everything researchers discover at Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will feed into the global community and help scientists understand the challenges elephants face in the wild.
The Valley is a highlight of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s ongoing conservation programs. Guests will leave knowing how their time, donations, and volunteer work can help elephants—whether in the park, at home in San Diego, or across the globe.
A Major Step for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Opening the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is a big step for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and its programs worldwide. As the second-largest nonprofit wildlife conservation group in the world, the Alliance tackles shrinking habitats, poaching, and conflicts between people and wildlife. This new space fits perfectly with the Alliance’s goal of a future where both people and wildlife can thrive side by side.
In summary, the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is gearing up to be a game-changer for San Diego tourism. The space blends top-notch habitats, high-tech conservation research, and strong international partnerships to give guests a memorable visit while championing the urgent task of saving elephants and other threatened animals. With the grand opening scheduled for early 2026, excitement is already growing for what is sure to become one of the planet’s most moving wildlife encounters.
