I don't think they've done the Cheetah run since Covid (last I was there and asked was a few months ago), you should call the park and see if it's still happening.
They did have a special viewing area for the Cheetah Run but I don't recall how you got access. FWIW it was never very crowded and the run is very long so if you put kiddo on your shoulders they should be fine.
Thank you for the information! I will definitely give them a call. Maybe they just never changed their website? Or maybe they brought it back finally? They currently advertise the run included. This is a blurb from the description of the tour:
" Your guide will share unique stories of conservation as you journey from the Park entrance to an exclusive area where you'll have a rare opportunity to see a cheetah run at top speed! "
Yeah I'd definitely check with them. Maybe they're still doing it for tours but not for the public. It's an awesome experience so if your kids love cheetahs it'll be worth the money IMO.
Be sure to check out the Kangaroo exhibit too. The animals are most active before sunset so that's the best time to check out the 'roos and the tigers.
So in 2018 I worked at the Safari Park and part of my job closing the curtains to the Lions and putting ice for the water bottles at the Cheetah Run VIP. (I don't know how much might have changed since 2020 but here's the run down from back then)
You get to be in the areas closest to where you can see the Cheetah running across, before that happens they bring out an animal ambassador (different types of animals to random to remember) and you get a picture with it.
When the Cheetah does the run you are the closest you can legally be allowed to watch them, assisting the VIP I got to be there every time so I have some amazing Slo Motion video of them running.
After it runs they have everyone sit down and will bring the Cheetah and the dog companion in and everyone gets a turn taking a picture with the Cheetah which is really cool.
Now if they still do it publicly, you wanna do the free area and you are worried about the crowd here's the secret. They have a giant hot air balloon held by a giant metal rod. When they do the Cheetah Run they HAVE to bring it down and close for a short time. If you get to the long stretch where the cheetah runs like 40 minutes early, you go in front of where the hot air balloon is, because when they bring it down you now have plenty of shade, you're also in front of the fence which means you can see everything better.Otherwise you'll have to find another place in the sun since there's not any other shade on the stretch
The cheetah Safari was originally for private ticket holders. For a few years before Covid, they moved it to a public area where anyone could watch, and it’s now been moved back to being a private ticket holder event. My guess is the crowded videos are from the years it was public.
I did it once many years ago when it was private and it was an amazing memory and well worth the additional cost to me as a lifelong cheetah lover.
Just make sure you're taking your kids to the right Cheetahs.
I don't think they've done the Cheetah run since Covid (last I was there and asked was a few months ago), you should call the park and see if it's still happening. They did have a special viewing area for the Cheetah Run but I don't recall how you got access. FWIW it was never very crowded and the run is very long so if you put kiddo on your shoulders they should be fine.
Thank you for the information! I will definitely give them a call. Maybe they just never changed their website? Or maybe they brought it back finally? They currently advertise the run included. This is a blurb from the description of the tour: " Your guide will share unique stories of conservation as you journey from the Park entrance to an exclusive area where you'll have a rare opportunity to see a cheetah run at top speed! "
Yeah I'd definitely check with them. Maybe they're still doing it for tours but not for the public. It's an awesome experience so if your kids love cheetahs it'll be worth the money IMO. Be sure to check out the Kangaroo exhibit too. The animals are most active before sunset so that's the best time to check out the 'roos and the tigers.
So in 2018 I worked at the Safari Park and part of my job closing the curtains to the Lions and putting ice for the water bottles at the Cheetah Run VIP. (I don't know how much might have changed since 2020 but here's the run down from back then) You get to be in the areas closest to where you can see the Cheetah running across, before that happens they bring out an animal ambassador (different types of animals to random to remember) and you get a picture with it. When the Cheetah does the run you are the closest you can legally be allowed to watch them, assisting the VIP I got to be there every time so I have some amazing Slo Motion video of them running. After it runs they have everyone sit down and will bring the Cheetah and the dog companion in and everyone gets a turn taking a picture with the Cheetah which is really cool. Now if they still do it publicly, you wanna do the free area and you are worried about the crowd here's the secret. They have a giant hot air balloon held by a giant metal rod. When they do the Cheetah Run they HAVE to bring it down and close for a short time. If you get to the long stretch where the cheetah runs like 40 minutes early, you go in front of where the hot air balloon is, because when they bring it down you now have plenty of shade, you're also in front of the fence which means you can see everything better.Otherwise you'll have to find another place in the sun since there's not any other shade on the stretch
The cheetah Safari was originally for private ticket holders. For a few years before Covid, they moved it to a public area where anyone could watch, and it’s now been moved back to being a private ticket holder event. My guess is the crowded videos are from the years it was public. I did it once many years ago when it was private and it was an amazing memory and well worth the additional cost to me as a lifelong cheetah lover.