From A to Zebra: A Sonoma Serengeti Safari With Your Grandchild

Activity note: Tent check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:30 p.m. After you have your tent assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the Elephant Room, next to the Savannah Café restaurant, to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your up-to-date schedule reflecting any last-minute changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: In the Elephant Room, we will enjoy a buffet offering choices including appetizers, salads, barbeque meats, side dishes, and desserts, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Especially for Kids: Each grandchild will choose an animal for a study project to learn everything we can about that animal and give a report about it on Day 3. During the upcoming jeep safari drive and animal observation time, we will have a chance to ask questions about our chosen animals. To close out the evening, we’ll have a game night. We will play cards and board games with our new friends.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a jeep; driving about 2-2.5 miles, approximately 3 hours during safari. Minimal climbing and walking.

Breakfast: In the safari restaurant, we'll choose from a breakfast buffet, including bagels with cream cheese and jam, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, and fruit. Beverages such as hot chocolate, milk, juice, coffee, tea and water will be provided.

Morning: Answer the call of the wild! We’ll board our open-air jeep for a safari drive through parts of the 400-acre Safari West Wildlife Preserve, accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (one of only six in the USA). Safari West has two big goals: the preservation and propagation of endangered species, and promoting conservation by raising awareness of these animals through education. Led by an experienced wildlife expert, we’ll explore natural habitats of this “Sonoma Serengeti” and observe animals from antelope to Cape buffalo, gazelle, giraffe, rhinoceros, warthog, wildebeest, zebra, and more. Then we’ll walk through the grounds with enclosures for many other animals, including a cheetah (or two!), lemurs and colorful birds in the open-air aviary. Especially for Kids: Grandkids will have opportunities to ask the animal keepers about their selected animal for tomorrow’s presentation.

Lunch: In the Elephant Room, we’ll enjoy a buffet including salads, deli sandwiches, and side dishes, plus hot cocoa, coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: In the Elephant Room, we’ll organize into grandparent/grandchild teams to begin our Animal Observation. Each grandparent/grandchild team will spend time in the wildlife preserve with our experts for a field observation of our chosen animals. Questions are encouraged! After observing our animals, we will head back to the Elephant Room for an engaging career talk with Safari West's keeper staff. We will hear more about exciting careers that involve working with animals. Afterwards, time will be provided to work on our animal projects and an enriching craft project.

Dinner: Elephant Room buffet.

Evening: To close out the evening, we’ll have a campfire chat at the fire pit.

Activity note: Walking about 2 blocks on uneven gravel roadway with slight inclines. Flashlights provided at night. Elective: 1/4 mile walk on dirt road.

Breakfast: Restaurant buffet.

Morning: Safari West staff will join us for a special animal presentation in the Elephant Room. Especially for Kids: Next, we'll split into two teams for an Animal Enrichment Project. We will work together to create a special treat for one of the animals. When we are finished, we will get to present our creation for the animals to enjoy.

Lunch: Elephant Room buffet.

Afternoon: This afternoon, we will gather for an up-close look at the unique insects of Safari West. Afterwards, we will finalize and present our Animal Projects in the Elephant Room. After presenting our animal projects, we will gather in the Elephant Room for a wildlife movie before dinner.

Dinner: Elephant Room buffet.

Evening: Especially for Kids: Staff will lead an African dance lesson that’s guaranteed to get us all out of our seats and moving. Afterwards, prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Restaurant buffet.

Morning: Our Group Leader will lead a wrap-up presentation where we’ll have a chance to share our favorite experiences and say goodbye to new Road Scholar friends. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!