San diego zoo - wildlife explorers basecamp

We have been to the SAN DIEGO ZOO several times and we were really excited to visit now that the new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp had opened. You can find this part of the zoo by entering the gates and heading left. As long as you keep walking left, you will run into this new part of the zoo and you don't want to miss it.

This part of the zoo is all included with your ticket into the zoo. Because it is on the newer side, only opening in March of 2022, it can get busy. We got to the zoo right when it opened and headed straight there. At first, it wasn't bad in terms of the amount of people, but by the time we left this part of the zoo an hour later, it was completely packed, making it not as easy to move around or experience some of the cool interactive features. 

This part of the zoo is done so well. There are several different exhibits in the Basecamp. There is Desert Dunes, Wild Woods, Marsh Meadows, Rainforest, Cool Critters Reptile House, and the Spineless Marvels Invertebrate House.

The first one we visited was the Spineless Marvels Invertebrate House. This one was really cool. You get to see things such as beehives and walk through a butterfly garden. This is all housed in a two-story greenhouse. 

The next part we explored was the Desert Dunes. This part was mostly outdoors and contained cute desert creatures such as prairie dogs and my favorite, the fennec fox. 

​We then entered the Cool Critters Reptile House, there were several reptiles that the kids enjoyed looking at. They were all well labeled so you could read about each reptile.

We continued looking at the three other parts of the Basecamp. The kids spent a lot of time climbing and crossing rope bridges. I feel that this was the most interactive part of the zoo and a great place of kids of all ages. 

Prior to this new exhibit opening, this part of the zoo was a part we would often ignore. But this time, we spent so much time here. You can tell there was a lot of time and attention put into this part of the zoo to make sure everyone had something to do and see. The kids loved it and I loved that after being at this zoo several times before, this time felt new and different. 

​Again, I suggest getting into the zoo as soon as it opens and heading here first so you can experience everything without having to wait. There are some great animals that you won't find in your local zoo and you won't want to miss it!