You’re driving your minivan. Suddenly, a giraffe sticks its head through the window. Or, well, it would have if you hadn't kept the glass up like the signs screamed at you to do. This was the core memory for millions of kids hitting the Six Flags Drive Thru Safari in Jackson, New Jersey. But things have changed. A lot. If you show up today expecting the same dusty 350-acre loop you remember from the 90s, or even the COVID-era pivot, you’re going to be surprised.
The Wild Safari at Six Flags Great Adventure isn't just a side quest for the roller coaster junkies anymore. It has morphed. It has rebranded. It has honestly become a bit more sophisticated, though the smell of llamas remains refreshingly the same.
The Weird History of the Six Flags Drive Thru Safari
Most people don’t realize this place opened way back in 1974. It was always meant to be this massive, sprawling escape from the concrete of the Northeast. For decades, you drove your own car. It was a rite of passage. You’d worry about a baboon ripping your windshield wipers off. It happened. Seriously. The baboons were notorious for dismantling Toyotas like they were working a chop shop in Newark.
Then, in 2013, Six Flags pulled a fast one. They closed the self-drive option. They turned it into the "Safari Off-Road Adventure," where you had to board these giant, rugged trucks. People were annoyed. They missed the privacy of their own vehicles, even if it meant risking their paint job.
But then 2020 hit. Everything shut down. Six Flags realized they had a massive asset that was naturally socially distanced. They brought back the Six Flags Drive Thru Safari model almost overnight. It was a massive hit. You could sit in your AC, eat your own snacks, and stare at a white rhino without breathing on a stranger. It was perfect for the time.
What’s Actually Happening in 2024 and 2025?
Here is the kicker: the "Drive Thru" as we knew it is evolving again. Six Flags Great Adventure recently launched the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa.
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Yes, a spa. In the middle of a safari. In New Jersey.
They’ve basically "Glamped" the safari. You can now stay overnight in luxury tents overlooking the fields where the giraffes roam. It’s a massive pivot from the "pay 20 bucks and drive your car through" model. They are chasing the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge vibe, and honestly, they’re getting surprisingly close.
The Animals You’ll Actually See
The inventory is legit. We aren't talking about a few goats and a sad deer. This is one of the largest safari parks outside of Africa.
- The Giraffes: These are the stars. There are over 70 of them. They tend to congregate near the feeding stations, and if you’re staying at the new resort, they basically become your neighbors.
- The Rhinos: They have both Southern White Rhinos and Black Rhinos. Seeing a several-ton tank of an animal just chilling by a watering hole while you’re stuck in a Honda Civic is a humbling experience.
- The Carnivores: The lions, tigers, and bears (literally) are kept in fenced-off enclosures within the safari. You still drive through, but there are double-gate systems. It’s safe. Mostly. Just don’t run out of gas.
The Logistics Nobody Tells You
Don't just show up at noon on a Saturday. You’ll sit in a line of cars that stretches to the Pennsylvania border.
If you want to do the Six Flags Drive Thru Safari right, you go early. Like, "the animals are just waking up" early. Animals are more active when it's cool. By 2:00 PM in the Jersey July heat, every single lion is just a yellow lump under a tree. They aren't doing anything. They’re napping. You’re napping. It’s boring.
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Also, the speed limit is 5 mph. People ignore this. Don't be that person. If you tailgate the car in front of you, the ostriches get annoyed. And an annoyed ostrich is a terrifying 300-pound bird that can outrun your car and peck a hole in your soul.
Why the "Self-Drive" Experience is Polarizing
There is a segment of the population that hates the drive-thru. They think it’s bad for the cars. They think it’s stressful. And they aren't entirely wrong. Your engine will idle for about 90 minutes to two hours. If your cooling system is flaky, the safari will find out.
On the flip side, the guided tours—the ones in the big trucks—give you the info. The drivers know the animals' names. They know which giraffe is a jerk and which one is chill. You lose that context when it’s just you and your Spotify playlist.
But for families with toddlers? The Six Flags Drive Thru Safari is a godsend. No unbuckling car seats. No meltdowns in a crowded queue. Just snacks, "Baby Shark" on the stereo, and literal zebras.
The Conservation Factor
It’s easy to look at a theme park safari and think it’s just entertainment. But Six Flags is part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP). They’ve had massive success breeding Scimitar-horned Oryx, which were extinct in the wild for a long time.
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When you see a baby rhino in Jersey, it’s not just a cute photo op. It’s a genetic backup for a species that is getting hammered by poaching in the wild. Expert veterinarians from institutions like the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center often consult here. This isn't a roadside zoo; it's a massive biological operation hidden behind a roller coaster park.
How to Plan Your Trip Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re planning to visit, you need to understand the ticket structure. It’s confusing. Sometimes the safari is included with your theme park pass. Sometimes it requires a separate reservation.
- Check the Calendar: The safari isn't open year-round. It usually follows a seasonal schedule, opening in the spring and closing after the "Boo at the Boardwalk" festivities in autumn.
- The Windows Rule: Keep them up. Seriously. Even if you think the emu looks friendly. It isn't. Emus are agents of chaos.
- Toilet Strategy: There are no bathrooms once you enter the gates. None. You are in there for two hours. Plan accordingly, especially if you have kids who just drank a 32-ounce Sprite.
- The "Hidden" Entrance: Most people try to enter through the main Great Adventure gates. Look for the separate Safari entrance off Route 537. It’s often much faster.
The Future: Savannah Sunset and Beyond
The move toward the Savannah Sunset Resort tells us exactly where Six Flags is going. They want to be a destination, not just a day trip. By integrating high-end lodging into the Six Flags Drive Thru Safari footprint, they are creating a hybrid experience. You can wake up, have coffee while watching a wildebeest, and then go ride Kingda Ka (one of the tallest coasters in the world) ten minutes later.
It’s a weird contrast. It’s loud and quiet. It’s wild and mechanical. But that’s New Jersey.
Final Practical Insights
- Vehicle Size: If you're driving a massive dually truck or a camper, check the height and width clearances. Most standard SUVs and minivans are fine, but "overlanding" rigs can sometimes be too bulky for the tighter turns in the wooded sections.
- Audio Guide: Download the Six Flags app before you get there. They usually have an audio track that syncs with your location to tell you what you’re looking at. Without it, you’re just looking at "brown cows" (which are actually probably Eland).
- Fuel Up: Don't enter the safari with your gas light on. It’s a slow-crawl environment that eats fuel faster than highway driving because of the constant idling.
The Six Flags Drive Thru Safari remains one of the most unique wildlife experiences on the East Coast. It’s survived management changes, a global pandemic, and decades of car-eating baboons. Whether you stay in a luxury tent or just roll through in your beat-up sedan, it’s a slice of the Serengeti in the middle of the Pine Barrens. Just watch out for the ostriches. They’re watching you.
Your Next Steps:
Check the official Six Flags Great Adventure website for the specific "Safari Only" ticket options, as these change monthly based on theme park demand. If you're looking for the overnight experience, book the Savannah Sunset Resort at least three months in advance, as the limited number of glamping suites sell out quickly during the summer months. Finally, ensure your vehicle’s cooling system is topped off—idling for two hours in summer heat is the primary cause of breakdowns within the park.