Discover Africa
Discover Africa: Bringing Wildlife Education to Underserved Students
A fully funded field trip program that brings students face-to-face with wildlife while strengthening science, conservation awareness, and curiosity about the natural world.
Program Overview
Discover Africa provides free educational field trips to Title I schools, giving students in grades 3–12 the opportunity to explore wildlife, ecology, and conservation firsthand. Each 90-minute experience is led by a Safari West Naturalist and includes encounters with giraffes, primates, cheetahs, birds, and other remarkable species.
This program helps bridge equity gaps in science and environmental education by bringing students outside the classroom and into a vibrant living landscape.
Educational Focus
Discover Africa supports STEM, biology, and conservation learning through:
- Hands-On Discovery
Students meet wildlife up close, deepening their understanding of species, habitats, and ecosystems. - Curriculum-Aligned Content
Program material is continually refined to support California science standards and age-appropriate learning goals.
Social and Emotional Learning
Through direct animal encounters, students build empathy, confidence, and a sense of environmental responsibility.
Program Impact
2025 School Year
- 23 Title I Schools Served
- 1,213 Students Reached
- Participating Regions: American Canyon, Calistoga, Kelseyville, Laytonville, Napa County, Oakland, Sonoma County, Ukiah, Woodland
These experiences leave lasting impressions—many students report that Discover Africa is their first close encounter with wildlife and their first exposure to conservation learning outside the classroom.
Support Discover Africa
Discover Africa is entirely funded through charitable contributions. Community support keeps this program going for students across Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Marin, and nearby regions, giving them a rare chance to experience wildlife and conservation in person.
For supporters
If you’d like to help more students visit Safari West, Discover Africa offers clear ways to give. Individuals and companies can sponsor a class or an entire school visit. A typical sponsorship averages around $2,000 and covers on-site learning at the preserve along with an in-classroom presentation.
Your tax-deductible gift can be directed to a specific school or to the general Discover Africa fund so we can match support with the greatest need. We welcome you to reach out if you’d like to learn more about sponsoring a visit or making a donation to the program.
Reach out to Jen Lummus for more information.
For educators
Discover Africa is designed for students in grades 3–8, when in-person experiences with wildlife can strongly shape how they see science, nature, and their own role in caring for the planet.
Please complete the application below to request space for Fall 2025 and Spring/Fall 2026. We will follow up with next steps and information about funding options for your school.
