DAY TRIP The Living Desert

The Living Desert, a zoological park where visitors can see wildlife in their natural desert habitat, is set in the middle of the Coachella Valley, only minutes from Palm Springs and Indio. The park includes a zoo and boasts a menagerie of desert wildlife ranging from a golden eagle to zebras. Founded in 1970, the Living Desert believes it is the only zoo and garden in the United States dedicated to one ecosystem. What began as a 360-acre wilderness preserve in the middle of a sparsely populated area more than 30 years ago now features environmental, native wildlife rehabilitation and captive breeding programs.

 GETTING THERE

From Interstate 10, take the Monterey exit and turn south. Go south about six miles and turn east on Highway 111. Follow the signs when you reach Portola. Visit www.livingdesert.org for detailed maps and directions.

 KIDS ACTIVITIES

The park’s Village WaTuTu is a life-sized replica of a northeast African village, featuring mud and thatch huts. The park’s storytellers entertain children with folk tales from African and Native American traditions. Children can groom a dwarf African goat at the village petting zoo. The village exhibit also features camels, hyenas, leopards, tortoises and other animals native to northeast Africa.

The one-acre children’s play area, called Gecko Gulch, has a saguaro cactus slide, underground animal burrows for children to explore, a sand-dune play area and a trough where children can pan for gold.

 BOTANICAL GARDENS

The botanical gardens at the Living Desert showcase desert plants from a variety of regions. Desert landscapes represented at the park include the Mojave Desert, the foothills of Sonora, Mexico, the Viscaino Desert of central Baja and the Colorado Desert.

There also are numerous specialized gardens at the park including a hummingbird garden, featuring a collection of plants that attract the tiny birds. The Primitive Garden showcases plants from the Jurassic period and the McDonald Butterfly and Wildflower Garden draws migrating butterflies. Numerous other gardens at the park contain a wide variety of cacti, palm trees and other desert plants.

 WILDLIFE HOSPITAL

The Tennity Wildlife & Conservation Center provides state-of-the-art medical care for the animals at the Living Desert. The facility, open since 2002, has been designed to allow visitors to view the examination rooms where animals receive treatment.

 AFRICAN SAVANNA

The park is in the process of expanding its African Savanna exhibit, which includes a family of nearly full-grown giraffes that stand about 16 feet tall. The giraffe exhibit includes a watering hole and an elevated feeding station, where visitors can view daily meals. Volunteers give daily talks on the giraffe and its natural habitat. Three adult ostriches live side-by-side with the giraffes at the exhibit.

 GIFT SHOPS & CAFES

The Living Desert features two gift shops, including the Kumbu Kumbu Market. The shop offers African-themed souvenirs and clothing.

The Thorn Tree Grill in the park’s Village WaTuTu serves African and American dishes, along with wine and beer.

The Meerkat Café’s menu features sandwiches, soups and salads. The eatery also offers deserts and cold refreshments such as a date shake.

— Brianna Bailey