Safari West Converts to Nonprofit, 134 Jobs Cut

Visitors to the Sonoma County preserve can expect tours and education programs to continue under the new structure.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Wildlife

Photograph of a golden grassland with scattered oak trees on a low ridge under warm late-afternoon light, suggesting open preserve land. — Safari West, a Sonoma County wildlife preserve, is converting to a California nonprofit while 134 employees face layoffs, with tours and education programs expected to continue. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve in Sonoma County, is converting from a privately held business to a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. A state employment filing says 134 employees will be laid off as part of the change.

Why it matters

The conversion is intended to increase work on research, education and conservation while allowing the property to remain open to visitors. For Californians planning family outings, the preserve's tours and education programs are expected to continue under the same leadership.

The preserve covers 400 acres and houses more than 900 animals, and 134 employees are slated for layoffs in a state employment filing. The business had been privately held for 35 years before the planned conversion.

The players

Safari West

A 400-acre Sonoma County wildlife preserve offering safari tours, overnight tent stays and wildlife education programs.

Peter Lang

Founder of Safari West who bought the Sonoma County ranch in the 1980s and opened the preserve to the public in 1993.

The details

Safari West will move from private ownership to a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, a change intended to direct more resources toward research, education and conservation. The preserve will remain open to visitors, with safari tours, tent accommodation overnight stays and wildlife education programs expected to continue under the same leadership and dedicated team. The state filing lists 134 employees for layoff, and the preserve projects those workers will be hired back under the new nonprofit structure.

1970s: Peter Lang becomes interested in exotic animals while owning a cattle ranch in Beverly Hills.
1980s: Lang buys a former cattle ranch in Sonoma County.
1993: The preserve opens to the public as Sonoma Serengeti.
October 2017: The Tubbs Fire sweeps through Sonoma County.
November 20, 2017: The preserve reopens after the fire threat passes.

The Home Front

Safari West's conversion puts a Sonoma County attraction on the same footing as other nonprofit wildlife organizations in California. The move reflects a broader shift in how privately held animal parks structure their operations around conservation and education.

If you plan to visit Safari West, check the preserve's current tour and overnight booking options, since its programs are expected to continue under the new structure. Families who have held memberships or tickets may want to confirm with the preserve how the transition affects existing arrangements.

The takeaway

The move to a nonprofit structure is meant to deepen Safari West's work in research, education and conservation while keeping the preserve open to families. Watch for updates on the rehiring of the 134 laid-off employees if you rely on the preserve's programs.