SANTA ROSA — Wine tasting in the Sonoma Valley can be an adventure.

Safari West — the ultimate in Napa-Sonoma Wine Country wildlife — offers private safaris complete with wine (or beer tasting) on the 400 acres that comprises the Sonoma Serengeti.

It’s less expensive than a bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon — the pricey Napa Valley wine that costs $2,295 a bottle — for a weekend booking.

The tab for the private Brews & Buffalo, Winos & Rhinos gig is $1,595 for up to 12 people through May with two levels of wine tasting at either $40 or $65 per person.  (The cost jumps to $1,590 from June to August

Is that a tad too expensive for your taste?

But consider this: Safari West boasts of nearly 900 animals and over 90 species heralding from Africa.

Besides where else 2½ hours from Manteca can you go to watch herds of zebras roam, listen to the serenade of wildebeests, see cheetahs on the prowl and have giraffes making eye-to-eye contact with you as you sit on the second level of an open safari vehicle?

Safari West is the creation of Peter and Nancy Lang.

They chose the Sonoma Valley for their unique adventure given its forests and grasslands are similar to parts of Africa and the weather is ideal.

He is the son of Otto Lang who once directed TV shows such as “Daktari”, “Flipper”, and “Sea World”. She was once the curator of the avian collection at the San Francisco Zoo.

Given that $1,595 for a day of wine tasting and taking in the Santa Rosa version of the Serengeti might be a bit too much if you can’t get 11 adventurous friends together to split the bill, Safari West offers regularly scheduled two hour tours of the 400 acres that takes you across rugged back country to take in the animals. And thanks to the open layout you never see the same combination of animals on one trip to another.

Safari West is open year round. The safari when it is booked now through May during the week costs $110 for adults, $100 for seniors 62 and older and $45 for teens and children must be 4 years or older. The Saturday and Sunday charge jumps to $120 for adults, $110 for seniors, but remains at $45 for teens and children.

Safari West has been ranked high in safari parks.

It has a lot to do with the setting, the attention given to the animals, and the experiences available.

It doesn’t hurt that it is the fabled Sonoma Valley.

The tour is a wildlife photographer’s dream and resonates with young and old.

 But perhaps more intriguing than a spin around the Sonoma Serengeti with a well-versed guide at the wheels of the safari vehicle is the ability to spend the night in a tent cabin.

Keep in mind this is not the tents you book in Curry Village in Yosemite Valley.

This is full-scale glamping where nature meets modern luxury. While the walls (and ceiling) are made of heavy canvas, there are hardwood floors, and luxurious accommodations.

The beds and furnishings are way above Motel 6 pay grade and even make a Best Western seem Spartan. There are even bathrooms.

There are no TVs and such but then again who needs the distraction? You will be serenaded by the wild things as you drift off to sleep.

And be prepared for darkness.

Thanks to the location of the tents and the surrounding hills you can savor stargazing that is impressive from the convenience of your tent’s private balcony.

The overnight rate is fairly reasonable. The 30 plus tents start at $420 for four people. For those that aren't thrilled by canvas there are two cottages available.

Overnight guests can book breakfast and/or dinner plus campfire chats.

If you want to take the two-hour safari definitely book in advance. Departure times are 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

The 125-mile trio to Santa Rosa will take about 2.5 hours.

For more details go to safariwest.com

.