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Garden State teachers and parents who need something entertaining yet educational for the kids this spring may want to head to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, which announced March 14 that its Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure will open for the 2022 season on March 19.

The 350-acre attraction, one of the largest drive-through safaris outside of Africa, according to the park, will debut new animals, guest enhancements, increased capacity and streamlined park operations for the 2022 season.

New animals include:

• Sawyer, a 6-year-old southern white rhinoceros who joins three adult female rhinos in the Afrikka section of the safari;
• Three reticulated giraffe calves who were born in the safari this winter and join the its tower of 13 giraffes;
• Two sable antelope calves, who reside in the Serengeti Grasslands section;
• Two red lechwe calves, born onsite this winter; and
• Two Asian water buffalo calves.

Throughout the spring, more babies will join the safari family, including American bison, zebra, aoudad, kangaroo, dama gazelle, blackbuck and more.

The park also announced site improvements, including an expanded, two-lane roadway, a new audio tour, an enhanced entrance, Volta electric vehicle charging stations and an enhanced mobile app.

Six Flags has also updated its educational programs that were developed by the park’s state-certified teacher and tailored to specific age groups while following state learning standards. The programs include Safari Off Road Education, Science on Safari, Wild Encounters, Cyber Safari and a free online classroom through Six Flags’ YouTube channel.

The park’s annual Save an Icon Pin, the proceeds of which are donated to the Wildlife Conservation Network, will feature the bongo and cheetah. Since 2019, the park has raised more than $50,000 for the cause.