Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald

Safari Zone

Capture rare Pokémon without battling in the Pokemon Emerald Safari Zone. Use limited Safari Balls, bait, and rocks within 500 steps. Plan your route to maximi.

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Safari Zone

Welcome to the Safari Zone, a unique area where you can catch rare Pokémon without battling them! Instead, you'll use a limited supply of Safari Balls and bait/rocks to influence their catch rate. Remember, you only have 500 steps before your time is up, so plan your route wisely!

Entry and Rules

To enter the Safari Zone, head to the building on the eastern side of Route 121. You'll need to pay a fee of 500 Pokedollars. Upon entry, you'll receive 30 Safari Balls. The rules are simple: you cannot use your own Pokémon to battle, and if a wild Pokémon flees, it's gone for good. Your goal is to catch as many unique Pokémon as possible within your step limit.

Navigating the Safari Zone

The Safari Zone is divided into four distinct areas, each with its own set of Pokémon and hidden items. We'll guide you through each section to maximize your chances of success.

Area 1 (Entrance Area)

This is where you begin. The path is fairly straightforward. Your primary goal here is to get a feel for the Safari Zone mechanics and potentially catch some common Pokémon.

  • Walkthrough: From the entrance, head directly north. You'll quickly reach a patch of tall grass.
  • Items:
    • TM23 (Iron Tail): Located in the northern part of this area, accessible by heading north from the entrance and then west. It's hidden in the grass.
  • Notable Pokémon: Doduo, Natu, Gloom (Emerald exclusive)

Area 2 (Northwest Area)

To reach this area, you'll need to navigate through Area 1 and take the northern exit. This section often features water, requiring the use of Surf if you want to explore fully and find all items/Pokémon.

  • Walkthrough: From the northern exit of Area 1, head west. You'll encounter more tall grass and a body of water.
  • Items:
    • Full Restore: Found on a small island in the water, accessible only with Surf.
  • Notable Pokémon: Psyduck (Surf), Golduck (Surf), Rhyhorn, Heracross (Headbutt trees - rare)

Area 3 (Northeast Area)

Accessible from the northern part of Area 1, this area is characterized by more dense foliage and often requires careful step management.

  • Walkthrough: From the northern exit of Area 1, head east. You'll find a winding path through tall grass.
  • Items:
    • Max Revive: Tucked away in the easternmost part of this section, often requiring you to go around a small loop.
  • Notable Pokémon: Pinsir, Ledyba (Emerald exclusive), Sunkern (Emerald exclusive)

Area 4 (Southeast Area)

This area is typically reached by heading south from Area 3 or east from Area 1 (after circling around). It often has a unique layout or specific Pokémon not found elsewhere.

  • Walkthrough: From the eastern part of Area 1, head south through a narrow passage, or from Area 3, head south.
  • Items:
    • Leftovers: A highly valuable item! It's located in the very southeastern corner of the Safari Zone, often requiring you to navigate through a small maze of grass.
  • Notable Pokémon: Spinda, Girafarig, Aipom (Headbutt trees - rare)

Catching Strategies

When you encounter a wild Pokémon in the Safari Zone, you have four options:

  1. Throw Safari Ball: Your primary method of catching.
  2. Throw Bait: Makes the Pokémon less likely to flee but harder to catch. Use this on Pokémon with high flee rates or if you've already thrown a ball and it broke out.
  3. Throw Rock: Makes the Pokémon easier to catch but more likely to flee. Use this on Pokémon with low flee rates or if you're desperate for a quick catch.
  4. Run: Escape the encounter.

Here are some general strategies:

  • High Flee Rate Pokémon: For Pokémon like Natu or Doduo, consider throwing bait first to reduce their chances of running, then follow up with Safari Balls.
  • Low Flee Rate Pokémon: For Pokémon like Spinda or Girafarig, you might try throwing a rock to increase your catch rate, then immediately a Safari Ball. Be prepared for them to flee, though!
  • Balanced Approach: Often, simply throwing a Safari Ball is the best first move. If it breaks out, then assess whether to use bait or a rock based on the Pokémon's known behavior.
  • Conserve Steps: Don't waste steps running in circles. Have a target Pokémon in mind and stick to a path that leads to its habitat.
  • Prioritize Rare Spawns: If you encounter a rare Pokémon like Heracross or Aipom, dedicate your efforts to catching it, even if it means using more Safari Balls or risking a flee.

Important Considerations

  • Repel: Repels do NOT work in the Safari Zone. Every step in tall grass or water has a chance of an encounter.
  • Save Before Entry: It's a good idea to save your game before entering the Safari Zone. If you fail to catch a desired Pokémon or run out of steps without success, you can soft reset and try again.
  • Surf and Strength: While not strictly necessary for entry, having Pokémon with Surf and Strength can help you access all areas and items within the Safari Zone.
  • Headbutt Trees: Some Pokémon, like Heracross and Aipom, can only be found by using the move Headbutt on specific trees within the Safari Zone. Remember to bring a Pokémon that knows this HM!

Good luck, Trainer! The Safari Zone offers a unique challenge and the chance to expand your Pokedex with some fantastic Pokémon.