Pokémon SoulSilver: Safari Zone Locations & Best Pokémon (Complete Guide)
The Safari Zone in Pokémon SoulSilver is one of the most unique features in the entire series. Unlike the traditional Safari Zones, the Johto version lets you customize areas, place objects, and unlock new Pokémon over time. This guide explains every Safari Zone location, how the system works, and the best Pokémon to catch for your team or Pokédex completion.
1. How the Safari Zone Works in SoulSilver
You can access the Safari Zone after defeating Gym Leader Jasmine, then traveling west of Olivine City to Route 47 → Cliff Cave → Safari Zone Gate.
Safari Zone Features:
-
12 different habitat areas you can arrange in any order
-
Objects that attract specific Pokémon
-
Block levels (0–30 days) unlock additional species
-
Time-based evolution-like system for rare Pokémon
This makes SoulSilver’s Safari Zone more like a customizable wild-area simulator.
2. All Safari Zone Areas & What They Contain
The Safari Zone is made up of 12 switchable areas. Each area has its own theme and encounter list.
1. Plains
Great for early-game Normal-types.
Notable Pokémon: Mareep, Girafarig
2. Meadow
A calm grassland with baby and common species.
Notable Pokémon: Pichu, Flaaffy
3. Savannah
Has several strong Normal and Electric types.
Notable Pokémon: Houndour, Magnemite
4. Desert
The only place to catch many Ground/Rock Pokémon.
Notable Pokémon: Hippopotas, Trapinch, Cacnea
5. Rocky Beach
Water and Rock species mix.
Notable Pokémon: Corsola, Seel
6. Swamp
Full of Poison, Water, and Bug types.
Notable Pokémon: Gulpin, Skorupi, Quagsire
7. Wetland
A high-tier area for Water and Bug Pokémon.
Notable Pokémon: Heracross, Carvanha
8. Forest
Where many Grass and Bug Pokémon appear.
Notable Pokémon: Pineco, Shroomish, Hoppip
9. Mountain
A great spot for Rock, Fire, and Steel types.
Notable Pokémon: Slugma, Larvitar (after block level 15)
10. Peak
Elevation area with rare encounters.
Notable Pokémon: Misdreavus, Sneasel
11. River
Water-heavy zone.
Notable Pokémon: Psyduck, Wooper
12. Marshland
Poison, Water, and rare Bug Pokémon.
Notable Pokémon: Toxicroak, Paras
3. Block Objects & Block Levels
To unlock rare Pokémon, you must place blocks (Small, Medium, Big) and let them age.
Block Level System
-
Level increases every 10 days you place blocks in that area
-
Maximum level: 30 days
-
Higher levels unlock rare species such as Gible, Larvitar, Bagon, and more
Types of Blocks
-
Plains-type blocks (stumps, rocks)
-
Forest-type blocks (trees, shrubs)
-
Water-type blocks (pools, fountains)
The combination of:
Area type + Block type + Block level
determines what Pokémon appear.
4. Best Pokémon to Catch in SoulSilver’s Safari Zone
Here are the strongest and most useful Pokémon, including competitive and in-game champions.
⭐ 1. Larvitar (Mountain area – Block Level 15)
Type: Rock/Ground
Why it's great:
-
Tyranitar is one of the strongest Pokémon in Gen 2/4
-
Amazing Attack and bulk
-
Great for Elite Four and post-game
⭐ 2. Bagon (Peak area – Block Level 7)
Type: Dragon
Why it's great:
-
Evolves into Salamence, a powerful Dragon/Flying type
-
Fantastic late-game sweeper
-
Rare and highly valuable
⭐ 3. Gible (Rocky Beach – Block Level 21)
Type: Dragon/Ground
Why it's great:
-
Garchomp is one of the most dominant Dragons in Pokémon history
-
Fast, strong, and tanky
-
Hard to find anywhere else in Gen 4
⭐ 4. Heracross (Forest or Mountain)
Type: Bug/Fighting
Why it's great:
-
Extremely strong Attack stat
-
Megahorn is a monster move in HG/SS
-
Amazing for boss fights
⭐ 5. Skorupi (Swamp)
Type: Poison/Bug → Poison/Dark
Why it's great:
-
Drapion is fast, defensive, and hits very hard
-
Great movepool
-
One of the best Johto/Unova crossover Pokémon
⭐ 6. Trapinch (Desert)
Type: Ground → Dragon/Ground
Why it's great:
-
Flygon is a great mid–late game Dragon
-
Balanced stats and wide movepool
⭐ 7. Houndour (Savannah)
Type: Dark/Fire
Why it's great:
-
Evolves into Houndoom
-
One of the best special attackers in the game
-
Excellent against Will, Jasmine, and Team Rocket
⭐ 8. Shroomish (Forest)
Type: Grass → Grass/Fighting
Why it's great:
-
Breloom is incredible with Spore + Mach Punch
-
One of the strongest utility sweepers in Gen 4
⭐ 9. Pineco (Forest)
Type: Bug → Forretress
Why it's great:
-
Great defensive tank
-
Fantastic for setting up hazards in competitive battles
10. Misdreavus & Gligar (Peak area)
Great for:
-
Mismagius (special attacker)
-
Gliscor (one of the best physical tanks)
5. Best Safari Zone Team Recommendations
If you want Pokémon that drastically improve your Johto playthrough, aim for:
Top In-Game Picks
-
Houndoom
-
Heracross
-
Flygon
-
Quagsire
-
Gliscor
-
Breloom
Top Late-Game Powerhouses
-
Tyranitar
-
Garchomp
-
Salamence
6. Tips to Get Rare Pokémon Faster
✔ Place blocks early — the 10/20/30 day timers start only after placing
✔ Revisit the Safari Zone daily
✔ Use Repels to reach deep grass and force high-level encounters
✔ Bring a Pokémon with Foresight for Pokémon that flee
✔ Save before entering to reset if needed
Final Thoughts
The Safari Zone in SoulSilver is one of the deepest systems in the Pokémon series. With customizable areas and time-based unlocks, you can catch some of the strongest Pokémon in all of Johto — including Tyranitar, Garchomp, and Salamence.