The Safari Zone has been a staple of mainline Pokemon games since the first games released in 1998. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl continue the tradition, except the designated zone is rebranded as the Great Marsh.
The Great Marsh is similar to many previous Safari Zones, but it has its unique differences in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The dedicated area has its own set list of Pokemon that can spawn within all 6 zones. The chances of encountering a specific character changes based on the time of day, whether the National Dex has been acquired, and a randomized potential daily encounter with one character from a binoculars sighting.
Great Marsh Safari Zone Guide
There are a total of 31 Pokemon that can be caught in the Safari Zone/Great Marsh in Brilliant Diamond and 30 in Shining Pearl, with 8 only catchable after getting the National Dex from Professor Oak after beating the Elite Four. Arbok is exclusive to Brilliant Diamond players.
Trainers will start the Great Marsh Safari Zone after buying 30 Safari Balls and entering the area. They have unlimited time to explore, but the adventure ends when every Pokeball has been thrown, or 500 steps have been reached. Trainers don't battle, but instead must use bait and lure to alter the catch/flee rate. It is highly recommended to just throw a Safari Ball without using any Bait or Lure.
There are 14 Pokemon that can only be encountered after spotting them on the lookout binoculars located on the second floor of the Safari Zone building. This character is randomized daily, and ordinary random catches have the ability to appear in the binoculars for all 6 zones as well. So, there's no guarantee a character that can only be captured after spotting it with the binoculars will actually spawn.
The date/time on the Nintendo Switch can be manipulated (just like time traveling in Animal Crossing: New Horizons) to simulate a new daily binoculars potential Pokemon encounter.
Safari Zone Pokemon List in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
The following table details the full Safari Zone Pokemon list, along with exactly how to trigger an encounter, and whether they are available before or after getting the National Dex.
Pokemon | Where to Catch | Time | National Dex Availability | Type of Encounter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Arbok | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Random (Brilliant Diamond exclusive Pokemon) |
Paras | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Binocular |
Psyduck | Grass/Surf | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Golduck | Grass/Surf | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Exeggcute | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Binocular |
Kangaskhan | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Binocular |
Hoothoot | Grass | Night Only | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Noctowl | Grass | Night Only | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Marill | Grass/Surf | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Yanma | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Binocular |
Wooper | Grass/Surf | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Quagsire | Grass/Surf | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Shroomish | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Binocular |
Azurill | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Roselia | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Gulpin | Grass | Day or Night | After National Dex | Binocular |
Carvanha | Fishing (using the Super Rod in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl) | Day or Night | After National Dex | Random |
Barboach | Fishing (With Good Rod) | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Wiscash | Fishing (With Super Rod) | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Staravia | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Bidoof | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Bibarel | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Budew | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Skorupi | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Drapion | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Croagunk | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Toxicroak | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Carnivine | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Binocular |
Magikarp | Fishing (Old Rod in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl 100% Catch Rate) | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Starly | Grass | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Gyarados | Fishing (Good Rod in Pokemon Diamond and Shining Pearl or Super Rod) | Day or Night | Before and After National Dex | Random |
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are out now for Nintendo Switch.
