Visitor Experiences

If you can't make it around the Zoo in one day, you're not alone. Let us take you behind the scenes and through some of our most popular habitats from the comfort of our golf cart. Visitors will learn about what it takes to maintain the Zoo and learn more about their favorite animals that call the Zoo home.

Pricing

• $80 per person
• $60 per person for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium members

Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable.  

Age and Accessibility

All ages are welcome on this tour. Children 2 and under do not need a ticket but will be expected to sit on a lap or between adults. Participants need to be able to board and sit on a golf cart.

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B. Daugherty Education Center at least 15 minutes before their program begins.

Register Here

Pricing

• $80 per person
• $60 per person for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium members

Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B. Daugherty Education Center at least 15 minutes before their tour begins.

Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

This experience is open to all ages.

Want to visit a toad-ally secret frog lab? Join us on a ribbit-ing adventure on a behind-the-scenes experience in the Amphibian Conservation Area. On this experience, you will meet some of our resident reptiles, talk to our conservationists, and see some of the most endangered animals on the planet!

Free-flying Bird Experiences

Returning next Spring

This experience is open to all ages.

Flap on over to a behind-the-scenes experience at Holland Meadowlark Theater – home to our hawks, owls, and other feathered friends. You will be able to meet these talon-ted birds up close and learn more about their care and training here at the Zoo. This experience is open to all ages and will take place for a limited time.

Early Morning Cheetah Discovery

Returning next Spring

This experience is open to all ages.

Join us before the zoo opens to meet the cheetahs who live all over the zoo! Visitors will learn about the different ways we care for both our cheetahs in African Grasslands and watch a private training session with our animal care staff. Transportation will be provided throughout the zoo during this experience.

Ambassador Animal Discovery

Labor Day through Memorial Day on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m.

Pricing

Cost is $50 per person, $40 per member. Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. 

This experience is open to all ages. 

Get an up-close meet and greet with some of our resident animals! During this experience, animal care staff will introduce visitors to two of our amazing ambassador animals. Visitors will meet a small reptile and mammal or a small reptile and bird*.

*The animals you meet will depend on animal care schedules and availability. We are unable to guarantee a specific animal or species. 

Register Here

Pricing

• $80 per person
• $60 per person for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium members

Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Ages

All participants must be at least 8 years old to ensure the comfort of the animals and safety of the workspaces. Participants 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B. Daugherty Education Center at least 15 minutes before their tour begins.

Aquarium Backstage Experience

Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

Have you ever wondered how much water is above your head as you walk through the tunnel of the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, or how we feed the sharks and rays who call the aquarium home? Join us behind the scenes to explore the aquarium from the other side of the glass.

Giraffe Backstage Experience

Sundays at 1:30 p.m. year-round

Get to know the Zoo's herd of reticulated giraffes during a tour of the Syd and Betty Cate Family Giraffe Herd Rooms.  Learn how we care for animals that stand 15 feet above the ground, and how our herd rooms are specially designed for the Zoo's tallest residents. 

Elephant Backstage Experience

Saturdays and Sundays at 3:15 p.m.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the largest family herd room in North America and learn about the colossal care we give our growing African elephant herd. Visitors will have a chance to hear from our animal care team about how they train and enrich the lives of the largest Zoo residents. 

Sea Lion Backstage Experience

Returning next Spring

Now's your chance to see these magnificent marine mammals up close! Head behind the scenes of our Sea Lion Care Quarters to find out how we care for our resident pinnipeds, then head out to the Sea Lion Amphitheater for a training demonstration.

Center for Conservation and Research Backstage Experience

Private bookings only. Visitors must reserve three weeks in advance and book at least six spots.

Contact the Education Department at (402) 738-2092 or [email protected] to reserve your tour.

Head behind the scenes of our Center for Conservation and Research to learn about the work Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is doing to help protect animals both in the wild and in zoos and aquariums across the country.

Register Here

Take a guided adventure through some of our most popular habitats. While traveling on the public path, you are sure to hear, see, and learn more than you've ever noticed before! You can expect to learn about how we care for the animals that live in some of the most unique habitats in the world as well as how we can all work together to preserve the unique ecosystems they belong to. Private tours available for additional exhibits. 

Pricing

Cost is $15 per person. Zoo admission not included. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Reserve Today

Private Backstage Experiences

Limited availability, extra fees may apply

Private Experiences are a great option for those who would like to make their Omaha Zoo visit extra special. These experiences are ideal for work groups, family reunions, or significant milestones. Golf Cart Tours, Giraffe Backstage Experiences, Aquarium Backstage Experiences, Amphibian Conservation Experiences, Free-Flying Bird Experiences, Animal Discoveries, and Guided Habitat Tours can be booked just for your group to experience together! Descriptions of each experience and the age limitations are listed above.

Custom Guided Tour 

Limited availability

$750 for up to eight guests. Price includes admission to the Zoo. Member discount available for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium members. 

The listed price includes admission to the Zoo for the day, three hours (9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m.) with a private guide, and access to a private cart for transport to many locations within the Zoo. Your guide will be able to take your interests and develop them into a custom visit for your group while providing new and exciting information about the animals and habitats that make the Omaha Zoo the #1 Zoo in the Nation! 

Although this tour does not include any food, rides, or animal encounters, guests may choose to purchase any available Zoo attractions during, before or after their tour. Additional Backstage Experiences can also be purchased at a discount. 

Contact the Education Department at (402) 738-2092 or [email protected] at least three weeks in advance with your desired experience(s), date preference, and group size.

Some patron memberships or philanthropic gift levels include the benefit of a donor experience tour. To schedule your experience, please contact the Omaha Zoo Foundation at [email protected].