Come experience Safari Tent Camping at it's best ... at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium!
Families can stay in real canvas tents with cots, nightstands, and director chairs, with electrical outlets and oscillating fans overlooking the lion’s exhibit. This is a 24/7 outside campsite with a campfire pit where guests can roast marshmallows and enjoy an outdoor movie. Your overnight will include educational programming, overnight stay, Zoo admission, evening snack, morning breakfast, morning hike and a visit from one of our Animal Ambassadors.
Tents are reserved per family. Children attending the Family Safaris must be 4 years of age and accompanied by an adult. One adult is required per tent. Program runs 7 pm to 9 am.
Cost: $110 per person
2022 Dates:
- Friday, July 15
- Friday, August 19
- Friday, August 26
- Friday, September 16
- Friday, September 23
- Saturday, October 1
Family Sleeping Bag Safaris are overnight programs where guests spend the night at the Zoo to experience exhibits after-hours. Program include educational programs, paid admission, overnight stay, evening hike, conservation games, evening snack, movie, morning hike, and free day at the Zoo.
Family Safaris are inside facility overnights limited to family groups and have a minimum ages of four years to participate. Both programs run from 7 p.m. - 9 a.m. and cost are $40.00 - $55.00 per person depending on what facility is being used. Family Safaris includes educational programming, paid admission, overnight stay, an evening snack and an "Grab-n-Go" breakfast.
*Please note these overnights are not open to scout groups, youth groups, or groups in general. See Small Group Campouts for these overnights.
2022 Dates:
- Friday, July 29 – Science and Stingrays (Harper Event Center)
- Saturday, August 13 – Getting Some Zzzzz’s with Gorillas (Hubbard Gorilla Valley)
- Saturday, August 27 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, September 3 - Sleeping in a Sea Cave (Owens Sea Lions)
- Saturday, September 17 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, October 1 – Dreams in the Desert (Desert Dome)*
- Friday, October 28 – Ghouls and Glow Safari (Hubbard Gorilla Valley)
- Saturday, November 5 – Cold Weather Camping (Asian Highlands)*
- Friday, November 18 - Boxes, Bags, Ribbons and Bows (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, December 2 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, December 23 - Boxes, Bags, Ribbons, and Bows (Hubbard Gorilla Valley)
- Friday, December 30 - New Year's Celebration Family Safari (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, January 14 - Sleeping Bags and Sharks (Scott Aquarium - Shark Reef)
- Saturday, January 28 - Waking on the Wild Side (Wild Kingdom Pavillion - Tents Optional)
- Friday, February 3 - Penguins and Pajamas (Scott Aquarium - Ocean Birds)
- Saturday, February 11 - Boxes, Bags, Ribbons, and Bows (Hubbard Gorilla Valley)
*Facility requires tents and guests must provide own tents for use. (2-4 person tents suggested - Pop-up only)
♦Additional Cost due to Special program.
Concerned about attending Overnights at the Zoo? At Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, guest safety is our number one priority. To ensure this, our Campout Staff is performing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols based on health and safety guidelines provided by state and local authorities. To help encourage a fun and safe environment we ask that our non-vaccinated guests wear masks and observe six-foot social distancing.
Make a Reservation
Safari Tent Camp
Join us for an overnight program where adult guests spend the night at the Zoo's Safari Tent Camp site and experience the exhibits after-hours. Program includes an evening gourmet dinner and drinks, an evening hike, movie, snacks, gourmet breakfast, morning hike, and free day at the Zoo.
Tents include one double cot or two single cots. Each tent is 10' x 12' spacious interior equipped with an electrical outlet, nightstand with lantern, area rug, dining table, two director chairs and oscillating fan. Guests must bring their own bedding and comfortable shoes for walking.
Cost per person is $135.00 ($270.00 per couple). This overnight is for guests 21years old and over only. Single campers pay a minimum two-person tent price. There is a maximum two-person occupancy per tent.
2022 Dates:
- Saturday, July 9
- Saturday, July 16
- Saturday, July 23
- Friday, July 29
- Friday, August 5
- Saturday, August 13
- Saturday, August 27
- Friday, September 2
- Saturday, September 10
- Saturday, September 17
- Friday, September 30
- Saturday, October 8
Concerned about attending Overnights at the Zoo? At Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, guest safety is our number one priority. To ensure this, our Campout Staff is performing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols based on health and safety guidelines provided by state and local authorities. To help encourage a fun and safe environment we ask that our non-vaccinated guests wear masks and observe six-foot social distancing.
Reservations
Small Group Safaris
Small Group Safaris are overnight programs designed for schools, churches, scouts or summer camps who cannot meet our 20-person Large Group Safari minimum. The program includes educational programming, overnight stay, paid admission, and evening snack. Groups will go on a night hike, play conservation games, watch a movie and go on a morning hike. Guests must be 4 years old or older.
Safaris run from 7 p.m. - 9 a.m. and are costs $40.00 - $50.00 per person.
2022 Dates:
- Saturday, July 30 – Sleeping in a Sea Cave Safari (Owen Sea Lion Shores)*
- Saturday, August 6 – Science & Stingrays (Harper Event Center)*Tents Optional
- Friday, August 26 - Sleeping in a Sea Cave Safari (Owen Sea Lion Shores*
- Friday, September 2 - Getting Some Zzzz's with Gorillas (Hubbard Gorilla Valley)
- Saturday, September 24 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, October 14 - Getting Some Zzzz's with Gorillas (Hubbard Gorilla Valley)
- Friday, November 4 – Sleeping Bags and Sharks (Scott Aquarium-Shark Reef)
- Saturday, November 26 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, December 3 - Cold Weather Camping (Asian Highlands)*
- Saturday, December 10 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
*Denotes Facility requires tents. Please bring non stakeable tents to overnight.
♦Denotes Special Fee due to extra event.
Concerned about attending Overnights at the Zoo? At Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, guest safety is our number one priority. To ensure this, our Campout Staff is performing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols based on health and safety guidelines provided by state and local authorities. To help encourage a fun and safe environment we ask that our non-vaccinated guests wear masks and observe six-foot social distancing.
Make a Reservation
Large Group
Groups of at least 25 can call and arrange a private overnight stay. Schools, churches, scouts, summer camps, families and other groups are welcome to make a reservation year-round. Overnight includes educational programming, paid admission, overnight stay, evening snack, night hike, conservation games, movie and morning hike. Other packages are available with additional amenities for a unique and memorable experience. Cost are per person and by facility (see Packages and Pricing list below) with a minimum age of 4 year old.
Concerned about attending Overnights at the Zoo? At Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, guest safety is our number one priority. To ensure this, our Campout Staff is performing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols based on health and safety guidelines provided by state and local authorities. To help encourage a fun and safe environment we ask that our non-vaccinated guests wear masks and observe six-foot social distancing.
Campouts
Campouts are overnight educational programs where guests spend the night in platform canvas tents and enjoy learning about what happens at the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari (Ashland, Nebraska) after dark.
Campouts at Wildlife Safari Park will start at 7:00 pm to accomodate drivers from Lincoln and Omaha. Please plan on joining us from 7:00 pm to 9:00 am and enjoying the country air.
The Campout includes educational programming, overnight stay, park admission, evening hike, and morning hike. Guests are allowed to bring food and drink (non-alcoholic) into the park to enjoy. We will be providing the evening snack but please feel free to bring your own breakfast.
We NOW have three locations where guests can spend the night: Base Camp, Darrald Harsh Wildlife Education Center and Car Camping at Wolf Woods. Base Camp has canvas tents on platforms and a firepit for traditional camping. The Darrald Harsh Wildlife Education Center has running water and electricity and is close to bathroom for younger campers that are just starting out with staying overnight. Guests that spend the night at the traditional campsite with platform canvas tents will have cots provided but will need to bring their own sleeping grear. New for 2022 is our Car Camping program. Guests can bring their tents and camp near their cars on the parking lot spaces or sleep in their cars. See more information in our Car Camping tab. All groups are asked to bring their own bedding, flashlights, chairs and bug spray.
Please also note Wildlife Safari Park allows food and non-alcoholic drinks to be brought into the Park especially during overnights. Groups are welcome to bring coolers and extra supplies as well as their own tents (if they choose). The Wildlife Safari Park practices "Leave No Trace" so please be aware of what you bring in you must pack out.
Cost is $45 per person (unless otherwise noted) with reservations made a minimum of three weeks in advance. One adult per tent is required for the Base Camp and a 1:10 ratio is required for the Education center. No trailers, 5th wheels or RVs allowed for Car Camping. All overnights have a minimum of 4 years of age to participate.
Wildlife Safari Park is located off Nebraska’s I-80, Exit 426.
16406 292nd Street
Ashland, NE 68003
2022 Dates:
- July 23 Bioblitz Family Campout
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July 30 Car Camping Family Campout
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August 11 Perseids Meteor Shower Family Campout
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August 12 Perseids Meteor Shower Family Campout
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August 13 Perseids Meteor Shower Family Campout
- September 10 Grassland Grazers Family Campout
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September 17 Car Camping Family Campout
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October 1 Car Camping Family Campout
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October 15 Howl-O-Ween Safari Family Campout
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October 29 Happy Halloween Enrichment Campout (Darrald Harsh Ed Bldg.)
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November 5 Car Camping Family Campout
Registration
Campout Guidelines
*Concerned about attending Campouts? At Wildlife Safari Park, guest safety is our number one priority. To ensure this, Wildlife Safari Park Education Staff is performing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols based on health and safety guidelines provided by state and local authorities. To help encourage a fun and safe environment we ask that our non-vaccinated guests wear masks and observe six-foot social distancing. Please feel free to contact our Education offices for more information at (402)738-2092 / Camps@omahazoo.com.
New in 2022 - Car Camping at Wildlife Safari Park
Join us on an overnight experience where guests can either sleep in their vehicles or bring tents and pitch them alongside their cars. Reminiscence of days gone by, guests will enjoy a campfire, outdoor movie, and surrounding wildlife of the park. Evening snack provided. Campout includes educational programming, overnight stay, and Park admission. Please bring your own breakfast. Minimum age for Campout is 4 years old.
No campers or trailers allowed. Guests must bring their own equipment to use.
Cost: $45/person
Private Campouts
Private Campouts are available for schools, churches, boy scouts, girl scouts, summer camps, families and more with a minimum of 15 people and can be reserved for any open date during the Wildlife Safari Park open season (April through October). Guests must be 4 years or older.
For more information please contact the Education Department at 402-739-2092 or at Camps@omahazoo.com.
