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, breakfast, morning hike, free day at the Zoo and animal visit.
Family Safaris are 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 $45.00 - $48.00 per person depending on what facility is being used. (*Exceptions are for Ghouls and Glow which is $64.oo per person and includes admission to event.) Please note these overnights are not open to scout groups, youth groups, or groups in general. See Small Group Campouts for these overnights.
Family Tent Camp Safaris are a outside camping experince at our tent grounds near the lion exhibit. Tents include cots, 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 is $100.00 per person with a two person minimum per tent.
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, September 7 - Family Safari Tent Camp (Safari Tent Grounds)
- Friday, September 13 - Family Citizens in Science Monarch Tagging (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, September 21 - Family Citizens in Science Monarch Tagging (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, September 27 - Family Safari Tent Camp (Safari Tent Grounds)
- Saturday, September 28 - Family Citizens in Science Monarch Tagging (African Lodge)
- Friday, October 11 - Family Safari Tent Camp (Safari Tent Grounds)
- Saturday, October 19 - Ghouls & Glow (Wild Kingdom Pavilion) *$64.00 per person includes event
- Friday, October 25 - Ghouls & Glow (Scott Aquarium) *$64.00 per person includes event
- Friday, November 8 - Slumber in the Jungle (Lied Jungle - Tents Required)
- Saturday, November 23 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, December 6 - Dreams in the Desert (Desert Dome - Tents Required)
- Friday, December 20 - Waking on the Wild Side (Wild Kingdom Pavilion)
- Monday, December 30 - "Noon Year's Eve" Safari (Scott Aquarium)
- Spend the night at the Zoo and then stay and ring in 2020 early (at Noon 12/31/19). Event is specially made for everyone who doesn't want to stay up late to celebrate!
- Friday, January 17 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, January 24 - Penguins & Pajamas (Scott Aquarium - Ocean Birds)
- Saturday, February 15 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, February 21 - Sleeping Bags & Sharks (Scott Aquarium - Shark Reef)
Make a Reservation
Citizen Science:
A movement that allows the general public the ability to join in and assist on research projects with professional scientists. The Zoo has many projects that we would like to introduce and show families how they can help nature in their own backyards.
Citizens In Science (C.I.S):
These special overnights will consist of project explorations and observations related to each research mission. The event will start at 7:00 pm with a quick orientation and background, and then guests and families will be allowed to practice their knowledge along with qualified researchers. An evening snack, free day at the zoo, overnight stay, breakfast, and supplies will be included with this overnight. Event will conclude at 9:00 am.
Guests must be 4 years old or older to attend and one adult is required to attend per 10 youth. Cost is $55 per person.
Upcoming Dates
Monarch Tagging: Every year, Monarch butterflies migrate through Nebraska on their way to their winter homes in Mexico. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, through Monarch Watch and the Univeristy of Kansas, has tagged Monarchs from more that four years.
At this overnight, guest will help tag monarchs, collected vital information on each butterfly tagged and learn why this data is so important to the species.
Make a Reservation
Sleeping Bag Safari Merchandise
This family program focuses on families of all ages. We will discover what spending the night at the Zoo is all about without actually spending the night. Geared towards the beginner campers and young explorers. Event starts at 5:30 p.m. and concludes and 8:30 p.m. Guests will experience setting up their own tent, story time, dinner, night hike, and evening snack. Participants are welcome to bring their pillows and/or blankets to get the full experience.
Cost is $25 per person (children under 1 are free). Adult participation required.
Upcoming dates:
- Saturday, August 31 (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, September 8 Grandparent's Day (Adventure Trails)
- Bring your Grandparents and experience camping indoors!
- Sunday, October 13 (Lied Jungle)
- Saturday, November 16 (Desert Dome)
- Saturday, December 7 (Desert Dome)
Make a Reservation
Pre-Campers Experience Guidelines
Sleeping Bag Safari Merchandise
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, breakfast, morning hike, free day at the Zoo and animal visit.
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 is per person is $120.00. This overnight is for guest 21years old and over only. Single campers pay a minimum two-person tent price. There is a maximum two-person occupancy per tent.
Grown-Up Safari Dates for 2019
- Saturday, August 24
- Friday, August 30
- Friday, September 6
- Saturday, September 14
- Saturday, September 21
- Saturday, October 5
- Saturday, October 19
Grown-Up Safari Guidelines
Merchandise and Add-Ons
Reservations
Small Group Safaris are overnight programs designed for schools, churches, scouts or summer camps who cannot meet our 25-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.
Please note that Small Group Safaris combine multiple small groups into one large group for overnights. The facilities are large and have plenty of space to spread out. If your group is looking for a private event then please see our Large Group Safaris that have a minimum of 25 participants.
Safaris run from 7 p.m. - 9 a.m. and are costs $40.00 - $45.00 per person depending on what facility is being used.
Upcoming Safaris:
- Friday, September 6 - Waking on the Wild Side (Wild Kingdom Pavilion)
- Friday, September 20 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, October 11 - Orangutans & Overnights (Hubbard Orangutan Forest)
- Saturday, October 19 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, November 9 - Dreams in the Desert (Desert Dome - Tents Required)
- Friday, November 22 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Friday, December 6 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, December 21 - Slumber in the Jungle (Lied Jungle - Tents Required
- Friday, January 10 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
- Saturday, Jauary 18 - Penguins & Pajamas (Scott Aquarium - Ocean Birds)
- Friday, February 1 - Sleeping Bags & Sharks (Scott Aquarium - Shark Reef)
- Saturday, February 9 - Snoozing Under the Sea (Scott Aquarium)
Make a Reservation
Groups of 25 or more 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.
Reservations are now OPEN for the 2019 season.
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.
The Campout includes educational programming, overnight stay, park admission, evening hike, evening snack, light breakfast and animal visit. Guests will spend the night at the campsite with platform canvas tents, cots, a rug, nightstand and lantern. Groups are asked to bring their own bedding, flashlights, chairs and bug spray.
Please note that the 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 $40 per person (unless otherwise noted) with reservations made a minimum of three weeks in advance. One adult per tent is required and a minimum of 4 years of age to participate.
Wildlife Safari Park is located off Nebraska’s I-80, Exit 426.
16406 N. 292 Street
Ashland, NE 68003
Reservations for the 2019 Campout Season are open NOW!
Upcoming Family / Small Group Campouts:
- Saturday, August 24 - Pawnee Creek Walkers Campout
- Ever wanted to put on rubber boots and walk a creek? Now is your chance. Stay the night and walk our creeks to see what wildlife you can find.
- Saturday, September 7 - Monarch Tagging Campout
- Monarch Butterflies are migrating through Nebraska in late August and September. Guests will be trained on how to tag a monarch and perhaps get a chance to tag one.
- Friday, September 27 - Monarch Tagging Campout
- Monarch Butterflies are migrating through Nebraska in late August and September. Guests will be trained on how to tag a monarch and perhaps get a chance to tag one.
- Saturday, October 5 - Howl-O-Ween Safari Campout ($60 per person)
- Join us as we celebrate our Family Halloween event and then stay the night. Price includes ticket to event and overnight experience.
- Friday, October 18 - Wolf Awareness Campout
- Focus of overnight will be learning about our wolf pack.
Registration
Campout Guidelines
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.
Reservations for the 2019 Campout Season are open NOW! Reserve Your Date Today!
For more information please contact the Education Department at 402-739-2049 or at Camps@omahazoo.com.
Pre-Campers Campouts