Visitor Experiences

Golf Cart Tours

If you can’t make it around the Zoo in one day, you’re not alone! Let us take you to some of our most popular exhibits on the far side of the Zoo from the comfort of our golf cart. This tour is available for visitors of all ages and will include some walking.

Offered daily 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m. Must register at least 24 hours in advance.
Cost is $60 per person, $45 per member. Price includes admission to the Zoo. Children ages 2 and under are free.

*Participants are required to wear masks.

Virtual Backstage Experiences

Now is your chance to join us on a VIP virtual backstage tour and see what it takes to run one of the best zoos in the world! Book one of the below experiences for your group by contacting educate@omahazoo.com or 402-738-2092. Cost is dependent on group size. See you behind the scenes!

How Does It Work?

A Zoom link will be sent to all participants prior to the program.
Connection is easy. Particpants at home only need a computer or mobile device, audio and internet connection. (a webcam and microphone are optional).
Programs will be delivered via Zoom through a secure platform. Zoo staff will deliver a live tour and will answer questions from our virtual participants!
Program Duration: 45-60 minutes

Aquarium

Have you ever wondered how much water is above your head as you walk through the tunnel of the Walter Scott Aquarium, or how we feed the multiple species of sharks and rays who call the aquarium home? Join us for a virtual behind the scenes experience to explore the aquarium from the other side of the glass. Participants will hear from aquarium staff, who will dive into topics of animal care and ocean conservation.

Elephants

Take a virtual behind the scenes tour of the largest family herd room in North America to meet our African elephants. Learn what it takes to transport a 7,000 pound elephant from one place to another, and hear from our animal care staff about how we train and enrich the lives of our elephants.

Giraffes

Get to know the Zoo's herd of reticulated giraffes as you virtually tour the Syd and Betty Cate Family Giraffe Herd Rooms. Experience what it is like to care for animals who reach heights over 15 feet, and learn about how giraffes use their prehensile, purple tongues to reach and grab their food.

Gorillas

Meet the gorillas that call our three acre Hubbard Gorilla Valley home in a virtual behind the scenes tour. Participants will see how gorillas are shifted on and off exhibit, and learn how animal care staff train the gorillas to participate in medical exams.

Animal Encounters

With the exception of Stingray Beach, all other animal encounters have been suspended at this time. All animal encounters are weather and staff-dependent and their hours change seasonally.

Animal Discoveries, Training, Enrichment and Feedings

*Schedule is weather and staff-dependent.

Bay Family’s Children’s Adventure Trails (April-Sept)

10:30 a.m. Animal Discovery

11:30 a.m. Goat Training

1:30 p.m. Animal Discovery

3:30 p.m. Prairie Dog Feeding

Wild Kingdom Pavilion

(year-round)

10:30 a.m. Animal Discovery

11:30 a.m. Animal Discovery

1:30 p.m. Animal Discovery

2:30 p.m. Animal Discovery

Scott African Grasslands

(May 24 - Sept. 2)

10 a.m. Animal Discovery at Kopje Outcropping

10:30 a.m. Animal Discovery at Kopje Outcropping

10:30 a.m. Elephant Enrichment/Training at Elephant Amphitheater

2 p.m. Elephant Enrichment/Training at Elephant Amphitheater

3 p.m. Lion Enrichment/Training

Scott Aquarium

10:30 a.m. Penguin Feeding (Weekend Only)

11 a.m. Shark Feeding (Wednesday/Saturday)

3 p.m. Penguin Feeding (Weekends Only)

Asian Highlands

10 a.m. Snow Leopard Enrichment/Training (Weekends Only)

11:30 a.m. Amur Tiger Enrichment/Training (Weekends Only)

1:30 p.m. Sloth Bear Enrichment/Training (Weekends Only)

Hubbard Orangutan Forest

(May 24 - Sept. 2)

1:30 p.m. Orangutan Enrichment

Owen Sea Lion Pavilion (May - Oct)

11 a.m. Sea Lion Training (except Wednesday)

2:30 a.m. Sea lion Training (except Wednesday)

Stingray Beach

Come hand to fin with cownose, Southern and Atlantic stingrays at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's interactive exhibit Stingray Beach, located up the hill from the Omaha Zoo Railroad's Omaha Depot. Touch, feed and interact with these aquatic creatures as they glide through an 80-foot-long pool. Interpreters will be nearby to answer all of your questions and more.

Hours

Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily weather-permitting.

Hours are weather-permitting.

All rides will not operate if there is rain, snow, ice or if the temperature will not reach 50 degrees by 1 p.m.

Pricing

$4 for non-members
$3 for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium members (must have membership card and valid photo I.D. present)
$2 for school groups
Feeding cups are available for $1.50 (limited quantities daily)

Giraffe Encounter

The Giraffe Encounter is a dedicated area that provides visitors with eye-to-eye viewing and an opportunity to feed the giraffes.

Hours

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily through September 30. In October, open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Hours are weather-permitting.

Pricing

$3 to feed

Birds in Flight Program

The Dick and Mary Holland Meadowlark Theater features a Birds in Flight Program highlighting 15 of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s bird species, including Harris hawks, Guinea fowl, red front macaws and blue and gold macaws. All 35 birds participating in the program are fully flighted birds that fly specific paths or demonstrate specific behaviors for the audience.

Hours

Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily May 24 - September. Programs are held weather permitting.

Pricing

Free with an Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium membership or general Zoo admission

Budgie Encounter

Experience small birds flying overhead or from the palm of your hand at the Budgie Encounter, located inside of Children's Adventure Trails near the North Entrance of the Zoo.

Hours

Closed for the season.

Pricing

$1 per feeding stick

Lemur Walkway

Cross the boardwalk to walk among red ruffed lemurs on Lemur Island, located in front of Expedition Madagascar.

Hours

Closed for the season.

Pricing

Free with an Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium membership or general Zoo admission