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ZOO TOURS
Group Tours - Educational
Self-guided tours are available during zoo hours which are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily from April 15 through October 15. These are available for education groups with a minimum number of 10 students. Admission cost is $3.25 per person (adults & children) and memberships do not apply when using the discounted rate. Reservations should be scheduled at least one week in advance.
To make a reservation, you may:
• Call us at 402-475-6741
• Fax us at 402-475-6742
• Online Reservations - Click Here
A confirmation postcard or e-mail message will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. Teachers or group leaders will be responsible for paying at the gate for all people in the group. Simply tell the admissions gate attendant how many people are in your group and pay $3.25 times that number. ( Please note that Zoo memberships do not apply to groups requestiong group discounts.) If this is a guided tour, there will be an additional charge with the admissions.
Corporate Groups - Click here
Group Tours - Guided Tours
Guided tours can be arranged to focus on any aspect of the Zoo that interests your group. Special times can also be arranged for these tours. Guided tour arrangements must be made at least two weeks in advance.
These tours require a fee in addition to the $3.25 per person admission fee. (membership does not apply to this admission) Fees vary according to the tour selected, and both fees must be paid at the gate.
To make a reservation, you may:
• Call us at 402-475-6741
• Fax us at 475-6742
A confirmation postcard or e-mail message will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation.You must make a reservation well in advance for any special tour or visit to the Zoo. All special services require a fee in addition to the entrance fee. All fees are paid at the admissions gate. If your group exceeds the number allowed for the specific tour, it will be divided.
Special Tours
60 minute general tour . . . $50.00 plus $3.25 admission
25 students maximum. This is a general zoo tour that will begin at the front gate and move into the zoo for an overview of the exhibits and current animal and plant information. You may stay and revisit any of the exhibits after the tour.
60 minute topic tour . . . $50.00 plus $3.25 admission
25 students maximum. This tour will focus around a special topic specified by you in advance. Behind the scenes visits are possible. Student participation and advance preparation is encouraged.
30 minute medical tour . . . $30.00 plus $3.25 admission
10 students maximum. This close look at the lab, hospital and quarantine areas will give you a peek into what work goes into keeping the zoo’s collection of animals healthy and in good condition.
30 minute keeper talk . . . $30.00 plus $3.25 admission
10 students maximum. Keepers are available between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Each keeper talk is designed especially for your class. this is not a tour, rather, a chance to visit with the experts of the zoo at one specific exhibit. you must choose the exhibit you want to visit in advance of your trip.
30 minute keeper tours . . . $30.00 plus $3.25 admission
10 students maximum. Go behind-the scenes with an animal keeper, into their area of work. See how animals are managed, where they are fed, and what special skills are needed to care for the. Learn the animals' routines and how the exhibit is managed. Keepers are available between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. You may choose the animal you want to visit.
90 minute topic activities and tour . . . $90.00 plus $3.25 admission
25 students maximum. This program focuses around a special topic specified by you in advance. Presentations, hands-on activities, Project Wild games, and crafts are part of this 90 minutes. Advance preparation is encouraged. This tour can be adapted for Scout group merit badge work and 4H activities.
Career Shadowing . . . $35.00 per person plus $3.25 admission
Anyone over 16 who is interested in becoming a zookeeper or experiencing behind the scenes in the animal department can spend an hour with a keeper. During this time the visitor will participate in keeper activities. Schedules and activities vary. One person shadows at a time.
Evenings at the Zoo …
Birthday party - $75 for cake, ice cream, and punch. In addition -- $15 per person - $150 minimum for 3 hours in the Zoo doing an animal handling clinic, touring behind the scenes, and taking a night hike.
Evening visit – no food. $15 per person - $150 minimum for 3 hours in the Zoo doing an animal handling clinic, touring behind the scenes, and taking a night hike.
Special topic tours designed by you and the education staff
Prices vary. This program is designed to capitalize on your student's interests and your classroom curriculum needs. Just call 475-6741 and we will help plan a tour just for you.
Pre and Post Tour Activities
There are some general activities you can do with your students to prepare them for their Zoo visit. Talk about the expected behavior and stress with which the animals live at the Zoo and some of the rules that are made for their safety and comfort. Other rules are made to protect the visitor and provide a quality experience.
If your visit is in conjunction with part of your required curriculum, make sure that your fieldtrip goals have been communicated to the education department at the Zoo. We can help you plan your visit. To enhance your Zoo visit, here are some suggested age-appropriate activities...
Our expectations for visitors include:
- Use the sidewalks. The visitor paths are arranged to allow maximum safe contact with the animals. Barriers are erected to provide a safe distance between you and our residents. Do not reach across any fence to touch an animal.
- Do not feed the animals. Our animals receive a well balanced, nutritious diet? Feeding them is not acceptable. Where there are pellet feeders (at goats and sheep) you may purchase some of the herbivore diet and hand-feed these domestic animals. They are the only ones you may feed.
- Do not tap on the glass walls of the Animal Kingdom Building. The animals can hear you outside of their exhibit and tapping on the glass is annoying to them. If you want an animal to notice you, stand up close to the glass and wait patiently for the animal to come forward. If it doesn't come up to see you, this may mean it is feeding, sleeping, or not interested in you at the moment.
Have a good time and respect the plants, animals, and people who live and work here.
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