Private and Public Tours are essentially the same except that private tour buyers choose the date for their programs and control the guest list.
Please be sure to confirm details about your private tour—what time the tour begins, where to meet before the tour, minimum ages for children, and so on—before you purchase.
Private Tour Details
Tour Dates
These tours are available throughout the week, on a date selected by the buyer. Finalized dates require approval from the Zoo’s Animal Section.
Tour Prices
North Carolina Zoo Society members pay $535 for a private tour. The fee admits up to six guests to the tour. (Please note that Bison tours accept only four people.) Non-members pay $595 and receive an annual Family or Grandparent Membership to the Society.
Zoo Society memberships provide free Zoo admission for a year and other benefits. Individuals not covered by the membership must buy a Zoo admission ticket to enter the Zoo.
Tour Times and Meeting Places
- 10:00 a.m. – Avian Prop (meet at Stedman Education Center)
- 10:45 a.m. – Rhino (meet at Stedman Education Center)
- 1:15 p.m. – Elephant (meet at Stedman Education Center); Gorilla (meet at Gorilla Exhibit near AirHike)
- 1:30 p.m. – Black Bear and Grizzly Bear (meet at Black Bear Exhibit); Puffins & Polar Bears (meet at Porcupine Exhibit); Bison & Elk Safari (meet at Grizzly Bear Exhibit)
- 3:00 p.m. – Chimpanzee (meet at lower viewing area of Chimpanzee Exhibit)
- 4:15 p.m. – March 2023 Desert (meet at Desert Exhibit entrance)
- 5:30 p.m. – Giraffe (meet at Giraffe Overlook #2); July/August/September 2023 Desert (meet at Desert Exhibit entrance)
Maximum Group Sizes
- 4 – Bison & Elk Safari
- 6 – all other private tours
Minimum Ages
- Five (5) years old – Desert; Puffins & Polar Bears (Family)
- Six (6) years old – Giraffe
- Eight (8) years old – Bison & Elk Safari; Gorilla; Rhino
- Ten (10) years old – Avian Prop; Black Bear & Grizzly Bear
- 12 years old – Chimpanzee; Elephant; Puffins & Polar Bears (Adult)
ADA Status
Not all tours are ADA Accessible. Tours that are not are clearly marked under each of the tour pictures. Some ADA Accessible tours may offer some challenges to people with limited mobility. Please let us know of any mobility concerns you have so that we can talk to you about making adjustments to meet the needs of your party.
Safety Note
Guests may not approach or try to touch any of the Zoo’s animals unless invited to do so by an animal keeper. Guests are required to remain at a safe distance from the animals. When animals are fed or touched as part of a tour, guides and keepers will explain how this can be done safely and will monitor guests as they interact with the animals. We work diligently to keep everyone safe and our animals comfortable and stress-free.
Join us for an in-depth tour of the Avian propagation area• Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.ADA accessible
New for 2023—get up close to two bear species!• Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.ADA accessible
Engaging Chimps with training and enrichment.• Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.ADA accessible – alert us to mobility concerns
Examine the desert’s secrets after it closes to the public.• Children must be at least 5 years old to attend.ADA accessible
See how the keepers care for the elephants.• Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.ADA accessible – alert us about mobility concerns
Join a keeper to feed the giraffes and meet the Red River Hogs.• Children must be at least 6 years old to attend.ADA accessible
Watch how gorillas learn to help take care of their health.• Children must be at least 8 years old.ADA accessible – alert us to mobility concerns
A tour for families—learn
Polar Bears and Puffins for older children and adults.• Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.ADA accessible
Reach out and touch a rhino behind the scenes.• Children must be at least 8 years old to attend.ADA accessible
See the animals from the back of a truck (offered as a private tour only*).• Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.ADA accessible – alert us to mobility concerns