VIP Public Tours — 2023

 

About Public Tours

We organize our public and private VIP Tours to provide exciting, fun, and educational behind-the-scenes experiences for our guests.

Private tours are nearly identical to public tours: they last about an hour, visit the same locations, and take guests close to the Zoo’s animals and their keepers.

 

How Public and Private Tours Differ

  • All public tours take place on a Saturday or a Wednesday and may admit up to 16 people for a tour;
  • Private tours are scheduled on a date chosen by the buyer and may be scheduled for any day of the week. A private tour may include up to six people—all of whom attend at the buyer’s discretion.

 

Our Commitment to Safety

COVID-19 Restrictions Required to Participate in Tours Associated with At-risk Species.

To protect your health and the health of the Zoo’s animals and staff, the Zoo still requires guests to wear masks and possibly gloves to participate in some behind-the-scenes experiences.

Gloves are always required when guests feed an animal during their tour.

Masks are required during tours that take guests close to species known to be vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. Masks are required in behind-the-scenes spaces occupied by primates (lemurs, chimpanzees, gorillas, or baboons), cats (cougar, lion, bobcat, or sand cat), or otters.

If you are unable to wear a mask for any reason, you have the option to postpone a tour until COVID protocols are lifted or to receive a full refund for your purchase.

To ensure the safety of our guests and staff, we also limit the number of people attending different tours and have minimum age requirements for children to attend. Minimum ages vary from 5 to 12 years old, depending on the tour location. Age limits are noted on tour descriptions.

Currently Scheduled Public VIP Tours

Public tours are $100 per person for North Carolina Zoo Society Members.
Non-members pay an additional $15 per person.

[View a list of our VIP Public Tours organized by date by clicking here.]

  • Rocky Coast Family Tour
    A family-affair tour for kids as young as 5 years old.
    • Children must be at least 5 years old to attend.
    ADA restrictions apply to some mobility issues.
    Learn More!
  • Rocky Coast Adult Tour
    An experience for adults 12 years old and older.
    • Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.
    ADA restrictions apply to some mobility issues.
    Learn More!
  • Chimps in
    Training
    Engaging Chimps with training and enrichment.
    • Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.
    ADA restrictions apply to some mobility issues.
    Learn More!
  • An In-Depth Look at the Desert
    Examine the desert’s secrets after it closes to the public.
    • Children must be at least 5 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More!
  • Elephants
    Up Close
    See how the keepers care for the elephants.
    • Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.
    ADA restrictions apply to some mobility issues.
    Learn More!
  • Meet and Feed the Giraffes
    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
    Learn More!
  • Keys to Keeping a Troop Healthy
    Watch how gorillas learn to help take care of their health.
    • Children must be at least 8 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible – alert us to mobility concerns
    Learn More!
  • Rhinos – Close Enough to Touch
    Reach out and touch a rhino behind the scenes.
    • Children must be at least 8 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More!
  • Red Wolf Howl – After Dark!
    Howl with the red wolves during a night-time tour!
    • Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible – alert us to mobility concerns
    Learn More!
  • Avian
    Prop
    Join us for an in-depth tour of the Avian propagation area.
    • Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More!
  • Black Bear and
    Grizzly Bear
    New for 2023—Get up close to two bear species!
    • Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More!
  • Cougar
    Close-Up
    New in 2023—Learn how keepers care for these grand cats.
    • Children must be at least 10 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More!
  • Behind the Scenes at Lion
    New in 2023 – Watch our keepers train a mighty lion.
    Dates and times TBD.
    • Children must be at least 12 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More
  • Meet and Feed
    an Otter
    New! Go backstage to tour Streamside and feed an otter.
    • Children must be at least 5 years old to attend.
    ADA accessible
    Learn More!