Zoo Experiences

Create lifelong memories with a special experience at the Detroit Zoo!

Experiencing animals in their habitats puts you and your family at the heart of Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places. Contact us to schedule your special experience today!

For more information, please email us. Due to current health concerns, some animal experiences are temporarily on hold. We hope to be back in action soon!
 

 

Nocturnal Adventures

2023 Dates Available!

 
Ever wonder what the animals are up to as the sun goes down? Find out when you join us after hours for a Nocturnal Adventure at the Detroit Zoo! During this exclusive, one-of-a-kind tour, you will get to explore the Zoo like never before and see animals you might not encounter during the day.

This exclusive opportunity is going to fill up fast. With limited days available throughout 2023, be sure to book your next Nocturnal Adventure soon!

Private groups (not including dinner): $450 (up to 10 participants) | Attendee add on*: $45
Private groups + dinner: $650 (up to 10 participants) | Attendee add on*: $65
Dates: Friday, Jan. 20 | Friday, Feb. 10 | Friday, March 10 | Friday, April 14 | Friday, July 21

Includes:

  • Admission for up to 10 participants to Nocturnal Adventures (additional attendees can be added on for additional cost*)
  • Parking
  • Dinner (optional add on)

 

BOOK YOUR PRIVATE EVENING

*Maximum of 50 total group participants allowed.

Nocturnal Adventures

2023 Dates Available!

 
Ever wonder what the animals are up to as the sun goes down? Find out when you join us after hours for a Nocturnal Adventure at the Detroit Zoo! During this exclusive, one-of-a-kind tour, you will get to explore the Zoo like never before and see animals you might not encounter during the day.

This exclusive opportunity is going to fill up fast. With limited days available throughout 2023, be sure to book your next Nocturnal Adventure soon!

Private groups (not including dinner): $450 (up to 10 participants) | Attendee add on*: $45
Private groups + dinner: $650 (up to 10 participants) | Attendee add on*: $65
Dates: Friday, Jan. 20 | Friday, Feb. 10 | Friday, March 10 | Friday, April 14 | Friday, July 21

Includes:

  • Admission for up to 10 participants to Nocturnal Adventures (additional attendees can be added on for additional cost*)
  • Parking
  • Dinner (optional add on)

 

BOOK YOUR PRIVATE EVENING

*Maximum of 50 total group participants allowed.

 

Breakfast with a Favorite Animal

Available

 
Enjoy a delicious continental breakfast at the Zoo with the animal habitat of your choosing serving as a unique backdrop. Your longtime favorites – Breakfast with the Giraffes and Breakfast with the Butterflies – are still options for this experience. Throughout the 90-minute encounter, you’ll learn details of the animals’ daily lives from the people who take care of them.

  • There will be no direct animal contact
    • (except for Breakfast with the Giraffes or Butterflies)
  • Groups limited to five participants
  • Children must be 5 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $500.00 per group

For more information, please email us.

Breakfast with a Favorite Animal

Available

 
Enjoy a delicious continental breakfast at the Zoo with the animal habitat of your choosing serving as a unique backdrop. Your longtime favorites – Breakfast with the Giraffes and Breakfast with the Butterflies – are still options for this experience. Throughout the 90-minute encounter, you’ll learn details of the animals’ daily lives from the people who take care of them.

  • There will be no direct animal contact
    • (except for Breakfast with the Giraffes or Butterflies)
  • Groups limited to five participants
  • Children must be 5 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $500.00 per group

For more information, please email us.

 

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Resident Reptiles

Available Sunday-Thursday

 
Revel in a private, educational, zookeeper-led tour of the Holden Reptile Conservation Center, home to 180 reptiles representing 70 species. You and your guests will learn about the Detroit Zoo’s turtles, snakes and lizards – and witness a python, water monitor or crocodile enjoy a hearty meal. (Not for the faint of heart!)

  • There will be no direct animal contact
  • Groups limited to five participants
  • Children must be 8 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $500.00 per group

For more information, please email us.

Resident Reptiles

Available Sunday-Thursday

 
Revel in a private, educational, zookeeper-led tour of the Holden Reptile Conservation Center, home to 180 reptiles representing 70 species. You and your guests will learn about the Detroit Zoo’s turtles, snakes and lizards – and witness a python, water monitor or crocodile enjoy a hearty meal. (Not for the faint of heart!)

  • There will be no direct animal contact
  • Groups limited to five participants
  • Children must be 8 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $500.00 per group

For more information, please email us.

 

Mingle With the Macaronis

Currently booking for 2023 season


 
Do you want to know how penguins stay warm, eat and play while living in their icy cold habitat? Get up close and personal with them at the Zoo! Under the guidance and supervision of a zookeeper, you will interact with these charming birds in their habitat. Your visit will last approximately two hours and include a behind-the-scenes tour of the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. Once inside, you’ll meet some of the 80-plus penguins. Many photo opportunities will be available as you hand-feed and interact with the penguins.  View frequently asked questions here.

  • Mingles are conducted from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Mingles cannot be scheduled during breeding (March 1 – June 30) or molting season (August 1 – September 30)
  • Groups limited to six participants
  • Children must be 7 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $1,000.00 per group
  • Frequently asked questions

For more information, please email us.

Mingle With the Macaronis

Currently booking for 2023 season


 
Do you want to know how penguins stay warm, eat and play while living in their icy cold habitat? Get up close and personal with them at the Zoo! Under the guidance and supervision of a zookeeper, you will interact with these charming birds in their habitat. Your visit will last approximately two hours and include a behind-the-scenes tour of the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. Once inside, you’ll meet some of the 80-plus penguins. Many photo opportunities will be available as you hand-feed and interact with the penguins.  View frequently asked questions here.

  • Mingles are conducted from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Mingles cannot be scheduled during breeding (March 1 – June 30) or molting season (August 1 – September 30)
  • Groups limited to six participants
  • Children must be 7 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $1,000.00 per group
  • Frequently asked questions

For more information, please email us.

 

Detroit Zoo - Giraffe Encounter

Giraffe Encounter

Closed for the season

 
Have an encounter like no other on an elevated viewing platform that overlooks the giraffe habitat and brings guests to eye level with the tallest creatures at the Zoo. Visitors have the opportunity to feed the giraffes, weather permitting, from late spring through early fall. When the Giraffe Encounter is open for the season, tickets be purchased at the Ambassador Booth, located just inside the main entrance of the Zoo.

Feeding opportunities are subject to the giraffes’ appetites, weather and special events.

If guests are interested in a private experience, we suggest Breakfast with a Favorite Animal. This private event must be reserved in advance and supports the Detroit Zoological Society’s mission of Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places.

For more information, please email us.

Ambassador Booth on Zoo Map

Giraffe Encounter

Closed for the season

 
Have an encounter like no other on an elevated viewing platform that overlooks the giraffe habitat and brings guests to eye level with the tallest creatures at the Zoo. Visitors have the opportunity to feed the giraffes, weather permitting, from late spring through early fall. When the Giraffe Encounter is open for the season, tickets be purchased at the Ambassador Booth, located just inside the main entrance of the Zoo.

Feeding opportunities are subject to the giraffes’ appetites, weather and special events.

If guests are interested in a private experience, we suggest Breakfast with a Favorite Animal. This private event must be reserved in advance and supports the Detroit Zoological Society’s mission of Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places.

For more information, please email us.

Ambassador Booth on Zoo Map

 

Private Photo Safari

Temporarily on hold

 
How many times have you just missed the perfect shot when trying to photograph one of the animal residents at the Detroit Zoo? Amateur shutterbugs are treated to a 90-minute guided tour of the Zoo with an experienced photographer while learning tips and tricks for capturing perfect photos of the animals. Reservations must be made two weeks in advance. Private Photo Safari dates are subject to availability.

  • Private Photo Safari is conducted from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Offered year-round (weather permitting)
  • Groups limited to three participants (one more participant for an additional $100)
  • Children must be 10 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $300.00 per group

For more information, please email us.

Private Photo Safari

Temporarily on hold

 
How many times have you just missed the perfect shot when trying to photograph one of the animal residents at the Detroit Zoo? Amateur shutterbugs are treated to a 90-minute guided tour of the Zoo with an experienced photographer while learning tips and tricks for capturing perfect photos of the animals. Reservations must be made two weeks in advance. Private Photo Safari dates are subject to availability.

  • Private Photo Safari is conducted from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Offered year-round (weather permitting)
  • Groups limited to three participants (one more participant for an additional $100)
  • Children must be 10 or older and accompanied by an adult
  • Cost is $300.00 per group

For more information, please email us.