Animal Encounters include
(All encounters include admission into the zoo when it’s open for general admission)
Reservations must be made at least one week in advance.
Aldabra Tortoises
Say hello to a giant tortoise! Growing up to over a meter long and 500lbs. Aldabra tortoises are one of two giant tortoise species left on the planet. Create a connection with these magnificent animals when you visit them in their home at Niabi Zoo. Have you ever wondered what they eat? If they can swim? Find out when their keeper introduces you!
The highlight of your encounter is being close enough to touch these incredible animals! Learn about their natural history and every day care during your encounter experience. Plan your visit from May-September during the warm weather they love!
Ages: 5+| Available Days: Sunday-Saturday (available May-September)
Time: 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Members: $75 per person
NonMembers: $100 per person
Donkey
Enjoy a relaxing meet and greet with our two dapper mini-donkeys Job and Jester. Hang out with them in their habitat where you will have a chance to give them a gentle brushing and even offer them their daily enrichment. Zookeepers will walk you right into their habitat so you can relax with our two calm, laid back boys. You will hear about their natural history along with learning some of their favorite enrichment items.
Ages: 5+| Available Days: Sunday-Saturday (offered year round!)
Time: 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Members: $75 per person
Nonmembers: $100 per person
Giraffe
Meet our giraffe at his level! Head behind the scenes to learn about his natural history and current conservation status. Celebrate any occasion or make a dream come true side by side with our keepers as you learn about what it takes to care for our gentle giant here at Niabi Zoo. Get a look at his specialized care equipment, witness training techniques, and enjoy the chance to feed our giraffe in a face to face experience! Book your unforgettable encounter today, available all year long!
Ages: 5+| Available Days: Sunday-Saturday (offered year round!)
Time: 9:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Members: $125 per person
Nonmembers: $150 per person
Sloth
We invite you to experience a one of a kind encounter with one of the most unique mammals in the world. This new opportunity offers an up close and personal meet and greet with one of our newest zoo family members. Learn about sloth natural history, some of our sloths most favorite things and rain forest conservation. You can take a selfie with the sloth and treasure your encounter for a lifetime! You may also have the opportunity to feed our sloth some of its favorite foods!
Ages: 5+| Available Days: Tuesday-Saturday (offered year round!)
Time: 2 p.m.- 2:45 p.m. (during open season) & 1 p.m.- 1:45 p.m. (during off-season)
Members: $150 per person
NonMembers: $175 per person
White Rhino
Come face-to-face with the second-largest land mammal in the world and discover why the southern white rhino is so special. During this encounter our zookeepers will share firsthand knowledge about rhino natural history, their conservation status, what our rhino loves to eat and which enrichment is his favorite. Observe a training session with our rhino and you may also have the opportunity to feed him some of his favorite foods in a face to face experience.
Ages: 5+| Available Days: Sunday-Saturday (offered year round!)
Time: 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Members: $100 per person
Nonmembers: $125 person