Animal Tours
EXPLORE THE ZOO LIKE NEVER BEFORE
See the Phoenix Zoo like never before! Get a unique behind-the-scenes look of the animals and their habitats by participating in one of our Backstage Adventures. Experiences are offered daily and can last from 30 minutes to an hour. Book a visit with your favorite animal today!
Must be booked two weeks in advance.
CHOOSE YOUR BACKSTAGE ADVENTURE!
GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINO
30 - MINUTE ADVENTURE
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Have you ever wanted to meet a greater one-horned rhino? Go behind the scenes and greet, touch and feed Chutti! Plus, you’ll get to speak with his caretakers and get answers to your questions while this gorgeous animal is outside in his vast habitat.
Not available May - September
*Maximum of 2 children per adult. Due to the size of this animal, young children will need to be held for the entirety of the tour.
45 - MINUTE ADVENTURE
$169 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Want even MORE time with Chutti, our greater one-horned rhino? Enter his barn with the keeper staff where you will not only will you get to greet, touch and feed Chutti, but you will also be able to give him a shower and see keepers shift this gorgeous animal outside to his vast habitat!
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult. Due to the size of this animal, young children will need to be held for the entirety of the tour.
EQUINE EXPERIENCE
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Just here for the day and want to spend some quality time with horses with the whole family? Or just want to see if your little one enjoys horses before signing them up for lessons? Then this experience is for you!
In this experience, two riders ages 7 and up can ride simultaneously while your family cheers them on from the sidelines waiting for their turn while grooming and bonding with two other horses. Each rider will receive instruction on how to direct the horse, properly stop and go forward.
Already have experience riding? Depending on your skill level, you can polish your skills at a walk and trot or possibly a canter. Your little ones ages 3 – 6 will be led on a horse as they learn the basics of using the reins to stop and steer and make the horse go forward.
This is also a great experience for parents who have never been on horseback or for the older members in the family that just want a chance to groom and be next to these magnificent animals!
Not available June - August
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Children must be 7 years old and up to ride a horse on their own. Ages 3 - 6 will be led by an instructor.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION
Every experience is on very gentle, well-trained horses and instructed by certified Horsemanship Association trained instructors. We provide necessary safety helmets for each rider. Each rider will need to sign a liability waiver when they arrive at the Equine Center prior to the tour.
Younger children are permitted if they are being carried. No strollers allowed in the barn or arena. Guests not paying for the experience can watch outside the arena in our viewing areas.
AMBASSADOR ANIMAL RESOURCES
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Travel behind-the-scenes to our Ambassador Animal Resources area to see what it takes to care for the many unique species of animals that participate in our Zoo shows and often make media appearances. See our animal ambassadors at work up-close and learn from their keepers about behavioral enrichment and how we use positive reinforcement training techniques.
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
GREATER FLAMINGO
$99 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Begin your 30-minute flamingo adventure as you join the keepers in the flamingo habitat where you will enjoy an exclusive opportunity inside of their exhibit to get up close and feed these magnificent birds. Talk with their caretakers and learn all about their unique and quirky personalities.
Temporarily unavailable due to habitat remodel.
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
STINGRAY BAY
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Go backstage and learn what it takes to care for the Zoo’s cownose stingrays. Your adventure includes a tour of the behind-the-scenes area and an experience in the water with the rays!
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 5 guests in the water at one time.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
REPTILE
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
What’s a tortoise’s favorite treat? Find out in this ultimate reptile adventure. Your adventure includes a visit to the Galápagos or Aldabra tortoise enclosure where you’ll have a chance to meet and touch some of these friendly giants! You’ll also have the opportunity to meet a reptile keeper and get up close with other creatures from our reptile collection.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
Galápagos TORTOISE
$99 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Want to meet a gentle giant? Your 30-minute adventure includes a visit to the Galápagos habitat where you’ll meet, touch and feed some of these amazing giant tortoises! How long do they live? What do they eat? You’ll have the opportunity to learn all about them.
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
ARTHUR L. AND ELAINE V. JOHNSON NATIVE SPECIES CONSERVATION CENTER
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
For many animal and plant species, survival is an increasing challenge due to a variety of influences. Join us on this exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour to see how the Phoenix Zoo cares for species of conservation concern in Arizona and around the world and encourages others to join in the effort.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
GIANT ANTEATER
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Go behind the scenes with this special 30 minute adventure at the night house of the giant anteater. You’ll meet a zookeeper and learn what it takes to care for this special creature and if the animal chooses to, you’ll get to see one up close!
If anyone in your group is showing signs of illness, we ask that you please reschedule.
Guests will need to either wear disposable gloves (provided by the Zoo) or wash their hands at the night house prior to the tour due to the potential of hand-feeding.
Temporarily unavailable through Fall 2025 (return date is to be determined).
Sloth Backstage Adventure (Currently unavailable)
Meet one of the Valley’s most famous and beloved residents: Fernando the Linne’s two-toed sloth!* Go inside Fern’s habitat (either inside or outside depending on where his mood takes him), chat with his keeper during a feeding, learn all about his nocturnal nature and snap photos and videos of your experience. Masks are required for this tour.
*Given that he is a sloth, and lives life in the slow lane, there could be a chance he chooses to sleep through your experience.
GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINO
30 - MINUTE ADVENTURE
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Have you ever wanted to meet a greater one-horned rhino? Go behind the scenes and greet, touch and feed Chutti! Plus, you’ll get to speak with his caretakers and get answers to your questions while this gorgeous animal is outside in his vast habitat.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult. Due to the size of this animal, young children will need to be held for the entirety of the tour.
45 - MINUTE ADVENTURE
$169 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Want even MORE time with Chutti, our greater one-horned rhino? Enter his barn with the keeper staff where you will not only will you get to greet, touch and feed Chutti, but you will also be able to give him a shower and see keepers shift this gorgeous animal outside to his vast habitat!
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult. Due to the size of this animal, young children will need to be held for the entirety of the tour.
AMBASSADOR ANIMAL RESOURCES
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Travel behind-the-scenes to our Ambassador Animal Resources area to see what it takes to care for the many unique species of animals that participate in our Zoo shows and often make media appearances. See our animal ambassadors at work up-close and learn from their keepers about behavioral enrichment and how we use positive reinforcement training techniques.
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
GREATER FLAMINGO
$99 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Begin your 30-minute flamingo adventure as you join the keepers in the flamingo habitat where you will enjoy an exclusive opportunity inside of their exhibit to get up close and feed these magnificent birds. Talk with their caretakers and learn all about their unique and quirky personalities.
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
STINGRAY BAY
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Go backstage and learn what it takes to care for the Zoo’s cownose stingrays. Your adventure includes a tour of the behind-the-scenes area and an experience in the water with the rays!
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 5 guests in the water at one time.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
REPTILE
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
What’s a tortoise’s favorite treat? Find out in this ultimate reptile adventure. Your adventure includes a visit to the Galápagos or Aldabra tortoise enclosure where you’ll have a chance to meet and touch some of these friendly giants! You’ll also have the opportunity to meet a reptile keeper and get up close with other creatures from our reptile collection.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
Galápagos TORTOISE
$99 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Want to meet a gentle giant? Your 30-minute adventure includes a visit to the Galápagos habitat where you’ll meet, touch and feed some of these amazing giant tortoises! How long do they live? What do they eat? You’ll have the opportunity to learn all about them.
Scroll through to see dates and times.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
ARTHUR L. AND ELAINE V. JOHNSON NATIVE SPECIES CONSERVATION CENTER
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
For many animal and plant species, survival is an increasing challenge due to a variety of influences. Join us on this exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour to see how the Phoenix Zoo cares for species of conservation concern in Arizona and around the world and encourages others to join in the effort.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
EQUINE EXPERIENCE
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Just here for the day and want to spend some quality time with horses with the whole family? Or just want to see if your little one enjoys horses before signing them up for lessons? Then this experience is for you!
In this experience, two riders ages 7 and up can ride simultaneously while your family cheers them on from the sidelines waiting for their turn while grooming and bonding with two other horses. Each rider will receive instruction on how to direct the horse, properly stop and go forward.
Already have experience riding? Depending on your skill level, you can polish your skills at a walk and trot or possibly a canter. Your little ones ages 3 – 6 will be led on a horse as they learn the basics of using the reins to stop and steer and make the horse go forward.
This is also a great experience for parents who have never been on horseback or for the older members in the family that just want a chance to groom and be next to these magnificent animals!
*Children must be 7 years old and up to ride a horse on their own. Ages 3 - 6 will be led by an instructor.
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION
Every experience is on very gentle, well-trained horses and instructed by certified Horsemanship Association trained instructors. We provide necessary safety helmets for each rider. Each rider will need to sign a liability waiver when they arrive at the Equine Center prior to the tour.
Younger children are permitted if they are being carried. No strollers allowed in the barn or arena. Guests not paying for the experience can watch outside the arena in our viewing areas.
GIANT ANTEATER
$139 PER PERSON (NOT INCLUDING ZOO ADMISSION)
Go behind the scenes with this special 30 minute adventure at the night house of the giant anteater. You’ll meet a zookeeper and learn what it takes to care for this special creature and if the animal chooses to, you’ll get to see one up close!
If anyone in your group is showing signs of illness, we ask that you please reschedule.
Guests will need to either wear disposable gloves (provided by the Zoo) or wash their hands at the night house prior to the tour due to the potential of hand-feeding.
Temporarily unavailable starting April 11, 2025 through the Fall (return date is to be determined).
*Maximum of 2 children per adult.
Plan your visit today!
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species.
Plan your visit today!
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species.
