meet your favorite animals up close!
Take your visit to the next level with a private Animal Encounter at Wild Animal Safari! You can meet giraffes, lemurs, sloths, and more as a zookeeper guides you through an unforgettable hands-on experience filled with fascinating wildlife facts.
Animal Encounters must be booked at least 30 minutes prior to park opening.
Encounter Size Limit: 4 people per time slot unless otherwise noted.
Reptile Encounter
Ages 10+
What makes a reptile a reptile? Check out our reptile encounter to find out! With this unique experience, you'll meet two of our favorite reptile species* and learn about each one. Our up close wildlife experiences create lasting memories and inspire students to take an interest in the natural world.
*May vary depending on feeding days
$20
per person
or Call 417-859-5300
Coatimundi Encounter
Ages 18+
Up to 3 people per booking
Get up close with a coatimundi! Relatives of raccoons, Coatimundis, or coatis for short, are unique mammals native to Central and South America. They are known to be quite curious and mischievous. With this experience you'll get to interact with our coati while learning about her behavior, natural habitat, conservation efforts, and how we care for her at the zoo!
$20
per person
or Call 417-859-5300
Lemur Encounter
Ages 10+
Get up close with a ring-tailed lemur! Living naturally only on the island of Madagascar, lemurs are among some of the world's most endangered species. With this encounter, you will meet and feed one of our lemurs while one of our experienced animal keepers teaches you about their behavior, habitat, and conservation efforts.
$20
per person
or Call 417-859-5300
Interact with an animal
Get closer to a wild animal than you ever dreamed!
Learn with an Expert
Hear from zookeepers on habitats, feeding, conservation and more.
get the perfect photo
Bring home a long-lasting memory and a picture to share the moment.
Animal encounters are led by our conservation and education team. You'll learn about conservation efforts in the wild, all about the animal, how we take care of them, their natural habitat, diet and more.
Please arrive at the encounter at least 15 minutes before the start of your experience. If you are 15 or more minutes late to the experience, you will not be able to participate. No refunds are given the day of the experience.
Yes! Animal well-being is a top priority at Wild Animal Safari. Encounters are exhilarating for the people and a positive experience for the animals involved.
Absolutely! Feel free to snap a picture with your new BFF.
Animal encounters are not included in the cost of park admission. You must purchase an animal encounter ticket separately.
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of your encounter time. No-shows will not be refunded.