Tours and Experiences
Animal Encounters
Rhino Encounter
Come face-to-face with an iconic, and critically endangered, species, the black rhino. During your encounter, you’ll step into an exclusive animal care area to meet one of the magnificent rhinos in our care, Nia or Jaali, and learn about their biology, care, and personalities while engaging in memorable activities like feeding or brushing.
Join us for this memorable experience that makes an unforgettable impact! Your ticket directly supports the Zoo’s world-class animal care and global conservation initiatives.
- Offered daily at 8:30am and 2:30pm
- Advanced reservations are recommended as space fills up quickly
- Each session accommodates up to 10 guests
- Member Tickets: $45-$55 /person*
- Non-Member Tickets: $50-$60 /person*
*Plus admission. Admission may be added before checkout.
Please be sure to arrive on time, as we cannot accommodate guests 10 or more minutes after the encounter’s scheduled start time.
All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Rats to the Rescue Encounter
During our Rats to the Rescue Encounter, you will come face-to-face with a HeroRAT and learn how these remarkable animals support global conservation efforts. This special experience begins with a short video introducing the rats’ training and field work, followed by a LIVE interactive scent-detection demonstration that showcases their impressive skills in action. Guests will also enjoy a special up-close photo opportunity with one of these tiny heroes.
This is more than an encounter; it’s a limited opportunity to be part of something extraordinary! Your ticket not only grants access to a one-of-a-kind experience, it directly fuels the Zoo’s world-class animal care and global conservation efforts.
- Offered daily at 1:30pm in the Tennity Wildlife Hospital
- Advanced reservations are recommended as space fills up quickly
- Each session accommodates up to 10 guests
- Member Tickets: $25 /person*
- Non-Member Tickets: $30 /person*
*Plus admission. Admission may be added before checkout.
Please be sure to arrive on time, as we cannot accommodate guests 10 or more minutes after the encounter’s scheduled start time.
All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Giraffe Feeding
Feed your sense of adventure — and a giraffe — in this unforgettable, walk-up encounter with the world’s tallest mammal at the giraffe habitat! Seize this unique chance to personally feed these graceful giants and come nose-to-nose with the wonder of wildlife. Be sure to have your camera ready! Photos and fun are part of this experience.
- Open daily
- October 1 – May 31:
- 9:00am – 3:00pm
- June 1 – September 30:
- 8:00am – 12:00pm
- Members: $8/feeding
- Non-Members: $10/feeding
VIP Zoo Tours
Private Safari Tour
Experience the Zoo in a whole new way, with a guided Private Safari tour! This luxury journey includes park admission, giraffe feeding, a personal guide, and a private shuttle. Explore the Zoo as our guide enthralls you with fascinating animal facts and park history during a dynamic two-hour adventure.
- Minimum 2 guests per tour
- Advanced reservations required
- October 1 – May 31: Tour departure at 9:00am
- June 1 – September 30: Tour departure at 8:00am
- Children under 3 are free
Private tours are SOLD OUT from now – 3/10
Rates
Monday - Thursday
Friday - Sunday & Holidays
Member Adult
$80
$89
Member Child
$53
$62
Non-Member Adult
$89
$99
Non-Member Child
$59
$69
Book Your VIP Tour
You can also email us at [email protected] or call (760) 346-5694 to book your tour.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Rhino Encounter
How long is the encounter?
The encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes and begins promptly at the reserved start time. Please note, it is a 10-minute walk to the encounter area from the Zoo’s main entrance.
Please be sure to arrive on time, as we cannot accommodate entrance into the encounter space 10 or more minutes after the encounter start time.
Will this be a private experience?
Does the Rhino Encounter ticket count as my admission to The Living Desert?
The Rhino Encounter fee does not include admission to The Living Desert – a valid admission ticket or membership is required for entry into the Zoo for the date of your encounter.
Can I get a refund on the experience?
The Rhino Encounter is non-refundable.
Is there an age requirement for this experience?
All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
What if it’s raining on the day of my experience?
This experience will be held rain or shine.
What are the Rhino Encounter policies?
The Living Desert reserves the right to cancel or modify the Rhino Encounter due to animal health and/or safety concerns. In the event of a cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule.
All participants must follow the instructions from animal care and staff members. Failure to follow instructions may result in removal from the Rhino Encounter without refund.
All participants must be in good health and free from any cold-like symptoms.
Is this an accessible activity?
ECVs (Electric Conveyance Vehicles are not permitted to enter the Rhino Encounter space. Participants must be able to transfer into a wheelchair, walk by themselves, or be assisted by a member of their party. Courtesy wheelchair(s) will be available.
Can I have my service animal?
There is limited access for service animals during the encounter. Please call 760-346-5694 for more information.
What is the allergy information for this experience?
This tour visits animal areas containing common allergens including but not limited to hay, grasses, dust, and biting/stinging insects.
Rats to the Rescue Encounter
How long is the encounter?
The encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes and begins promptly at the reserved start time. Please note, it is a 15-minute walk to the encounter area (located at the Tennity Wildlife Hospital) from the Zoo’s main entrance.
Please be sure to arrive on time, as we cannot accommodate entrance into the encounter space 10 or more minutes after the encounter start time.
Will this be a private experience?
This is a semi-private, group experience and other guests will share the encounter session. Private encounters may be booked based on availability. You may purchase a 10-guest private experience for $300.
Does the Rats to the Rescue Encounter ticket count as my admission to The Living Desert?
The Rats to the Rescue Encounter fee does not include admission to The Living Desert – a valid admission ticket or membership is required for entry into the Zoo for the date of your encounter.
Can I get a refund on the experience?
The Rats to the Rescue Encounter is non-refundable.
Is there an age requirement for this experience?
All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
What if it’s raining on the day of my experience?
This experience will be held rain or shine.
What are the Rats to the Rescue Encounter policies?
The Living Desert reserves the right to cancel or modify the Rats to the Rescue Encounter due to animal health and/or safety concerns. In the event of a cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule.
All participants must follow the instructions from animal care and staff members. Failure to follow instructions may result in removal from the Rats to the Rescue Encounter without refund.
All participants must be in good health and free from any cold-like symptoms.
Is this an accessible activity?
ECVs (Electric Conveyance Vehicles) are not permitted to enter the Rats to the Rescue Encounter space. Participants must be able to transfer into a wheelchair, walk by themselves, or be assisted by a member of their party. Courtesy wheelchair(s) will be available.
Can I have my service animal?
Service animals are restricted from the Rats to the Rescue Encounter.
Under federal guidelines — At a zoo, service animals can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated.
Private Safari
What are the policies for the Private Safari?
Booking and Cancellation Policy for Private Safari Tours: Giraffe feeding included in Private Safari tour price. Tours must be booked at least 48 hours ahead of desired date and subject to availability. Tours begin at 9 am daily, October to May, and 8 am daily, June to September. Payment is due at the time of booking. If you need to cancel your tour, we ask that you do so at least seven days before your scheduled tour in order to receive a full refund. If you cancel within 7 days of your tour it is non-refundable.
