Animal Tours
Year-round and Current Seasonal Tours
Due to various animal considerations, availability and capacity limitations apply. Duration times are approximate. Tours are released on a quarterly basis approximately 5-7 weeks before the next quarter begins.
$60 per person
Avian Encounter
You don't need wings to get a bird's-eye view of some of the Saint Louis Zoo’s bird show stars. This tour allows guests to enjoy a meet-and-greet with both the birds and their trainers. Who-who-who wants a photo with an owl? Or an up-close encounter with an eagle? This tour is for bird enthusiasts eager to learn about our fascinating feathered friends.
- Number of guests: Minimum of two; maximum of six
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 5 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Avian Encounter tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at (314) 646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$35 per person
Birds of a Feather
Spread your wings to meet the birds in our diverse collection — and learn how our conservation efforts are helping several critically endangered species. Our staff will share enchanting stories about our Bird House residents as you visit off-display areas like the incubator/propagation room, where keepers collect eggs and incubate them until they hatch.
- Number of guests: Minimum of two; maximum of 10
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Birds of a Feather tour is not an accessible tour.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$60 per person
Gentle Giants
Take a stroll to Red Rocks for the exceptional opportunity to feed the Zoo's "gentle giants," our reticulated giraffes. Marvel up close at their long eyelashes and watch the giraffe’s masterful tongue grasp a leafy branch or piece of lettuce right from your hand! You’ll learn about their behavior and diet — and find out why their necks are so amazingly long.
These tours are seasonally conducted outdoors. Please be prepared for weather conditions. Closed-toed shoes are required.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of 10
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 5 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Gentle Giants tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at (314) 646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$100 per person
Here, There and Grizzly Bear
Experience a “beary” special adventure on a Behind-the-Scenes Grizzly Tour! Explore our state-of-the-art bear building where you will get an inside look at how zookeepers care for Huckleberry and Finley, our sibling pair of bears. This tour gives you an exclusive glimpse into the life of a grizzly, with the opportunity to meet these majestic animals.
These tours are seasonally conducted outdoors. Please be prepared for inclement conditions.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of 8
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Here, There and Grizzly Bear tour is not an accessible tour.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$85 per person
Penguin Encounter
Experience Penguin & Puffin Coast from a zookeeper's point of view! During this tour, you’ll have an up-close-and-personal visit with some of our playful penguins while you learn about our conservation center for threatened Humboldt penguins. You'll wrap up your tour with a walk through the exhibit.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of 10
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 5 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Penguin Encounter tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at (314) 646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$35 per person
Planet Protectors
Come join the keepers at Bayer Insectarium for an exclusive opportunity to interact with some of the rarest species in the world! And be prepared: The staff may put you to work by asking you to hold or help feed these incredible creatures.
Home to more individual animals than any other area in the Zoo, you’ll learn what these spineless wonders do for our planet — and what you can do to help save them!
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of six
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 5 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Planet Protectors tour is not an accessible tour.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$55 per person
Reptile Rendezvous
This behind-the-scenes tour of the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium offers an up-close look at our vast collections of snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises — as well as amphibians and crocodilians. Learn about safety protocols, snake antivenin and keeper tools. Then, challenge yourself to reach out and touch one of your new amphibian or reptile friends!
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of six
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Reptile Rendezvous tour is not an accessible tour.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$80 per person
Rhino Ramble
This tour takes you behind River's Edge to the hidden rhino barn to be properly introduced to one of our imposing black rhinos. You'll get the chance to feed this weighty vegetarian and may even get to touch their armor-like skin!
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two guests; maximum of six
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Rhino Ramble tour is not an accessible tour.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$75 per person
Sea Lion Encounter
Put your flippers together for a California sea lion superstar! See how the zookeepers train these animals by using positive reinforcement to cultivate remarkable behaviors. You may even have the opportunity for a priceless photo with one of the show's “sea-lebrities."
These tours are conducted outdoors. Please be prepared for unfavorable weather conditions. Sea Lion Tours have a temperature minimum of 45 degrees. If temperatures fall below this threshold, the tour may be canceled and rescheduled.
This tour also includes one complimentary Sea Lion Show ticket per tour ticket. Show seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shows are seasonal and may not be available during the day of your scheduled tour. Sea Lion Show tickets are valid for up to one year from your tour date.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of six
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Sea Lion Encounter tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at 314-646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
$100 per person
Sloth Slowdown
Go behind the scenes and meet the elusive South American creature that sleeps half the day away! You’ll be schooled on all-things-sloth by the keepers who care for them as you take a special peek into their laid-back habitat. Also in store? Sloth snack time! Closed-toe shoes required.
- Number of Guests: Maximum of two guests
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 5 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Sloth Slowdown tour is not an accessible tour.
$35 per person
Swamp Celebration
Take a walk through history as you tour the Cypress Swamp in the Zoo's 1904 Flight Cage. A diverse flock of waterfowl will enchant you as this tour explores a wetland ecosystem, reflective of the landscapes found in southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois. You'll learn about how the Zoo cares for these beautiful animals — and how you can help protect our region's unique swampland.
Please be prepared for unfavorable weather conditions.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of 10
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of our public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Swamp Celebration tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at 314-646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$65 per person
Tour de Tortoise
This visit to the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium takes you into the heart of tortoise territory. Some of these slow-moving reptiles weigh up to 600 pounds, so bring your camera for substantial photo opportunities!
Guests must be able to walk downhill on uneven terrain in the tortoise habitat. These tours are conducted seasonally, outdoors. Please be prepared for weather. Closed-toed shoes are required.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of four
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of our public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Tour de Tortoise tour is not an accessible tour.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$50 per person
Train-rific Tour
All aboard for a Train-rific Tour! Learn about the history of the Zooline Railroad as you ride the express route right into the Zoo's train shed. An Engineer lets you look up close at an engine and reveals what it takes to keep the Zoo's train program on track. You'll finish your journey by riding around the Zoo on one of our famous trains, and will take home an authentic souvenir railroad spike.
These tours are conducted outdoors. Please be prepared for unfavorable weather conditions.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of six
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 2 and up. One adult per two children required.
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Train-rific Tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at (314) 646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
BOOK NOW: July – September
$35 per person
Vet Hospital Tour
Have you ever wondered how the Zoo maintains such a diverse collection of animals and keeps them so healthy? How do we treat a giraffe vs. a tiny frog? And how do we care for animals threatened with extinction or with other specific needs? Meet with our vet staff to learn some of the innovative and unique ways they treat the Zoo’s animals.
- Number of guests: Minimum of four; maximum of 20
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 10 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Vet Hospital Tour is a fully accessible tour. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral considerations within your group, please call the Tour Coordinators at (314) 646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make appropriate accommodations.
Upcoming Seasonal Tours
SOLD OUT!
Hippo Howdy
CURRENTLY SOLD OUT! Check back in December.
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Let us introduce you to the third-largest land animal in the world! Learn about the hippo’s unusual ability to adapt to the harshest of environments and hear stories from our zookeepers about the care and feeding of these unique African herbivores. You’ll even get the chance to toss snacks into a hippo’s supercolossal mouth.
Pictures and videos are not permitted during the behind-the-scenes portions of this tour.
- Number of Guests: Minimum of two; maximum of six
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up
Please note that while all of The Zoo's public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tour program may not be.
The Hippo Howdy tour is not an accessible tour.