Inside Look Tours
Special Experiences

Inside Look Tours

At a Glance

The Inside Look tour is an entertaining and educational adventure—perfect for a family outing—offering guided views and interesting information about how we take care of our wildlife. It is filled with experiences and stories you can’t get anywhere else.  You’ll meet your guide, and then enjoy being escorted around the Zoo in a tour cart. 

All tour participants require a tour ticket, regardless of age. Admission is separate and required.

 

*Our animal experiences are subject to change, based on the animals’ health and safety needs.

  • For all ages
  • $92 and up
  • Offered daily
  • 1.5 hours, 2 hours or 3.5 hours
  • Giraffes, polar bears, and more!
    (All animals subject to availability)
  • Visit different off-view areas with each tour.
  • View Safety Restrictions

    Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour, after booking, please call 619-718-3000 so we can note your order prior to your visit.

  • koala on a tree
    Inside Look

    Elite Adventure

    • Recommended for ages 5 and up
    • $425 and up, per person
    • Select dates
    • 3.5 hours
    • View Age/Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Experience the Zoo like never before on a 3.5-hour Elite Adventure in a premium cart!  Feel inspired as you uncover the highlights of our fascinating Zoo while gaining insights into our collaborative wildlife and conservation efforts from a knowledgeable guide.  Take a guided walk through exclusive behind-the-scenes areas and enjoy a special wildlife encounter reserved only for Elite guests.  This experience includes a stop with a light snack.

    If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour, after booking, please call 619-718-3000 so we can notate your order prior to your visit.

    This tour is offered only on select dates. Reserve your ticket today!

    Gelada monkey portrait
    Inside Look Deluxe

    Hidden Gems

    • All Ages
    • $117 and up
    • Offered daily
    • 2 hours. Guests need to arrive 10 minutes prior to departure.
    • Meet Educator at sign post 4
    • View Age/Safety Restrictions

      For all ages. Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Get an inside look at some of our most unusual animals!  Enjoy up-close views of our world-famous wildlife, including critically endangered animals rarely seen in the wild, as well as unique species rarely found in zoos! Learn how we care for these uncommon animals at the Zoo and how we protect their native habitats.  This tour features a special experience with our charismatic gelada monkeys, as well as special viewing of other unusual wildlife.

    Crazy about cats thumbnail
    Inside Look Deluxe

    Crazy About Cats

    • Ages 5 & up
    • $117 and up
    • Offered daily
    • 2 hours; 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Guests need to arrive 10 minutes prior to departure.
    • Check in location: Rex's Roar lion statue, in front of the Zoo's main entrance
    • View Age/Safety Restrictions

      For ages 5 & up. Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Get an inside look at iconic and fascinating cat species during this two-hour experience—which starts before the Zoo opens for the day. You’ll travel by cart and on foot to discover cats of all sizes—and meet one cat up close! Learn how wildlife care specialists care for cats at the Zoo, what we’re doing to support their survival in native habitats, and how you can help. We cannot guarantee which cats you will see on any particular morning, but depending on the day of your visit, you might see a jaguar, lion, tiger, mountain lion, fishing cat, leopard, ocelot, or serval.

    sun bear
    Inside Look Deluxe

    Paws & Claws

    • All ages
    • $117 and up
    • Select dates
    • 2 hours
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Oh, my! Get ready for an inside look at wildlife that are famous for their massive paws and powerful claws—lions, tigers, and bears. In this two-hour adventure, your guide will escort you around the Zoo in a deluxe cart to provide an insider’s view of majestic big cats and charismatic bears. Discover fascinating facts about lions, tigers, and diverse species of bears, how we’re working with partners in their native habitats to protect them, and how you can help secure a future for their species. We cannot guarantee which species you will see, but depending on the day of your tour, you may see Malayan tigers, African lions, sun bears, sloth bears, Andean bears, or grizzlies.

    polar bear
    Inside Look

    Underwater Wonders

    • For all ages
    • $92 and up
    • 90 minutes
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Enjoy an up-close view of the Zoo’s Underwater Wonders and the beautiful habitats they live in! Learn how these splashing species are cared for at the Zoo and how we support their survival around the globe.  Wildlife featured on this experience may include polar bears, penguins, or hippos. This special adventure also includes a tour around the Zoo with stops to visit some of our other wildlife wonders up close!

    baboon
    Inside Look

    World Famous Wildlife

    • For all ages
    • $92 and up
    • 90 minutes
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    This special tour is guaranteed to thrill and amaze! During your tour, a Zoo expert will escort your group to a variety of locations to see wildlife up close and share stories of wildlife care and conservation. This tour includes special experiences at two different habitats that showcase the Zoo’s World Famous Wildlife and can include areas not accessible to the public. No two tours are ever the same!

    young giraffe
    Inside Look

    Wild Africa

    • For all ages
    • $92 and up
    • 90 minutes
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Embark on a wild adventure highlighting the Zoo’s amazing African wildlife. Visit two wildlife habitats up close and learn about our collaborative efforts in Africa and how we strive to help these incredible species thrive. We cannot guarantee which species guests may see on any day, but depending on availability, you may have a chance to view giraffes, lions, elephants, or other African wildlife as you tour throughout the Zoo with one of our knowledgeable guides!

    koala climbing on a branch
    Inside Look

    The Scoop on Poop

    • For all ages
    • $92 and up
    • Offered select days
    • 90 minutes
    • View Age/Safety Restrictions

      For all ages. Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Have you ever wondered how scientists study wildlife out in the wild? Get the “Scoop on the Poop” by visiting some of the Zoo’s most interesting habitats and wildlife. Learn how poop helps wildlife care staff ensure their wildlife is healthy and thriving and how the Zoo’s conservation partners use it to study wildlife all over the world. Don’t worry! This is a hands-off experience (no poop handling necessary).

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