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Special Tours
Meet the lions, feed the giraffe or paint with the elephants! These once in-a-lifetime Zoo tours are now available. Only the Virginia Zoo offers you up-close animal tours filled with memorable experiences and fascinating information. Each tour will offer you and your family or friends, the breathtaking experience of seeing the world's most dramatic wildlife up-close. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Stroll to Africa and experience a rare opportunity to feed the Masai giraffe. See their long eyelashes and watch their 18" long tongues as they reach for the healthy treats you offer. Learn about their behavior, feeding ecology and why their necks are so long!
Additional adults: $60/each, additional children: $40/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. Experience the world's largest land animal! Tour the elephant barn and meet, Monica, Cita and Lisa, the Virginia Zoo's African Elephants. Watch the elephant keepers as they engage the girls in a variety of daily activities like feeding, cleaning, and other basic care.
Additional adults: $60/each, additional children: $40/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. Tour the elephant barn and meet the Virginia Zoo's three African Elephants. You'll also paint with an elephant to create an original piece of artwork to take home as your unique souvenir! Price based on one painting per tour, please call for pricing on additional paintings.
Additional adults: $85/each, additional children: $60/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. Visit the lion's den for a roarin' good time to learn interesting facts about these animals and see what goes on behind-the-scenes. You'll also see the Zoo's feline friends up-close.
Additional adults: $60/each, additional children: $40/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. Adults and kids alike will learn the principles of “behavioral enrichment” as you help the zookeeper hide various food items in the exhibit and watch up close as the red river hogs forage for the items. Meet and greet "Rocky", one of the Zoo’s three red river hogs - you’ll have a great time getting up-close to this exotic and charismatic African hog!
Additional adults: $50/each, additional children: $30/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. A tour of the Zoo’s reptile exhibit building gives you the chance to get up-close to some of the world’s most unique and creepiest creatures. You’ll take a look at reptile keeper tools, reptile handling protocols and learn the difference between reptiles and amphibians. You will also get the chance to touch some of them and witness a feeding (that is, if you want to)!
Additional adults: $50/each, additional children: $30/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. This very kid-friendly tour of the barnyard takes you into the heart of the Zoo Farm! During your visit, you will help feed and interact with the farm’s stars – including Nubian goats, Guinea hogs, chickens and more! Learn how the zookeepers take care of the Zoo Farm residents on a daily basis.
Additional adults: $50/each, additional children: $30/each. Limit of 10 people per tour. Two week advance reservations are required. Call (757) 441-2374, ext. 242 to schedule your tour or visit the Membership Desk at the Zoo. Pre-payment is required and must be received two weeks prior to your tour. Wear your comfy shoes as you will be walking with the zookeepers (closed-toe shoes are required -- no open-toed shoes, including sandals, will be permitted in animal care areas). All areas are handicapped accessible and motorized transportation can be arranged if necessary. Behind-the-scenes tours are non-refundable; however, if it becomes necessary to reschedule your tour for another date, you may do so by calling 48 hours before the tour without incurring any additional charges. The Virginia Zoo reserves the right to cancel any tour. The Zoo will contact you to reschedule your tour. |
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
All tours are scheduled between the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and include park admission.