Get an inside look at animal care, meet some of your favorite animals, and learn about the Zoo’s efforts to protect endangered species!
Each tour is a private experience for your group. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about select opportunities.
Join us as we fly backstage to meet Riverbanks’ flamingos! You’ll be tickled pink learning about flamingo care and conservation while feeding our flock their afternoon diet.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.
Join us as we explore what goes into the upstanding animal care provided to Patrick, our bachelor male gorilla, and our meerkat mob. This tour will include a behind the scenes look at Patrick’s daily training while learning more about gorilla conservation efforts across the world. Before wrapping up this adventure, participants will help build enrichment for our playful meerkat mob.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 5 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. KN95 masks and closed toed shoes are required for this experience. Mask will be provided by Riverbanks staff. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.
Join Riverbanks’ penguin colony for a chilly backstage encounter. Learn all about our different penguins before bundling up to head behind the scenes. Get a cool view of these flightless birds while our keepers feed them their midday snack.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 5 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and will involve climbing a flight of stairs.
Join us behind the scenes to meet the second largest land mammal in the world! On this rhino-riffic tour, you’ll get the opportunity to explore our rhino barn, come face-to-face with our rhino residents, and learn all about how Riverbanks cares for these gentle giants.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and will involve climbing a flight of stairs.
Experience Sea Lion Landing like never before — and maybe get your feet a little wet. See the inner workings of the habitat, help our keepers prepare the morning diet, and then join the animal care staff for a training demonstration. This memorable tour will definitely get your seal of approval.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven and slick terrain.
Gift a tour experience.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants — up to 5 participants for Penguin Backstage and Gorilla Backstage — ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
Some Backstage opportunities are not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.
Please call the Education Department at 803.602.0803 or email us.