Animal Encounters & Experiences
Get Up Close
Go Behind-the-Scenes at the ZooBook an animal encounter/experience to upgrade your visit
Animal Encounters vs. Animal Experiences
What's the difference?
ENCOUNTERS
$75/flat rate
- 15-minute private visit with one animal ambassador of your choice
- Animal ambassadors: bat, skunk, rock hyrax, snake, monitor, small tortoise
- Learn from the zoo educator
- Flat rate for the entire group
- All ages welcome
- Zoo admission is required but not included
EXPERIENCES
Starting at $50/per person
- 30 to 60-minute immersive, in-depth experience with an endangered animal
- Animal Experiences: Pygmy hippo, Galapagos tortoise, orangutan, African penguin
- Learn from the zoo educator
- Priced per person
- Ages 6+ (or older, depending on the experience)
- Zoo admission is required but not included
- Behind-the-scenes access
Proceeds help support the animals in our care and the zoo’s conservation efforts to protect endangered animals in the wild.
Animal Encounters
Meet our education animal ambassadors!
Schedule an animal encounter, a 15-minute private visit with one animal ambassador of your choice:
- Indian Flying Fox (bat)
- Striped skunk
- Rock hyrax
- Savannah monitor
- Snake (Burmese or Ball python)
- Tortoise (Red-footed or Pancake)
$75 per encounter (flat rate for entire group)
Meet the animal ambassador up close, and learn all about the species from a zoo educator.
Encounter Policies
- $75 per encounter (flat rate for entire group)
- All ages welcome (group must have one leader age 16+)
- For the safety of the animal and guests, only the educator will handle and touch the animal
- Photos are welcome
- All sales are final. No refunds. Encounters may be rescheduled depending on availability.
- Zoo admission is required, but is not included in the animal encounter purchase.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before reservation time. Inform our entrance team members of your encounter so they can provide instructions on where to meet.
- Participants must follow all instructions from the zoo educator; failure to do so may result in removal from the encounter without a refund.
- Our animals choose how to interact. Each encounter will vary.
- To request a date/time not available online, for groups larger than 25, or for birthday parties, complete this inquiry form. We’ll review it and send a quote soon!
Endangered Animal Experiences
Pygmy Hippo
Experience
$100/per person
- Meet pygmy hippos up close! Enter the outdoor hippo habitat behind the scenes and enjoy potential feeding opportunities.
- 30-minute experience
- Max of 4 people
- Ages 8+ (ages 8-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone: 16+)
Orangutan
Experience
$100/per person
- Go on an exciting behind-the-scenes tour of our orangutan habitat! Explore their night house, prepare enrichment, and toss the orangutans food.
- one-hour experience
- Max of 6 people
- Ages 6+ (ages 6-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone: 16+)
- Complimentary Safari Train ride to and from the experience area
African Penguin
Experience
$50/per person
- Meet a critically endangered African penguin up close and learn about penguin behavior and conservation efforts
- 30-minute experience
- Max of 4 people
- Ages 6+ (ages 6-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone: 16+)
Galapagos Tortoise
Experience
$50/per person
- Get up close with the world’s largest tortoise! Touch their shells, take photos, and enjoy potential feeding opportunities.
- 30-minute experience
- Max of 6 people
- Ages 6+ (6-11 need a chaperone (16+), either as a ticketed participant or a non-participating observer from the path
Proceeds help support the animals in our care and the zoo’s conservation efforts to protect endangered animals in the wild.
The Pygmy Hippo Experience
❄️ During winter, this experience pauses while the hippos stay in their indoor pool. It will resume Spring 2026.
You’re invited into the heart of the hippos’ outdoor habitat to view them up close in this behind-the-scenes experience.
$100 per person
The 30-minute experience includes:
- Go behind the scenes at Hippo Haven
- Enter the outdoor habitat and view the hippos up close from a safety zone with a barrier in between
- Potential opportunities to feed produce to pygmy hippos
- Learn more about pygmy hippo behavior and conservation from a zoo team member
Online reservations are required.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit pygmy hippos in the wild.
Is the date you want sold out? Join the waitlist to be notified of any openings.
Experience Policies
- $100 per person
- Max of 4 people allowed for each experience
- Ages 8 and up
- Ages 8-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone (16+)
- Not a private experience unless all 4 slots are booked
- Zoo admission is required, but is not included in the experience purchase
- All sales are final. No refunds. Rescheduling (with a 48-hour notice) may be available depending on availability. Call ahead for options.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before reservation time to check in at the zoo entrance and sign a waiver. The experience will begin promptly; late arrivals may not be accommodated.
- Experience is offered (light) rain or shine, but heavy rain or severe weather may cause delays or cancellations. If the forecasted high temperature is below 55°F, the experience will be canceled. If Metro Richmond Zoo cancels due to weather or other factors, a refund or reschedule option may be provided. (No umbrellas. Rain jackets and ponchos are permitted.)
- You may be rescheduled if we do not reach out 2-person minimum for each time slot
- Physical requirements for the experience and to access behind-the-scenes areas: Guests must be able to enter the habitat through a passageway that is 3 feet wide, 57 inches tall, and 12 feet long (ducking may be required).
- Our pygmy hippos have the choice of where to spend their time, and it is possible they may not approach the experience participants. Each experience will vary.
What to Expect
- Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes (Clothes may get dirty or wet)
- Arrive at the zoo front entrance to check in for the experience and sign a waiver 30 minutes before reservation time
- Meet at the hippo statue underneath the Hippo Haven exhibit sign 5 minutes prior to reservation time
- Follow zoo team member behind the scenes to access the outdoor hippo habitat
- Receive safety instructions and follow team member into the habitat
- View pygmy hippos from a safety zone inside the habitat with potential opportunities to feed them
- You will be standing near their pool and you may splashed with water or poop. What a magical memory that would make!
- Photos and videos are welcome (a wrist strap is encouraged to prevent phone or camera from falling into the habitat)
Safety Rules
- Participants must sign a waiver in person before beginning the experience
- Participants must follow all instructions from team member
- Failure to follow instructions will result in removal from experience without a refund
The Orangutan Experience
❄️If the forecasted high temperature is below 55°F, the experience will be canceled.
The Orangutan Experience, Reimagined and Better Than Ever
You’re invited behind the scenes of one of our orangutan habitats to observe these intelligent primates up close! Learn all about the personalities and life histories of the orangutans in our care.
$100 per person
The one-hour experience includes:
- A behind-the-scenes tour of the orangutan habitat
- Entry into the orangutans’ night house to see where they sleep
- Help prepare enrichment – fun activities the orangutans will enjoy when they come in for the night
- Toss food to the orangutans on the island
- Up-close view of these amazing apes while learning about their behavior and conservation
- Complimentary Safari Train ride to and from the experience area
Online reservations are required.
To request a date/time not available online, complete this inquiry form.
Experience Policies
- $100 per person
- Max of 6 people allowed for each experience
- Minimum of 2 tickets required to book (to purchase a single ticket, call 804-739-5666)
- Ages 6 and up
- Ages 6-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone (16+)
- Not a private tour unless all 6 slots are booked
- Zoo admission is required, but is not included in the experience purchase
- All sales are final. No refunds. Rescheduling (with a 48-hour notice) may be available depending on availability. Call ahead for options.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before reservation time to check in at the zoo entrance and sign a waiver. The experience will begin promptly; late arrivals may not be accommodated.
- Experience is offered (light) rain or shine, but heavy rain or severe weather may cause delays or cancellations. If the forecasted high temperature is below 55°F, the experience will be canceled. If Metro Richmond Zoo cancels due to weather or other factors, a refund or reschedule option may be provided. (No umbrellas. Rain jackets and ponchos are permitted.)
- Our orangutans have the choice of where to spend their time. Each experience will vary.
What to Expect
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing (Clothes may get dirty or smelly inside the night house)
- Arrive at the zoo front entrance to check in for the experience and sign a waiver 30 minutes before reservation time
- Meet at the train station 10 minutes prior to reservation time
- Ride the train to the orangutan island, where your guide will meet you
- Toss food to the orangutans on the island, and then walk behind the scenes on a gravel path to meet other orangutans
- Tour the apes’ night house and help prep enrichment – fun activities they’ll enjoy when they come in for the night
- For questions about mobility, call ahead (804-739-5666)
Safety Rules
- For the safety of our orangutans, all guests are required to wear N95 masks during the experience (masks provided if needed)
- Only the zoo educator will interact with and touch the animals
- All participants must sign a waiver and follow educator’s instructions at all times
- Failure to comply will result in removal from the experience without a refund
The African Penguin Experience
All-New Penguin Experience: Reimagined to Inspire Connection & Conservation
You’re invited into the penguin ambassador habitat for an intimate, up-close experience with African penguins, a critically endangered species.
$50 per person
The 30-minute experience includes:
- Enter the penguin ambassador habitat for an intimate, up-close experience with African penguins, a critically endangered species
- Learn about penguin behavior, their unique personalities, and the dedicated care they receive at the zoo
- Discover the zoo’s African penguin conservation program, one of our flagship initiatives, recognized as one of the most successful in the United States
- Take memorable photos
- Touch real penguin artifacts such as eggs and feathers
- Engage in enrichment activities with an ambassador penguin
Online reservations are required.
Experience Policies
- $50 per person
- Max of 4 people allowed for each experience
- Minimum of 2 tickets required to book (to purchase a single ticket, call 804-739-5666)
- Ages 6 and up
- Ages 6-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone (16+)
- Not a private tour unless all 4 slots are booked
- Zoo admission is required, but is not included in the experience purchase
- All sales are final. No refunds. Rescheduling (with a 48-hour notice) may be available depending on availability. Call ahead for options.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before reservation time to check in at the zoo entrance and sign a waiver. The experience will begin promptly; late arrivals may not be accommodated.
- Experience is offered (light) rain or shine, but heavy rain or severe weather may cause delays, modifications, or cancellations. If Metro Richmond Zoo cancels due to weather or other factors, a refund or reschedule option may be provided.
- Our penguins have the choice of where to spend their time. Each experience will vary.
What to Expect
- Wear closed-toe, closed-heel athletic footwear (no sandals, flip-flops, crocs, slippers, etc.)
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing
- Arrive at the zoo front entrance to check in for the experience and sign a waiver 30 minutes before reservation time
- Meet at Banana Breeze by the penguin habitat 5 minutes prior to reservation time
- Receive safety instructions and follow the zoo team member into the ambassador habitat
- Get up close with an ambassador penguin and learn about penguin behavior and conservation efforts
- Photos are welcome
- For questions about mobility, call ahead (804 739 5666)
Safety Rules
- All participants must sign a waiver and follow the educator’s instructions at all times
- Failure to comply will result in removal from the experience without a refund
The Galapagos Giant Tortoise Experience
❄️ During winter, this experience is offered only on select days when the forecasted high temp is 55°F+.
You’re invited into the Galapagos tortoise habitat for an intimate, up-close experience with the world’s largest tortoise and one of the longest-living land animals.
$50 per person
The 30-minute experience includes:
- Step into the Galapagos tortoise habitat for an intimate, up-close experience
- Touch their massive, domed shells and take memorable photos
- Enjoy potential feeding opportunities
- Learn all about these gentle giants, how we care for them at the zoo, and efforts to protect this endangered species
- You’ll also meet our juvenile Aldabra tortoises (the second-largest tortoise), who share the same habitat
Online reservations are required.
Experience Policies
- $50 per person
- Max of 6 people allowed for each experience
- Minimum of 2 tickets required to book (to purchase a single ticket, call 804-739-5666)
- Ages 6 and up
- Ages 6-11 need a chaperone (16+), either as a participant (with a ticket) or as a non-participating observer from the path
- Not a private tour unless all 6 slots are booked
- Zoo admission is required, but is not included in the experience purchase
- All sales are final. No refunds. Rescheduling (with a 48-hour notice) may be available depending on availability. Call ahead for options.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before reservation time to check in at the zoo entrance and sign a waiver. The experience will begin promptly; late arrivals may not be accommodated.
- Experience is offered (light) rain or shine, but heavy rain or severe weather may cause delays or cancellations. If the forecasted high temperature is below 55°F, the experience will be canceled. If Metro Richmond Zoo cancels due to weather or other factors, a refund or reschedule option may be provided.
- Our tortoises have the choice of where to spend their time. Each experience will vary.
What to Expect
- Wear closed-toe, closed-heel athletic footwear (no sandals, flip-flops, crocs, slippers, etc.)
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing
- Arrive at the zoo front entrance to check in for the experience and sign a waiver 30 minutes before reservation time
- Meet at the Galapagos tortoise statue near the habitat 5 minutes prior to reservation time
- Receive safety instructions and follow the zoo team member into the habitat
- Get up close with the giant tortoises, touch their shells, and enjoy potential feeding opportunities
- Photos are welcome
- For questions about mobility, call ahead (804 739 5666)
Safety Rules
- All participants must sign a waiver and follow the educator’s instructions at all times
- Failure to comply will result in removal from the experience without a refund