Detroit Zoo Experiences

By Jeffrey Buck

A friend of mine recently gifted his fiancee an experience of a lifetime at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. A chance for her to get up close and personal with the aquarium’s Penguins. It’s the sort of adventure you might see in a movie and wonder, ‘How can I do that?’ Well it got me thinking and researching what our zoo has to offer in the way of “special” experiences. The Detroit Zoo offers four unique experiences to the average zoo goer. Most are offered at a group price and have a few restrictions. Reservations are required two weeks in advance and are non-refundable.

Below are the descriptions, prices and restrictions for the four experiences offered at the Detroit Zoo:

• Mingle with the Macaronis (Rockhoppers and Kings, too!)

Want to know how penguins stay warm, eat and play while living in their icy cold habitat? Get up close and personal with them at the Zoo! Under the guidance and supervision of one of the Zoo’s penguin keepers, you will be able to interact with the penguins in their habitat. Your visit will last approximately one hour and includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the keeper area and the incubation/nursery area. Once inside the habitat, you’ll meet some of our 60-plus penguins. Many photo opportunities will present themselves as you hand-feed our rockhopper and macaroni penguins.

– Experiences will be conducted between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
– Groups are limited to four people.
– Children must be 7 and older and accompanied by an adult.
– Participants should be able to climb stairs.
– Mingle with the Macaronis is offered year-round unless penguins are molting or breeding.
Cost is $500 per group.

• Take a Guided Zoo Tour

Be the first to greet your Zoo’s animal residents as they wake up and go through their morning routines after you and your guests enjoy a gourmet boxed breakfast in our lush picnic grove. You will ride in comfort in an eco-friendly, zero-emission electric cart while your senses take in the Zoo’s 125 acres of naturalistic animal habitats. Your experience also includes a special viewing of our zookeeper’s animal enrichment activities, designed to encourage skills and behavior that Zoo animals exhibit in their native habitats.

– Tours are for up to five guests ages 7 and older.
– Children must be accompanied by an adult.
– Tours begin at 8:30 a.m. – before the Zoo opens – and end by 10:30 a.m.
Cost is $100 per person.

• Breakfast with the Giraffes

Breakfast with the giraffes is breakfast for all! You will enjoy a continental breakfast with our tallest Zoo animals. After you dine, they dine! You and your guests will have our giraffes eating out of the palms of your hands. A zookeeper will guide you through the feeding process and provide a wealth of information about giraffes, Chardo Jabari and Kivuli.

– Breakfasts from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
– Groups limited from one to four people.
– Children must be 7 and older and accompanied by an adult.
– Breakfast with the Giraffes is offered Mondays and Saturdays from May through September.
Cost is $500 per group.

• Breakfast with the Butterflies

Enjoy a continental breakfast in the tropics as beautiful butterflies surround you and your guests! During breakfast, a zookeeper will share the secrets of butterfly watching in the garden and in the wild followed by an opportunity to prepare chrysalises for display and release new butterflies in the garden. The morning will flutter by but the memories will last forever.

– Breakfasts from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
– Groups are limited to five people.
– Children must be 7 and older and accompanied by an adult.
– Breakfast with the Butterflies is offered year-round.
Cost is $300 per group.

To get more information on the Zoo Experiences offered by the Detroit Zoo or to make reservations for your group please call (248) 336-5836 or email the zoo by clicking here.

If you don’t live in the Detroit or Chicago area be sure to see if your nearest zoo or aquarium offer any unique experiences. Be sure to let us know if you have or are planning on doing any of these!

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