Safari Nights

10 ways to have the best Saturday ever at the Zoo

It’s Saturday, the sun is shining, and you’ve watched everything in your Netflix queue. Whether you’re ready to spend the day with your crew or going on a date, the Zoo’s got you covered. We’ve listed 10 suggestions for having the best Saturday ever with us and over 2,000 animals. So change out of those PJs, and head outside to experience the Zoo like never before!

1. Saturday, Caturday

We have the cutest baby animals ever (okay fine, we may be a tad biased). Have you met our little lioness Bahati? Head over to the lion exhibit first thing in the morning, and you might see her exploring. Believe us, she’s more entertaining than any internet cat video.

2. Get wild on a Backstage Safari

Sign up for a behind-the-scenes tour filled with up close encounters to make any animal lover swoon. This 90-minute tour lets you feed an elephant and a penguin as well as interact with some of our dynamic animal ambassadors (yes – that tamandua does like avocado as much as you!). All proceeds from Backstage Safaris go directly to our wildlife conservation efforts, helping to protect species and restore habitats around the world. Win-win!

3. Photo Ark photo op

We have an entire tunnel and dozens of kiosks with selfie-sized photos from the National Geographic Photo Ark, captured by photographer Joel Sartore. We promise you’ll score some likes if you snap a selfie with one of these animals. Use hashtag #SaveTogether. (Photo credit: Caitie Thrower)

4. Giraffe feeding

Have you ever touched a giraffe? We know some people with a bunch of lettuce and kale that can make that happen. You may even get a lick from Tebogo. #Goals.

5. Amazing monorail views

Take a rest. We’re the largest zoological park in Texas, and that means lots of walking. Grab a seat on our newly renovated Adventure Safari monorail, and travel on a one-mile loop that takes you to five African habitats you can’t see by foot. In addition to bird’s-eye animal views, you’ll also get a few glimpses of the Dallas skyline.

6. Hippo hype

If you haven’t met our new hippos Adhama and Boipelo, you’re missing out. Check out a keeper chat at 11:15 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., and you might even see them in action during a training session. Trust us – you’ll wanna ‘Gram it when their mouths are hope wide or they wiggle their ears. Not to mention, the underwater viewing window will bring you face-to-snout with these barrel-rolling hams – have your camera ready!

7. Two words – chicken fingers

Our new Coop on the Fly food truck is serving up some serious down-home, fried goodness, and you don’t want to miss out on chicken fingers and tater tots.

8. Cheers and chill

If that isn’t enough, we’ve got cold beer on tap from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at locations near the flamingo pond in ZooNorth and by the monorail station in the Wilds of Africa, as well as the craft beer garden and brand new lounge on Cat Green. So sit back, relax, and have a sip of local flavor or a classic favorite.

9. Safari Nights

Safari Nights Powered by Breeze Energy means live music at sundown on shady Cat Green – you bring the lawn chair, we’ll bring the tunes. This Saturday at 7 p.m., we’ve got The O’s playing some catchy, acoustic pop tunes that anyone can dance to – don’t worry, the animals won’t judge! Concerts are every Saturday through July 15.

10. Cabana life

It’s Texas, and it’s hot! Avoid the back sweat, and spend a steamy summer night chilling out with your crew in one of our reservable cabanas, complete with chairs, fans, and water during Safari Nights!

And the very best part is that your adventure helps support conservation efforts around the world! That’s right, a portion of your admission goes to our conservation partners in order to save wildlife and protect the environment. So, have some fun and do some good this Saturday!

Categories: Conservation, Lion, Monorail Safari, Photography, Safari Nights, Simmons Hippo Outpost, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 1 Comment

Heavy rain POSTPONES Safari Nights kickoff

SafariNights_ColorThe kickoff of the Dallas Zoo’s third annual Safari Nights summer concert series, scheduled for TOMORROW NIGHT, May 30, has been postponed. The record rainfall and last night’s storms have saturated Cat Green, where the outdoor concert series is held.

With the potential for more storms in the forecast and the safety of guests, animals and staff a priority, the zoo will reschedule Petty Theft (Tom Petty tribute band) and The Bird Dogs to a later date.

The Dallas Zoo is open for regular hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) today and tomorrow. However, due to storm cleanup in the Wildlife Amphitheater, the DinoSOAR wildlife show will not be held today or Saturday.

More info on Safari Nights:

Extended zoo hours and special evening keeper talks will give visitors a chance to mingle with some of the zoo’s wildest stars before the bands start to rock during Safari Nights. The concerts, which start at 7 p.m., will bring music to Texas’ largest zoo until 9 p.m. Food will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks, cold craft beer and wine.

The concert lineup, arranged through a partnership with The Kessler in Oak Cliff, includes:

POSTPONED – May 30: Petty Theft (Tom Petty tribute band) and The Bird Dogs

June 6: The Relatives (psychedelic gospel funk)

June 13: Escape (Journey tribute band)

June 20: Trout Fishing in America (eclectic folk/rock)

June 27: The Killdares (Celtic rock)

July 4: Live 80 (’80s tribute band)

July 11: A Hard Night’s Day (Beatles tribute band)

July 18: Sara Hickman (Texas singer/songwriter)

July 25: FastLane (Eagles tribute band)

August 1: The O’s (roots rock)

As the sun goes down, guests can get close to the stars of the zoo’s Animal Adventures outreach program and catch a special presentation of DinoSOAR, presented by Kimberly-Clark, the dynamic, interactive wildlife show featuring birds and mammals from all over the world.

The Safari Nights event schedule includes:

Lion Keeper Talk: 5 p.m.

Elephant Keeper Talk: 6 p.m.

DinoSOAR: 6 p.m.

Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo Keeper Encounters: 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wild Encounters Stage animal presentations: Every half-hour until 6 p.m.

Animal Adventures: 6:30 p.m.

Concerts: 7 p.m.

Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo and Travis & Zach’s Birds Landing open until 7:30 p.m.

Giraffe Feeding, Koala Walkabout, and Lorikeet Landing open until 8 p.m.

Giants of the Jurassic exhibit and T-Rex Express mini train open until dark

Safari Nights is FREE with zoo admission, which for non-members is $15 for ages 12-64; $12 for ages 3-11 and seniors; and free for children under 2. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Cabana rental packages will be available for purchase. Parking is $8 per vehicle (free for members), or visitors can take DART, the Zoo’s Official Transportation Provider; the Red Line drops guests off at the zoo’s entrance. iHeart Media is the Official Media Sponsor of Safari Nights.

Categories: Events, Exhibits and Experiences, Safari Nights, SOAR, A Festival of Flight presented by Kimberly-Clark | 2 Comments

Brought to you by the Dallas Zoo