A gift certificate for a Denver Zoo Up-Close Animal Encounter lets your special someone choose their unforgettable animal experience.
Price varies.
Guided tour, including exclusive access to the giraffe herd or behind-the-scenes at the Rhino Barn.
Giraffe Feeding are for guests 5 years of age and older.
Rhino Encounters are for guests 12 years of age and older.
During Zoo Lights! These programs occur after daytime operating hours. Zoo Lights admission tickets must be purchased with these programs.
Enhance your Zoo Lights experience with a Giraffe Feeding! Participating in our exclusive giraffe feeding will give you a chance to enter Denver Zoo before it opens for Zoo Lights to hand-feed our resident giraffes some of their favorite treats. In addition to the feeding, you will have exclusive access to giraffe experts that will help you get to know each member of the herd during this guided experience. Just watch out for the giraffe drool!
Zoo Lights Giraffe Feedings have sold out. Daytime Giraffe Feedings resume in January 2020. Visit the Giraffe Feeding page to learn more.
Enhance your Zoo Lights experience with a Rhino Encounter! Ever wondered what it feels like to touch two tons worth of muscle? Experience this and more as you get up close and personal with one of our rhinos. In this adventure, your host will guide you to our rhino exhibit to meet with a keeper and learn what it takes to care for these thick skinned creatures. You’ll also have a chance to touch and scratch this gentle giant while he enjoys a Zoo Lights snack!
Zoo Lights Rhino Encounters have sold out for the season. Daytime Rhino Encounters resume in the spring. Fill out this form to be notified when dates become available in 2020.
This program is for guests ages 5 and older; children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a paid participant that is 16 years of age or older.
Our feeding area has an entry point that is 42 inches wide and is a 4-inch drop from the main pathway. We are able accommodate standard wheelchairs. There is limited access for ADA-approved service animals near the giraffes. Please call 720-337-1400 to confirm. If you have any questions about the accessibility of the area, please contact our Guest Care Center at 720-337-1400.
Tours are non-refundable. A fee of 100% will be charged for missed encounters.
A gift certificate for a Denver Zoo Up-Close Animal Encounter lets your special someone choose their unforgettable animal experience.