Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
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A woman with a long, blonde braid, wearing a blue collared shirt is standing next to a lake in the woods. She is smiling at the camera and holding a very long, black snake in both hands as it wraps around her hands and forearms.

Snorin' Safari

Elephants Csar Rafiki

Snorin' Safaris are our popular overnight campout experience for:

  • Families- see below for family dates
  • Adults Only- scroll down further for adult-only dates
  • Sensory Friendly Snorin' Safari for families needing a more sensory-friendly camping experience!
  • Private Groups- this is for group size of 10-30 people (adults and youth). To book a date for your group, scroll down to the private group section for how to contact us.

Family Snorin' Safaris 

Experience the North Carolina Zoo after hours at one of our overnight family camping adventures. Designed for adults with children 6 years and older. Complete with an evening walk through the Zoo, S'mores by a campfire, and engaging activities.

Summer and Fall Family 2025 Dates 

North American Adventures

Our North American Adventure is sure to be a howlin’ good time! Guests will take an evening walk through North America and see if we can get our American Red Wolves to howl! Campers will learn all about this critically endangered canine and what the Zoo does to ensure the red wolves’ and many other species survivals.

Dates: 
  • Saturday, July 26, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Friday, August 29, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Sunday, August 31, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Friday, October 3, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Friday, October 17, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday, October 25, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Monday, November 10, 2025 (ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!)- New this year, a Veterans Day Campout for any active or retired military veterans and their families!  Please contact us here to book your spots and get a discount on tickets.  This campout will open to the general public if it does not fill by October 13th.

African Adventures

Ever wonder what the North Carolina Zoo’s African animals do at night? Come campout at the Zoo and find out! Participants will learn about our African animals, engage in some activities on how the Zoo helps save African species, and eat a S’more or two by the campfire.

Dates:
  • Friday August 22, 2025  (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Friday, September 26, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday, October 11, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday, November 1, 2025 (SOLD OUT)

Cost: $75 per person (ages 6 and up) Under 6yrs not allowed for safety reasons. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21.  

Tickets:

     SUMMER FAMILY SNORIN' SAFARI TICKETS    

     FALL FAMILY SNORIN' SAFARI TICKETS                            

Time: 5:00 p.m.– 9:00 a.m.

Additional Program Information:

  • Meals included: dinner (all beef hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions during checkout.
  • Please provide your own camping equipment. (A limited number of tent rentals are available during checkout.) Camping equipment recommendation are below.
  • Quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Please Note:

  • Bathroom facilities do not include showers.
  • Snorin' Safari tickets do not include admission to the Zoo before or after your campout.
  • Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
  • Each program has a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people. We will notify you a week before the program if there is low registration.
  • Ticket sales end two weeks before the event. 

Family Notification: If you would like to be notified when future family dates become available please email and we will add your name to our notification list.

If you have any questions, please email us.

An expansive, grassy field with dark trees and foliage dispersed around and throughout it. In the foreground, two large, shaggy, brown Bison and a deer-sized Wapiti stand in a group, grazing near a large log.

Adult Only Snorin' Safaris

Experience the North Carolina Zoo after hours at one of our overnight adult only camping adventures! Designed for adults 18 and older. 

Fall Adult Only 2025 Dates 

North American Adventure

Our North American Adventure is sure to be a howlin’ good time! Guests will take an evening walk through North America and see if we can get our American Red Wolves to howl! Campers will learn all about this critically endangered canine and what the Zoo does to ensure the red wolves’ and many other species survivals.

Date:
  • Friday, October 31, 2025  (SOLD OUT)

African Adventures

Ever wonder what the North Carolina Zoo’s African animals do at night? Come campout at the Zoo and find out! Participants will learn about our African animals, engage in some activities on how the Zoo helps save African species, and eat a S’more or two by the campfire.

Date: 
  • Saturday, September 27, 2025 (SOLD OUT)

Cost: $95 per adult (age 18+)

Tickets:

       FALL ADULT ONLY SNORIN' SAFARI TICKEYS

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Additional Program Info:

  • Meals included: dinner (all beef hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings, potato salad, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, pastries,  juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions during checkout.
  • Please provide your own camping equipment. (A limited number of tent rentals are available during checkout.) Camping equipment recommendations are below.
  • Quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Please Note:

  • Bathroom facilities do not include showers.
  • Snorin' Safari tickets do not include admission to the Zoo before or after your campout.
  • Each program has a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 25 people. We will notify you a week before the program if there is low registration.
  • Ticket sales end two weeks before the event. 

Adult Only Notification: If you would like to be notified when future adult only date becomes available, please email and we will add your name to our notification list.  

If you have any questions please email us.

Zoofari truck driving through the Watani Grasslands habitat that consists of a large open field and rolling hills which is the perfect environment for the Bongos that are seen grazing in the background.

Sensory Friendly Snorin' Safari

Sensory Friendly Snorin' Safaris are designed for families with autism, ADHD or other sensory needs. A smaller group size and a more structured event will make this a unique, inclusive experience for families!

Fall Sensory Friendly 2025 Dates 

North American Adventure

Our North American Adventure is sure to be a howlin’ good time! Guests will take an evening walk through North America and see if we can get our American Red Wolves to howl! Campers will learn all about this critically endangered canine and what the Zoo does to ensure the red wolves’ and many other species survivals.

Date:
  • Saturday, October 4, 2025 (SOLD OUT)

Cost: $75 per person (ages 6 and up)  Under 6yrs not allowed for safety reasons.  All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21. 

Tickets:

      FALL SENSORY FREINDLY SNORIN' SAFARI TICKETS

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Additional Program Information:

  • Meals included: dinner (all beef hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions during checkout.
  • Please provide your own camping equipment. (A limited number of tent rentals are available during checkout.) Camping equipment recommendation are below.
  • Quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  • Staff will have sensory bags on hand with noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools and other sensory resources.  Let us know if there is anything else you need to make this event a great experience for everyone!

Please Note:

  • Bathroom facilities do not include showers.
  • Snorin' Safari tickets do not include admission to the Zoo before or after your campout.
  • Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
  • Each program has a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people. We will notify you a week before the program if there is low registration.
  • Ticket sales end two weeks before the event. 

Sensory Friendly Family Notification: If you would like to be notified when future sensory friendly family dates become available please email and we will add your name to our notification list. 

If you have any questions please email us.

 

A man with dark hair and wearing a NC Zoo staff uniform and a mask, working the giraffe deck feeding deck. He is holding a head of lettuce in one arm and is extending the other out to feed a giraffe standing next to him with its tongue out.

Private Group Programs (Fall 2025 Dates Sold Out)

Private programs are specifically for group size of 10-30 people (adults and youth). You will camp at the Zoo and experience a fun night of activities. This private program is great for any group (e.g., scout groups, church groups, family reunions, school groups, company retreats, etc.). The program is available Friday and Saturday nights or weekdays by request. 

General Program Information

  • Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
  • We require a minimum of 1 chaperone for every 5 youth. This program can be booked for adult only groups.
  • Meals included - dinner (all beef hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, sausage, potatoes, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water) and S'mores.
  • Admission to the Zoo before or after your campout is not included in the fee.
  • Please bring your own camping equipment. See recommend list of things to bring below.
  • Maximum group size is 30 and a minimum group size of 10 is required.
  • Cost -  a base fee of $700 that covers the 10 person minimum and $70 for each additional person up to the 30 maximum.  A $350 (half the $700 base fee) non-refundable deposit is due at booking to secure the date.  The balance will be due four weeks before your campout date.

To register for a private group program: Please contact the Zoo's Education Department at 336.879.7716 or email your request.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Adults & Families

If we have to cancel the program for any reason including low attendance (under 10 people registered) or severe weather, we will help you register for another date or provide a full refund. We will notify you a week in advance if there is low registration at that time or a day or so in advance if severe weather. 

If you must cancel for any reason you will be refunded your entire registration fee (minus processing fees) if you cancel at least 2 weeks before the event. After the 2 week mark if you cancel or fail to show-up there will be no refund.

Private Groups

Once you have reserved a date for your program, a non-refundable deposit of $350 is due. You have two (2) weeks after registration to pay your deposit - credit card is preferred. Once your deposit is received, a confirmation will be sent to you via email. The program is not confirmed until deposit payment is received. Non-payment will be viewed as canceling the reservation, and the date will be opened to other groups.

An exact number of participants (children and chaperones) and final payment are due four (4) weeks prior to the scheduled program. Please be advised that after this date numbers cannot be changed. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to our maximum number of participants. These numbers are set to ensure a quality experience for everyone.

If we must cancel or you must cancel your private group event, we will work with you to reschedule another date or you can opt for a refund, minus your non-refundable deposit. 

Family Snorin' Safari Sample Itinerary

Day 1

  • 4:45 p.m. - Check in at assigned location
  • 5:00 p.m. - Introductions, rules, and tour of camping area
  • 5:15 p.m. - Set-up tents and camping area
  • 6:00 p.m. - Ice breaker/activities
  • 6:30 p.m. - Dinner (e.g. angus beef burgers and all beef hotdogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, and drinks) Please note: vegetarian and dietary options available upon request.
  • 7:15 p.m. - Evening Zoo Walk
  • 8:45 p.m. - Bathroom break/ free time
  • 9:00 p.m. - Nighttime activities
  • 9:30 p.m. - Campfire and S'mores
  • 10:30 p.m. - Bedtime/free time in/around your tent
  • 11:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. - Quiet time

Day 2

  • 7:00 a.m. - Rise and shine
  • 7:15 a.m. - Pack up gear and load into vehicles
  • 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast (e.g. scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, coffee, and drinks)
  • 8:30 a.m. - Animal encounter (weather dependent)
  • 9:00 a.m. - Head home or into the Zoo for the day (must purchase tickets)

We recommend purchasing tickets to visit the Zoo either Day 1 before the camp out or Day 2 after the camp out.

Weather

This program goes on rain and shine, so please dress for the weather. In the event of heavy rain the camping locations have covered shelters to set your tents up under.  If severe weather, we will make the call to cancel at least 1-2 days beforehand.

What to Bring?

Please provide your own camping gear. We have a limited number of tents available for an additional rental fee.

Recommendations include:

  • Tent
  • Pillow
  • Sleeping bag, pad, and/or air mattress
  • Weather appropriate clothing and sleepwear including layers for night time
  • Comfortable closed toe walking shoes
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Bug spray
  • Hand towel & wash cloth
  • Personal items (toiletries, cosmetics, etc.)
  • Medications
  • Camera
  • Small backpack
  • Flashlights and/or lanterns for camping area
    • We will provide red flashlights for the adults to use on the evening walk, no other flashlights will be used while walking around animal habitats.
  • Camp chairs

Please Don't Bring:

  • Flip flops or backless shoes, heelys, or light-up shoes
  • Pets
  • Electronics
  • Valuables
  • Alcohol
  • Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, Vapes, or other products that produce vapor or smoke

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