Snorin' Safari

Family Snorin' Safaris

Experience the North Carolina Zoo after hours at one of our overnight family camping adventures. Designed for adults with children aged 6-18. Complete with animal encounters, activities and a walk through the Zoo. At night time, there will be activities designed for both children and teenagers.

Spring 2023 Dates - Tickets will be released November 1, 2022

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 March 25, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
  • Friday April 28, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
  • Friday May 19, 2023 (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.

Dates:

  • Friday March 31, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday April 15, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
  • Sunday May 28, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
  • Saturday June 3, 2023 (SOLD OUT)

Cost: $65 per adult (age 13+), $55 per child (ages 6-12) All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21. *Eventbrite fees now included in the cost.                                                 

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Additional Program Information:

  • Meals included: dinner, breakfast and a light snack. 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.
  • Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
  • Please follow all COVID-19 safety precautions.  See below.
  • 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. 

Fall 2023 Notification: If you would like to be notified when our fall 2023 dates become available please email (nicole.petersen@nczoo.org) and we will add your name to our notification list. We plan to release the fall 2023 dates late spring 2023 .

If you have any questions please email us.

Buy Your Tickets

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. 

    Spring 2023 Dates - Tickets will be released November 1, 2022

    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:

    • Saturday, April 1, 2023

    Cost: $90 per adult (age 18+) * Eventbrite fees now included in the cost.

    Time: 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 a.m.

    Additional Program Info:

    • Meals included: dinner, breakfast, and a light snack. 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.
    • Please follow all COVID-19 safety precautions.  See below.
    • 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. 

    Fall 2023 Notification: If you would like to be notified when our fall 2023 dates become available, please email (nicole.petersen@nczoo.org) and we will add your name to our notification list. We plan to release the fall 2023 dates late spring 2023 

    If you have any questions please email us.

    Buy Your Tickets

    Private Group Programs (Sold Out for Spring 2023)

    Private programs are specifically for groups 10 or larger. 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. Please register at least four weeks in advance.

    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, breakfast and a light snack.
    • Admission to the Zoo is not included.
    • 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 - $600 for up to 10 and $50 for each additional person.

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

    Family Events:

    • Face coverings are optional.
    • Families are encouraged to practice frequent hand washing/sanitizing.
    • Our staff will be regularly disinfecting commonly used items.

    Adult Only Events:

    • Face coverings are optional.
    • Adults are encouraged to practice frequent hand washing/sanitizing.
    • Our staff will be regularly disinfecting commonly used items.

    Adults & Families

    If we have to cancel the program for any reason including low attendance (under 10 people registered) 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. If you must cancel for any reason you will be refunded your entire registration fee 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.

    Groups

    Once you have reserved a date for your program, a non-refundable deposit of $250 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.

    Day 1

    • 4:45 p.m. - Check in at assigned location
    • 5:00 p.m. - Introductions, rules, tour of camping area and ice breaker
    • 5:30 p.m. - Set-up tents and camping area
    • 6:15 p.m. - Dinner (e.g. angus beef burgers and all beef hotdogs with all the fixings, baked beans, potato chips, cookies, and drinks) Please note: vegetarian and dietary options available upon request.
    • 7:00 p.m. - Evening Zoo Walk
    • 8:30 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, french toast sticks or waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, coffee, and drinks)
    • 8:30 a.m. - Animal encounter
    • 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.

    This program goes on rain and shine, so please dress for the weather. In the event of heavy rain the camping location will be changed to a covered location.

    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 nightime
    • Comfortable closed toe walking shoes
    • Refillable water bottle
    • Bug spray
    • Hand towel & wash cloth
    • Personal items (toiletries, cosmetics, etc.)
    • Medications
    • Camera
    • Small backpack
    • Flashlights (Recommend bringing red, blue, or green colored flashlights for evening walk.)
    • Camp chairs

    Please Don't Bring:

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