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Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Where can I visit Behind the Scenes?
The basic tour includes visits to your choice of one of the following areas: * Please note there are some age requirements and adult to children ratios.
5 years and older
Bird Choices:
- Cassowary Feeding
- Lorikeet Feeding
- Fischer Bird Garden
- Tropical Bird House
Children’s Zoo Choices:
- Green Barn
- Children Zoo (off exhibit area)
Hoof Stock Choices:
- Okapi
- Giraffes
- Bongo
Carnivores Choices:
- Grizzly Bears
- Spectacled Bears
- Tigers
- African Wild Dogs
- African Lions
Primate Choices:
- Mandrills
- Siamangs
- Sifakas
- Mangabeys
- Babirusa
- Guenons
- Orangutans
Reptiles House
Natural Encounters
- Meerkats
- Otters
- General Behind the Scenes (no age requirement)
Commissary
Animals will vary depending on the tour area you choose.
It is also possible to arrange a personal experience with either the Sea Lions, Tiger Training Window or Lion Training Window.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people can take a tour Behind the Scenes with me?
That depends on the area you are visiting, but the maximum we can accommodate behind the scenes is 10 people. Some areas are restricted to fewer guests per tour. 
How long does a Behind the Scenes tour last?
Tours typically take 30 minutes per area.- What do these tours cost?
Zoo Members: start at $35/person per area
Non-Members: start at $50/person per area
Some areas may be higher due to increased staffing needs
There is not a discount for children participating in the tour.
Groups larger than six people will be charged based on the price for six people.
Registration and Payment
Use the registration form below to request a tour. We will contact you when your tour is approved and will require payment at this time. Please e-mail tours@houstonzoo.org or call 713-533-6544 or 713-533-6550 if you have additional questions. Various factors affect accessibility to animal areas and dates fill up quickly, so please schedule your tour at least three weeks in advance.
Click to download the registration form (Word document)
