
Rise and shine with the animal residents of the Honolulu Zoo on our Morning Safari tour!
Gain a deeper understanding of our Zoo animals, including the care they receive at the Zoo.
Learn about the challenges faced by their counterparts in the wild, and the importance of conservation for a future where they still exist.
program perks
- Before-hours adventure through popular areas of the Zoo, including the African Savanna. Have the zoo all to yourselves!
- Learn about some of our flagship species
- Up-close encounter with the giraffes, including a special feeding
- Exclusive stories from Honolulu Zoo Society staff told nowhere else
- Adventure concludes with a gift box of pastries, courtesy of Zippy’s
when
Saturdays only – 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m
- Advance reservations required; no walk-ups
- Up to 5 guests from the same household/group
- Recommended for children 5 years and older.
prices
for up to 5 guests
- HZS Member: $300
- General Booking: $375
Tours include Honolulu Zoo admission, a souvenir swag bag, and pastries, compliments of Zippy’s.
frequently asked questions
Where do we meet the Zoo staff?
Please meet Zoo staff at gate 3, not the Zoo’s front entrance. Gate 3 is located on the mountain side of the parking lot. Please prepare to arrive 10 minutes before your tour begins. Tours begin promptly at scheduled time.
Do we need to print our registration?
No need to print your registration, we will have your name ready for the tour – you will be asked to show HZS staff photo IDs of each responsible individual.
What time should we arrive?
Please prepare to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins. Tours begin promptly at scheduled time.
Do I need to pay for parking?
Yes, parking is $1.50/hour for up to 4 hours. Any concerns can be sent to ProPark Inc. at operations@propark.org or 808.971.7755. Please note that credit card payments provide an option to receive text notifications regarding extending parking time. Cash parking payments are unable to receive these notifications.
Remember to place your paid parking receipt on your dashboard before the program begins.
What do I need to prepare for the tour?
Comfortable walking shoes, extra water, sunscreen (reef-friendly), hat – depending on the weather: umbrella, mosquito repellent. Lastly, a camera to capture this awesome experience! (if you are interested in bringing a tri-pod, please take into consideration the 1.5 hour walking tour (roughly half a mile) – all personal items will need to be carried by program participants.
For the health and safety of our staff and animals, staff will be unable to take photos of your group with your personal devices.
How long is the tour?
The tour runs for about 1.5 hours and are roughly half a mile.
Can I bring snacks on the tour?
We recommend you eat/snack before the tour. We will provide a snack at the end of the tour provided by Zippy’s Napoleon Bakery.
Can I explore the Zoo after the tour?
Absolutely! The tour includes Zoo admission – feel free to explore on your own after the tour is finished.
Please remember to extend your parking meter, if necessary. Please note that credit card payments provide an option to receive text notifications regarding extending parking time. Cash parking payments are unable to receive these notifications.
Remember to place your paid parking receipt on your dashboard before the program begins.
What if I need to reschedule?
If you have had a cold, flu, fever, fatigue, dry cough, or difficulty breathing in the past two weeks, please let staff know. Some tours will need to be rescheduled due to potential impact on guest, staff, and animal safety.
All changes or rescheduling of tours must be submitted in writing. For those tours cancelled at least seven days prior to the date of the tour, there is a $25 fee per original transaction to reschedule your tour.
Rescheduling your tour within seven days of the tour will incur a $50 rescheduling fee.
Rescheduling the day of the tour will incur a $75 rescheduling fee.
Example:
Tour date: January 30, 2021.
-
- Rescheduling request is made between booking date through January 22nd. A $25 rescheduling fee will be processed.
- Rescheduling request is made between January 23rd-29th. A $50 rescheduling fee will be processed.
- Rescheduling request is made on January 30th, a day-of $75 rescheduling fee will be processed.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
If you have had a cold, flu, fever, fatigue, dry cough, or difficulty breathing in the past two weeks, please let staff know. Some tours will need to be rescheduled due to potential impact on guest, staff, and animal safety.
Tours occur rain or shine. Tours are outdoors; please dress for the weather and for walking during your tour. If the Honolulu Zoo cancels tours due to extreme weather or animal needs, a full refund will be issued, or every effort will be made to reschedule your tour.
All changes or cancellations of tours must be submitted in writing. For those tours cancelled at least seven days prior to the tour, there is a $25 fee per original transaction to reschedule/cancel your tour.
Cancellations made less than seven days prior to the tour receive a 50% refund of the original transaction.
Day-of cancellations will not be refunded. We will try our best to reschedule your tour, a $75 day-of rescheduling fee will be processed.
Example:
Tour date: January 30, 2021.
-
- Cancellation request is made between booking date through January 22nd. A $25 cancellation fee will be processed, and the remainder of the reservation fee will be refunded.
- Cancellation request is made between January 23rd-29th. A 50% refund will be processed.
- Cancellation request is made on January 30th, no refund will be issued, but we will try our best to reschedule your tour. A day-of $75 rescheduling fee will be processed.
How many guests can be in a group?
We accommodate up to 5 guests, regardless of age, from the same household per tour group.
Are there any precautions we need to know about?
Facial coverings are required throughout the tour. (If due to health concerns you are unable to wear a facial covering, we require you wear a face shield.)
Some areas of the Zoo have narrow walkways and wood bridges – tour is accessible for individuals in a wheelchair.
At the animal encounter there will be gloves available upon request.
Do we need to walk the entire tour?
Yes indeed! Our roughly 1.5 hour tour is a walking guided tour (roughly half a mile), please prepare for these conditions.
What if we are running late?
Please call 808.554.7173 if you are running late for your tour. We recommend you plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. Arrivals more than 15 minutes late will need to be rescheduled and a day-of $75 rescheduling fee will be processed.