Most People Don’t Know You Can Stay Overnight At This Extraordinary Zoo In Nebraska
Lots of us have visited the fabulous Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, but our visits have been mostly limited to the daylight hours. Now, you can spend a whole night at this world-class zoo in a blanket, a conventional tent or a glamorous safari tent, and it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
The zoo in Omaha has been a favorite destination for decades, and it's constantly expanding to include new attractions and adventures. One of the most recent developments is the addition of Sleeping Bag Safaris, a variety of overnight adventures.
There's a variety of overnight stay to accommodate just about everyone. Family Safaris let family groups stay indoors in sleeping bags, outdoors in tents, or even in awesome platform safari tents.
Small group (fewer than 25 people) and large group (25 or more people) safaris are private overnight stays designed for schools, scouts, church groups, and other organizations. Groups can choose from a variety of sleeping locations, including the Orangutan Forest, Durham Birthday Lodge, Scott Aquarium, Expedition Madagascar, and lots more.
There are even programs for families with younger campers that don't involve an overnight stay. The Pre-Campers Experience lets you spend just a few hours at the zoo after regular hours for a unique adventure that the whole family will love.
The Adult-Only Safaris are just for grownups (21 and over) and provide a unique opportunity to experience the zoo with no little ones running around. A gourmet dinner (including beer or wine), a night in a safari tent, and fun activities are included in the cost of the stay.
No matter which stay you choose, you’ll get to enjoy fun extras like morning and/or evening hikes, keeper talks, games, movies, snacks, and educational programming. Participants must be at least four years old to participate in zoo sleepovers, with the exception of the Pre-Campers Experience (all ages) and the Adult-Only Safaris. Costs range from $25 to $100 per person and some stays require you to bring items like tents, sleeping bags, and pillows. Although sleepovers are held all year round, they aren’t a nightly event; for more information including upcoming dates for each type of overnight stay, click here. Have fun on your very own safari!
For 15 more fun (but admittedly less exotic) camping locations, check out this article from the archives.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
