Wildlife lovers can join the OKC Zoo on trips around the world to experience conservation in action.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden takes part in and supports conservation around the globe and, in 2026, you can join the Zoo to see some of their work in action. The OKC Zoo’s Conservation Travel Program invites a limited number of guests to come along on a trio of fascinating destinations to connect with wildlife and wild places. In partnership with wildlife conservation travel company, Rewild Safaris, this year’s travel locations include Mexico, South America, and Africa.
“We hope people who love the Zoo will want to deepen their connections with the wild world around us with this year’s travel opportunities,” said OKC Zoo’s Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Dwight Lawson. “These adventures provide immersive experiences that will create lasting memories and inspire conservation action.”
The first of the Zoo’s three conservation travel opportunities is an awe-inspiring 6-night immersion into Central Mexico, from January 23 through 29, 2026, to discover the overwintering sanctuaries of the monarch butterfly. Monarch butterflies travel 3,000 miles from Canada to their overwintering sites in Mexico annually and seeing millions of them en masse is a breathtaking experience. Guests will visit multiple butterfly sanctuaries where millions of these colorful creatures cluster on tree branches and fill the air. Limited to 16 guests, the trip also includes a walking tour of Mexico City and a boat ride on Lake Pátzcuaro for incredible views of historic Janitzio Island.
For those hoping for an entirely immersive getaway, a visit deep into the heart of the Amazon is awaiting in Pantanal from June 5 through 14, 2026. A brand-new travel destination for the OKC Zoo, this remote locale is home to the world’s largest tropical wetland, covering over 70,000 square miles, and includes one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Seven guests will enjoy 10 days of discovery on this epic safari through the Pantanal region. Travelers can look forward to exploring this rich environment by guided boat excursions, horseback safaris, and 4x4 game drives to encounter hundreds of bird species, giant river otters, capybaras, and the elusive jaguar, among other wildlife.
Since March of 2024, more than 1.5 million visitors have marveled at the African wildlife at the OKC Zoo’s new Expedition African habitat. For 2026, the Zoo invites guests to take an even closer look at Africa’s wildlife with a 12-day trip to Namibia. From July 7 through 18, 2026, a group limited to 12 will start their journey in Cape Town, where guests will visit and swim with a colony of African penguins. The itinerary for this getaway includes wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, and Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s premiere safari destinations to see rhinoceroses, lions, elephants, and more.
“I have been on three trips with the Oklahoma City Zoo. I have loved each of them, but they keep getting better every time,” said Colorado resident and conservation traveler, Julie Hall. “The itineraries are well planned, and it's an added bonus to travel with our own experts from the Zoo. On my latest trip to Sri Lanka, we had the opportunity to learn about an elephant conservation project that is sponsored by the Oklahoma City Zoo, an experience that was only possible because we were on a Zoo trip. Namibia has been on my bucket list, and I look forward to going on that expedition next year.”
These amazing travel opportunities are offered by the Oklahoma City Zoo in partnership with Rewild Safaris–a wildlife conservation travel company with more than 40 years of experience in protecting and connecting wildlife and wild places for both tourists and local communities. Learn more about these trips including prices, locations, amenities, and travel protocols at www.okczoo.org/travel.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s regular daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Avoid the entry lines and purchase advance Zoo admission tickets online at okczoo.org/tickets. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Zoo more with a ZOOfriends membership! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission for 12-months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.