OKC ZOO TO REOPEN MAY 4 WITH OUTDOOR SAFARI WALK

Zoo presents an all-outdoor experience for limited guests who reserve online admission, becoming one of the first AZA-accredited Zoos in the nation to reopen

 

The wait is over, it’s time to rediscover the Zoo you know and love! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden will reopen to ZOOfriends members on Monday, May 4, and to the public on Thursday, May 7. The first phase in its reopening plan, the Outdoor Safari Walk, welcomes guests back to the OKC Zoo since being temporarily closed for almost two months to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.

Beginning today, Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m., the OKC Zoo will be taking online reservations for its Outdoor Safari Walk, which takes guests on a modified pathway through the park to view a majority of the Zoo’s outdoor animal habitats. For the health and safety of our guests, team members and animals, and to ensure adequate social distancing between guests, the Zoo will limit the number of guests allowed to visit per day. Timed tickets that can be scanned (printed or on phone) at a safe distance for entry into the Zoo will be issued to guests when they make their online reservation. Online reservations are required for all guests and ZOOfriends members wanting to experience the Outdoor Safari Walk.

The first three days the Outdoor Safari Walk is open, Monday, May 4 through Wednesday, May 6, admission will be reserved exclusively for [zoofriends.org/membership]ZOOfriends members. Reservations for nonmembers will be available starting Thursday, May 7.

“We are extremely grateful to the community at large, our members, guests and fans for their continued support and patience during our unexpected closure,” said Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo’s executive director and CEO. “Our entire Zoo team is thrilled to welcome our fans back to the park and provide this safe, memorable opportunity for them to reconnect with the Zoo’s animals, botanical collections and wildlife habitats.”  

On the Outdoor Safari Walk guests will follow a one-way, 2-mile trail through almost all of the Zoo to see many of their favorite animals and wildlife habitats including Asian elephants, bison, grizzly and black bears, Indian rhinos, Sumatran tigers, Western lowland gorillas, African lions and more! Social distancing among all Zoo staff and guests participating in the Outdoor Safari Walk is vital. The Zoo will have visual reminders and staff members placed to ensure guests are maintaining a safe social distance along the pathway. If a guest feels sick before their reservation, we ask that they not visit the Zoo. 

 

OUTDOOR SAFARI WALK RESERVATION FAQ

• Visit http://www.okczoo.org/tickets to make your online reservation.
• The Zoo will limit the number of guests allowed to visit per day.
• Online reservations are required for all guests and ZOOfriends’ members wishing to experience the Outdoor Safari Walk.

• From the webpage, pick the day and time you would like to visit and reserve up to seven tickets.
• ZOOfriends members will input their membership number to waive admission fees.
• Once reserved, you will receive an electronic ticket confirmation that can be scanned (printed or on phone) at a safe distance for entry into the Zoo.
• Regular Zoo admission fees apply for the Outdoor Safari Walk: $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free and do not require tickets for admission.
• The Zoo cannot accommodate guests who do not have an online reservation.  
• Guests must arrive at their reserved time slot to ensure capacity is not exceeded. The final time slot is 3:30 p.m. each day, and no entry will be allowed after this time.
• No military discounts can be offered at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
• Reservations may be canceled or refunded up to the reservation time but not after.
• ZOOfriends members without internet access can book their reservation over the phone by calling (405) 425-0618.
• Zoo fans without internet access can book their reservation over the phone by calling (405) 424-3344.

 

ZOO GUIDELINES

• Guests will not have access to high-touch attractions/areas of the Zoo. All Zoo rides, animal feedings, playgrounds, water fountains and misters will be closed.
• Multiple bathroom locations will be open along the Outdoor Safari Walk path.
• All indoor animal areas such as the Herpetarium, Great EscApe building, Noble Aquatic Center and Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital will be closed.
• Concessions will be available at Best of Oklahoma (formerly Big Rivers Café) and the new Big Rock BBQ Café in the Devon picnic grounds.
• As always, guests can also bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages into the Zoo.
• The Zoo’s Canopy Restaurant and Lotus Pavilion will be closed.
• Strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs are welcome on the Outdoor Safari Walk pathway.

 

WHAT THE ZOO IS DOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE

• Guests must stay on the marked Outdoor Safari Walk pathway and maintain safe social distancing.
• All Zoo staff members will be required to wear face masks and gloves, while working. Zoo staff will also have their temperature checked each morning before beginning work.
• Zoo guests are strongly encouraged to wear masks on the Outdoor Safari Walk.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be positioned at the Zoo’s entry, exit, all restrooms and concessions.
• Zoo staff will be continuously cleaning all high-touch surfaces like windows, vending machines, tables, chairs and more.

 

The Zoo is dedicated to the well-being of its patrons, staff members and animals and will continue to follow required federal, state and city conditions related to COVID-19 but recognize changes to Zoo operations and protocols may occur at any time. Guidelines currently in place with the Zoo’s Outdoor Safari Walk are temporary and in time, all attractions will be operational when it is deemed safe.

The Zoo will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Entry to the Outdoor Safari Walk will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily at http://www.okczoo.org/tickets.

We’re waiting to see you at the OKC Zoo! Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming Oklahoma Zoological Society members at ZOOfriends.org or in-person at the Zoo! To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.