Guided Tours - Zion Wildlife Gardens

With habitat construction ongoing as the wildlife gardens continues to develop Zion Wildlife gardens is open for public admission by guided tour. To ensure the safety of all visitors (from both the wildlife and the construction workers) the following guided tours are available 364 days a year (the wildlife garden is closed Christmas day, 25 December only). Please note: all prices are in NZD$.

CHEETAH CHAT EXPERIENCE: Have you always wanted to get up close and personal with our beautiful cheetahs Kenya and Thabo? Well, now you can! Enjoy a group guided tour of Zion Wildlife Gardens with the additional bonus of spending 15mins interacting with these two very special cats. Enter the enclosure with our big cat handlers and have the opportunity to feed these gorgeous furry spotted friends. Cost: $175 per person. Must be over 12 years of age.

CUB ENCOUNTERS NO CUBS AT PRESENT, WE WILL ADVISE WHEN THIS TOUR BECOMES AVAILABLE When lion or tiger cubs are available (cubs aged between 2 -12 mths) everyone gets the opportunity for a private hands-on cub encounter during this tour. Running for approximately 80 minutes this guided journey through the wildlife gardens includes all the wildlife garden's wildlife (as in the Guided Tour above), plus a very special opportunity to interact with our latest cubs. Cost: $200 per adult, $50 per child (aged 2-12 yrs). Tour party for two to eight people. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and special conditions may apply - please contact us.

THE WORKS TOUR: You will be greeted by Ash one of our experienced big cat handlers. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the park, and watch him hand feed the once wild cheetahs Kenya and Thabo, give Kahli the tigress her much loved bottle of milk. Be awed at the strength and height of Tygo, as he stretches full length on his hind legs. Take the opportunity to feed our gorgeous big cats their appetiser with tongs, before watching them enjoy the main course on the second part of this tour. Cost: $100 per adult, $40 per child (aged 2-12 yrs), only at 2pm on feed out days. (2 hours).

BEHIND THE SCENES EXPERIENCE: Have you always wanted to meet the Zion Team and their bevy of beautiful cats? Well, now you can get even closer to the big cats and the amazing staff behind Zion Wildlife Gardens! We have an exciting new attraction to announce: Behind the Scenes Experience at Zion Wildlife Gardens! This is a fantastic new experience, where you will spend a day interacting with the Zion staff and big cats. But don't think you'll be standing back taking photos - oh no! You'll be too busy helping Dennis as he takes guided tours around the park, accompanying Ash as he drives the quad bike through the Gardens to feed the hungry cats and watching the staff interacting and spending time with their favourite furry friends! And as a special bonus you will get to spend time with our male and female cheetahs and share morning tea with them. Find out how the professionals go about cleaning the enclosures, share stories and enjoy lunch with some of the Zion team and much much much more - at the end of your Behind the Scenes Experience, you'll know just what it's like to be a big cat handler! This experience runs from 9am to 4.30pm and lunch is provided. Cost: $850 per adult, $1500 per couple. Maximum of 4 people per experience. Not available to children under 16.

GUIDED TOUR: Walk on a guided journey through the wildlife gardens where you will meet all the wildlife gardens' wildlife. Running for at least 60 minutes you'll meet the rare and beautiful Barbary lions including Zion, Aslan and Narnia, and cheeky Savannah. Gandor and the wildlife gardens' other endangered white lions are included along with the orange Bengal tigers, Serval cats, a black leopard and Foxy, the baboon. To complete the tour you'll meet Rewa and the other endangered Royal White tigers who will leave you breathless, Cost: $60 per adult, $30 per child (aged 2-12 yrs), under 2yrs free. Maximum tour party is 16 people.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL TOURS: Book your school group tour (20 students plus) and receive the following: Guided Tour – Running for at least 60 to 90 minutes your students will meet the rare and beautiful animals of Zion. Your knowledgeable tour guide will provide educational and informative facts and information on each animal at the park. Educational Seminar – spend 30 minutes following your tour with one of our experienced Keepers. A range of topics are available including – conservation, careers advice and for younger students a question and answer session is always enjoyed by all! This relaxed seminar session is held in the barn at Zion with students seated on hay bales. Some of Zion's other staff might even drop in to answer a question or two about life at the park. Education Notes – each child will receive educational notes to take away based on your choice of seminar topic. For younger children basic cat fact sheets are available. Lunch with the Lions – enjoy the use of the grounds (near the shop) for students to enjoy a relaxing lunch break. Bring your own lunch or a bbq or picnic lunch can be arranged at an additional cost on request. COST (Group booking price for 25+): $20 per child. $35 per teacher.

LARGE GROUP BOOKINGS (for Guided Tour Only): Rates for group bookings of 20+ people are $50 per adult, $25 per child (aged 2-12yrs). Minimum of 1 adult per 5 children is required.