Inspiring a commitment to conservation through responsible ecotourism
Woodland Park Zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program offers affordable and exciting opportunities to encounter animals in the wild, explore exotic locations and experience local cultures. Guided by experienced zoo staff and local wildlife experts, (if group minimums are met), Wildlife Adventures introduces travelers to scientists engaged in field research and conservation activities. Each Wildlife Adventure features a pre-trip education series to prepare you for your experience. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime and share your commitment to conservation through ecotourism with Woodland Park Zoo. A portion of the proceeds from this program supports Woodland Park Zoo’s animal care, education programs and conservation initiatives.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

Experience the euphoria of an African safari to Botswana with Woodland Park Zoo’s Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke.

Explore the saltpans of the Kalahari Desert. Brown hyena, oryx and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can survive in this harsh desert-like environment. Activities here include up-close encounters with suricates (meerkats), one of the most fascinating animals in the world.

Enjoy spectacular game viewing during day and night game drives as you wing your way from camp to camp on small planes and have spectacular views over the Okavango Delta – earth’s largest inland water system. Fly low enough to witness elephant, giraffe, buffalo and red lechwe crossing the Delta and explore the natural paradise in open 4x4 vehicles, on foot and by mokoro (dugout canoe) through the quiet waterways

Moremi Game Reserve and Chitabe Camp, your home for the next three nights is situated on one of the most beautiful islands in the Okavango Delta. Enjoy spectacular viewing of elephant, lion, buffalo and cheetah. Chitabe Camp is the home of Botswana’s Wild Dog Project, one of Woodland Park Zoo’s Partners for Wildlife. This project is headed by Seattle native Dr. John “Tico” McNutt. Here you will learn first-hand about these highly endangered animals.

Situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta is Xigera Camp. One very unique feature that Xigera offers is a foot bridge in front of camp. It is the only way predators can to cross from island to island without having to swim. Every evening the sand is raked smooth and in the morning you can read the “newspaper” to see which animals have walked through camp. Almost every night lion, hyena and leopard stroll through the camp.

Located in a private reserve in the Linyanti/Savuti Channel on the western boundary of Chobe National Park is DumaTau. The camp overlooks a large hippo- filled lagoon. The inland acacia and mopane woodlands support populations of red lechwe, wildebeest, elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard and buffalo. The Okavango delta is a bird-lover’s paradise!

Photo: Rick Prebag    

An optional pre-trip extension to Cape Town and a post trip to Victoria Falls are available.

Cost: $10,995 Per Person, Double Occupancy

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TTY) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.

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Join Woodland Park Zoo for an expedition through India’s most unique and interesting wildlife parks - Kaziranga, Manas and Ranthambhore. Your journey begins in Delhi with a tour of this ancient city. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, built in the mid-16th century, by the senior wife of the second Mughal emperor, and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Continue your exploration of the ancient city as you drive through the India Gate, past Parliament House and the Presidential residence.

Stretching over an area of 166-sq-mi- on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga is one of the last refuges of the Indian rhino. Your exploration of the park by elephant back or jeep will take you through tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests in search of rhino, wild elephant, sloth bear, tiger, leopard, capped langur, hoolock gibbon, and several species of birds.

Explore the silk weaving village of Saulkuchi, before boarding your vessel for a cruise on the Brahmaputra River en route to Manas National Park. The tiger count in this park is estimated at over 80 and wild elephant number at 500. A boat ride on the Manas River will take you in search of elephant, wild buffalo, several species of deer, otters and some of the parks 380 species of birds, including the rare Bengal Florican or the Great Hornbill. Visit a local village, a tea garden and see Bodal tribal hand weaving.

Ranthambhore National Park, once the hunting grounds for the royals if Jaipur is now one of the best places in the world to see the magnificent Bengal tiger. The covers 98,800 acres and offers a fascinating combination of crumbling monuments, living temples and wild beauty. Game drives through the park’s forest tracks will take you in search of the elusive tiger, leopard, jungle cats, jackal, the Indian wild dog (Dhole), ruddy mongoose and striped hyena. Spotted deer (Chital) blue bull (Nilgai) chinkara (Indian gazelle) and wild boar are found in the park.

Cost: $8,495 per person double occupancy. Land Only

Optional post-extension:
Pushkar, Jaipur and Agra $2,295

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TDD) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.

Your journey to Borneo begins in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia’s second largest state. Visit Signal Hill, the State Mosque, the State Museum and the Monsopiad Cultural Village. Explore Kinabalu National Park on guided nature walks. The park contains 29 species of rhododendron, 1, 200 different types of orchid, and 10 different types of pitcher plants. Birds in the park include Mountain Bush Warblers, rare Kinabalu warblers, and Long-tailed Malaysian Tree pies.

Observe flora and fauna from the canopy walkway at Poring Hot Springs, where you will see the tallest tree in the world; the tualang that reaches to heights of 230 ft.

Travel to the east coast of Sabah and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. The Center prides itself on returning orphaned and captive orangutans to the wild. Other protected species brought to Sepilok include Malay sub bear, baby elephant, and wild cats. Visit the orphaned orangutans in their play ground area and observe the keepers feed semi-wild and wild orangutans.

Depart for Sakua along the lower reaches of the Kinabatangan River. The last remaining wetlands support a variety of wildlife, including orangutan and proboscis monkey. Learn about conservation initiatives on orangutans and the role Woodland Park Zoo plays in this effort. Board a river boat to go in search of proboscis monkey, birds, snakes, and other forms of wildlife. Visit the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project study site. Walk through the jungle with the research assistants to search for the red apes. This education program gives you insight if conservation efforts with the involvement of the local communities to protect these red apes.

The pristine virgin rainforest of the Danum Valley Conservation Area supports one of the largest remaining orangutan populations, as well as wild elephants, clouded leopard and the Sumatran rhino. Expert trackers will guide you on your walks through the forest, as you go in search of these elusive mammals. Explore the forest on the Canopy Walkway and go in search of nocturnal animals on a night game drive.

Cost: $4,795 per person double occupancy. Land Only

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TDD) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.