Snorin' Safari

Experience the North Carolina Zoo after hours at one of our overnight family camping adventures.  Complete with an evening walk through the Zoo, S'mores by a campfire, and engaging activities.  Adults with children 6yrs and older only.

Summer 2026 Family Dates (On Sale Now!)

North American Adventures

Our North American Adventure is sure to be a howlin’ good time! Guests will take an evening walk through North America and see if we can get our American Red Wolves to howl! Campers will learn all about this critically endangered canine and what the Zoo does to ensure the red wolves’ and many other species survivals.

Dates: 

• Friday, June 26, 2026 
• Saturday, July 11, 2026 
• Friday, July 24, 2026 
• Saturday, August 8, 2026 
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 

African Adventures

Ever wonder what the North Carolina Zoo’s African animals do at night? Come campout at the Zoo and find out! Participants will learn about our African animals, engage in some activities on how the Zoo helps save African species, and eat a S’more or two by the campfire.

Dates:

• Friday, June 12, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
• Saturday, June 20, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
• Friday, July 3, 2026
• Saturday, July 25, 2026 (SOLD OUT)
• Friday, July 31, 2026 
• Friday, August 14, 2026 
• Saturday, August 22, 2026 
• Saturday, August 29, 2026 (SOLD OUT)

Fees: 

• $80 per person (ages 6 and up) Under 6yrs not allowed for safety reasons. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21.  
• Food restriction substitution options: $3 for gluten free, $3 for vegan/vegetarian (veggie burger), and $5 for no red meat substitution (grilled chicken).

Tickets:

     Summer Family Snorin' Safari Tickets                           

Time: 5:00 p.m.– 9:00 a.m.

Additional Program Information:

• Meals included: dinner (all beef hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions and purchase food substitutions during checkout.
• Please provide your own camping equipment. (A limited number of tent rentals are available during checkout.) Camping equipment recommendation are below.
• Quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Please Note:

• Bathroom facilities do not include showers.
• Snorin' Safari tickets do not include admission to the Zoo before or after your campout.
• Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
• Each program has a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people. We will notify you a week before the program if there is low registration.
• Ticket sales end two weeks before the event. 

Family Notification: If you would like to be notified when future family dates become available please email and we will add your name to our notification list.

If you have any questions, please email us.

Experience the North Carolina Zoo after hours at one of our overnight adult-only camping adventures! Designed for adults 18 and older. 

Summer 2026 Adult Only Dates (On Sale Now!)

North American Adventure

Our North American Adventure is sure to be a howlin’ good time! Guests will take an evening walk through North America and see if we can get our American Red Wolves to howl! Campers will learn all about this critically endangered canine and what the Zoo does to ensure the red wolves’ and many other species survivals.

Date:

• Saturday, August 1, 2026

African Adventures

Ever wonder what the North Carolina Zoo’s African animals do at night? Come camp out at the Zoo and find out! Participants will learn about our African animals, engage in some activities on how the Zoo helps save African species, and eat a S’more or two by the campfire.

Date: 

• Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Saturday, July 4, 2026 

Fees:

• $100 per adult (age 18+)
• Food restriction substitution options: $3 for gluten free, $3 for vegan/vegetarian (veggie burger), and $5 for no red meat substitution (grilled chicken).

Tickets:

       Summer Adult Only Snorin'Safari Tickets 

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Additional Program Info:

• Meals included: dinner (all beef hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings, potato salad, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, pastries,  juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions and purchase any substitutions during checkout.
• Please provide your own camping equipment. (A limited number of tent rentals are available during checkout.) Camping equipment recommendations are below.
• Quiet hours from 11:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Please Note:

• Bathroom facilities do not include showers.
• Snorin' Safari tickets do not include admission to the Zoo before or after your campout.
• Each program has a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 25 people. We will notify you a week before the program if there is low registration.
• Ticket sales end two weeks before the event. 

Adult Only Notification: If you would like to be notified when future adult-only dates become available, please email us and we will add your name to our notification list.  

If you have any questions please email us.

Sensory Friendly Family Snorin' Safaris are designed for families with autism, ADHD or other sensory needs. A smaller group size and a more structured event will make this a unique, inclusive experience for families!  Adults with children 6 years and older only.

Summer 2026 Sensory Friendly Family Date (On Sale Now!) 

North American Adventure

Our North American Adventure is sure to be a howlin’ good time! Guests will take an evening walk through North America and see if we can get our American Red Wolves to howl! Campers will learn all about this critically endangered canine and what the Zoo does to ensure the red wolves’ and many other species survivals.

Date:

• Saturday, June 6, 2026 (SOLD OUT)

Fees: 

• $80 per person (ages 6 and up)  Under 6yrs not allowed for safety reasons.  All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21. 
• Food restriction substitution options: $3 for gluten free, $3 for vegan/vegetarian (veggie burger), and $5 for no red meat (grilled chicken).

Tickets:

      Summer Sensory Friendly Snorin'Safari Tickets

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Additional Program Information:

• Meals included: dinner (all beef hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions and purchase any substitutions during checkout.
• Please provide your own camping equipment. (A limited number of tent rentals are available during checkout.) Camping equipment recommendation are below.
• Quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Staff will have sensory bags on hand with noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools and other sensory resources.  Let us know if there is anything else you need to make this event a great experience for everyone!

Please Note:

• Bathroom facilities do not include showers.
• Snorin' Safari tickets do not include admission to the Zoo before or after your campout.
• Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
• Each program has a minimum of 6 people and a maximum of 15 people. We will notify you a week before the program if there is low registration.
• Ticket sales end two weeks before the event. 

Sensory Friendly Family Notification: If you would like to be notified when future sensory friendly family dates become available please email and we will add your name to our notification list. 

If you have any questions please email us.

Private Group Programs 

Private group programs are specifically for groups with 10-30 people (adults and youth). You will camp at the Zoo and experience a fun night of activities. This private program is great for any group (e.g., scout groups, church groups, family reunions, school groups, company retreats, etc.). The program is available Friday and Saturday nights or weekdays by request. 

General Program Information

• Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate for safety reasons.
• We require a minimum of 1 chaperone for every 5 youth. This program can be booked for adult only groups.
• Meals included - dinner (all beef hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, sweet tea and water), breakfast (scrambled eggs, waffles, sausage, potatoes, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and water) and S'mores. Include any dietary restrictions and purchase any substitutions during checkout when paying your balance.
• Admission to the Zoo before or after your campout is not included in the fee.
• Please bring your own camping equipment. See recommend list of things to bring below.
• Maximum group size is 30 and a minimum group size of 10 is required.
• Fees:
  • A base fee of $750 covers the 10 person minimum and $75 for each additional person up to the 30 maximum.  A $375 (half the $750 base fee) non-refundable deposit is due at booking to secure the date. The balance and final headcount will be due four weeks before your campout date.
  • Food restriction substitution options: $3 for gluten free, $3 for vegan/vegetarian (veggie burger), and $5 for no red meat (grilled chicken). This will be paid during your balance payment.
  • Optional fees- $3/Snorin' Safari patch and $30/tent rental

To register for a private group program: Please contact the Zoo's Education Department at 336.879.7716 or email your request.

Adults & Families

If we have to cancel the program for any reason including low attendance (under 10 people registered) or severe weather, we will help you register for another date or provide a full refund. We will notify you a week in advance if there is low registration at that time or a day or so in advance if severe weather. 

If you must cancel for any reason you will be refunded your entire registration fee (minus processing fees) if you cancel at least 2 weeks before the event. After the 2 week mark if you cancel or fail to show-up there will be no refund.

Private Groups

If we must cancel or you must cancel your private group event, we will work with you to reschedule another date or you can opt for a refund, minus your non-refundable deposit. 

Day 1

• 4:45 p.m. - Check in at assigned location
• 5:00 p.m. - Introductions, rules, and tour of camping area
• 5:15 p.m. - Set-up tents and camping area
• 6:00 p.m. - Ice breaker/activities
• 6:30 p.m. - Dinner (e.g. angus beef burgers and all beef hotdogs with all the fixings, tater tots, cookies, and drinks) Please note: vegetarian and dietary options available upon purchase of substitutions.
• 7:15 p.m. - Evening Zoo Walk
• 8:45 p.m. - Bathroom break/ free time
• 9:00 p.m. - Nighttime activities
• 9:30 p.m. - Campfire and S'mores
• 10:30 p.m. - Bedtime/free time in/around your tent
• 11:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. - Quiet time

Day 2

• 7:00 a.m. - Rise and shine
• 7:15 a.m. - Pack up gear and load into vehicles
• 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast (e.g. scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit, coffee, and drinks)
• 8:30 a.m. - Animal encounter (weather dependent)
• 9:00 a.m. - Head home or into the Zoo for the day (must purchase tickets)

We recommend purchasing tickets to visit the Zoo either Day 1 before the camp out or Day 2 after the camp out.

This program goes on rain and shine, so please dress for the weather. In the event of heavy rain the camping locations have covered shelters to set your tents up under.  If severe weather, we will make the call to cancel at least 1-2 days beforehand.

Please provide your own camping gear. We have a limited number of tents available for an additional rental fee.

Recommendations include:

• Tent
• Pillow
• Sleeping bag, pad, and/or air mattress
• Weather appropriate clothing and sleepwear including layers for night time
• Comfortable closed toe walking shoes
• Refillable water bottle
• Bug spray
• Hand towel & wash cloth
• Personal items (toiletries, cosmetics, etc.)
• Medications
• Camera
• Small backpack
• Flashlights and/or lanterns for camping area
  • We will provide red flashlights for the adults to use on the evening walk, no other flashlights will be used while walking around animal habitats.
• Camp chairs

Please Don't Bring:

• Flip flops or backless shoes, heelys, or light-up shoes
• Pets
• Electronics
• Valuables
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, Vapes, or other products that produce vapor or smoke