I/We, _______________, pledge to share what I/we learn about wildlife and wild places and to try my/our best to inspire others through my/our actions.
Zoo Trekker is a fun, free way to experience the North Carolina Zoo. This activity guide will have you exploring the Zoo, observing animals and plants, solving puzzles, and sharing what you learn with others.
What you need to know:
- Guests of all ages are welcome to participate in Zoo Trekker.
- The activity guide is designed for 6 to 12-year-olds, but once again we encourage guests of all ages to participate. Younger guests will need help to complete the activities.
- Quests are ranked in difficulty from 1 (easy) to 3 (hard).
- Pick up the Zoo Trekker guide at the start of your visit. Guides are available at the Zoo Trekker kiosks in Akiba Market or near the North America bridge across from Cypress Swamp.
- Take the Zoo Trekker Pledge.
- The guides are also available in Spanish.
- Complete 6 or more quests in the guide.
- Get each completed quest stamped at an Investigation Station, Kidzone or the two Zoo Trekker kiosks at the entrances.
- Each person will need to complete their own guide to earn a pin except for adults and teenagers paired with a younger child (under 6).
- Pins are available at the Zoo Trekker kiosks (open until 5:00 p.m.), Investigation Stations, and Kidzone (both open until 4:00 p.m.).
- Pins can be earned in 1 visit or multiple visits (don't forget to bring your Zoo Trekker guide back with you).
Still not sure Zoo Trekker is for you? See our sample quests.
Checkout two sample quests.
If I didn't pick-up a Zoo Trekker Guide at the entrances do I have to go back to an entrance to participate?
No. Zoo Trekker guides can be picked up at any Investigation Station and Kidzone*, as well as at the entrances.
Investigation Station schedules change daily, but locations are:
- Underwater viewing polar bear
- Cypress Swamp near Alligator Overlook
- Red Wolf
- In front of Desert
- In front of the Dog Show Space
- Lower Chimpanzee Overlook
- Lion Middle Overlook
- North Elephant Overlook
- Zebra, Ostrich, Giraffe Middle Overlook (downhill from the giraffe feeding deck)
- Zebra, Ostrich, Giraffe lower overlook (as you come out of the Africa Plaza)
*Kidzone is located next to the North America tram stop.
Is Zoo Trekker available for groups?
Groups Under 20
Smaller groups (19 or less) are welcome to participate, but only if you are serious about completing multiple quests during your visit(s).
Groups 20+
We are asking that large groups (20+) - including school field trips - to not pick up the Zoo Trekker guides. We are happy to share printable PDF files of grade-appropriate Zoo Trekker quests that meet your learning objectives during your field trip. Please contact schoolprograms@nczoo.org.
We are working on a new Zoo app with activities that align with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, which will be a better tool for school field trips. The app should be available in 2025. Teachers, if you are interested in participating in testing, please contact nczooapp@gmail.com.
What do I have to do to earn the free souvenir pin?
Complete any 6 quests in the Zoo Trekker guide. You can complete these quests in one visit or over multiple visits. Please note we give 1 pin per booklet, so if more than one person in your group wants to earn a pin, please make sure you pick up a book for each party member. Partnerships with children under 6 being the exception to this rule.
Where can I pick up a Zoo Trekker guide?
Zoo Trekker guides are available at the following locations:
- North America Zoo Trekker kiosk - located across from the the entrance to Cypress Swamp (open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily)
- Africa Zoo Trekker kiosk - located in Akiba Market (open April - October 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
- Investigation Stations - spread throughout the Zoo (open 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Kidzone - located after the North America tram stop (open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Where do I get my activities stamped and turn in completed activities for my free souvenir pin?
Zoo Trekker activities can be stamped completed and pins picked up at the following locations:
- North America Zoo Trekker kiosk - located across from the entrance to Cypress Swamp (open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily)
- Africa Zoo Trekker kiosk - located in Akiba Market (open April - October 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
- Investigation Stations - spread throughout the Zoo (open 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Kidzone - located after the North America tram stop (open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- After 5:00 p.m. please check with Guest Services for a pin.