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Exotic Experiences & Outdoor Fun

Tanganyika Wildlife Park | Sedgwick County Zoo | Great Plains Nature Center | Boats & Bikes | Bike Share ICT/Scooters

Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Explore wildlife in a way you never have before with several wildly different experiences. 

Origins Behind the Scenes Experience

Cost: $50 per person (minimum 2 people)
Time: Saturdays & Sundays 2:45 p.m.
Description: This tour is the only way to see the park’s new lions and Oz the black jaguar. The 45-minute tour captures the history of Tanganyika and details how the park became one of the most successful breeding facilities in the world. Feed one of the big cats and the lemurs.

Behind the Scenes Sloth Experience

Cost: $50 per person
Time: Daily at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (additional tour Saturdays 4 p.m.)
Description: Get up close and personal with Chewbacca the sloth and get to interact with one of the world’s most interesting creatures. Feed and pet him as you hang out with this furry friend for about 10 minutes.

Behind the Scenes Okapi Experience

Cost: $35 per person (minimum 2 people)
Time: Daily at 11:30 a.m.
Description: During this 45-minute tour, learn about the rare okapi, how it was discovered and how humans are now preserving this endangered species. Feed and interact with the wildlife. 

Behind the Scenes Penguin Experience

Cost: $35 (minimum 2 people)
Time: Daily at 2 p.m.
Description: Learn about the Jackass penguin of South Africa in this 45-minute tour filled with captivating stories and petting these entertaining creatures. You also get to walk away with a small painting by a penguin. 

Swim with the Penguins

Cost: $150 per swimmer for the first swimmer, additional swimmers $40 per person
Time: Daily 4:30 p.m.
Description: Dive in with the South African penguins! Not only will you get to swim with two or three penguins, pet them and interact with these incredible animals in their natural habitat, but you might also get an awesome photo to remember this unique experience. Swimmers must be at least 7 years old; children younger than 9 must have a paid adult swimmer with them.

African Sundowner

Cost: $50 per person ($350 minimum)
Time: Weekends 6 p.m.-Dusk
Description: Up to a dozen people can enjoy a private evening with the second largest herd of giraffes in the U.S. Enjoy beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres as the sun sets over Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Upgrades available. 

Signature Animal Meet & Greet

Cost:  $200 (up to four people)
Time: Daily – schedule with TWP
Description: Spend 30 minutes in a private group setting with exotic animals like the Burmese python, red-tailed boa, savannah monitor, African crested porcupine, warthog, cerval, black-footed penguin, blue-and-gold macaw or scarlet macaw, among others. 

Animal Encounters

Cost: Various encounter packages from 1-10 encounters
Time: Daily, during park hours
Description: Experience up to 10 exotic animal encounters while you enjoy Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Feed ring-tailed lemurs, an Indian rhino, pygmy hippo, giraffes, lories, African tortoises, bunnies, guinea pigs, Nigerian dwarf goats or alpacas, or go for a ride on a camel.

Sedgwick County Zoo

Walk on the edge of the wild and find yourself up close and personal with several kinds of animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo or experience the third largest elephant exhibit in the country.

Penguin Encounter

Cost: $40 non-members; $35 zoo members plus zoo admission
Time: Thursdays-Sundays 3 p.m.
Description: Head inside the Cessna Penguin Cove with a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to care for the Humboldt penguins. Penguin encounter is available for up to 10 guests.

Tortoise Encounter

Cost: $40 non-members; $35 zoo members plus zoo admission
Time: Saturdays & Sundays 2 p.m.
Description: Enjoy an intimate experience with the giant Aldabra tortoises. Head into their exhibit and feed them, as you learn about their natural habitat. Tortoise encounters can accommodate up to five guests. 

Giraffe Feedings

Cost: $3 per person
Time: Daily 1-2 p.m. (March-October)
Description: Get friendly with the giraffes at the zoo by feeding them a snack and letting them eat from your hand.

Boat Tours

Cost: $4 per person
Time: Saturdays & Sundays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (March-October)
Description: Get an up close view of the Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley exhibit as your boat tours under the bridge that leads to the Downing Gorilla Forest and just past lemur island. Tours depart every 30 minutes on weekends beginning at 10 a.m. All boat tours are weather permitting. 

Great Plains Nature Center

Chisholm Creek Park

Take a self-guided tour through one of the largest parks in Wichita for a unique experience with wildlife sightings. 

Cost: Free
Time: Dawn to dusk daily
Description: At Chisholm Creek Park, you’ll be able to walk through 2 ½ miles of paved trails and witness one of the largest natural habitats right in the middle of Wichita. Home to at least 125 species of wildflowers, 38 species of trees, 20 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles and amphibians and 13 species of fish, you’re sure to see some wild animals roaming free on the land. The center also offers free weekly nature programs and Koch Habitat Hall, a free museum where you can learn about Kansas’ native habitats.

Boats & Bikes at River Vista

Experience the Arkansas River by renting a kayak, paddleboard or pedal boat and get out on the water. 

Cost: Kayaks/SUPs $20 first hour, $5 for an additional half hour; Pedal Boats $30 first hour, $5 for an additional half hour
Time: Operations run April through October during daylight hours
Description: Get active on the river with a kayak, paddleboard or pedal boat. See the Keeper of the Plains up close for incredible photo opportunities or enjoy a leisurely float down Wichita’s natural river. Season passes area available for $100 each. Operating hours subject to change based on weather. 

Bike Share ICT/Scooters

Need a fast, easy way to get around Wichita’s core? Rent a Bike Share ICT bicycle and explore the area or hop on an electric scooter to zip around downtown. 

Cost: Bike Share ICT - $1.50/half-hour or $30/year membership; Scooters - $1 to activate, $0.25-.39 plus tax per minute
Time: Dawn to dusk daily
Description: Bike Share ICT offers 200 bicycles at 40 stations around Wichita. Check out a bike, go on your urban adventure and return it to any station. These Tandem Mobility bikes were set up to promote activity in the heart of the city as well as provide a fun, unique way to get around the area. As an alternative, more than 1,000 electric scooters are available for rental in downtown Wichita. They provide another affordable family-friendly activity or easy, fast way to get around. 

Wichita Highlights