[Dining Locations][Zoo Presentations & Activities][Gallery of Event Photos][Zoo Map] [Sunset Times]

DO the ZOO
The night is yours and your guests have the zoo to themselves. Come see all the animals, plus all there is to do!


Personal Animal Encounters
Let your group know they're in for a wild night as soon as they arrive. Our professional keepers can greet your guests with a variety of unusual and fun animals. From an endangered primate to a slow-moving sloth to Florida's favorite reptile, a baby alligator.

Meet the Keeper
Not only can your group observe the zoo's beautiful animals, they can also interact with our staff to learn about them. They'll get a glimpse inside our world from daily care of dangerous carnivores to what the zoo is doing to help species in the wild. They'll even learn how they can help wildlife as well! It's also a great way to see the creatures up close as they come out to see their keeper.

Primate Expedition Cruise
This is one of the must-see attractions in the zoo. Guided catamarans glide past island of monkeys, lemurs, and apes. Only the water separates your guests from these favorites of the animal world. Cruises last about 15 to 20 minutes. The three catamarans carry 32 passengers each allowing 200 plus guests an hour to enjoy this special tour. Tours take place prior to sundown. Sundown times.

Special Cruises: For an extra treat, tour through the islands while the primates' keeper delivers a selection of behavioral enrichment activities. It's an excellent opportunity to see all the primates at their most active. Up to three catamarans can be on the lake to view the excitement in this extended 25 to 30 minute cruise. Enrichment cruises can take place anytime in the evening before sundown.

Safari Canyon Theater Presentations
Exclusive to Naples Zoo, these premiere presentations are an extraordinary collaboration of conservationists and nature photographers. Through the use of video screens, hosts narrate wildlife footage, live camera action, and computer graphics while living animals display natural behaviors in the naturalistic canyon theater. The multimedia portion represents the film and photography of the world's leading conservation organizations. Presentation length: 20 to 25 minutes. Seats four to five hundred guests. You can select either presentation or a blend of the two for your group.

Serpents: Fangs & Fiction
Discover the truth behind the fears about the world's reptiles in this fast paced program. This show features snakes, lizards, and tortoises from near and far including Florida 's venomous snakes.

Planet Predator
See live animals from exotic cats to playful primates exhibiting natural behaviors. Your hosts further illustrate the wonders of the carnivorous kingdom through quick wildlife clips and close up views on the live cam.

Safari Canyon Rental: Need a wild forum to deliver that exciting announcement or have a little added fun with the group? Gather everyone in the naturalistic rockwork of Safari Canyon. The open-air amphitheater has eight video screens from which you can display PowerPoint presentations, VHS tapes, or DVDs. Two wireless microphones are available.

Night Eyes Tours
After the light of day fades, use professional night vision scopes to reveal the nocturnal activities of some of the world's rarest animals. The tour begins with a brief orientation on the video screens in Safari Canyon and equipment review on a night vision scope. Zoo director David Tetzlaff will then personally lead you into the darkness through the 52-acre botanical garden and its wild animals. You'll also climb aboard a catamaran to slip through the waterways past islands of monkeys, lemurs, and apes. These special tours have limited availability and are restricted to groups of 30 persons and can last up to two and a half hours. Each scope is shared by two people. As groups will be using sometimes-uneven natural paths in the dark, all participants must be in good health and be strong walkers. A release form must be signed prior to departure for this activity. Please note, availability dependent on the director's schedule and is not officially available until a quote is provided. Of course, the tour must also start after it is completely dark, typically about 30 minutes after sundown (sunset times). This tour can be reserved separately without the Zoo After Hours fee. More info.

Night Eyes - African Oasis, Lagoon Loop and Cruise Only: For a shorter night experience, encounter the wildlife of Africa including greater kudu antelope, plains zebras, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and sable antelope. Then board the Primate Expedition Cruise for a moonlit cruise past islands of monkeys, lemurs, and apes before rejoining your group. Tours last just over one hour. Group size and all other conditions as above. The shorter tour cannot be booked separately.

Outside Entertainment
Dancers, bands, and other entertainers are also welcome to perform for your group. We will gladly work with the professional performers of your choice. The size of the zoo and botanical garden also lends itself to meeting planners or companies who want to offer team building exercises like those involving GPS (Global Positioning Satellites) and treasure hunts. Some adventurous groups have even opted to go vertical!

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Dining Locations with links to photos

Gallery of Event Photos at the Zoo

Zoo Map (160k Flash file)