How to Plan Your Visit to Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Do you want to learn how to plan your visit to Tanganyika Wildlife Park?  Located in Goddard, Kansas, Tanganyika Wildlife Park is one of the most unique and exciting zoos in the world, offering visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide range of exotic animals. Giggle as you see a giraffe’s long tongue take lettuce from your hand, or spend an afternoon swimming with penguins. 

In this blog, we will take you through a typical day at the park, highlight everything included in your admission, and explain why Tanganyika is such a unique destination for families looking to make memories together. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned veteran, this guide will help you effectively plan your visit to Tanganyika.

The Tanganyika Schedule; Plan Your Best Day

When you start to plan your visit to Tanganyika, realize there are lots the park has to offer. Tanganyika’s tagline is “Wildy Different,” which couldn’t be more accurate. We’re the only zoo where you can start your day with a lemur on your lap and end your day swimming with penguins. That can be a lot to take in, so we’re going to start by sharing the Tanganyika schedule, how to get the most out of your day, and some tips you won’t want to miss. 

Daily Schedule at Tanganyika

One of the best ways to experience Tanganyika is to arrive early in the morning. Animals go out on exhibit starting right before the park opens at 10 am in the spring and fall, and at 9 am during the summer. So getting to the park early guarantees you’ll see the animals when they are most active. In addition, the Tanganyika schedule offers various feeding times and animal demonstrations to enjoy throughout the day. 

10:45 am: Mandrill training demonstration- 

Your jaw will drop when you see how big Dimitri’s teeth are, and people rave about the connection between animals and keepers they witness during these demos. 

11:00 am (spring and fall) 10 and 1:15 (summer): Rhino Feeding Station –

Can you believe you can feed a rhino at Tanganyika and it’s included in your admission? You’ll never forget getting to be this close to such a huge animal.

Author’s Note – Rhino feeding is currently not being offered while new baby MarJon acclimates to visitors and is on exhibit but stay tuned for when he’s ready to participate with mom!

1 pm (spring and fall), 10:45 and 12:30 (summer): Hippo Feeding Station-

Get up close and personal with our pygmy hippo family. This feeding is included in your daily admission. These types of opportunities cost up to $250 at other facilities. 

1:30 pm: Bird Training Demonstration –

Our bird keepers choose a different bird to feature each day, so this will be a surprise on every visit.  

2 pm: Penguin Feeding –

You’ll receive two fish and get up close and personal with these tuxedoed creatures for just $10 per person.

All Day: Feeding Stations-

One of the highlights of Tanganyika is the opportunity to feed various animals throughout the day. In the summer, animal feeding stations are open all day, and you can feed lemurs, lorikeets, giraffes, tortoises, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Bring your quarters to feed the goats, alpaca, and koi fish.

What sets Tanganyika apart from other zoos is that all these feeding opportunities are included in your admission price. At other zoos, feedings often cost extra, with prices ranging from $5 to feed a giraffe, $2 for a cup of lorikeet nectar, and even up to $75 to feed a hippo. At Tanganyika, it’s all included in your admission price.

Remember to check the daily Tanganyika schedule upon arrival to ensure you experience all of the zoo’s incredible offerings. By getting there early and planning your day accordingly, you’ll have the opportunity to see and do everything Tanganyika offers. So let’s talk about planning your visit from before you arrive thru when you arrive home. 

How to Plan Your Visit to Tanganyika

Tanganyika is the highest-rated attraction in Wichita for a reason – we’ve perfected the process of making your visit enjoyable and informative. Here’s our step-by-step guide to having the best experience.

Now that you have the Tanganyika schedule. It’s time for the first step in planning your visit to Tanganyika to decide which ticket option you need. Here’s a breakdown of the different ticket options available: 

• Season Pass: First and foremost, purchasing a season pass is an excellent option for those who plan on visiting multiple times throughout the year. We have three different season pass levels that allow you to come back all season long, and some even include special access in the winter. Keep an eye out for specials on our season passes during Black Friday and March. Currently, for 2023, all but Silver passes are sold out.
• Single-Day Pass: A single-day pass is a great option for those planning to visit just once. This pass includes five animal feedings, which can be used at any available feeding station. For example, you could feed the lemurs five times or feed once at the giraffe, once at the guinea pigs, once at the lemurs, and so on.
• Single-Day Plus Pass: If you want to upgrade your experience, consider the Single-Day Plus Pass. This pass includes everything the single-day pass offers and UNLIMITED animal feedings. It also has additional perks such as free early entry during the summer, a free cup of llama and goat food, rainchecks in case of bad weather, a souvenir cup, and happy hour discounts on drinks during the summer.
• Best Day Bundle: For the ultimate experience, the Best Day Bundle is the way to go. This pass includes everything in the Single Day Plus Pass, two behind-the-scenes animal experiences or meet and greets of your choice (excluding penguin swim and monthly exclusives), and an animal trading badge to keep as a keepsake or trade at our stations.

Once you know what admission you need, you can move on to step two: check-in. If you’ve already purchased your entry online, you should have barcodes available for our team to scan. Check-in is quick as they scan your tickets first and then provide you with the Daily Tanganyika Schedule and the perks with your pass.  

What’s Included in Your Admission Ticket to Tanganyika

When you visit Tanganyika, you’ll be amazed at how much is included in your admission. 

Parking: At most zoos, you have to pay extra for parking, but at Tanganyika, it’s completely free! Once you’ve parked your car, prepare for a day filled with excitement and adventure.

Animal Feeding: You don’t have to pay $5 to feed a giraffe and $2 for a cup of lorikeet nectar. Tanganyika includes them in your admission. Feedings take place all day long, and you can feed various animals like lemurs, lorikeets, giraffes, hippos, tortoises, rabbits, and guinea pigs. 

Animal Training Demonstrations: These demonstrations provide a unique opportunity to learn about the animals and their behaviors. People love chatting with the zookeepers. Many say it’s the best part of the zoo. Make sure you check the Tanganyika schedule when you plan your visit. One of the most popular demonstrations is the Mandrill training demonstration, which takes place at 10:45 am.

Tanganyika Falls and Playground: If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll want to take advantage of the splash park. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot day, and it’s included in your admission. Also, Tanganyika has a playground where kids can climb, slide, and play to their heart’s content.

Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff: If you read our reviews, this pops up almost everywhere; people LOVE our team. You’ll find that the staff members are eager to engage with you throughout the day, answering any questions you may have and providing interesting facts and information about the animals.

Kangaroo Walkabout: This interactive area is included in everyone’s admission, from Basic Season Pass holders to the Ultimate Weekend. Take a stroll through Kangaroo Walkabout, and you’ll get to meet over 15 kangaroos who lounge in the sun while you discover how soft their fur is and see joeys (baby kangaroos) peek out of the pouch for the first time. 

Goat, Alpaca, and Koi Feeding: Finally, if you purchase single day plus admission or the Best Day Bundle, you can choose to feed goats and alpacas or the koi. If it’s not included with your entry pass, don’t forget to bring some quarters to feed the koi, goats, and alpaca. It’s a fun and unique experience that you won’t want to miss. 

Overall, you’ll find that Tanganyika offers fantastic value for your admission, with so many exciting things included.

Click here to buy your tickets.

What’s Happening at Tanganyika 

Hopefully, you’re starting to understand what’s happening at Tanganyika, making it such a unique and special place. We’ve reviewed what’s included in your admission, some insider tips and tricks, the daily schedule, and how to plan your visit to Tanganyika. So now, let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of why Tanganyika is so different and imagine what your day could look like. 

Why Tanganyika is a Unique and Wildly Different Zoo

What’s happening at Tanganyika is more than just a typical zoo experience. We want to create memories that will inspire you to become a wildlife warrior and help us fight the 6th mass extinction. 

We believe in creating “wow moments” during your visit, which are experiences that leave you in awe and wonder. These moments can be as simple as seeing a macaw spread its wings or feeling the soft feet of a lemur on your lap for the first time. They can also be as heartwarming as hearing a bird say “I love you” when you walk by its enclosure.

These wow moments inspire the next generation of zookeepers, educators, and animal conservationists. Hence, we need more people to join us in our mission to save endangered species, and these wow moments can ignite a passion for animal conservation in our visitors.

One of the ways we fight extinction is through our breeding programs. Check the Tanganyika schedule during your visit to see if there is a nursery keeper demonstration. You might be able to see one of the new babies close up. We have an average of 100 babies born at Tanganyika each year, and our visitors get to see the fruits of our labor. 

We also encourage our visitors to become wildlife warriors themselves. For example, we’ve had a little girl who wanted to raise money for conservation for her birthday, camp kids who couldn’t wait to go home and share what they learned with their parents each night, and TWP superfans who do experiences, purchase connect and preserve packages and donate to our conservation partners in the field.

So when you plan your visit to Tanganyika, it’s not just about having a fun day out with your family and friends. It’s about experiencing wow moments that will inspire you to become a wildlife warrior and help us save endangered species from extinction. 

Plan Your Visit to Tanganyika for Memories You’ll Never Forget

Tanganyika Wildlife Park offers a unique experience beyond what you might expect from a traditional zoo. In addition to seeing amazing animals from all over the world, you can participate in behind-the-scenes experiences and meet-and-greets with some of their favorite animals. 

To make the most of your visit to Tanganyika, there are a few tips you should always keep in mind. 

1. Be bold and ask questions of the staff: They are some of the most friendly and knowledgeable individuals you will meet, and they can provide insider information on the best places to see animals and the best times to visit different attractions.
2. Try to arrive early in the day or right before closing time: This is when the animals are typically most active, and you’ll have a better chance of seeing them up close and personal.
3. Consider adding experiences: Behind-the-scenes tours can be added to your admission for an even more immersive experience.
4. The Best Day Bundle is the best value: It includes everything the park offers, including animal experiences and meet and greets, early entry during the summer, and free feedings. 
5. Check the Tanganyika schedule: Always check the daily zoo schedule that will be given to you on check-in, and take a map to ensure you don’t miss anything.
6. Find out the favorites: The staff will also share their secrets with you, so don’t hesitate to ask them what their favorite thing to eat at the canteen is or where the best place is to eat lunch and watch the animals. They’ll be happy to share all their insider knowledge with you. 

Hopefully, our guide helped you plan your visit to Tanganyika and enables you to understand all there is to offer. From feeding times for lemurs to opportunities to feed giraffes, kangaroos, and alpacas, Tanganyika Wildlife Park truly offers a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else.

For more on what makes Tanganyika one of the best zoos, read this blog by Travel KS and book your experience now.