Why Tanganyika Wildlife Park is the Best Zoo in Wichita, KS 

With more than two thousand 5-star reviews, one could argue that Tanganyika Wildlife Park is the best zoo in Wichita, KS. Tanganyika Wildlife Park is a family-owned zoo in Wichita, KS. Tanganyika has a wide variety of animals, with many being rare and endangered species. 

The park heavily focuses on breeding conservation efforts while offering many unique opportunities to connect with animals. Tanganyika Wildlife Park creates wow moments that last a lifetime in a boutique setting. 

Tanganyika is the only zoo in the US to offer ten different interactive encounters where you can feed, touch, and swim with unique species. We also offer over 15 experiences hand-crafted by our keepers to deepen your connection with rare and endangered species. 

While you can visit Tanganyika anytime with an admission ticket or season pass, you also have the opportunity to host various events such as birthday parties, weddings, camps, school tours, and more. We can even bring ambassadors to you for school, weddings, and other events. This blog will highlight what makes Tanganyika unique and one of the highest-rated attractions in Wichita, KS, and why you should get your membership today. 

What Makes Tanganyika Different From Any Other Wichita, KS, Zoo

Tanganyika is different from any other Wichita, KS zoo for a few various reasons: 

Unique animals: rare and endangered species

Some of the rare and exotic species you can find at Tanganyika Wildlife Park include, but are not limited to:

• Cheetahs
• Clouded leopards
• Snow leopards
• Bengal tigers
• Eastern bongos
• Indian rhinos
• Pygmy hippos
• African penguins
• Two-toed sloths
• Saki monkeys
• Mandrills
• Javan langurs
• Red ruffed lemurs
• Red-crested turacos
• King vultures
• Victoria crowned pigeons 

In addition, the Eastern Bongo is another very unique, endangered species found in this Wichita, KS zoo and is a forest species of antelope. They are also critically endangered since there are believed to be less than 200 individuals left in their native habitat. How cool is it that you can see such unique and endangered animals so close to home in a Wichita, KS zoo? 

Get up close, and personal

The most frequently mentioned favorite at Tanganyika is how close you can get to these rare and endangered exotic animals. This Wichita, KS zoo also has ten interactive encounters that include feeding different species such as: 

• Ring-Tailed Lemurs
• Lorikeets
• Giraffes
• Rhinos
• Hippos
• Penguins
• Bunnies
• Guinea Pigs
• Tortoises  

While other zoos can provide some similar experiences—such as feeding giraffes, rhinos, and penguins—they usually cost extra. At Tanganyika Wildlife Park, these feedings are included in every zoo admission level. 

In addition to getting up close to exotic animals at our feeding encounters. More experiences are unique just to Tanganyika. One experience that is so unique that no other zoo in the US offers is swimming with African Penguins. 

Guests can swim alongside penguins for 30 minutes and get up close and personal with them under the penguin trainer’s guidance right here at this Wichita, KS zoo. There are also a variety of meet and greets and behind the scene tours available. Some meet and greets include the small cat, penguin, red-ruffed lemur, owl monkey, otter, and more. 

There are some animal behind-the-scenes tours, such as the giraffe and friends, the sloth tour, and the origins tour. These experiences are unique because they are hands-on and help deepen visitors’ connection with rare and endangered species. These experiences create wow moments for guests that we hope you’ll talk about for years to come.  

Family-owned, but with a significant impact

@tanganyikawildlifepark Action for Cheetahs in Kenya visits Tanganyika! #savethecheetahsavetheworld #cheetah #cheetahs #cats #catsoftiktok #bigcats ♬ Jungle Vibes – 윤새 (Yunsae)

The third thing that makes Tanganyika Wildlife Park unique is that it is a family-owned zoo in Wichita, KS, that does not receive state, federal, or local funding. Prominent zoos nationwide are subsidized by tax revenue, generous donors, and government funding. This frees up extra funding to support conservation efforts. Tanganyika still manages to support conservation efforts in three ways. 

In-Situ Conservation: They support multiple conservation groups such as the Small Cat Conservation Trust, The Snow Leopard Conservancy, The Eden Reforestation Project, Dyer Island Trust, Actions For Cheetahs Kenya, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Cheetah Botswana, The International Rhino Foundation, and so many more. These groups work in animals’ native habitats to research, understand, protect, and conserve them.

Conservation is vital for safeguarding and maintaining biodiversity, with the support of dedicated organizations and collaborative efforts playing a pivotal role in this endeavor. Increased backing and financial contributions can significantly impact the well-being of various species, while targeted breeding programs can further enhance their chances of survival and thriving.

Breeding Programs: Tanganyika Wildlife Park has a variety of breeding programs that include cheetahs, snow leopards, clouded leopards, bongos, rhinos, giraffes, penguins, mandrills, langurs, lemurs, and more. By helping preserve species in human care and having more genetic variety within those species, we can preserve the species as a whole.

While wild conservation efforts are important, there are species like the Amur leopard, where only 50 remain. Zoos like Tanganyika must continue breeding in human care so these species continue to exist even if humans can’t save them in their native places. Tanganyika’s breeding programs make them one of the best zoos in Kansas.

Educate and Inspire: Educating and inspiring our guests is a meaningful way to conserve species and habitats. As guests feed a lemur at this Wichita, KS zoo, they will also learn about making sustainable lumber choices to help lemurs and other species. In otter meet and greets, guests learn about the threats to otters in the pet trade and how they can help educate others. 

If you browse the gift shop, you will notice they support many small businesses or groups that consider conservation as important as Tanganyika does. In their gift shop, you can find a garden section, bird strike stickers for windows, handbags that support women’s businesses in Africa, backpacks made from reusable materials, and so much more. 

Read more about Tanganyika’s Advocacy for Penguins here and their African Penguin breeding efforts. 

Other Things To Do In Kansas With Tanganyika Staff

Team Tanganyika is active in the local Wichita, KS community. From educating and inspiring visitors to our park, wildlife education and conservation efforts, and supporting local businesses. If you are looking for things to do in Kansas to help take action to save wildlife, here are some suggestions from our team. 

Summer camp for Kids

Just like Whitney Houston said, “I believe the children are our future,” Tanganyika believes this too. One of the ways we inspire future wildlife warriors is at summer camp. This Wichita, KS, zoo provides summer camps designed for kids from 6-12 who love animals. We also provide an opportunity to serve as a Counselor In Training during our summer camps. During this program, kids 14-18 interested in education and animals can learn leadership and classroom management skills. 

You also won’t miss summer camps from all over Wichita, bringing their campers to enjoy a day at Tanganyika. With group rates for non-profits like schools and churches, Tanganyika helps educate their daily admission visitors and families across Wichita. These kids are inspired to care for animals globally and in their own backyards. 

“After a summer at Tanganyika my son, Briggs is reminding us all to not litter. He’s even started embracing his hand-me-down clothes from big brother because it’s a good example of reduce, reuse and recycle. It’s quite the animal advocate. He even taught the check-out lady at the grocery store about how red-ruffed lemurs are the world’s largest pollinators. We have to save them because they are critically endangered.”  LynnLee, Tanganyika Camp Parent

Fun events for adults and families

Are you an adult looking for things to do in Kansas for a wedding or business event? Did you know that Tanganyika Wildlife Park hosts such events and can even bring animal ambassadors to you? Hosting your event is a great way to support Tanganayika’s conservation efforts while creating a memorable event for your guests. Since over half of every dollar spent at Tanganyika goes directly to animal care, and the other half goes to making special connections with our guests, you know your dollar works for conservation at Tanganyika. 

Maybe you are looking for other things to do in Kansas that are a bit more exclusive. Have you thought about attending Twilight Tour? It’s Tanganyika’s annual fundraiser at sunset with drinks and exclusive animal experiences. 

Maybe you are looking for other things to do in Kansas that are more family inclusive. Did you know you can celebrate your birthday at Tanganyika with animal ambassadors? Tanganyika also has a water park to cool down from the Kansas heat. 

Another fun event you should check out is Pumpkins at the Park at Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Whether you want to attend or volunteer, it’s full of fun Halloween activities for all ages. The variety of ways to enjoy Tanganyika makes it one of the best zoos in the US. 

Partnering with local businesses

Tanganyika also works in the community to educate and inspire. In the gift shop, you’ll find local businesses featured, like The Popcorner and Sugar Willow Candy Company. If you visit Papa’s General Store in Wichita, you might find them featuring a zebra shake that supports Grevy’s Zebra Conservation. Helping local businesses thrive and survive is one way Tanganyika supports the local community. In turn, these businesses and their patrons become advocates for conservation.

Businesses like Wichita Family Vision and Goddard Family Dental sponsor events at the park and even bring their teams to volunteer during these events. Partnerships like these allow Tanganyika to feature local businesses to their visitors from all 50 states and allow them to support conservation efforts right in their backyard. 

You can even find Tanganyika passes on loan at many local libraries. Tanganyika offers organizational memberships and discounts to help more families have access to the park. 

Visit Tanganyika Zoo In Wichita, KS Today

No matter what you might be looking to do in Wichita, KS, you should consider an experience with Tanganyika Wildlife Park. You’re guaranteed a unique zoo experience during your visit to Wichita, KS. See rare and endangered animals, feed a giraffe, have a lorikeet land on your head, or swim with a penguin. 

When you visit this zoo in Wichita, KS, feel good about the laughs and memories, knowing your dollar goes to supporting a local, family-owned small business AND conservation efforts here and abroad. No matter what experience you might want to get involved with, you could experience wow moments where you could deepen your connection with rare and endangered species. 

Uncover the unique attractions of Tanganyika, one of Kansas’ premier zoos, by perusing this informative blog by Kansas Tourism. Also, don’t miss out and schedule your visit today!

Author: Keeper Cassie