Insider Tours

Insider Tours

Join a zoo professional for this special experience! Guests will learn about how Roger Williams Park Zoo started and some of the insider knowledge that only zoo staff can provide! You will first explore our newest exhibit, The Faces of the Rainforest! Between the playful monkeys and the giant river otters, there is always lots of action! From there, your private safari will continue through The Amazing World of Adaptations, our Marco Polo Trail and our North America sections of the zoo! After that, pack your trunks, because guests will venture to the Textron Elephant & Giraffe Pavilion to try and catch a glimpse of the world’s largest and tallest land animals! Before departing, visitors will swing by the Alex and Ani Farmyard for an encounter with our beloved goats! All along the way your personal guide will be there to answer your questions and share stories from across our zoo’s rich history and provide you with some insider knowledge you did not know you needed to know! Like, did you know our oldest resident is 169 years old!

Tour Details & Pricing
Winter 2021 Dates, Hours & Pricing

Tour groups will be limited to a single booking capped at 10 individuals. Other groups will not be combined with yours. Ample space will be provided for social distancing, which will be enforced between guests from separate households group and zoo staff. All participants will be required to wear a face mask during the entirety of the tour. The only exception we are able to offer for this special experience is for children under two.

Cost:                     

  • Members: $120 for the first two people and $30 for every additional person (max of 10)*
  • Non-Members: $130 for the first two people and $35 for every additional person (max of 10)*

*Guests under the age of two are admitted free of charge, but still count towards the 10 participant cap.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Date Availability:

  • Tuesday and Wednesdays: 10:00am, 10:30am, 2:00pm and 2:30pm
  • Thursday-Sundays: 3:00pm and 3:15pm

Please note: Not all animals will be visible and species availability can change daily depending on their needs and weather forecasts. We cannot guarantee any specific animal will be viewable on the tour. All tours are rain or shine, except for instances of severe weather or lightning.

The zoo is closed to general public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tours scheduled Thursday-Sunday start 30 minutes prior to the zoo closing.

To book or for more information contact Beth Caporelli at bcaporelli@rwpzoo.org or (401)-785-3510 ext. 394

Insider Tour FAQs
Can we purchase food or souvenirs?

Because we will be touring the zoo when the zoo the zoo is technically closed, the Discover the Wild Gift Shop and our other concessions will be closed for the day.

What should we wear?

Because this program is rain or shine, you should dress for the weather. Closed toe shoes are required, and comfortable walking shoes are strongly encouraged.

Will we see the whole zoo?

We will explore our Faces of the Rainforest Exhibit, Adaptations building (currently closed to the public) in addition to our Marco Polo Trek, the North America region of the zoo, The Textron Elephant and Giraffe Pavilion and our farmyard!

Will we see lots of animals on exhibit as we tour?

We will see animals on your tour, especially in our Rainforest and Adaptations buildings! Each species in an outdoor exhibit has their own restrictions regarding outdoor access that are dependent on temperature, weather and other wellbeing factors. As always, animals that do have outdoor access always have the option to be inside if they choose, so who and what we see will be different every time!

Do you need to provide contact information for every person in your party?

When making the reservation we will collect contact info from that guest. When you arrive, we will collect basic contact information from at least one person in every household for the purpose of contact tracing. This information will not be used in any other way.

What if I have a medical condition, do I still need to wear a mask?

Due to the nature of this special experience, and for the safety of you, your guides, and our animals, we must require masks for all visitors over the age of 2.

What age restrictions are in place for the Insider Tour?

Currently, guests of any age can participate in this special experience! All children must be accompanied by a paid adult and one adult must be present for every two children under the age of 11. Strollers and wheelchairs can be accommodated.

We have changed our minds; can we get a refund?

Cancellations of more than 2 weeks in advance of your booked tour are eligible for a full refund.

Cancellations with notice of at least one week, but less than 2 are eligible for a 75% refund.

Cancellations made with less than one week, but more than 48 hours are eligible for 50% refund

Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice are not eligible for any refund in whole or in part.

Where do we check in?

Please refer to your confirmation email for your specific check-in location and time! You can email djhill@rwpzoo.org with further questions. Please be sure to include the name on the reservation as well as the date and time of your tour.

Will we have special access?

Yes! You will be part of a select group of guests that get to tour the zoo after the other guests have gone! That is a privilege usually reserved for our peacocks! You will also have the opportunity to visit our Adaptations building which is currently closed to the public. And don’t forget your knowledgeable guide who will be there to help answer any questions you have and provide some insight into zoo operations!

Will we get to touch animals?

Yes! Weather permitting, you will have an opportunity to visit and interact with our motley goat crew!

What if I am feeling ill?

We ask that any guests that feel unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 (including cough, fever, or shortness of breath), they kindly stay home.

Animal Encounters