Oklahoma City Zoo Offering Rare Chance For Oklahomans To See Wildlife Around The World

Let's face it: the chances of anyone in Oklahoma traveling to Africa are pretty slim. The chances to see and get involved with some of the most studied animals and creatures in places like the Amazon are even slimmer. But it's officially not impossible, not if you work with the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Over the years, the OKC Zoo has helped work for several different conservation efforts for all sorts of species. Their Asian Elephants, African Lions and other species are just a few of the animals that have benefitted from the OKC Zoo's efforts.

Next year, a select few animal lovers in Oklahoma will have the opportunity of a lifetime visiting Mexico, South America and Africa with the OKC Zoo through the Zoo's Travel Conservation Program.

What does the trip with the OKC Zoo look like?

The OKC Zoo will have three different opportunities for guests to come along. They are:

Central Mexico monarch butterfly studies on January 23 to 29, 2026 (limited to 16 guests) to walk the streets of Mexico City on a walking tour to see the millions of butterflies who fill the trees and the air of Mexico.

Pantanal in the Amazon Forest to study hundreds of birds species, giant river otters, capybaras, jaguars and many other species part of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet on June 5 to 14, 2026 (limited to seven guests).

READ MORE: Goats Are Replacing Lawn Mowers in Oklahoma, Look here! 

Cape Town in South Africa on July 7 to 18, 2026 to visit wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves and Etosha National Park (limited to 12 guests).

Each of the visits is unique to their own area of the world, not one experience is exactly like the other. The things you may end up doing are special to that specific trip, like the horseback rides and ATV excursions included in the Pantanal visit or the swimming with African penguins colony in Cape Town.

How do I sign up to take this trip with the OKC Zoo?

These once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities are offered by the Oklahoma City Zoo in partnership with Rewild Safaris–a wildlife conservation travel company with more than 40 years of experience in protecting and connecting wildlife and wild places for both tourists and local communities. 

If you're interested in attending one of these experiences, you'll want to check out the full itinerary and pricing here.

What if I can't go next year, when will be the next opportunity to go?

While it might not be in the cards for 2026, the good news is that these opportunities come along each year. They may at different times and possibly at different locations, but they are always well worth the time and money spent.

Those who've attended previous Conservation Travel experiences say they're truly unforgettable, like Julie Hall.

"I have been on three trips with the Oklahoma City Zoo," she said. "I have loved each of them, but they keep getting better every time." 

This isn't the first time they offer this kind of opportunity and it surely won't be the last. But it could be the first experience of a lifetime for the right folks who want to come along.