Wild Encounter - Savanna Safari

Savanna Safari

Experience an African safari right in the city with our behind-the-scenes trek featuring eland, zebra, and watusi. During this interactive encounter, you'll be guided through the Savanna to our exclusive bird and hoofstock barn. You'll learn how keepers care for these species, toss food to the watusi, and even hand-feed the eland, all while discovering how the Toronto Zoo helps their wild counterparts thrive.

Yearly Availability: July-October. Please note the last encounter of the 2025 season will be on October 13th. 

Capacity: 8

Experience Length: 45-60 minutes

Meeting Location: Penguin Habitat Entrance

Directions: The meeting location is approximately a 20-minute walk from the Front Entrance Gates. Upon entering the zoo, turn right and proceed past Goat World into the Core Woods. When you see the Caribou Café and the airplane, take the path to the left towards Africa and the Americas. Follow the boardwalk on your left up to Africa, and at the top, take the path to your right towards the African Savanna. Continue straight until you reach the African penguins at the entrance to Kesho park. 

Age Recommendations: Recommended for ages 5+ 

Rules and Policies

Wild Encounter tickets do not include Zoo admission: Zoo admission must be purchased separately 

Interaction: This encounter involves the opportunity hand feed our eland and toss produce to our watusi. It is up to the animals to choose to participate and we cannot guarantee the duration of time the animals will spend engaging with us. Staff also have the ability to deny or change the encounter based on the animals’ health, safety, and behavioural needs

Drugs & Alcohol: Impairment due to alcohol or drugs is not permitted before or during your Wild Encounter. Anyone who is drinking or appears to be even slightly intoxicated before the Wild Encounter will be denied participation. Refunds or alternate dates will not be given.

Adult Supervision: Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by a paying adult (at least 18 years of age)

Children 2 & Under: To maintain guest capacity limits, tickets (free of charge) are mandatory for all children 2 & under.  

Reschedule/Cancellation: By purchasing tickets, you are agreeing to the following refund policy. Exceptions will not be made. The Wild Encounters team requires at least 48 hours’ notice prior to your scheduled encounter to process any refund or rescheduling requests. Failure to attend your encounter at the scheduled date and time will result in forfeiture of your tickets, and refunds will not be issued. Please ensure you arrive at the designated meeting location before your scheduled start time. Late arrivals or guests who are unable to locate the meeting point will not be eligible for refunds. We recommend reviewing your confirmation details carefully and allowing extra time to navigate the Zoo. 

Personal Items: Strollers/wagons are permitted to be brought behind-the-scenes left in designated areas but may be left unattended at times. 

Accessibility: This encounter is wheelchair accessible; however, please note that some areas involve uneven terrain., which may make mobility more challenging. Guests are encouraged to consider their individual needs. Guests with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person are encouraged to email us before making a reservation so we can provide the appropriate support and ensure the best possible Wild Encounter experience. At this time, service animals cannot be accommodated in behind-the-scenes areas. The Access 2 Card is accepted for support persons

Fees: A processing fee of $1.00 per ticket will be applied at checkout. 

Please contact us at wildencounters@torontozo.com or call us at 289-200-4362 for more information.