Hello friends! Somehow I’ve been running this blog for nearly 2 years, and I haven’t shared one of my favorite activities in Norfolk: The Virginia Zoo!
This awesome zoological park is one I’ve been to several times with my nieces and nephew, but last Saturday, I finally took Daniel for his first time. This ended up being a unique adventure for two reasons: 1) the zoo was still covered in snow from Thursday, and 2) we had to adjust for COVID procedures.
It was a bit chilly, but we still had a phenomenal time, which proves that this is a great activity year-round! I definitely recommend that you add it to your list of things to do in Norfolk, whether or not you have kids!
The zoo regularly runs fun events, including special tours, movie nights, virtual education days, and even virtual date nights (if that floats your boat).
Today, I’ll walk you through what to expect from a visit to The Virginia Zoo, including an overview of all the fun animals you can see!
Last but not least, the Tiger Trail is home to some sleepy binturongs and adorable tapirs!
In the final stretch of the Africa loop, you’ll wind through a rocky trail around the lion’s enclosure. In addition to awesome views of the resident lions, you’ll also be able to get up close to a Cape Porcupine, various lizards (White-Throated Monitor, Egyptian Spiny-Tailed Lizard, Meller’s Chameleon, Painted Agame), some gorgeous birds, a Rock Hyrax, Meerkats, and three kinds of tortoises!
Take a Virtual Tour of a Snow Day at the Virginia Zoo!
A Quick Note About Conservation at the Virginia Zoo
I absolutely adore zoos, aquariums, animal parks; you name it. Of course, I love going to see all the cute animals, but I also appreciate the vital role of conservation. Without organizations like these, many of us would have no idea half of these animals exist–much less that most of them are endangered species! So one of the things I really appreciate about the Virginia Zoo is that every exhibit has a conservation sign. You’ll learn some cool facts about the animal, along with how endangered it is, why it’s endangered, and what you can realistically do to make a difference in its survival. And of course, the zoo also has tons of educational programs to help spread the word and increase everyone’s interest in saving these wonderful creatures, which is really the most important thing.Before You Visit the Virginia Zoo…
Plan Your Visit & Get your tickets!
Due to the pandemic, everyone must purchase their tickets online and choose a specific arrival time. You can do this up to 2 weeks before your visit. You will have one hour from your selected time slot to enter the zoo, and then you can stay as long as you like until closing time. (For example, if you select 12 pm, you can enter the zoo anytime between 12 pm and 1 pm and stay as long as you want.) However, be aware that the zoo is currently only open until 4 pm, and the last reservation time is at 2 pm. At this time, the zoo isn’t offering any extra discounts on admission, which is understandable considering limited capacity doesn’t reduce their upkeep costs.- Adults (12+) $17.95
- Seniors (62+) $15.95
- Children (2-11) $14.95
Download Your Map
You’ll find maps scattered throughout the zoo, but you may appreciate a pocket version on your phone if it’s your first time. You can download one from the zoo website for free.Dress Appropriately
The Virginia Zoo takes about 2 hours to tour, and it’s all currently outdoors. Outside of COVID, there are a couple of indoor exhibits, but you’ll still want to plan for the weather and plenty of walking (thank goodness for our mostly mild climate!). The paths are all very well-kept and have minimal inclines, but I recommend good walking shoes at all times of the year.What to Expect at the Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo is made up of 6 different zones with a different theme of animals (and activities) in each.- Asia-Trail of the Tiger
- Africa-Okavango Delta
- Australia Walkabout
- Run Wild Nature Play
- North America
- World of Reptiles
- ZooFarm
Taking Your Tour of the Virginia Zoo
Asia-Trail of the Tiger
The very first section is filled with cool animals from all over Asia. The featured animal (as you may have guessed) is the Malayan Tiger. You can actually view its exhibit from 3 sides, and it’s the first and last thing you’ll see on this loop. This zone also has several kinds of monkeys, including Siamangs, Bornean Orangutans, and White-Cheeked Gibbons. Another big feature of the Tiger Trail is birds! There are 15 different kinds of birds along the trail, from Sarus Cranes to Rhinoceros Hornbills. The final animal group that you’ll see here is bears. You can see both sun and moon bears, as well as a red panda!
Last but not least, the Tiger Trail is home to some sleepy binturongs and adorable tapirs!
Africa-Okavango Delta
The next stop on your tour is the African-like plains of the Okavango Delta! This area is full of amazing creatures that are out year-round. I loved seeing these ones, in particular, trying to figure out the snow! The first little savannah features a herd of Zebra and a couple of Watusi Cattle. As you continue your tour, you’ll see Red River Hogs and Cheetahs on your left (the Cheetahs were exceptionally epic with snowy backdrops!) and a safari’s-worth of creatures on your right. The second large, plain-like area is where giraffes, ostriches, a yellow-backed duiker, and white rhinos roam. There’s also a side enclosure that contains some brightly-colored bongos! On this particular visit, it was too cold for the less-furry animals like the giraffes and rhinos to be outside. However, the zoo has a cool elevated viewing center where you can see these animals in their inside enclosures. (Don’t worry, these are only for nighttime and chilly days!)
In the final stretch of the Africa loop, you’ll wind through a rocky trail around the lion’s enclosure. In addition to awesome views of the resident lions, you’ll also be able to get up close to a Cape Porcupine, various lizards (White-Throated Monitor, Egyptian Spiny-Tailed Lizard, Meller’s Chameleon, Painted Agame), some gorgeous birds, a Rock Hyrax, Meerkats, and three kinds of tortoises!
