This Backstage Safari in Texas Gets You Closer to Amazing Animals 

One of my earliest childhood memories is being lifted up, up, up to the back of an African elephant at a small, local zoo. I felt like I was on top of the world as it strolled leisurely around the circumference of a wooden corral. That same day, I realized just how enormous camels are as I rode between the humps of a Bactrian camel.

Even as an adult, I’ve been wonderstruck feeding kangaroos or petting the surprisingly soft skin of a rhinoceros. Below, we’ll explore some of the amazing backstage animal adventures that Texas zoos and wildlife parks have to offer.

Go Behind the Scenes at Texas’ Biggest Zoos

Have you ever noticed those unpaved footpaths or gated roads as you’ve strolled around a zoo? Some have signs reading “Authorized personnel only.” Have you ever wondered what’s back there?

The Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio Zoos offer tours that take you behind the scenes to see what zookeepers do and get closer to the animals than ever before. 

What are these tours like? In each activity, you’ll be able to observe the animal close-up, much closer than the average zoo visitor. You’ll learn about its behavior from the keepers who tend to it every day.

Depending on the species, you might get to feed the animal, touch it, or help train it to become an Animal Ambassador.

There will be opportunities for photos with the animals. Sometimes, you’ll get an exclusive souvenir, like a lanyard or wristband.

For the well-being of the animals, backstage encounters have a limited capacity. They may be offered only on certain days and limit the number of participants. Book your tickets early to secure your spot.

Don’t forget to dress the part! Comfortable, closed-toed shoes (like tennis shoes) are a must. Dress appropriately for the weather, as these safaris are all-weather events. Finally, wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.

Backstage Safari at the Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo offers two 90-minute Backstage Safaris. The Elephant, Predator & Lemur Tour provides the opportunity to feed African elephants. Using a bamboo cane to bridge the distance, you can offer a piece of fruit, which the elephant will delicately manipulate with the tip of its remarkably dexterous trunk.

Then, get closer than ever before with lions, African painted dogs, and leaping lemurs. 

The Hippo, Capybara, & Otter Tour is a wet and wild experience with enigmatic aquatic mammals. See the hippos up close, feed the capybaras, and spend time with the otters.

After your adventure is over, you’ll receive a free digital photo, souvenir lanyard, and conservation wristband. You can also enjoy the rest of the day with admission to the zoo and a complimentary giraffe feeding. 

Behind the Scenes at the Fort Worth Zoo

At the Fort Worth Zoo, you can choose from three different behind-the-scenes experiences. At Bird Nerd, you’ll be invited to a VIP behind-the-scenes area to meet incredible birds like the great horned owl during a 30-minute encounter.

During the Giraffe Experience, you’ll go behind the scenes to the giraffe barn. During the one-hour program, you’ll learn about the giraffes’ food, enrichment, and training.

Quills and Thrills will introduce you to different species of porcupines. You might even get to feed them!

Behind the Scenes at San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo offers eight different Behind the Scenes tours, each focused on a different animal species.

You can interact with giant Aldabra tortoises, the second-largest turtle in the world; spend 30 minutes feeding capybaras, the largest rodent in the world; explore the lifecycle of butterflies; see what it takes to care for a hippo every day; feed the rare okapi; tour the Nest, where exotic eggs are incubated and baby birds are hand-reared; or join “Wild for Wilson,” an encounter with a charismatic three-banded armadillo.

They also have a brand-new Rhino Behind the Scenes Experience, where only a metal cable fence separates you from this two-ton giant.

Animal Encounters at the Houston Zoo

In 2026, the Houston Zoo is offering six unique Animal Encounters. They are held once or twice a week at specific times.

On Fridays, you can get a “front row seat” to what goes on at the Elephant Barn. Meet an adult elephant, touching and/or feeding it. You’ll have extraordinary photos to share! If you want to get even more up close and personal, help scrub one of the elephants during the Elephant Bath Experience on Thursdays.

 You can also get to know the largest of the great apes with a Tuesday Gorilla Encounter. Step into the treehouse to interact with gorillas through a plexiglass window. You can even feed them using a special port built into the wall. 

You can also feed and get close to unique animals during the Giant Anteater Encounter, Penguin Encounter, or Galapagos Tortoise Encounter. Don’t wear red shoes for that one—the tortoises might confuse your feet with food!

Feed Tigers at the Downtown Aquarium

You might not expect to find tigers at an aquarium, but you will at Downtown Aquarium in Houston. You can enjoy the wild experience of a Private Tiger Meet & Feed. You’ll get closer to these huge predators than ever before while participating in a training demonstration and feeding them a favorite treat.

You’ll also be able to take pictures with the tiger during the 25 to 30-minute experience. You won’t have any unprotected contact — you’ll be safely separated by a barrier.

You can also experience Meet & Greets with the African serval, a sleek medium-sized wild cat” or simply “a striking wild cat.

Amazing Experiences at a Private Wildlife Park

Sometimes it’s the smaller, privately owned zoos that offer the most outrageous encounters. The Texas Wildlife Park & Education Center accepts visitors by appointment only. 

The Basic Tour is a 1.5 to 2-hour guided tour with close-up viewing of all the animals. You can enhance your visit by adding animal encounters to the Basic Tour. Or, opt for the Zoo Keeper package, which includes all encounters and animal food. 

There are plenty of encounters on the “petting zoo” level, including miniature cows.

Each animal encounter allows amazing photo opportunities. The X-treme feeds of the tigers or lions are the most popular. The feed might be a raw steak — or, for a young cub, a bottle of formula.

Other animal encounters allow you to get even closer. Hold a snake or crocodile. Feed and pet a baby Fennec fox, porcupine, sloth, lemur, capybara, baboon, or parrot. Pet and play with otters or baby prairie dogs.

And if that’s not enough adventure for you, you can take the Night Tour. You’ll observe feedings of all the carnivores and participate in X-treme feeds of the tiger and mountain lion.

Are Backstage Animal Encounters Ethical?

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Certain facilities offering animal encounters have gotten bad publicity in recent years for mistreating their animals. Understandably, some people are apprehensive about supporting any institution hosting similar events.

But there’s a very important reason why zoos and wildlife parks offer these encounters. When people learn about animals and feel a personal connection to them, it influences how they act.

Maybe they decide not to throw litter on the side of the road. Maybe they donate money or volunteer their time to support conservation directly. Maybe they just tell someone else how amazing it was to feed a giraffe or see a 600-pound tiger up close.

Understanding animals on a deeper level transforms fear into fascination. It breaks down misconceptions and makes people excited about preserving habitats and species for the next generation.

Additionally, the organizations discussed here are all committed to caring for their animals in a responsible way. For example, participation is voluntary — if an animal chooses not to engage, it is never forced to do so.

But typically, the animals are just as excited as the human guests. Treats — and, for some animals, belly rubs and scratches — are more than enough incentive to engage with zoo visitors.

Backstage Experiences: How to Get There

The zoos we’ve discussed are scattered throughout the state of Texas. You can use the map below to navigate to the zoo of your choice.

Where:  Texas Wildlife Park and Education Center, 345 Big Buck Cir, Mountain Home, TX 78058

San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s Street, San Antonio, TX 78212

Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030

Downtown Aquarium-Houston, 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

Dallas Zoo, 650 S R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203

Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110

Backstage safaris can spark children’s imaginations, but they aren’t just for kids. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences foster greater appreciation for the natural world.