News and Stories

CINCINNATI (October 1, 2019) – If you have a passion for travel, exotic destinations, or wildlife, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has the perfect adventure for you! The Zoo is offering four unique travel experiences in 2020, all led by seasoned and knowledgeable Cincinnati Zoo staff.

2020 Trip Details

Monarchs of Mexico, March 14-20, 2020

Led by David Orban, Manager of Animal Excellence

Each year, millions of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) make the journey from North America to Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains, flying thousands of miles to their winter home. The migration is one of nature’s most amazing phenomena. Stand amid the fir-covered mountains and witness this awe-inspiring spectacle firsthand as the monarchs flutter, dip, and swoop overhead. You’ll see countless butterflies roosting in the early morning, as well as in flight at midday, feeding on wildflowers, and drinking at streams.

Arctic Wildlife Safari, June 7-15, 2020

Led by Dr. Erin Curry, CREW Reproductive Physiologist

Explore the frozen wilderness of Spitsbergen (Svalbard) on our Arctic Wildlife polar expedition cruise. We will venture to the edge of the north-polar ice cap in search of a wealth of wildlife—including polar bear, walrus, Arctic fox, reindeer, and a variety of whales and seals—in one of the High Arctic’s most pristine and protected environments. Here, at the dynamic boundary between implacable ice and bountiful sea, this wildlife cruise presents the rare opportunity to experience raw nature and incredible events seen by a lucky few. Whether it’s a calving iceberg, an incomparable sunrise or the otherworldly hush of a land where man is an infrequent visitor, an Arctic expedition cruise is one that you’ll remember — and savor — for a lifetime.

Kenya, June 12-24, 2020

Led by Chad Yelton, Director of Marketing

This safari into the Kenyan bush is a dream wrapped in canvas, the narrative of which is shaped by the written accounts of Ernest Hemingway, Beryl Markham, and Karen Blixen, all of whom appreciated tented life in the bush. From your camp, watch the gripping action of predator and prey, and the delicate river dance of elephant, hippo, and crocodile. At dusk and dawn the sun dapples your tent with a myriad of colors and the night brings midnight blue skies, twinkling lights, and the calls of the wild. Experiencing the immortalized parks and reserves of Samburu, Lake Nakuru, and the Maasai Mara through canvas mark you as another explorer in whose footsteps someone else will follow.

South Africa, September 10-23, 2020

South Africa The Garden Route: Beauty & The Beasts: Journey to the most inspirational spots in South Africa, where the great masterpieces of Mother Nature will leave you awe-struck and breathless. Of the world’s six floral kingdoms, the Fynbos kingdom in the Cape is the smallest and richest, with over 6,000 endemic species thriving in bursts of vibrant color. Feel your heart soar at the captivating majesty of prehistoric caverns, mountaintops, and towering giant forests. Lose your breath at the fearsome beasts of the great ocean depths, as you search for whales and great white sharks by boat. Allow peace to overtake you wandering rose gardens and idyllic shorelines. Chase the adrenaline rush as you seek out the nobility of the animal kingdom on a safari. Let the artwork of the natural world enthrall you.

For additional information on travel opportunities provided by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, please contact Christina Anderson at 513-487-3318 or visit our website here.