Some places you visit once and check off your list. And then there are places you can visit over and over again and still find something new to experience.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is one of those places for me.
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This was my second time visiting, and somehow my weekend was packed with experiences I didn’t get to do during my first visit. So if you’ve been to Tanganyika before and think you’ve already seen it all, I’m here to tell you that there is probably still more for you to experience!
But beyond the animal experiences I’ll be sharing below, what really makes Tanganyika worth the visit. From the feeding stations and opportunities to observe animal behaviors to the behind-the-scenes experiences (yes these cost extra), it goes beyond simply walking through a wildlife park and looking at animals.
I truly appreciated how friendly the staff were throughout our visit. You can tell that they care about the animals and take pride in the work they do.
The ALBA Ultimate Weekend at Tanganyika
As a travel blogger, I was hosted by Tanganyika Wildlife Park for this visit, and let’s just say I had what I’m calling The ALBA Ultimate Weekend (Literally that is what the pass said and I am still smiling about it).
Our two-day itinerary was packed with activities beginning around 9:00 a.m. and wrapping up around 3:30 p.m. each day. And the best part? We stayed just minutes from the park at Uncle Dave’s House (it’s an airbnb on property), which was less than a two-minute drive from the main entrance. The house itself was beautiful, but I’ll get back to that later in this post!
First, let’s talk about everything we got to experience during our weekend. The 10 experiences were:
- Anteater Feeding Experience
- Pygmy Hippo Meet & Greet
- Bird Behind-the-Scenes Tour
- Giraffe & Rhino Adventure
- Capybara Meet & Greet
- Otter Swim
- Big Cat Feeding Adventure
- Penguin Meet & Greet
- Sloth Behind-the-Scenes Tour
- Burmese Python Meet & Greet
There were so many memorable moments throughout our two days at Tanganyika, but instead of making this blog post a novel, I’m highlighting five of the experiences that really stood out to me. These are the ones I found especially fun, unique or memorable and that I think are worth putting on your radar when planning your own visit.
And trust me, narrowing it down to five was not easy! Here goes…
Anteater Feeding Experience
We started our lineup of animal experiences with an anteater feeding experience, which gave us the chance to get up close and personal while learning more about these unique animals and their behaviors.
But y’all… there was also a BABY anteater attached to Mom the entire time! Pictures really don’t do this experience justice. Armara and her baby were seriously the cutest, and did you know baby anteaters stay attached to their mom like this for an entire year?! Talk about no boundaries, lol.
And then there was the “shake” we were feeding her. It was filled with bugs, so yeah… gross. But clearly Armara thought it was delicious because she absolutely loved it!
Honestly, getting to see these animals up close and learn more about them made this experience even more special.
Pygmy Hippo Meet & Greet
YES, I met the famous pygmy hippo… MARS! AHHHHHH!
You know what’s crazy? This was the one experience I wanted to do SO badly the last time I visited Tanganyika, and I was so sad when I didn’t get the chance.
So the fact that I came back and had NO IDEA I was going to get a one-on-one meet and greet with MARS is still so surreal to me.
I have to give a huge shoutout to Taylor and Hope from the Tanganyika team because you can truly tell how much they know and love Mars and the entire pygmy hippo family. They shared so much with us about Mars, his personality, and what makes pygmy hippos so unique.
And then… we got to TOUCH HIM! For those wondering what a pygmy hippo feels like, imagine a slimy bar of soap. Yep. That’s pretty much exactly how Mars felt, lol.
We got to feed him carrots, and then came the cherry on top: Mars painted for us and gave us a BOOP with his nose! 😂 (purple paintings in the picture)
I mean, what more could I ask for?
Getting to meet Mars was truly one of those travel moments that I know I’ll remember forever. It was such a special experience, and honestly, one of the highlights of coming back to Tanganyika!
Capybara Meet & Greet
Did you know that capybaras are the largest rodents in the world? Because I did not, and let me tell you, these spunky little cuties are a MUST when you visit Tanganyika.
First of all, their names are Garbanzo and Pinto. I mean… COME ON. How perfect are those names?!
And the way these two smiled, posed for us and basically worked the camera? My heart couldn’t take it. They weigh around 50–60 pounds, so these are definitely not tiny little rodents you can just scoop up. And apparently, one of them decided to make my husband, Chase, his new crush. Yes, one of the capybaras was definitely flirting with my husband. LOL
What I loved most about this experience was getting that one-on-one time with them while also learning more about their personalities, behaviors and care. It wasn’t just about seeing a capybara up close. We actually got to interact with them and learn what makes these giant, adorable rodents so special.
10/10 would absolutely hang out with Garbanzo and Pinto again.
Otter Swim
Now THIS was the experience I was looking forward to the most, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
Tanganyika had recently started offering the Otter Swim when we visited, so when I saw it was an option, I was like, OKAY, I need to do this. And thankfully, we did!
First, a little otter fun: otters are incredibly intelligent and playful animals, and getting to experience them this close was something I will never forget. You don’t just stand nearby and watch them. You actually get into the water with them!
For the experience, Tanganyika provides the wetsuit and water shoes you’ll need, and there are dedicated bathrooms and changing areas where you can get ready before and after. So yes, come prepared to get WET! And let me tell you something else I learned: these otters LOVE to eat. 😂 I was honestly shocked by how food-motivated they were, but at the same time, I was like… same, sis, same. They were also SO smart, which made the experience even more fascinating.
I may or may not have brought my GoPro into the water with me, so stay tuned for the Reel because pictures really don’t do this experience justice.
Of everything we did at Tanganyika, this is one experience I would absolutely say is worth the splurge. There aren’t many places where you can have this kind of up-close, in-water experience with otters, and it was easily one of the most memorable animal encounters I’ve ever had.
If you see the Otter Swim on the list, BOOK IT.
Sloth Behind-the-Scenes Tour
This experience completely shocked me.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get this close to a sloth. And mind you, Mi Gente, I’ve been to Costa Rica, home of the perezosos, so I’ve seen my fair share of sloths. But meeting Sydney? That was a whole different experience.
We didn’t just see her from a distance. We got to step into her world, learn about her daily routine and actually spend time with her. We got to feed her, pet her, and even take a photo with her. And yes, I was absolutely living my best sloth life!
What I loved most was getting to slow down and really appreciate these incredible animals. Sloths move at their own pace, and honestly, I think we could all learn a little something from them.
Meeting Sydney was such a special way to remember our animal experiences at Tanganyika, and it reminded me of exactly why I love experiences like these.
You don’t just leave with a bunch of pictures for your camera roll. You leave with a story you’ll be telling for years.
And Mi Gente… I have A LOT of stories from Tanganyika!
These Experiences Are Extras…
Before you start planning your Tanganyika visit, there is one important thing I want you to know: the experiences I shared above are additional experiences and come at different price points.
I wanted to include them because they were such a fun and memorable part of our weekend, but you absolutely do not need to book a bunch of extra experiences to have a great time at Tanganyika.
There is already so much included with regular park admission, from animal feeding opportunities to exploring the wildlife park at your own pace. The additional experiences are really there to let you customize your visit based on what you’re interested in and, of course, your budget.
My advice? Look through the experiences before your visit, figure out which ones you really want to do, and budget for those ahead of time. You don’t need to do everything. Pick the experiences that sound the most exciting to you and make those your priorities.
And honestly, that’s what I love about it. You can have a great day with your regular admission, or you can add on a few experiences and make your visit even more personalized. There is no right or wrong way to do Tanganyika.
What Is Included With Your Regular Admission?
One of the things I really appreciated about Tanganyika is that your admission is so much more than simply paying to walk into a wildlife park. There is a lot included, which is part of what makes the experience feel like a full day out rather than a quick stop.
Your admission includes access to the park, unlimited animal feeding opportunities, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and fountain drinks. Yes, you read that right. You can spend the day exploring, feeding animals, grabbing a bite to eat, and enjoying the park without constantly pulling out your wallet for every little thing.
Adults 21 and over can also purchase alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, along with mocktails. These are an additional cost, but I had to mention it because I genuinely did not expect to find a bar at a wildlife park!
There are also feeding encounters included with admission, which means you can get up close and interact with animals throughout your visit. We’re talking lemurs, lorikeets, giraffes, goats, fish, tortoises and more. These little moments are what make Tanganyika feel so interactive because you aren’t just walking around looking at animals from a distance. You actually get to engage with them.
And then there is Kangaroo Land, which might have been one of my favorite parts. You literally walk through the space alongside REAL kangaroos. They are so stinking cute, and yes, I took approximately 700 pictures.
Keeper talks and training demonstrations are also included with admission, so be sure to check the day’s schedule when you arrive. These are a great way to learn more about the animals, their care, and the people who work with them every day.
Depending on the season, Tanganyika Falls Splash Park is also included with admission, making this an even bigger day during the warmer months.
All of this is why I wouldn’t think of Tanganyika as simply, “We’re going to a wildlife park for a few hours.”
There is a LOT built into your admission, and honestly, that’s what makes Tanganyika such a fun experience for families, couples, friends, or anyone who simply wants to spend a full day doing something different.
Where We Stayed: Uncle Dave’s House
One of the things that made this trip even better was where we stayed.
During my hosted visit, we stayed at Uncle Dave’s House, one of Tanganyika’s on-site lodging options. And when I say this place was convenient, I mean it. We were less than a two-minute drive from the main entrance to the park.
After spending two full days going from one animal experience to the next, being able to come back to a comfortable place that was literally minutes away was such a plus.
And the house itself? Beautiful and SO spacious. These pictures don’t do justice. Please watch the video instead!
Honestly, Uncle Dave’s House would be such a great option for families or larger groups. There is plenty of room to spread out, a beautiful pool, and a whole arcade downstairs. Yes, an entire arcade. If you have kids, I can already imagine how excited they would be to come back to the house after a full day at the wildlife park and have even more to do.
For us, it was the perfect home base for our Tanganyika weekend. We could spend the day at the park, head back to the house without a long drive, relax, and do it all again the next day.
If you’re planning a trip where you want to make Tanganyika the main event, I would definitely look into staying on or near the property. Tanganyika has several lodging options, so I recommend checking the current accommodations when you’re planning your visit.
Uncle Dave’s House gets a 10/10 from me.
How Much Time Do You Need at Tanganyika?
This is one of the questions I would ask myself before planning a visit.
If you’re simply looking to walk around the park, see the animals, enjoy the feeding stations, grab some food and take your time, you can absolutely spend a full day here.
But if you want to add several of the animal experiences, I would plan for more time.
My visit was spread across two full days, with activities starting around 9:00 a.m. and going until approximately 3:30 p.m., and we still had plenty to see and do. If you’re visiting for the first time, I would give yourself at least one full day. If you’re adding multiple specialty experiences or want a more relaxed visit, consider making it a weekend.
Getting to Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is located in Goddard, Kansas, just west of Wichita, making it an easy addition to a Wichita itinerary.
If you’re flying in, the closest airport is Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT).
And one detail that I really appreciated about Tanganyika: parking is free!!!
Sometimes it’s the little things. You don’t have to worry about paying an additional parking fee once you arrive, which is always a win in my book.
A few things I would keep in mind before your Tanganyika visit:
☐ Book the experiences you really want to do ahead of time. If there are specific animal experiences on your must-do list, don’t wait until you arrive to book them. Many of the experiences can sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially during busy travel periods. Take a look at what’s available when you’re planning your trip and reserve your spots early. Book Here!
☐ Check the daily schedule when you arrive. There are feeding opportunities, keeper talks, demonstrations and other activities happening throughout the day, and the timing matters. For example, the lorikeet feeding happens every two hours, while the giraffe feeding is offered at specific times. A quick look at the schedule will help you plan your day and make sure you don’t accidentally miss something you wanted to see. Plan Here!
☐ Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You’re going to be walking, moving between habitats and potentially participating in hands-on experiences. Trust me, this is not the day to break in those cute but questionable shoes.
☐ Give yourself time to actually enjoy the park. You don’t have to rush from one experience to the next. Some of my favorite moments were the ones where we could slow down, watch the animals and just take it all in.
☐ Don’t feel like you have to do it all. There is already plenty to see and do with regular admission, so choose the experiences that genuinely excite you and build your day around those.
Unless, of course, you’re trying to have your own ALBA Ultimate Weekend. Then that’s a different story.
So, Is Tanganyika Worth the Visit?
After visiting twice, I can tell you that Tanganyika is one of those places where I understand why people come back. My second visit didn’t feel like a repeat of my first because there were still so many experiences I hadn’t done.
That’s probably my biggest takeaway.
You don’t have to do everything in one visit.
You can come for a day, explore the park, feed some animals, enjoy breakfast and lunch, and see what catches your attention. Or you can plan a full weekend around the experience and add some of the specialty animal encounters to your itinerary.
For me, the combination of the animal experiences, the feeding stations, the staff, the food being included and simply having so much to see and do is what makes Tanganyika stand out.
And clearly, I liked it enough to come back for round two.
Would I visit again?
Absolutely.
Because apparently, I still have more to see!!!
