On a Sleeping Bag Safari, star gazing becoming sea star gazing. (Photo: Visit Omaha)
By Brianne Sanchez
“Sleeping with the fishes” typically carries dark connotations. But snoozing under the shark tunnel at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium? For some, that’s a dream come true.
During the zoo’s “Sleeping Bag Safari” programs, animal lovers as young as 4 (and adults channeling their inner Jane Goodall) can rough it for a night with various species from the animal kingdom. Great apes, penguins, sea lions and others occasionally accommodate Homo sapiens as temporary roommates after regular visiting hours. These mini adventures, which run from Saturday evening to Sunday morning, deliver the delights of “noctourism,” a travel trend toward unique after-dark experiences without the daytime crowds.
Expect “lock-in” novelty — not luxury. The experience is popular with scout troops and other large groups, but anyone can register for family-oriented and adults-only overnights across more than a dozen exhibits and designated camping areas. Pro tip: Bring your own bedding and an air mattress or cot if you don’t want to sleep on the floor. Tents are required in some locations. In others, it’s a race to claim sleeping space in the most interesting alcoves. If you’d like privacy and more premium amenities, “glamping” in the Scott African Grasslands is an upgrade, but don’t plan on showering. And if you’ve ever wondered, “Who snores louder: your spouse, or a Silverback gorilla?” this is your chance to settle it, once and for all.
On a recent expedition to Omaha from Des Moines, my 73-year-old mother and 10-year-old daughter made memories cuddling up near Zuri, a 6-year-old western lowland gorilla nesting just beyond the glass. After we unpacked, our zoo guide, Molly, took us on a small group tour of Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night, the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit. The exhibit is set up to mimic nighttime during the day, so animals can be seen out and about during visiting hours. This meant animals like aardvarks, bats, squirrel-like springhaas and wallabies were preparing to sleep just as we were also winding down. It was time for snacks and a screening of Disney’s “Tarzan” before lights-out around 11:30 p.m.
At the zoo, there’s no sleeping in. After a 6 a.m. wakeup call, our “keepers” fed us Pop-Tarts, granola bars, juice and coffee for breakfast at the education center. We visited Scott Aquarium before the gates officially opened for the day, then returned to Hubbard Gorilla Valley for an educational talk and the chance to say goodbye to Tambo, the silverback, and his family group.
The schedule closely followed a previous visit with my daughter’s Girl Scout troop, when we slept in the aquarium. (Our guides cautioned anyone with motion sickness to avoid bunking in the 70-foot shark tunnel.)
Sleeping-bag safari guests can linger for the full day, but we headed home for cat naps shortly after observing lion-sized yawns from those who’d been up past their bedtimes.
If you go
Family and small group safaris at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium put guests in proximity to wildlife and fellow humans. Offered on pre-scheduled dates, they focus on specific areas of the zoo. From Des Moines, the driving distance is about 2 hours and you can book reservations online.
Contributing writer Brianne Sanchez writes about the inspiring people and places in our dsm and ia magazines. You can also find her work in several People, Inc., publications and through outlets like Arts Midwest’s Creativity News Desk.
