Monorail Safari at the Dallas Zoo

“The little birdies go tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet,

The elephant sounds the horn,

The crocodile snaps,

The children clap,

Welcome to the Dallas Zoo”

It’s summer, and that means that I am spending one day of each week at the Dallas Zoo, because my 2 oldest children volunteer in the Children’s Zoo.  This leaves plenty of time for my youngest and I to explore.  The zoo encompasses 106 acres, making it the geographically largest zoo in Texas, and a fun way to view it is on the Monorail Safari, which takes you high above the animals and to places you can’t access on foot.

 

The Monorail Safari offers a 2o minute narrated tour along a one mile long track.  Visitors ride in open cars with staggered seats, so everyone has a good view.

 

Located in the Wilds of Africa exhibit, as the name implies, all the animals on this side of the zoo are from Africa.  The majority of the animals on the tour are hoof stock, such as zebras, okapis, waterbucks and gazelles.  There are also many African birds, as well as chimpanzees, crocodile and caracals, a small wild cat that was once trained to hunt birds similar to the way we use bird dogs in this country.

 

The elevated monorail sits 20 to 30 feet above the ground, and puts you in the treetops as you travel along the tour.

 

Just as Africa is a continent of vastly different terrains and ecosystems, so is the route of the Monorail, taking your through mountains, deserts, woodlands and even a rainforest environment.  The Nubian Ibex here was happy to pose for picture.

 

The monorail is the only way you can see this lovely waterfall in the zoo.

 

Although not a thrill ride, it’s certainly exciting when we go under one of the waterfalls!

 

Tickets are $3/person, and purchased at the entrance to the monorail.  Children 2 and under are FREE and should sit in the lap of an adult, since it is an open ride.

 

It’s referred to as a monorail because it moves along one rail.  At 23 years old, the monorail is one of the icons of the zoo.  Unfortunately, there is talk of replacing it in the future, so don’t miss your chance to make memories while it’s still here.

My Mommy Tips:

• Restrooms are located right across from the ticket booth

The Dallas Zoo began operation in 1888 and moved to it’s current location in Marsalis Park in 1912.  Some of the original enclosures can be seen in Zoo North.

Other Things to do at the Dallas Zoo

 

Giraffe Feeding

For $5 you can feed the giraffes either crackers or lettuce leaves.  The staff rotates it out during the day to keep them interested.  Click HERE to read more about it.

 

The Safari Express is a trackless train located in ZooNorth.  It’s a fun ride for little kids.  Click HERE to read more about it.

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun! 

Michelle