Omaha trip

branta68

Member
10+ year member
I am making a trip to Omaha zoo in upcoming weeks. I really hope to see the blue monkey, potto, aye-aye and brush tailed porcupine. I would like any advice on how to male that happen. Any and all tips or advice would be appreciated. I also plan on seeing other zoos in the area if time allows so any suggestions would also be appreciated.
 
Although locals and @snowleopard can help you much better with this issue, I allow myself to give you some suggestions (as well):
-First: You need AT LEAST an entire day for the visit. The zoo is big, for some maybe huge and has a great variety of species. So - if possible - plan for 2 days.
-If it is already crowded at the gates on opening time, visit the zoo clockwise, beginning with Desert Dome
-If it isn't crowded and if there is nice weather/sunshine, go counter clockwise thru the "Africa section" to the lions, take the skyfari back and do the "Africa section" again.
-Unless you are a train-fan, skip the "Omaha Train". You wan't see that much (animals).
-If you are hungry, I recommend the Thrulsen African Lodge adjacent to the elephant exhibit. Good food (on zoo level!;)) and nice view.
-Skip the Childrens Adventure Trail if you haven't enough time left.

Ref. nearby zoological institutions:
It depends how far you would like to travel from Omaha.
Lincoln Children's Zoo and Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park are up to an hour away (just passed them by driving back but did not visit them). The next big(ger) zoo will be in Kansas City, which I guess is at least 3 hours away.
 
Just got back from Omaha a little over a week ago. Some tips.

The skyfari currently only does full loops from near the entrance. You cannot get off in Africa. Seconding that you need at least a day and a half. The blue monkey is in Lied Jungle. They are not signed. They’re in a semi-opaque, unsigned exhibit between the tapir and howler monkeys if I remember correctly. The potto and aye-aye are in nocturnal house lightning but shouldn’t really give you any trouble to see. Porcupine was seen one day and not the other for me. Was probably just sleeping behind a tree. I would recommend going to Kingdoms of the Night both days for a second stab at the rarities.

The other zoological attractions in the area aren’t really worth your time unless you’ve never been to a safari park before and are fascinated by the concept. I should have species lists for Lincoln Children’s Zoo and Lee G. Simmons up this weekend.

I would recommend spending 2-3 hours at the Durham Museum, especially if you’re going before the temporary Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and Jane Goodall exhibits leave. Can then kill some time afterwards in the excellent nearby park. Please note that it is a pain to reach the Durham Museum on foot and parking appeared to be free.
 
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