Offering a wildly unique experience, Tanganyika Wildlife Park is set-up to allow visitors to get up-close and personal with the resident animals. Through an array of animal encounters, you can feed, hold, and interact with everything from lemurs to tortoises. In addition to animal encounters, the park offers animal experiences, which allow you to get even closer to the animals, including penguins. When we say close, we mean it. You can swim with penguins in Kansas! Take a look:

Fun for the young and old alike, Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard has been dubbed the most interactive zoo in the Midwest.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Google
And it's not for nothing! At every turn in this massive park you have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, which is both educational and fun.
Worthy of its title, it’s the only place in the US with an interactive ring-tail lemur island. Furthermore, it’s the only place where you can feed Indian rhinos and pygmy hippos.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Facebook
It’s also one of the few places in America where you can swim with penguins!
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Facebook
That's right! These adorable creatures aren't just for observing, you can learn a thing or two about flippers and waddling from them first hand.
During the unique interactive experience, you’ll get to hop into the pool with 2 or 3 of the resident penguins.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Facebook
Don't feel underdressed, these tuxedo-wearing water lovers take guests as they come.

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You’ll even have the opportunity to touch them.
twpark.com
Penguins can be very friendly because their major predators (sharks, whales, etc) all live in the ocean. On land or in pools with humans they feel much safer.
Participants must be 7 years of age and up. Any participants under 9 years of age must have a paid adult swimmer accompany them.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Facebook
No matter how old you are when you participate in this activity, you're likely to walk away with some new animal friends.
Visitors can paddle with the park’s penguins May through October. The cost is $150 per person, which seems high at first. But, it is an incredibly rare opportunity, which is sure to result in lifelong memories.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Facebook
Remember, reservations are required and can be made on the park’s website.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park/Facebook
Be sure to check out the park's other experiences, like their splash pad and dining options, while you're on site.

 

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is open seasonally, and you can view hours and other information on the website, linked below. Please remember that the zoo closes from time to time for special events, so make sure to verify it’s open prior to your visit. For more information, call (316) 794-8954. You can also visit the Tanganyika Wildlife Park website or Facebook page.

Did you know about this incredible interactive animal experience? Have you personally experienced it? If so, what’d you think? Let us know in the comments section below, we love hearing your firsthand accounts of unique experiences, and this one is pretty hard to top!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Zoos In Kansas

CC | May 02, 2023

What are other zoos should I visit in Kansas?

This is a particularly special experience, but after you’ve swum with the penguins, check out these other zoos in Kansas.

  • Sunset Zoo - 2333 Oak St., Manhattan, KS
  • Rolling Hills Zoo - 625 N Hedville Rd., Salina, KS
  • David Traylor Zoo - 75 Sodens Rd., Emporia, KS
  • Hutchinson Zoo - 6 Emerson Loop, Hutchinson, KS
  • Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo - 2123 Main St., Great Bend, KS

 

What natural landmarks should I visit in Kansas?

After perusing these fabulous zoos, take a stroll through these beautiful natural landmarks in Kansas. You can view the natural wildlife and enjoy the lush greenery while participating in a family-friendly hike. Maybe throw in a picnic as well!

  • Rock City
  • Four-State Lookout
  • Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area
  • Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
  • Great Plains Nature Center
  • Cimarron National Grassland
  • Chalk Pyramids
  • Flint Hills Nature Trail
  • Little Jerusalem
  • Horsethief Trail at Kanopolis Lake State Park

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