On our recent trip to Naples, Florida, we visited the Naples Zoo. I was ready for an average zoo experience, considering how many zoos that I have been to in my life. Thankfully, this was NOT my average zoo experience.
Let me start by saying I have never encountered staff at a zoo that were quite so friendly and engaging. Everyone really seemed to love their job, adore animals, and were very knowledgeable. They made the day better!
The set up was almost like a nature walk. There were so many trees, flowers, and walkways. It was all so beautiful.
So pretty!
As we walked along the beautifully landscaped trails, we encountered so many animals: lions, tigers, elephants, zebras, bears, cheetahs, alligators, fosa, various birds, wallaby, various species of antelopes, leopards, and much more! Oh, and if you are wondering what a fosa is, they are a cat species from Madagascar. They are the very same species featured in the animated film, Madagascar!
Such a beautiful Macaw!
Cheetahs are my absolute favorite! I love them! Just look at that face! <3
There were a lot of big ones! Scary!
We also went on a very fun “Primate Expedition Cruise”, and saw some amazing primate species! We saw Siamangs, White-handed gibbons, Black-handed spider monkey, Ring-tailed lemurs, White-fronted lemurs, and buff-cheeked gibbons. We learned quite a bit, and again, the love of animals and passion for her job was evident in the excited and informative narrative of our driver!
White-fronted lemurs.
This buff-cheeked gibbon was making sure we did not get too close! He is is very protective of his woman!
My favorite part of the day was when my girls got to hand feed the giraffes. The staff was so much fun and very kind! We had a blast! I am in love with giraffes after this experience. They are such gentle and sweet creatures!
Can you see the big purple tongue in the left picture!? WOW! My girls really enjoyed this experience!
Just look at that beautiful face! So pretty!
We really had such an amazing time at the Naples Zoo in Naples, Florida. It is very educational, and a must see if you are ever in the Naples area. As a homeschooling mom, I found the educational aspect to be above par. So much information, and exciting things to see–A definite must for families!
When you go, make sure that you check out the shaved ice by the giraffe feeding exhibit. So many yummy flavors!
We will definitely visit the Naples Zoo again some day soon! It’s so worth it!
Stephanie Person says
February 20, 2014 at 1:18 pmThis looks like it was a blast! The weather looks fantastic to me too.. I’m in Chicago :(
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says
February 20, 2014 at 1:22 pmHow fun! We’ve driven by it a million and one time and always wondered if it was worth it. I think we’ll have to check it out next time we go down with our boys!
Mandi says
February 20, 2014 at 1:50 pmI cannot wait for some warmer weather so we can get to the zoo! I miss it!
HilLesha says
February 20, 2014 at 1:55 pmWow, such fantastic shots! :)
Lisa McCrory Johnston says
February 20, 2014 at 3:39 pmOH WOW!!! Such beautiful photos. I loooooved the macaw until I saw the giraffe! That’s my favorite. how fun!!
Cat Davis says
February 20, 2014 at 3:48 pmI’m gonna bookmark this. We’re going to be close to Naples in September and this would be a great break from the beach.
Nikki says
February 20, 2014 at 4:17 pmWow! Your pictures are fantastic!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
February 20, 2014 at 5:02 pmI didn’t realize Naples had a zoo! I’m totally going to go next time I’m down that way! I really like what you showed here.
Nicole Brady says
February 20, 2014 at 5:14 pmThose are fantastic photos! I love going to the zoo. Our latest was the St. Louis Zoo… amazing!
Beeb Ashcroft says
February 20, 2014 at 6:04 pmWhat a beautiful zoo – gorgeous photos you got!
Robyn says
February 20, 2014 at 8:21 pmLooks like a really nice zoo. We love when we get a chance to feed the giraffes at our zoo.
Digna D. says
February 20, 2014 at 8:45 pmSounds like so much fun! This is my kind of trip. I love zoo’s, aquariums, anything animal or nature related.
Melissa says
February 20, 2014 at 10:33 pmWow, what incredible pictures!
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says
February 20, 2014 at 11:06 pmYour photos are great! I always like going to zoos whenever I go to a new place.
Eliza Ferree says
February 21, 2014 at 8:17 amThese are fabulous photos and it looks like you had a great time. I’m not sure if it is the shots or what but you seemed really close up to the animals. I love zoos but I love the areas where you can actually feed them the best, it is amazing watching the interaction with younger ones with them. I’m currently no where near a zoo and for the first time in years I won’t be visiting one this summer. ;(
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
February 21, 2014 at 9:51 amOhhh I have been to Naples a few times for meetings – but have never been to the zoo! That looks beautiful!
Mommy Has A Life says
February 21, 2014 at 9:55 amHOW FUN!! We will have to make the trip to the Naples Zoo soon!
Rebecca Orr says
February 27, 2014 at 2:44 pmThe macaw is beautiful! You got some amazing shots! If i ever get to Naples, we will have to check this out!
Cayce Thomas says
February 27, 2014 at 4:46 pmThis makes me excited for summer and outdoor activities!!!
Natalie says
February 27, 2014 at 4:50 pmWow, what beautiful pictures. It looks like you had an amazing time!
Shannon says
July 27, 2014 at 10:19 pmThis sounds so fun. Thank you for your review.
Katie H says
August 1, 2014 at 9:08 pmOh wow, that looks like a great zoo! Love that its educational too!
Kelly Faber says
August 3, 2014 at 10:45 pmWhat a nice zoo…looks like you had a great time! I miss the zoo…haven’t been to mine in some time now! You took some great pictures! And that MACAW! What beautiful colors….Thank you for sharing! :)
Dandi D says
August 4, 2014 at 2:14 pmOur family really enjoys visiting various zoos. This one might be a little too far away for us though.
Tina says
August 16, 2014 at 10:00 pmI love visiting zoos. they are so fun
Linda Manns Linneman says
August 17, 2014 at 10:34 pmWe live only a couple of hours from there and I never knew there was a zoo. This looks so nice. I will have to take my grandkids. Thank you so much for sharing
RANDY FULGHAM says
August 18, 2014 at 7:30 amlooks like a rea nice zoo–its a once a year adventure for me and my grand-kids to go to the dallas zoo…
Christina Kelbel says
September 7, 2014 at 4:17 pmVery nice pics. It’s always nice when the staff seems to love their job.
John says
September 7, 2014 at 11:51 pmEverytime we visit my inlaws we always say we’ll check out the Naples Zoo. Now we definitely have to go!
Chandria Taylor says
September 16, 2014 at 11:03 amThat looks like so much fun! As many time as I have been to Fl, i have never gone to the zoo! i have to check this out!
Rosie says
October 22, 2014 at 12:26 pmI’ve been to Naples but didn’t realize they have a zoo! If I’m going there again, I want to try the Primate Expedition Cruise!!!
Shelly Johnson says
October 28, 2014 at 7:29 pmOur family loves going to the Zoo. Unfortunately there is only one anywhere close to us, The Riverbanks Zoo, in Columbia, SC. It is a fantastic zoo, but after a dozen plus trips, it just always feels the same. We are trying to plan a trip for next Summer with the kids, and Florida was one of our ideas. I know my daughter would love the giraffes! I will have to check this out online :)
Stephanie Fugatt says
November 6, 2014 at 10:46 pmBeautiful pictures! I’ve always wanted to take my family there!
Maria Iemma says
November 12, 2014 at 4:15 pmI took my grand kids to the Naples Zoo when I visited them last summer. Thank you for bringing back sweet memories.
Trish F says
November 29, 2014 at 12:05 pmThat looks like a nice zoo and I never knew that a lemur is a primate. I would love to talk my husband into a trip to Florida after the holidays. The flora and fauna down there is something you don’t see in the snow crusted north. Thanks for sharing.
Tania B says
December 9, 2014 at 1:25 pmWow, this looks like a beautiful zoo experience. Reminds me that I need to get to my local zoo soon too!
Randy Fulgham says
December 11, 2014 at 5:54 pmlooks like ya had a real good time at the zoo–i would like to bring ny grand-kids to naples some day to go there….
Dandi D says
December 12, 2014 at 7:48 amThe pictures are stunning–what a fun place!
M.Clark says
December 14, 2014 at 12:40 amIt sounds like you had a great time and I can see why. The Naples Zoo looks beautiful, i love the tree lined walkway in the photo above. This is probably why the employees are all so happy and friendly, if I worked in such a beautiful place I would enjoy going to work as well. The next time I am in the area I will definitely visit Naples Zoo. Thank you for sharing this review.
Sarah L says
December 18, 2014 at 2:33 amYou got some great photos. We have a good zoo here in Denver, but no palm trees…