Scavenger Hunts at The Phoenix Zoo

  • private
  • adults
  • outdoor

The Wild Wildlife Scavenger Hunt

Wild animals—and their even wilder secrets

That’s what you’ll discover on scavenger hunts at this zoo in Phoenix’s Papago Park. Your team will follow clues and search for answers to tricky, humorous questions to uncover the most amazing and amusing aspects of a magnificent menagerie of animals—from the most delicate butterflies to the sturdiest elephants.

You’ll compare your neck with a giraffe’s on the savanna, scavenge for facts about vultures along the Arizona Trail, scorn lazy male lions, learn what makes a rhino retreat on the Africa Trail, book a Tropical Flight with colorful birds, meet the swingin’ “People of the Forest,” and find out what keeps flamingoes in the pink on the Tropics Trail. And those are just a few of the challenges that lie ahead for your team.

You might answer such questions as…

  • At the elephant enclosure, meet a massive country star. What condition might a bad eye doctor mistakenly diagnose her with? Answer: Reba the elephant has pink coloration around her eyes, so pink eye.
  • What dubious compliment might you give to an especially tall, attractive member of this species? Answer: The maned wolf is sometimes called a “fox on stilts.”
  • Find an amphibian that might give Congress a huge headache. What can you expect it to give you after it screams? Answer: Budgett’s Frog will deliver a “fierce bite” after emitting a harsh scream.

No knowledge of the Phoenix Zoo or its wild things is necessary to play or to win: you just need to keep your eyes open, use your wits, and collaborate with your teammates. The hunt also includes Team Photo Challenges that spur creativity and bonding.

Care to play zoo sleuth? The Murder Mystery Mayhem Scavenger Hunt adds a deadly puzzle for your team to solve and a code that you must crack.

Contact us to learn more—and find more fun in Phoenix!


  • private
  • adults
  • kids
  • teens
  • outdoor

The Murder Mystery Mayhem at the Zoo Scavenger Hunt

Beware: there’s a killer behind that panda…

Your perfectly delightful team-building outing to the zoo is about to be spoiled: someone in your group is plotting to feed you to the lions, or have you hugged by a cobra, or perhaps sat on by a hippo. Because this person—possibly on your own team—is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde.

This person now challenges you to prevent your own murder. Everyone in your group was fed a deadly venom with your lunch, and the clock is ticking down on your time left to live. To save yourselves and get the antidote, all you have to do is reveal the killer’s identity.

Easy, right? Not so fast: the killer has hidden their identity in a series of puzzles that are part of a scavenger hunt at the zoo. Your team must solve a series of interlocking puzzles, decipher coded messages, and meet the conditions of tricky photo challenges around the zoo.

Along the way, your team might…

  • Play monkey see, monkey do with a monkey.
  • Blend in with an animal known for camouflage.
  • Tackle a trivia quiz about famous murder mysteries.
  • Identify snippets of songs that feature animals.
  • Twist, and maybe shout, with snakes.

If your group loves escape-room games, they’ll love this zoo scavenger hunt. The game will also help you solve the mystery of how to entertain a diverse group of people while boosting morale and teamwork. It’s perfect for a private party or a corporate team-building outing of any size.

A Kids Edition is also available, in which kids age 7 and up work with adults. It’s a great activity for a school field trip, a birthday party, a family reunion, you name it.

What delighted clients are saying

“Everyone had a great time at the hunt! We are all still talking about it.” —an electrical engineer whose group played the game at the Houston Zoo

“A HUGE THANK YOU. Everyone had a BLAST and your hosts were FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for another great event!!” —an office coordinator in Los Angeles

“We had an amazing time and will be in touch for the next hunt we’d like to do in the near future! Tokia [the hunt host] was amazing, and we’d love to work with her again!!!” —an organizer for a group in Washington, DC

PLUS check out Watson Adventures on Google to see hundreds of 5-star reviews from delighted clients!

The hunt’s afoot! Contact us to learn more—and find more team-building fun at the zoo!


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