Scavenger hunts at The San Francisco Zoo

  • 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!


  • private
  • adults
  • kids
  • outdoor

The Wild Wildlife Scavenger Hunt at the San Francisco Zoo

Revealed: amazing animals and their startling secrets

View the zoo anew as you follow a trail of clues and search for curious creatures and amazing facts on this team-building trek. You’ll track down answers to tricky questions that lead your team to uncover the most entertaining and unusual aspects of the animals. 

Discover the answers to such questions as…

  • Can you donate blood to a gorilla?
  • Which penguins raised a badass celebrity?
  • What should you expect when you French kiss an anteater?
  • What can you give a frozen lemur?
  • Would you be happy if your spouse acted like a Great Rhea?
  • How does a giant waxy monkey help an Amazonian get high?
  • On a date, what Californian can literally lose his head and yet still score?

You don’t need to know anything about the zoo or its lions, tigers, and bears to score points—and even to win. You just need sharp eyes, comfy shoes, and a sense of adventure.

Along the way, you’ll need to get creative for the Team Photo Challenges, which often require you to interact with the animals—from a distance, of course. (Don’t try to pet the tiger.)

Kids Edition available: Kids can get in on the fun on a version designed for them to enjoy with adults. It makes for a terrific school field trip, camp outing, or birthday party. Recommended for ages 7 and up. 

Contact us to learn more about our San Francisco Zoo scavenger hunts—and find more fun in the Bay Area!


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