Tangling with a Tiger at the Omaha Zoo!
If you’ve never been to the Himalayas, you will feel like you have when you visit the Omaha zoo’s Asian Highlands. One of the things that I like best about the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is the immersive nature of all the exhibits. Each area of the zoo is appropriately themed down to the animal enclosures. This includes one of my favorite exhibits - the Asian Highlands. You will really feel like you have been transported to the mountains of Asia when you enter this area.
In fact, the Asian Highlands was voted the best zoo attraction in the country based on USA Today’s annual survey for 2023. Plus, the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo was voted #1 zoo for the second year in a row. Can you say “AWESOME zoo?!?” It’s amazing!
Animals, plants and birds from Asia area are represented in the exhibits. In addition, when you walk into the Asian Highlands, you will see stone buildings and prayer flags fluttering at the entrance. The very first animal exhibit is the Red Panda and the Reeves’ Muntjac, two of my absolute favorite animals in the whole zoo. They are both absolutely adorable! Sometimes they like to hide though, so you may be able to spot them on the way back and not when you enter.
Hey, can you scratch that itch for me? 😉
Insider tip: The Asian Highlands is up a long, winding hill. There are some places to sit, so if you are not a fan of big hills, take things slowly and sit a bit every time there is an opportunity. There are some areas to sit along the way but there are not a plethora of benches like you will find in other areas of the zoo. The good news is that once you reach the top, it’s all downhill from there! 😉 Plus the trail is beautiful, with waterfalls, streams and lots of gorgeous plants and flowers. Coupled with the immersive theming, there is plenty to see and enjoy.
There are several other unique animals to see along the trail - takins, snow leopards (sometimes hard to spot), white-naped cranes, a rhinoceros, a sloth bear and some deer. And, of course, you can see one or more tigers! There is also a kids’ play area that’s called Froggy Forest with several smaller animals and places for kids to explore. There is a snack shop and several restrooms along the trail as well. I would bring snacks and plenty of water with you, though, in case the snack shop isn’t open all the time.
