Loading

Thank You!

Zoofari raises integral support for the care and sustainability of almost 400 animal and 3,000 plant species, groundbreaking conservation efforts, and educational outreach programs.

Because of you...

Over 1 million dollars was raised for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden!

Let's Start our North American Adventure...

As guests arrived they walked the Green Carpet to have their welcome picture taken!

Special Thanks to Hauna Laine Photography for capturing all of the Zoofari arrivals!
Pop the Bubbly it's time for Zoofari!

As Cincinnati's see-and-be-seen event of the season, Zoofari 2023: Moonlit Mountains celebrated the upcoming North American habitats, Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast.

As part of the Zoo's mission to inspire every visitor with wildlife every day, we are focused on providing better homes for our animals. Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast are currently under construction as we work to create an immersive experience through sharing stories that reconnect our visitors to North American species and landscapes. These new habitats inspired our Zoofari theme!

Mouthwatering Bites from OVER 65 restaurants!

Bear-y good Libations

Entertainment through the moonlit mountains

thank you to our presenting Sponsor: Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. and Western & Southern Financial Group

Over 65 restaurants provided delicious bites for all of our guests!

This event would not be possible if it weren't for the participation of local restaurants. 100% of their time and food is donated. We are so grateful to each and every restaurant, we could not do this without you.
New this year were our Restaurant Hubs, Summit Pavilion and Base Camp! Both hubs featured over 10 restaurants in their area creating a unique stop along your dining experience path.

As Zoofari hikers trekked through the Zoo they came upon excitement at every turn...

Moose and Remus dressed for the occasion!

Elephants and hippos and gorillas, OH MY! From exotic animal encounters throughout the Zoo and enrichment chats at multiple habitats, guests were met with animal fun at every turn.

Otter-ly unbelievable experiences:

Over 100 guests hiked through Cat Canyon to experience a one of a kind Bourbon Trail experience. Three stations awaited them on their journey with a variety of Brain Brew Custom Whisk(e)y favorites to taste. Before venturing back out into the Zoofari night, their final destination on the trail was a drink of their favorite bourbon tasting or a specialty cocktail.

Bourbon Trail hikers were entered to win an exclusive behind-the-scenes hard hat tour of our upcoming North American habitats, Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast.

The Cougars enjoyed a special Brain Brew Bourbon themed enrichment in their yard during the event! Papier-mache bourbon glass and owls can be seen here!
24 Bourbon Barrels were sold throughout the Zoo stenciled with either the Zoofari or the Cincinnati Zoo logo!

Starry Silent Auction

Six unique silent auction packages were available for bidding! From Fiona paintings, behind the scenes experiences, exclusive dining and event tickets!

Genesis Diamonds Jewelry Raffle

Handcrafted in 14k white gold, this bespoke necklace embodies the constellation "Ursa Major" also known as "The Great Bear". Designed by Genesis Diamonds, this piece captures the spirit of "Moonlit Mountains" delicately, highlighting each individual star with brilliant cut round diamonds.

time to dance!

From Live Music to the Silent Disco, dancing under the stars at Zoofari is a must!

The Naked Karate Girls—brought the greatest party in the Galaxy to Zoofari!

Local to Cincinnati, NKG is a band of showmanship, charisma, and boundless energy that had Zoofari attendees packing the dance floor. A world class show live under the Moonlight that had everyone participating with great music, high energy, funny choreography, props and outfits!

Thank you NKG for bringing the fun to Zoofari!

Back again, the Silent Disco was the quietest dance party you've ever seen as Zoofari guests rocked out to the music only they could hear...

Special thank you to Ben Levin and Viva La Strings for providing live music throughout the evening!

Thank You to our Sponsors

Special Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. & western and Southern Financial Group!
Sponsors enjoyed suites in Vine Street Village, tables on Carousel Deck and the Mountain Lodge in Mai Tai's Market!
THANK YOU for joining us to experience the majesty of Moonlit Mountains throughout the Zoo! This year we are celebrating our future North American habitat—Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast. We can’t wait to have bears back at the Zoo and a fun new area where visitors will get up-close to watch sea otters eat, swim, and play! We are so grateful for our presenting sponsors—Western & Southern Financial Group and Fort Washington Investment Advisors and the many other sponsors who make Zoofari possible. There is so much adventure to look forward to at the Cincinnati Zoo! Your presence at Zoofari supports all of this and more. Your generosity brings everyone close enough to care about animals and the planet

- Thane Maynard, Zoo Director

Thank you to all of our AMAZING photographers for the evening, our Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden photographers Lisa Hubbard and Michelle Peters, Tony Bailey Photography, PPA, Hauna Laine and Rivertown Photobooths for capturing the fun!

Thank You!

Because of you, we had a TON of success, raising over $1,000,000 in support of the Cincinnati Zoo!

Sharing is caring! We would love for you to share this recap with your guests!