Starting today, October 1, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PALM DESERT / INDIAN WELLS, CA – Starting today, Friday October 1, the grounds of the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will open daily at 8 a.m. for members and non-members with full zoo amenities opening. at 9 o’clock. stays open until 5 p.m. with the last admission at 4 p.m.

The three Living Desert Unspoiled Nature Hiking Trails, Discovery Loop, Adventure Loop, and Wilderness Loop, will also reopen to guests and members at 8 a.m. on October 1. Although each trail offers different degrees of difficulty, they all offer beautiful views of the natural desert environment. Hikers must obey all posted signage and stay on designated trails as they are in a nature reserve. The trails, accessible with paid entry or with an annual subscription, are open every day, except Christmas Day, until May 31, 2022.

As of October 1, new hours are also scheduled for popular zoo activities. Giraffe meals are offered daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at an additional cost of $ 6 for members and $ 8 for non-members. Endangered Species Carousel rides are available 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily for $ 3 each way. Australian Adventures, featuring wallabies, emus, budgerigars and other land animals, waits for guests from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and is free with admission.

“We have so much to celebrate in the coming season and we are excited to announce the official opening of our Rhino Savanna on November 12,” said Allen Monroe, President / CEO of The Living Desert. “In addition to this exciting new habitat that showcases some of Africa’s most iconic species, we also look forward to the return of our favorite annual events.”

The new four-acre Rhino Savanna will be home to Jaali (pronounced Jolly) and Nia (pronounced Ny-a), two black rhinos, as well as African antelopes including klipspringer, springbok and waterbuck, as well as Cape vultures and a mole rat. naked, among others.

The following popular annual events are also returning to the zoo this season: Howl-O-Ween on October 30 and 31; WildLights certain evenings from November 23 to December 30; The Gran Fiesta in January; Fairy Tale and Frog Day on February 6; and Brew at the zoo in the spring.

Living Desert is open daily and advance reservations are required. For more information on The Living Desert and upcoming events, click here or call (760) 346-5694.