CONSTRUCTION BEGAN: December 2008
COMPLETION DATE: Spring 2009
CONTRACTORS: Kiewit Construction and Sky Trans, LLC
COST: $1.5 million
The Skyfari will run round trips only Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 3 p.m. from the Butterfly and Insect Paviliion platfrom. Skyfari will be closed Monday through Thursday. All rides are weather permitting
and will not operate if there is rain, snow, ice or if the forcast
states the high will not reach 50 degrees by 1 p.m.
Aerial Skyfari
Enjoy a new view of your Zoo! Visitors can enjoy the thrill of being lifted in an open-air chairlift to spectacular tree-top views, while traveling from the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion to Pachyderm Hill.
Guests soar over popular exhibits including the giraffe veldt, cheetah yard, Garden of the Senses, the lagoon, monkey island, elephants and rhinos before a gentle touchdown.
Skyfari has approximately 78 ski-lift-style chairs riding a system built to carry 780 riders per hour in each direction. Secured on towers rising up to 40 feet, the chairs are connected to nearly 3,200 feet of wire rope. Skyfari travels 200 feet per minute while most ski lifts travel 600 feet per minute. A round-trip ride takes a leisurely 20 minutes.
One-way ride: $2 per person
Round-trip ride: $4 per person
You must be at least 12 years old to ride Skyfari without an adult. Children under the age of 12 will be required to ride with an adult.