Wichita is one of the best places to experience wildlife from around the world. There are many animal encounters to choose from at local zoos and parks. Here is a handful of our favorite places to visit for fantastic animal encounters in the Wichita area: more Rolling Hills Zoo For a chance to see some rare and exotic animals, head over to Rolling Hills Zoo. Big cats, primates, reptiles, birds — there are ample opportunities to see animals you've never seen before. Some of their rare creatures include the white rhinoceros and the Amur leopard. Let the kids loose in Kid's Country, the park's interactive domestic farm animal exhibit. You can also visit their Wildlife Museum to explore ecosystems from around the world and learn about places you may have never been. Their Overlook Restaurant has a full menu that can keep you and your family going during your visit. Rolling Hills' spring hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day from March 11 to May 28. During the summer, they open at 8 a.m. Admission is $13.95 for adults, $7 for children ages 3 through 12, and free for children 2 and under. Sedgwick County Zoo The Sedgwick County Zoo is the seventh largest zoo in the country and is home to over 3,000 animals from almost 400 species. Visit their massive elephant habitat, feed giraffes, hang out with penguins, and much more at Sedgwick. This zoo holds events throughout the day to give visitors the chance to see interactionswith animals and learn more about them. The park is split up into exhibits that feature continents' ecosystems, as well as species-specific habitats. Admission is free for children 2 and under, $11.95 for children ages 3 through 11, and $15.95 for adults. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tanganyika Wildlife Park This is one of the top-rated places to experience animal encounters and one trip shows why. Each visit to the park is a different one, due to their specials on "Experiences." You purchase tickets for these special events and exchange them for up-close-and-personal visits with sloths, okapi, penguins, animal meet and greets, animal painting, and much more. At Tanganyika, you create life-long memories with each visit. For the kids, they offer day, night, and summer programs to give them the chance to learn something new every day. Sign up the young ones for Tanganyika's summer safari camps and let them explore the world. On family trips, you can stop at the cafe and deli in the park for a quick bite during your visit. Tanganyika is open March 8-17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 to April 30, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May through Labor Day, the park will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $19.99 for adults, $14.99 for children ages 3 to 11, and free for children 2 and under. Take some time to explore Wichita's great animals and learn more about the world around you. Each of these places offers experiences that you won't find just anywhere. Let us know what your favorite animals and exhibits are. Image via Flickr by Chris Barker
