Tanganyika Wildlife Park

What Tanganyika Wildlife Park does

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is an interactive zoological park located in Goddard, Kansas (near Wichita), founded in 1985 as a private breeding facility for rare and endangered animals by Jim and Sherri Fouts and opened to the public on August 2, 2008. The park currently houses over 500 individual animals across 100+ species, including 21 endangered species, and is accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) and certified by Global Humane. Tanganyika differentiates itself through hands-on animal experiences — including what it describes as the only place in the United States where guests can swim with African penguins — and facilitated 483,000 "wow moments" (animal interactions) in 2023, roughly 16x the industry average of approximately 30,000 interactions per year at comparable facilities. The park participates in 13 managed species survival breeding programs with other zoological institutions.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer business model with no third-party resellers. Core revenue streams include tiered admission (Single Day Pass $99.99-$149.99; Best Day Bundle $319.99-$369.99; Ultimate Weekend Experience at $2,408 per person), annual Season Passes ($199.99 Standard, $449.99 Premium, both sold out for 2026), premium animal experiences ($10-$500 per add-on), event hosting (weddings from $7,500 to $10,750, corporate packages from $47/person to a $80,000 full-park buyout for up to 5,000 guests), food and beverage (bundled into admission with alcohol upgrades), on-site lodging (Hawkins Estate plus two new 2026 properties), merchandise (including Mars-themed goods via Shopify), and education programs (Jr. Zookeeper Camp, field trips, Zoo to You outreach). In 2025, the park transitioned to an all-inclusive destination pricing model with daily attendance caps. Mars, a pygmy hippo born June 26, 2025, went viral in August 2025 and has become a global brand ambassador, anchoring a planned Mission Mars feature documentary premiering in Wichita in early July 2026.

Underlying technology is exclusively third-party SaaS: Rocket Rez for ticketing (pos.twpark.com), Lodgify for lodging, LeadConnector for email capture, RallyUp for fundraising campaigns, and Shopify for merchandise. The company has 11-50 disclosed employees (likely head office only, with substantial seasonal workforce), is privately owned by the Fouts family, and does not receive government funding. Tanganyika generated nearly 60% of daily admission from out-of-town visitors in disclosed periods, indicating a destination brand rather than a purely local attraction.

Name

Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Legal name

Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Website

https://twpark.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is a privately held interactive zoological park in Goddard, Kansas, offering all-inclusive admission and hands-on animal experiences — including the only U.S. African penguin swim — to families, tourists, corporate groups, and wedding clients. It operates via direct-to-consumer ticketing across multiple product tiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Park / Zoological Attraction

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Interactive wildlife park
• Animal encounter experiences
• Zoo admissions and memberships
• Wedding and corporate events
• Wildlife conservation education

Headquarters

HQ city

Goddard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Single-day and multi-day park admission tickets sold directly to consumers, including all-inclusive food, beverages, and animal feedings. Single Day Pass from $99.99 to $149.99; Best Day Bundle from $319.99 to $369.99; Ultimate Weekend at $2,408 per person. Locals discount of 40% available for residents of surrounding counties.
2. Season Passes: Annual season pass memberships with unlimited visits, ranging from Standard ($199.99) to Premium ($449.99). Season passes include snack and drink perks, guest discounts, member-only events, and premium pass includes unlimited meals and reciprocal access to other ZAA zoos across the country.
3. Premium Animal Experiences: Additional-cost add-on experiences including Penguin Swim, Otter Swim, Big Cat Feeding Adventure, Sloth Behind-the-Scenes, Pygmy Hippo Family Meet & Greet, and more. Experiences range from approximately $10 to $500 per person depending on the offering. Best Day Bundle includes two signature experiences; Ultimate Weekend includes ten.
4. Food, Beverage, and Alcohol Sales: Food and non-alcoholic beverages are included in admission. Alcohol (domestic beer, wine, frozen drinks) is included at a basic level with admission (2 drinks per adult). Premium beverage packages including imported/craft beer, cocktails, and slushies are available as upgrades. The Thirsty Sloth bar serves alcoholic beverages on-site.
5. Event Hosting (Weddings and Corporate): Venue rental for weddings and corporate events. Wedding packages start at $7,500 and the flagship Out of Africa Package is priced at $10,750. Corporate day packages from $47/person to full buyout at $80,000 for up to 5,000 guests. Animal ambassador appearances are available as add-ons.
6. Merchandise: On-site gift shop selling books, clothing, educational toys, souvenirs, and Mars-themed merchandise. Mars merchandise is sold through the official Shopify store (tanganyika-wildlife-park-online.myshopify.com) and at the park.
7. Lodging: On-site and partner lodging including Hawkins Estate luxury 5-bedroom estate on park grounds, Uncle Dave's House, and Grandma Sherri's Casita. Hotel partnerships with Hampton Inn, Courtyard Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, and Hotel at Old Town offer discounted rates for Tanganyika guests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is an all-inclusive interactive zoological park in Goddard, Kansas, that sells admission tickets (Single Day Pass, Best Day Bundle, Ultimate Weekend Experience) and annual memberships bundled with unlimited animal feedings, meals, beverages, and access to signature hands-on animal experiences such as the U.S.'s only penguin swim. It supplements admissions with on-site lodging, weddings, corporate events, education programs, merchandise, and a viral pygmy hippo (Mars) fan community anchored by the Mission Mars documentary.

Product overview

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is an interactive zoological park in Goddard, Kansas, offering an all-inclusive wildlife experience centered around hands-on animal encounters. The core offering consists of tiered admission products (Single Day Pass, Best Day Bundle, Ultimate Weekend Experience) and annual memberships (Season Pass, Premium Season Pass). The park distinguishes itself through signature animal experiences including the only place in the U.S. to swim with penguins, otter swims, sloth encounters, pygmy hippo meet & greets featuring Mars, and big cat feeding adventures. Additional revenue streams include on-site lodging (Hawkins Estate, Uncle Dave's House, Grandma Sherri's Casita), event hosting (weddings starting at $7,500, corporate events, birthday parties at $600), educational programs (Jr. Zookeeper Camp, field trips, outreach), and the Mars Mission Control fan community with merchandise. The park also produces original documentary content including the 'Mission Mars' feature documentary. Tanganyika Falls Splash Park provides seasonal water park attractions included with admission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tanganyika Wildlife Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting exotic and endangered animal conservation and education efforts locally and around the world
• Tanganyika Falls Splash Park
• Mission Mars
• Hawkins Estate
• Luna's Canteen
• The Thirsty Sloth

Products and services

• Single Day Pass General admission ticket to Tanganyika Wildlife Park, including unlimited animal feedings at 8+ stations, unlimited breakfast, lunch, snacks, and fountain drinks, plus 2 alcoholic beverages per adult; reservations required.
• Best Day Bundle All-inclusive single-day admission plus two signature animal experiences, including all dining and beverage benefits.
• Ultimate Weekend Experience

Quantifiable outcome

• 483,000 animal interactions ('wow moments') facilitated in 2023 — approximately 16x the industry average of 30,000 interactions per year at comparable facilities.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zoological Association of America (ZAA)coreOthersTanganyika is accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), meeting standards for animal care, conservation, education, and facility operations. Premium season pass holders receive free reciprocal admission to other ZAA-accredited zoos across the country (over 60 facilities). Tanganyika participates in 13 managed breeding programs with other ZAA-accredited institutions and private owners.
• American Humane AssociationcoreOthersTanganyika Wildlife Park is certified by American Humane's Global Humane Certified Zoos and Aquariums program, demonstrating adherence to animal welfare and humane treatment standards.
• Dyer Island TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDyer Island Trust in South Africa is cited as the park's favorite conservation organization for African penguins. The park supports Dyer Island Trust's work building artificial nests for penguins. Conservation corner content on the penguin swim page directs guests to support Dyer Island Trust.
• IBREAM (Bending the Curve Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mission Mars documentary features a deep dive into IBREAM's 'Bending the Curve' program, which focuses on forest conservation in Côte d'Ivoire for pygmy hippos. Tanganyika's Mars serves as an ambassador supporting IBREAM's conservation mission. The documentary explores how a wildlife park in Kansas connects to forest preservation in West Africa.
• Giraffe Conservation FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTanganyika partners with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to raise funds for giraffe tracking, supporting researchers and lawmakers in establishing protected areas. The park also submits giraffe height measurements to Wild Nature for comparison with data on wild giraffes.
• Hampton Inn (Goddard)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHampton Inn near Tanganyika offers a 15% discount to Tanganyika guests (booking code 0003294497). The hotel is connected to Genesis Fitness centers and features Blast Off Bay indoor waterpark. Tanganyika recommends this hotel to out-of-town visitors.
• Courtyard Marriott Wichita at Old TownminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCourtyard Marriott Old Town offers a 15% discount to Tanganyika guests. Located in Wichita's historic district near dining and entertainment. Tanganyika guests receive preferential rates.
• Holiday Inn Express Wichita AirportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHoliday Inn Express at Wichita Airport (1 mile from airport) offers a 10% discount to Tanganyika guests with free airport shuttle service. Convenient option for travelers flying into Wichita.
• Hotel at Old Town WichitaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHotel at Old Town offers a 10% discount to Tanganyika guests. Located in the Old Town entertainment district with studios featuring kitchens. Tanganyika promotes this as a nearby lodging option.
• Camp Bow Wow GoddardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCamp Bow Wow, a 5-minute drive from Tanganyika, offers Tanganyika guests a free first day of dog daycare (interview required) for visitors who bring their dogs. Call-ahead booking required. Addresses the need for pet care while visiting the park.
• CoFellow CoffeeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoFellow Coffee, a locally owned roaster and coffee house near the park, is featured as a recommended local business. The park's gift shop also serves CoFellow Coffee, supporting local vendors as part of Tanganyika's community engagement.
• Tanganyika Wildlife FoundationcoreOthersThe Tanganyika Wildlife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting exotic and endangered animal conservation and education efforts locally (via Tanganyika Wildlife Park) and around the world. The foundation accepts donations to support the park's mission, Mars' care fund, and global conservation programs. Donations can be directed to the fund for Mars' birthday (go.rallyup.com/marsbirthday).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Disney's Animal Kingdom: Large theme park blending Disney-grade theming with animal habitats, conservation messaging, and premium add-on tours (Wild Africa Trek, Caring for Giants). Comparable on entertainment-plus-wildlife blending and premium upsell architecture.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: SeaWorld-owned theme park combining thrill rides with animal habitats and premium experiences. Comparable to TWP across the animal-experience, event-hosting, and seasonal pass revenue mix, though at much larger scale.
• SeaWorld Orlando: Larger marine/animal theme park operator offering premium animal encounters, all-inclusive add-ons, and event hosting. Comparable on revenue mix (gate, experiences, F&B, events) and on the parent of TWP's model inspiration (Discovery Cove).
• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: One of the world's premier destination zoos, drawing multi-state visitors. Comparable to TWP on destination appeal, animal interaction programming, and breeding/conservation mission, but at much larger scale and broader exhibit breadth.
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Destination wildlife park famous for premium animal experiences (cheetah run, safari tours, behind-the-scenes). Comparable on experiential premium positioning, conservation/breeding programs, and destination-tourism draw.

Regional players

• Denver Zoo: A similarly-sized regional zoo with comparable conservation programming and member-based revenue. Operates in a different regional market but at overlapping scale, membership model, and educational programming.

Direct peers

• Discovery Cove Orlando: SeaWorld-owned, all-inclusive day resort in Orlando where guests pay a flat premium for unlimited animal interactions, meals, and drinks in a capacity-capped format. TWP explicitly cites Discovery Cove as the inspiration for its 2025 all-inclusive model, making it the closest direct comparability anchor.
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Mid-sized U.S. zoo that similarly emphasizes hands-on animal encounters (penguin, sloth, giraffe feedings) and premium add-on experiences. Closest U.S. peer in scale and interaction-first positioning to TWP.
• Sedgwick County Zoo: The largest zoo in Kansas, located in nearby Wichita. It is TWP's most direct local competitor for regional family visits, school field trips, and corporate outings in the same Wichita-metro catchment.

Emerging players

• Branson's Promised Land Zoo / Dogwood Canyon: Smaller, privately owned Midwestern animal park known for hands-on animal encounters and lodging packages. Closely comparable on family-focused hands-on positioning, premium experience pricing, and lodge/cabin revenue mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TanganyikaWildlifePark
• Facebookfacebook.com/tanganyikawildlifepark
• Instagraminstagram.com/tanganyikawildlifepark
• TikToktiktok.com/@tanganyikawildlifepark?
• Xx.com/TanganyikaPark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tanganyika-wildlife-park

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tanganyika Wildlife Park