The Hub City is one of Mississippi’s most vibrant communities and continues to shine a light on the state’s rich cultural offerings and family-friendly environment.
As Hattiesburg continues to evolve, the demand for education and entertainment increases, and what better way to enjoy both than a trip to a zoo that also boasts a brand-new water park? That’s exactly what folks in the Pine Belt area can experience with one stop at the Hattiesburg Zoo and its latest attraction — Serengeti Springs.
History
Kamper Park, where the zoo resides, is comprised of 40 acres and was donated in 1908 by John Kamper to the children of Hattiesburg to enjoy as a public park. At the time of the donation, the land was located on the outskirts of town but is now a heavily trafficked region of Hub City.
In 1950, the Hattiesburg Zoo opened and was placed on about 12 of the 40 acres. Over the last 72 years, the facility has evolved from the original park, which housed a minimal number of animal exhibits to a facility competing with zoos in other nearby cities such as New Orleans, La.
The Hattiesburg Zoo is now a viable attraction that welcomes more than 200,000 guests annually. The zoo is home to more than 100 species of animals and offers its guests a multitude of adventurous activities and various learning opportunities allowing visitors to better understand the importance of conservation and animal care.
In 2010, the Hattiesburg Convention Commission began managing the Hattiesburg Zoo and has continued expanding, creating, and acquiring new animal habitats, event spaces, dining opportunities, children’s play areas, animal care facilities, adventure opportunities, and a wide variety of animal species.
As visitors trek the easily navigable zoo and observe the animals, including a baby hyena and newborn zebra, they can also learn from experts around the park and stumble upon multiple chances to interact with the animals on-site.
Australian Wallaby Walkabout
Guests can envision a trip to the Land Down Under and experience some of the Australian Outback’s most well-known furry friends. Visitors can enjoy a petting-zoo-style attraction featuring wallabies, a Kunekune pig, and emus.
“Touch Africa” Petting Zoo
Another exhibit allows guests to interact with animals native to the continent of Africa. Species along the petting trail include Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Miniature Zebu, and Tunisian Sheep. Visitors will even have the opportunity to feed the docile creatures.
Giraffe Feedings
Guests are able to feed the friendly long-necked animals. Feedings take place daily at 11 a.m. with 15 spaces available for folks to interact with the giraffes. On warmer days, feedings take place outdoors. When temperatures cool off, feedings are held inside the giraffe’s barn. Feedings in the barn can accommodate eight guests, and all guests must be above 8 years of age and at least four feet tall.
The cost of feeding the giraffes is $5 per person.
Sloth experience
The Sloth Experience at the Hattiesburg Zoo allows guests to have a one-on-one experience with sloths on-site while affording staffers the opportunity to provide more educational information on the animal breed.
The 30-minute sloth experience accommodates 10 people at a cost of $50 per person and includes preparation of the sloths’ diet, feeding, and petting.
Guests participating in the interactive sloth encounter will also receive 20% off the purchase of sloth merchandise in the zoo’s gift shop. Participants under the age of 15 must have a paying adult accompany them for the experience. Sloth experiences take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. year-round.
High Ropes Adventure Course
A non-animal experience for visitors, especially children, to enjoy is the High Ropes Adventure Course — a four-story ropes course presenting challenging, yet enjoyable, obstacles to navigate from an elevated platform.
The course is open Friday through Sunday during operating zoo hours. Tickets are on sale for 30-minute increments.
Mining expedition
Another educational experience for young ones is the mining expedition. Visitors can mine for gems such as stones or other materials through bags of mining rough.
Bags of mining rough can be purchased at the High Ropes Adventure Course ticket booth.
Electric Train
All aboard! The Hattiesburg Zoo’s train came on board in February 2022 in partnership with Mississippi Power, allowing guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy the views of the park from the comforts of a slow-riding electric-powered vehicle.
Train tickets are $3 per person. Rides begin at 10:30 a.m. and the last train ride of the day is at 4:00 p.m.
Splash Pad
On hot summer days, the splash pad offers zoogoers, particularly children, to soak up the sunshine while also immersing themselves in the cooling entertainment center.
Cabanas by the splash pad, complete with shade and free WiFi, are available to rent.
Big Hub Playground
Both educational and recreational, the Big Hub Playground offers a giant mound shaped like an anthill for children to slide down, a “spider’s rope web” meant for climbing, and an oversized artificial snail shell perfectly positioned for snapping photos.
Carousel
A blast from the past for present and future enjoyment, the Hattiesburg Zoo’s carousel is a 1941 British-made Arrow Carousel, which used to travel throughout the country before landing in Hattiesburg. The spinning animal-themed platform originally made its home outside the zoo at Kamper Park but was moved to its current location in 2013 when it was refurbished.
Carousel tickets are $2 per person. Rides begin at 10:45 a.m. and the last ride of the day is at 3:45 p.m.
Food and Drink
If you get hungry while at the Hattiesburg Zoo, you’re in luck. The Safari Grill, centrally located in the park, offers burgers, pizzas, hot dogs, tenders, and even Pops Brothers popsicles for those with a sweet tooth.
Housed at the giraffe exhibit, Ladha’s Cantina & Overlook features typical menu items but also lists a pulled pork sandwich, smash burgers, meat pies, fried okra funnel cake fries, and multiple flavors of soft serve ice cream. The restaurant also serves domestic beers, wine, and cocktails.
Snow cone stands are on site seasonally. Beverage stations can be found throughout the park.
Hours and admission
The Hattiesburg is open from Friday through Sunday during the months of January and February with operating hours being 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the rest of the year, the zoo is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets purchased in advance online are $6 for children ages 2-12, $8 for adults, and $7 for senior citizens. For groups of 20 or more people, tickets bought in advance are $5 for children and $7 for all adults. Those looking to buy passes at the gate will be charged $8 for children, $10 for adults, and $7 for senior citizens. Gate admission for groups of 20 or more is $7 for children and $9 for all adults.
Children ages 2 and under always get into the zoo for free. Taxes are not included in the listed prices.
The following items are available for rent for those who visit the zoo.
- Single Stroller — $7
- Double Stroller — $8
- Wagon — $8
- Electronic Convenience Vehicles — $25
- Wheel Chair— Free
Serengeti Springs
Looking to cool off on a hot Mississippi summer day? Serengeti Springs at the Hattiesburg Zoo is Mississippi’s newest water park and offers a myriad of water-themed attractions to help guests beat the heat.
One of the water park’s largest attractions, the Fusion Fortress, features nine slides at varying heights. There are both straight and spiral slides, with one slide specifically named the “Serengeti Swirl.”
Additional features at Fusion Fortress
- A Lazy River
- Multiple water-play areas
- Two water bucket dump stations
- 19 spray toys on the Life Floor
Other amenities at the water park
- Restrooms with changing rooms, showers, and lockers
- A swim-up pool and bar
- Food trucks and concession stations
Cabanas
Shaded cabanas are on-site and available for rent. Guests can choose from three categories of cabanas: deluxe, deluxe-plus, and premium.
Deluxe cabanas serve up to six people and cost $69 to rent Monday through Thursday and $79 over the weekend. There are 18 deluxe cabanas on site that feature:
- Two sling chaise loungers
- Convertible table/bench
- Private safe
- Ceiling fan
- USB Charging Port
- Food and beverage service
Deluxe-plus cabanas offer more space than the ones listed above and are in slimmer supply as only two exist within the water park. The deluxe-plus cabanas cost $89 to rent Monday through Thursday and $99 over the weekend. These serve up to six guests and showcase:
- Two sling chaise loungers
- Convertible table/bench
- Private safe
- Ceiling fan
- USB charging port
- Food and beverage service
- Personal storage cabinet
Four premium cabanas sit within Serengeti Springs’ grounds and facilitate up to 12 guests. For $109 during the week and $119 on weekends, visitors can enjoy extra space, extra shade, and the following:
- Two sling chaise loungers
- Bar height table and four chairs
- Two sofas and a coffee table
- Private safe
- Storage cabinet
- Ceiling fan
- USB charging port and power outlet
- Food and beverage service
Hours and admission
Serengeti Springs is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost of admission Monday through Thursday is $23 for tickets purchased in advance online and $25 at the ticket booth. On Fridays and Saturdays, admission is $28 for passes purchased ahead of time and $30 in person.
The above article is one of eight stories that will be presented by SuperTalk Mississippi News throughout the summer months, highlighting some of the gems that make Mississippi a great place to live, work, and play.
