A Zoo Unlike Any Other
In addition to the black sand beaches and active volcanoes nearby, just 30 minutes from our location in Volcano, you’ll find the only rainforest zoo in the United States. And best of all, it’s free! Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo takes its name after one of many forest preserves in the area, conveniently located just outside the Hilo city limits. Expanding over the last five decades from its original 2-acre footprint to now encompassing over 12 acres, local Hawaiian architects designed the zoo to incorporate the native flora, fauna, and jungle landscape into its layout.
A world away from other wildlife exhibits that can feel cramped and unnatural, the nearly 200 animals that call Pana’ewa home have ample space to roam and exist in an environment – quite literally, a rainforest – unlike any other zoo you’ve ever visited.
More Than Just a Zoo – Intimate Exhibits and World-Class Gardens
When you arrive at the zoo, flat and easy-to-navigate walkways lead you into the forest, surrounded by gorgeous ferns, palms, orchids, and other native plant species surrounding the path. Known as only a zoo for its first couple of decades, local groups like the Hilo Orchid Society contributed their expertise and transformed the lush terrain into a botanical garden.
Amongst this beautiful backdrop, you’ll come upon two tigers (with the cute names Tzatziki and Sriracha), always playful and captivating in their area. Other exhibits along the way house various monkeys, turtles, iguanas, alligators, and an impressive array of tropical birds, including macaws, vultures, and parrots. The zoo’s relatively small size makes it a rare opportunity to get an up-close and intimate look at these stunning animals in their natural habitat.
Planning Your Perfect Day Trip to Pana’ewa
Although the zoo is open every day from 10 am-3 pm, we recommend visiting earlier in the day when the animals are likely to be more active and engaged. And because you are visiting a rainforest, bring rain gear and layers with you, as the microclimate in Hilo can swing from sunshine to downpour (Hilo gets over 120 inches of rain annually!) within the span of an afternoon. If you visit on a Saturday, you’ll also get the unique experience of their weekly petting zoo, which is very popular and takes place from 1:30-2:30 pm.
Kids will love grabbing a souvenir from the gift shop, where proceeds go towards the upkeep of the facilities. You can also give donations to adopt an animal, including a photograph and description of your adopted animal, a certificate of adoption, and an explanation of how your donation will provide for your animal.
Reserve one of our “To Take on Your Hike” lunch bags, which includes sandwiches for two, snacks, wine, tropical fruit juice, and homemade cookies, and have a picnic at one of the many shaded pavilions spread throughout the zoo.
Reserve your stay with us and plan your visit to Pana’ewa, where rainforest, botanical gardens, and a zoo all converge in one!
