Overview

The Branson Promise Land Zoo located in Branson, MO is the only zoo I have visited that has a drive thru option. My visit was June 2021 during the middle of summer, and it was hot. Being able to have the drive thru option available was the best of both worlds. I still got to enjoy the zoo and stay cool. Something to consider when planning your trip and what the weather will be like. The zoo is smaller and took about an hour to get through beginning to end.

Getting There

Getting to the zoo was easy. Let the GPS do the hard work. If you are staying in Branson, it’s a five-to-ten-minute drive and near Downtown Branson. Parking is small and limited. Their ticket prices vary based on age and membership package. One adult is $22.95, and a child is $14.95.

Noteworthy Animals

Their Emu was my personal favorite and a highlight of the trip. It was very vocal and entertaining to watch. As soon we pulled up to its exhibit it got the impression that we were going to feed it and got cranky when we didn’t. To this day I am still talking about it.

Experiences

They have four membership options: Basic, VIP, VIP Gold, and Ultimate Excursion. Basic includes the safari, petting zoo, Parakeet Paradise, and the drive thru. VIP allows visitors to go up close and personal with a few animals that are not on display. You can feed, touch, and take a picture with two exotic and one reptile. VIP Gold comes with general admission and VIP but also comes with a personal encounter with the animal of your choice African Servals, Two-Toes Sloths, Baby Spider Monkeys, Lemurs, Eurasian Eagle Owl. Finally, the Ultimate Excursion comes with general admission, VIP, VIP Gold, and a special RTV Cart tour getting a personal encounter with all the animals in the park.

Facilities

Since I did the drive thru option, I am unsure if they have restaurants/cafes and gift shops. My visit was three years ago, so it’s possible they updated their zoo since then. If they did have one, I didn’t see it and I actively look when I visit a new zoo. I wouldn’t plan on getting a meal or stopping by the gift shop.

Overall Impression

The Branson Zoo is a smaller zoo, but it has a lot to offer. I love the drive thru option and adds flexibility to your trip. If you are visiting Branson and need a family friendly activity please I would recommend visiting the zoo. If I go back again I would make sure to visit the emu.