Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center Reviews

This was an amazing place and tour. Staff are so knowledgeable and passionate about the work they do. Variety of animals is wonderful.

We went on family day and had a 5 year old and a 1 1/2 year old. The experience was just right for the 5 year old who could listen to the volunteers or not. The giant tortoise was his favorite animal. And the coyotes started howling which set off many of them and was great fun to hear up close!

Very interesting experience to see animals indigenous to Arizona. Seeing them in person was much more meaningful than seeing a picture or video. This is a sanctuary and not a zoo. The animals here are rescues who are either being rehabilitated for release back into the wild or here as permanent residents because they are unable to survive in the wild due to disability. I really appreciated the cleanliness and devotion for the animals. Our docent made the tour interesting with the specific histories behind the particular animals we saw. You do need to make reservations in advance. We visited on a Tuesday AM and were able to get our reservation the day before.

This was such a great tour! Animals were very well cared for and seemed to be settled in their environment. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and pleasant. Wonderful way to spend the morning and support the facility.

We spent two hours touring the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center with a knowledgeable guide who shared stories about the wild animals: mountain lions, bears, Mexican grey wolves, javelinas, coyotes, kit foxes, red foxes, tortoises, bobcats, coatimundis, and more. We learned the stories of each animal that lived at the Wildlife Center. We also heard heartfelt stories of all of the animals that have been rescued and released back into the wild.

Such a great tour. Very knowledgeable tour guide. The animals are well cared for and would not be alive if not for Southwest Wildlife Center.
I would recommend the tour for anyone interested in learning more about the animals in the Southwest. It is 2 hours long, so probably not the best for small children that may get bored. But they do have a family day which would be suitable for the smaller kids.
Was totally enjoyable and looking forward to another visit.

Loved the tour! The guides were knowledgeable and friendly; the one with our group told us the story of every animal we saw and could answer everyone's questions about animals, the center, and wildlife rehab and release in Arizona. Pace of walking was adjusted to the needs of everyone from seniors to families with children. And it was a delight to see the creatures that make the center their home (because they cannot be released). I was able to see and photograph species up close that I have never even glimpsed in the wild during trips to AZ over many years.

As a former clinic intern, I was grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the behind-the-scenes work at Southwest Wildlife. However, I was let go from this ill defined new internship type without warning or any clear feedback. I reached out multiple times to ask for clarification or a chance to improve but received no response.

The work being done for wildlife here is meaningful—but the way volunteers and interns are treated behind the scenes deserves attention. I’m still hopeful that someone from the organization will be willing to follow up with me.

Our tour of the facility was excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable and the animals very active. The work done at Southwest is a ray of sunshine and hope. These are tough times economically and your financial support would be very welcome. This is a wonderful place to take children of any age.

The volunteer tour guide provided many interesting facts about the animals. The small group made it so we could all hear what was being discussed/shared. We learned the stories of each animal who resides at the conservation center. We learned some things one can do to prevent interference with wildlife. Pretty much, leave it alone, it's nature. Not all baby critters are alone and abandoned, Mom might be nearby. The center does a great job of education, rehabilitation, and release. The sanctuary animals who live here aren’t able to be released back into the wild, and are living out their lives in the care of the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Great experience! This is a self-funded wildlife rehab center so leave a donation and shop the little gift shop.

This was our second visit because we wanted to share the experience with our 20 and 22 year old sons. Visiting in a cooler season allowed us to see the animals differently. And, on this trip we saw the bears.
The guides are fabulous, the stories of the animals are amazing, and the work they do is important.

Tour started on time. Volunteer guide Marcia was very informative. All volunteers and staff were great. A bit of a drive to get to but worth the trip. It felt like there was more to see but we understood that certain areas were off limits. The animals were in great condition and viewing of each enclosure was very close.

Had no idea what to expect, but it was an amazing experience. Highly recommend, as this group has such a great mission. Our guide Paula was extremely knowledgeable, and we very much enjoyed our tour with her.

What an amazing experience the Wildlife Conservation Center provided. Our guide Robyn was very informative and fun. If you are looking for a wonderful, educational experience with wildlife this is the place.

Excellent experience with wildlife rescues! Enjoyed a very informative tour given by Cheryl. She ended up getting a lot of the animals to come out and say hi! I'd recommend to come out and visit, every $ is a donation to the animals!

Great volunteers doing great things at this animal sanctuary. Saving lives by rescuing, rehabilitating and hopefully releasing back into the wild. A great experience for a great cause.

So interesting to learn and see the animals they are saving. Loved it! Guide was very knowledgeable:) Wish I would have known that they take donations like peanut butter, Fruit, towels etc. They are very deserving of any donation.

10 of us, 3 generations, all loved this tour. Robyn, our guide was knowledgeable, invested and outstanding. The work of the sanctuary is important and fascinating. The animals are well and smartly cared for, so that early planning and great foresight goes into preparation for those that can return to the wild. The others become loved , respected, permanent residents. We learned so much and highly recommend this tour.

Such a great experience! Our tour guide was fun and very knowledgeable! The center was clean and the animals were happy! If you want an up close and personal experience, here is the place!

The Conservation Center is Fantastic! The staff are so knowledgeable and take such wonderful care of the animals here.

We had a fantastic time at the Animal rescue reserve, the work they do is of vital importance for peaceful coexistence with nature. They teach a vital lesson on what we all can do more of so that nature and humans can live in greater levels of harmony without unneeded conflict between our species and the rest of the animal kingdom.

This was an amazing way to not only learn about desert animals but see them up close and personal! I have been recommending others to enjoy this place with their family and friends as well!

Interesting tour. It was fun to see the animals and learn their stories. It’s a way to see desert animals (and more). Knowledgeable and friendly guide.

The guide was wonderful and informative! The Mountain Lions and Black Bears were roaming around in their enclosures and it was great to watch them.

If you love animals this is the place to go. It was wonderful hearing about their conservation efforts and seeing the temporary and permanent animal residents. Keep in mind if you go in January that the bears are in torpor and will likely be out of view in their dens. But there are plenty of other active animals, the mountain lions are massive and gorgeous. The coatimundi were a highlight for me. Please go and support them and their caretakers!

What a treat! I have lived in AZ my whole life and a friend told me about SWCC. My wife and I loved it. The volunteers are great and our guide Julie was very knowledgeable and fun. I highly recommend a visit.

What a great way to see local desert animals that are so hard to see in the wild. The animals all looked happy and well cared for. The facility strives to release them back into the wild, but for many its not possible and they stay here. Knowledgable guides who made the experience super fun. Goliath the turtle was a highlights and even a Coatimundi. Highly recommend.

I was visiting a friend who lives not 10 minutes away from the center and the discovery of this gem in the desert was amazing! A literal oasis of caring and education for and about the animals in the area. I was so impressed at the direct effort to stop humans from doing bad things in an effort to care for animals in the wild. Tons of helpful information was delivered by Barbara, and it was her first time! Under the watchful eyes of Linda, who was ready to chime in if asked. Seeing the many hard working volunteers really highlighted this cohesive and compassionate organization that does so much more to impact the future of all animals, both in the wild and there on site. Strong work!

Cool place to visit alone or with family. Very educational!
This would also be a nice place to donate too for the animals & their care. 501c3

Absolutely fabulous experience. Far better than we had expected. The volunteers and staff were wonderful, and the education was informative and very well done. I learned things I did not know and enjoyed the process.

Most of all, I had no idea that the RRR (Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release) was as successful as it is. So important that people learn about this Conservation Center and its services...call before ever interacting with this type of wildlife!

If you are considering a day trip this is so well worth it, and to know that the money all goes towards caring for these beautiful creatures makes it even more rewarding.

I've been to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area so many times, but this was never on my radar-- a friend discovered it online and we decided to check it out. The tour was amazing, and we learned so much about the animals and the mission of this incredible organization. And of course the animals did not disappoint. Highly recommend!

Third visit in past three years and it never disappoints. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and most animals were active. Great cause and great visit!

What a fun and interesting way to learn about the wildlife in our area. The guide was both informative, very personable and loved to answer questions. Great for both older adults and young children and anywhere in-between. Tours are a wonderful way to support this center and learn at the same time. Highly recommend !

Its unfortunate that we live in a time and place where something like the SWWCC is even a thing. Humankind's insatiable desire to live in places/spaces that once belonged to wildlife has created a need for this wonderful place of education and humanity.

The Pros:
You can get very close to animals that you'd otherwise never be able to see in such proximity.

The staff are very well versed and knowledgeable about the area and it's wildlife.

Its obvious that the animals are getting loads of love an attention.

The Cons:
Location is tricky via GPS.

The staff can be a little biased in their storytelling during a tour. It's understandable, but not necessary- especially for young children.

My family and I took a Twilight Tour which was recommended. The level of activity was mixed- depends on the animal, but a good time with respect to natural setting and cooler temps. Well worth the price of admission and effort to get to.

This is a really cool place. The guides took us in small groups through the center and explained about how the animals ended up there, lots of interesting information about the animals, and how they work with the animals to release them back to the wild.

You are really up close to the animals (but safely), they are really amazing. We really loved seeing the mountain lions, the Mexican Gray Wolves, and even the coyotes. The wolves even howled for us. It was a pretty good contrast to the coyotes, who also chose to make their voices sound for us.

This is not a zoo, it is a working rescue center. It was really worth seeing and finding out how they carry out their mission.

We will definitely be returning next year, and we will take our grandchildren.

I visited for the afternoon tour, the tour guide was great, explaining the history of the center, and the history of each animal that we saw there. Would return if I was with others in Phoenix area.

This is a great educational experience. Yes, the site is a little out of the way, but WELL worth the trip. The sanctuary helps animals who have been rescued for all sorts of reasons: injury, death of parent, raised by humans who realized the mistake in that action. The animals are treated and re-released into the wild if possible. If not possible, the animals are medically treated are given a wonderful home.

The tour showcases the animals who are permanent residents. The docents give the animals’ back stories and what their life is like.

We met 3 docents. All are very passionate about their mission. You are given the opportunity to see wildlife very up close and personal.

I highly recommend this experience.

We were so enthralled with the knowledge of our guide about the wild animals, their life event that brought them to the Conservatory and how the animals are specifically fed and nurtured based on each species' needs. You can tell the volunteers and staff love each and everyone. Our visit was heartwarming and it reminded us there continues to be people in this world that do the right thing for the right reason. The animals know they are cared for and are beautiful. Thank you for sharing a glimpse into their world.

Wonderful organization, amazing experience with native Arizona wildlife.
Kristi led a very informative tour . We are always glad to support Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center!

What a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Our guide Robin gave a fantastic tour with so much information about the rescue animals and the center's mission, as well as interesting and humorous stories. The layout is very inviting, with shaded pathways through the various enclosures, plenty of benches if needed for sit down. And quirky Halloween decorations. Loved it! Would definitely return with visitors.

The tours at SWCC are fantastic! I always take my company there, so I have visited at least 14 times. It is perfect for any age group. My guests always give it a 10 out of 10. The guides are super knowledgeable and friendly. I learn or see something different every time.

We loved our visit to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center!! Our daughter and grand kids (ages 6 & 3) were visiting from Switzerland and they really wanted to see some Arizona animals. We chose to do the Family Day because of the youngest child and it was perfect. We were able to go at our own pace and the volunteers at each of the animal enclosures were so knowledgeable and friendly. We were able to see most of the animals pretty close up. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning in the desert.

I brought my sister,skeptical brother-in-law,and skeptical husband to the 2:00 pm tour on Feb.13. We left there with all 4 of us totally impressed. I had been there before and knew all about how knowledgeable and informative your tour guides are and also can tell how much they love and care for the souls you all are in charge of caring for.Thank you for all you do. I can’t think of anything you need to change or improve on!

This was a great site to visit. Cheryl S. was our tour guide and provided us with a lot of info about their cause, how they started, etc, along with a lot of information about the animals themselves. As a volunteer at the site, you could tell she is very dedicated and passionate about the animals. We encountered a lot of other volunteers/workers along our tour, and they couldn't have been nicer. Some of the staff raised these animals, and the animals would respond to them when they called. We learned a lot about animals in the Southwest, and getting to see them up close was even better. Took about 2 hours to get through. Worth the time and worth the money, as the money for the tour helps out the animals and their cause.

Great experience all around. From the booking of the twilight tour January 17th (easy), to the tour guide (Ms Ernst, very good and knowledgeable), to the animals themselves (spectacular ), a great experience! If going be prepared to get dirty a bit; hiking shoes or shoes you don’t care get dirty to me are a must.

We chose the Sunset tour so we could see the big cats awake. They were having dinner and it was interesting to see how and what they eat. My granddaughters loved the foxes we saw at the end of the tour. Howling by both the wolves and the coyotes as the full moon rose completed the tour.

The guided Walking Tour was fabulous. Great animals and the guide knew all stories behind the animals. Lots of educational information! A must do if you are in the area.

We visited because we learned that an injured Coyote from our neighborhood was taken here to receive care. Our guide was very informative and entertained us with interesting facts and fun stories about the animals we saw. We learned about their personal histories and came to know them as individuals, more than just beautiful wildlife. I will return, and I look forward to bringing visiting relatives from Sweden and Denmark to enjoy getting an up close encounter with Arizona wildlife.

Touring the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center was not only very educational, but a great experience. Our tour guide was Valerie and she was excellent. Val did a super job providing the history and stories of the animals in the sanctuary that we could see up close and personal. If our local residents have friends and family in visiting, signing up for the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center tour will be well worth everyone's time. The entrance fee is nominal and goes towards helping to support those animals. Keep up the great work SWCC. 5 Stars from us!! The Webster's

Wife booked a tour for our daughters fall vacation time. What a wonderful experience! Marcie our tour guide was so nice and kind, her passion for helping the animals poured out of her like sweat on a hot July day. Everyone we encountered was friendly and sweet, some of the volunteers even waited to feed the animals when we got to there enclosures so we had a better chance of seeing them. It was like she knew every animals story and couldn't wait to tell it. Quite remarkable if I am being honest. If you love animals and appreciate others for there time and devotion this is a must when visiting the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. 10 of 10!

This was a very enriching and informative experience. I am very grateful that there are organizations like this one that support injured, abused, and abandoned animals. The only other one my family and I visited was "Lions, Tigers, and Bears" in San Diego. This was a highlight of our trip to Arizona.

I was impressed on the positive impact Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is having, not only on the wildlife in the area, but working with other wildlife agencies to help endangered species.

Amazing place and amazing tour, Very friendly atmosphere, Very beautiful animals, Wolves, Coyotes, Foxes, tortoise etc.

The SWCC is a compassionate and heart-warming place saving animals that need to be rescued, rehabilitated and released. The very small percentage of animals that cannot be released are cared for in perpetuity with great care. The docents are amazingingly knowlegeable. This was the 10th time I have brought guests here and always have found something new and interesting for myself. My guests are always amazed.

SWCC is doing a great job and reflects integrity in their work. Our volunteer guide was knowledgeable, patient and funny. We had a great experience and definitely recommend a visit, and a contribution to the important work they’re doing.

Great tour! I live nearby and was surprised by how much I learned. The Conservation Center does an amazing job with the animals. I highly recommend the tour and supporting their cause.

We brought our 1st and 2nd grade classes for a field trip. It was a tremendous experience! Our guides were knowledgeable and kept the interest of the students. The students learned a lot and want to go back!

Love what they are doing at this beautiful facility. Tour guides are very knowledgeable about the animals they care for. Educational and fun for everyone!

Everyone was enthusiastic, and exceptionally well educated regarding the animals in their care. The facility was organized, clean, easy to get around. Highly recommended.

We had such a lovely time- the lady giving the tour really had her heart in it we felt- and the animal were amazing to watch. It was very intereresting, learning about the habits of the sheltered animals and the story behind them. Taking into account that the shelter is staffed with volunteers, all that is really extraordinary.

We had a wonderful school field trip this week. Darlene, our guide was great and engaged really well with our students. We will definitely go back!

What an amazing sanctuary! Seeing so many animals being cared for and, hopefully being released into their habitat is heartwarming! This is a very educational and special tour, not a ‘visit to the zoo’! 2 hours of wonderful information and viewing.

Very informative guide. Loved all of the stories about the animals. This is a wonderful place to visit in Scottsdale. we go there every time we visit the area.

Just wonderful! Learned so much about these beautiful animals, and the importance of rehabilitation so they can thrive on their own back in the wild. The tour guide Lynn was so knowledgeable and friendly, everyone I met had such a passion for this special sanctuary. Really cool to see bears, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, and many other desert animals! Really amazing they take in so many orphaned baby animals , and perform surgery or whatever care is needed to wounded adults with the goal to set them free when able to.

A must-do adventure if you're visiting the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. It was wonderful learning about the work of the conservation center and learning the stories of each animal.

Our guide was so knowledgeable and had wonderful stories. Her passion for the animals shown through. They have a large variety of animals.

Marilynn was absolutely wonderful.
Very knowledgeable, witty, & passionate.
I have already given the whole experience a loud scream of support for referrals.

We did the twilight tour and it was fantastic! Not only do you learn a lot, but you see so many amazing animals: mountain lions, wolves, bears, and javelinas. When we left, the wolves and coyotes were serenading us. Such a cool experience!

Such a hidden gem! Where else can you go to hear coyotes howling, see bears in a pool, walk alongside an ENORMOUS tortoise, and watch a beaver swim and organize her branches? If that’s not exciting enough, you get the rare opportunity to see Mexican gray wolves, tons of big, beautiful cats, active coati, and much more! In addition to visiting, I would encourage everyone to consider donating to this amazing organization! These devoted humans are able to do the great work they do only via donations from people like us ❤️
If you consider yourself an animal lover, you owe it to yourself to schedule a visit to see the full time residents (those unable to be released) and also learn about all the animals they are able to rescue, rehabilitate, and release back into the wild!

Great facility, doing great things! Incredibly knowledgeable guide who shared her passion for the work they do via wonderful stories about the animals they’ve rehabilitated and released back into the wild as well as those that have needed to stay at the site. Will be back on our next visit to Scottsdale and would encourage everyone, residents and visitors alike, to put this on their list of places to visit and support.

Excellent Conservation Center- learned so much and the animals are amazing! Tour Guides are very good and very knowledgeable! We loved it!

My teenage son and I had a great experience. He loved the predators. The stories from our guide were so interesting, and the animals were amazing. I highly recommend a visit.

The staff are so enthusiastic and You can just see that the they take such good care of all the animals .Goliath the 200lb houdini turtle was such a blast to see up close :-)

Great facility with some amazing animals. Love the mission of the Conservation Center. So many animals that are rehabilitated and released back in the wild. The ones that can't be released are kept at the facility. You can tell they are well taken care of. My only feedback for the tour is for the tour guide not to read information from her phone so much.

Amazing experience. Such knowledgeable tour guides with great stories of each of the beautiful rescues. I have visited multiple times with my kids, grand kids and then just myself and my spouse. Impressed and touched each time. God Bless all these folks that put so much into this place.

Super educational, and a unique opportunity to see native Arizona wildlife up close. Our volunteer guide was so knowledgeable and approachable. So glad this nonprofit exists to help reintroduce local animals back in the wild and care for those that need a permanent home.

Given how human expansion into wildlife inhabited areas is guaranteed to lead to bad effects for animals, consider this place that is doing excellent work with rescue, rehabilitation, and (hopefully) release back into the natural world. This visit is more intimate than going to the Phoenix Zoo, and so many people need basic education in wildlife knowledge so they too don't do the stupid things people do like feeding the mammals. Coyotes, bears, and Bobcats are NOT to be fed (like giving a Bobcat food made for domesticated cats). A good visit in a couple of hours.

We have been to Southwest wildlife twice. We did the first tour in the morning at 10 AM and the highlight was that we got serenaded by the coyotes. This was incredible! This year we did the 2 PM tour. The coyotes were sleeping this time, but we got to see some animals that were sleeping or hiding last time. This visit we got to see the mountain lions eat and romp around a bit. I’d say 95% of the animals we saw were active or at least visible. Goliath near the coyotes and foxes also helped out with our tour. The kids also loved him! Our favorite is the mountain lion Echo and his brother Dash. Our first visit my little one hid behind the bushes and he was playing peek a boo with her a little trying to find her. We tell everyone we can about Echo and the sanctuary. I’m so grateful it exists!

My wife and I took a tour of your facilities and it was fabulous. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative and the animals were very friendly.

The staff was incredible! So kind and a wealth of information on every single animal on the property. Marcia, my guide, had so much information and so many personal stories to tell us about each and every one of the animals. It's just amazing to see how much love and care goes into every single animal there. Such a fantastic experience.

My wife found this as we were planning a trip to AZ, and we were thrilled with the experience. They have a variety of local animals, all of whom were active while we were there (which was surprising on a warm afternoon frankly). Our guide was Diane and she had great stories about all the animals and was a wealth of knowledge. She is a former conservation educator and was great with the young kids, teenagers, and adults. Highly recommend and especially encourage AZ residents to visit to get to know practical tips for helping local wildlife thrive!

Our guide, Robyn, was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable, engaging, and ensured that each guest had the best experience. The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center does amazing things to help rehabilitate and rehome animals!

We had a very informative and interesting tour. We were able to see all the desert animals. We learned the purpose of the center and what they do there. We are very fortunate to have this caring facility in Az.
Very worthwhile visit for locals and visitors.

This facility is awesome. What they are doing to help wildlife is incredible. The education aspect is great too! The staff and volunteers are obviously very passionate about their mission.

Amazing faculty. Everything was very well organized and you could tell the animals are treated with a lot of care and detail. Had a really nice time. Guide was very informative and shared a lot of interesting facts about the various animals living on the property. I am excited to potentially become a volunteer there as well!

So fun to see all the beautiful animals. Our guide was amazing and informative. She answered all our questions and did not rush us.

This was a wonderful tour! We learned so much about Sonoran wildlife and the efforts that the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center are taking to help them. My daughter loved being able to see the animals up close, and it was far less busy than going to a larger zoo. Really a great experience!

This is a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in animals and conservation and the Southwest in general. Our guide Val gave us so much information about the animals, their history, their environment and so forth. I plan on going back the next time I visit this area! They do incredible work there.

Fabulous tour of a sanctuary with passionate and dedicated volunteers. I learned so much about the foxes, bob cats and mountain lions. Easy strolling pace to tour. Kristie (I think that was her name), was a great guide who knows so much about the animals and had great stories to tell. Great experience.

Highly recommend visiting the Southwest Animal Conservation. The animals are well taken care of and Diane was an exceptional tour guide. There’s far more FaceTime with the animals than you’d get at a zoo and plenty of shade to keep out of the sun.

My husband and I took the Twilight Tour with Cathie. We had an excellent experience! We have never been closer to wild animals, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, etc. Cathie was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center's mission is fantastic: rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals back into the wild. I cannot believe that, as an Arizona native, I had never been here before! We learned so much. We plan to bring our family back soon.

If you’re even a little curious about what they do here at the center - do yourself (and the animals) a big favor and book a tour right now! This was such a wonderful experience - the extent to which the staff here love and care for these animals is so evident! Our group thoroughly enjoyed the two hours spent here on the twilight tour. We learned the stories of each animal who resides at the conservation center and how humans can do better to make sure that wild animals are able to live their lives fully as they’re meant to - in the wild. The center does a wonderful job of education, rehabilitation, and release. The sanctuary animals who live here aren’t able to be released back into the wild, and as such, are living out their lives in the care of these wonderful humans. The center doesn’t receive any outside funding or grant money, and every dollar they earn from the tours and adorable gift shop goes towards the animals. Go to hear the coyotes sing, the wolves howl, and to learn how we can all be better stewards of this amazing world we live in. Soul stirring at its finest.

It was very special to be able to get so close to the animals. Full grown cougars a few feet away. Same with wolves, coyotes, foxes, deer and more. The facility is well maintained as you wander under a canopy of tree branches throughout. Expect to spend about two hours on your tour with a very dedicated and knowledgeable guide.

The tour was really interesting and Diane, the tour guide,was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. My visitors from Ireland were very impressed, even though some of the animals were a little shy. The children on the tour were very well behaved, probably because they were not toddlers. I would not bring a very small child with me on the tour. Would recommend to both visitors and locals who are interested in Arizona wildlife. The Center does great work.

We had two great guides and an active animal experience. What stunning animals. I am so proud of this conservation centers efforts to return most of the animals they help back to the wild.

There is no better way to experience wildlife. The volunteers have a genuine love for these animals and know more about them than anything you will read on a sign at the zoo. Interactive with a side of jokes. You really must put this on our itinerary for Phoenix/Scottsdale area trip. You will not be disappointed.

Great experience! The conservation center does such wonderful work! Amazing opportunity to be with animals in their natural habit.

This center is so amazing. All of the animals are clean, healthy, happy and loved. Tour guides share all the scoop on each animal. I go often and always learn something new about wildlife in general or one of the residents. The team of staff members are there to ensure that you have a great time. The gift shop gets 5 stars for quality inventory.

It was just wonderful! The docents were very knowledgeable. And the animals were amazing. I wish I had taken a picture of the black bear. He was just adorable at dinner time.(Dragged his food back into his den to eat.)

My husband and I loved our tour. We went for his birthday, because we love animals and got tired of being cooped up in the house. AZ summers can be brutal, but there were misters, shaded areas, and places to rest. Henry, our tour guide, was awesome; he is friendly, very knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. He shared stories about each animal, the history of the center, and its mission. It's amazing. They are volunteers, and all the money made goes back to the animals.

Very knowledgeable and happy staff supported by great folks from AZ Game & Fish. Very informative and fun experience. If you have any interest in native wildlife,
This is the place to visit.

Fantastic tour! We were very impressed with the entire facility as well as the very knowledgeable tour guides. Such a worthy organization!

Love going to SW Wildlife. Every time I go learn something new. This was a great event, getting to make up enrichments for the animals and then watch them enjoy them.
SW Wildlife cares so much about animals and educating people.

Delightful opportunity to see and learn about some of the Arizona mammals and how they care for them. We learned a lot from the volunteers who led the tour.

Never knew this place existed, so glad we found it!!!!! The place is well kept and animals are loved and well taking care of also! Our guide was fabulous (although I cannot remember her name) By appointment only.. Thank you for helping these wonderful animals. We had the best time learning about these animals. Great for kids.

What a great way to learn about desert animals. The price was very reasonable for the two hours of having someone show us around and explain about the animals that are there. The staff is friendly and informative. From adults to our 13 yr old grandson we all enjoyed the experience. It’s a must see.

I am so impressed with what this organization has been doing. Their success rate with reintroducing recovered animals to the wild is very high. The figure they gave was 80%! Of equal importance is that they are providing life giving support to animals that would under other circumstances would have had to be put down. Please go visit them and support their work. You won't be dissappointed. Fell in love with Yemaya. She's precious...

Our visit to Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center was one of the highlights of the year for us. We were so impressed with the grounds, the animals and most of all the staff! There were bears, lions, foxes, wolves, many exotic animals and even a giant tortoise. They take great care to ensure the environment and pairings of the animals are as comfortable as possible. They only house animals that are unable to make it in the wild, usually because they have been domesticated or permanently injured. They have a rehab center where animals that can be restored to health and returned to nature are cared for. You are unable to see them as they want to keep them "wild" so they will survive when released-this is always their goal. The funding for the conservancy is 100% volunteers and donations. They have a cute little outdoor gift shop with great cards, T-shirts, and keepsakes. It's fun to donate but they don't put pressure or a hard sell on, it's purely optional. The kind caring staff who work there are amazing and doing great work. The tour guide was knowledgable and told great stories. Even though the walking tour is 2 hours, it goes fast and is mostly shaded.

We did the Walk with Wildlife tour this morning & it was excellent. Very informative & interesting stories about the animals they are rescuing. This is a walking tour but not much walking, more standing & listening by the animal areas. There are benches along the way, so not a strenuous walk at all. They are working very hard with only donations & tour funding. We highly recommend!

My husband and I had an amazing time! Was able to get decently close to some animals and hear amazing rehabilitation stories. This sanctuary is something special! Would recommend for older children, couples, etc. be prepared to walk for about 2 hours on unflat grounds. Had a really good time!

Great experience. We all loved the animals and the stories behind each one. You can see you guys truly care about these animals with some heart touching stories that were told. If anyone is in the area reach out and make an appointment for a tour. You will not be disappointed. Henry was excellent and super nice. Thank you for your time.

The whole experience was well worth it. Its in a remote location outside of the city, so you get to see some Arizonan nature. The directions provided to get there were thorough. The staff were passionate - our tour guide was Cheryl - she was amazing! and we saw pretty much every animal. Definitely worth a trip over if youre visiting the area.

It was fun. Our guild was very knowledgeable about the animals, had funny stories and antidotes about the animals. I would recommend!

Great Tour, the animals were awesome. Highly recommend it to schools and family trips. My favorite was the Mountain lions.

What a wonder experience to learn about the great work the crew at The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is doing. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and FUN. Highly recommend for all ages.

It's so great to see what SWCC is doing for hurt/rescued animals, and to learn the stories of the ambassador animals who can't be returned to the wild. We saw critters who we didn't even know live here in AZ. And the coolest thing is to hear the howls of the Mexican grey wolves.

The Volunteer guide we had, Barbara, it was her first group to take through the tour. She did an excellent job, and taught so many fun facts! Another knowledgeable Volunteer, Diane, was with us also, and was a wealth of information about many topics and animals. Apparently, they sit on 10 acres, which is obviously not enough room the the amount of animals who need rehabilitation and/or a place to live out their days, because they can’t be released into the wilderness. They to find some donors with deep pockets and large hearts to match!

Kendra was an amazing guide. She was patient, knowledgeable, and interesting, and it was clear that she loved sharing information about this very special place. Do not miss visiting here, and be sure to book early. The team truly cares for every animal in their care, and it shows. They do great work, with the main goal of returning wildlife to their natural habitat. When that is not possible, they ensure the animals receive the best accommodations and nutrition available. The animals look healthy, happy, and unstressed. We learned so much in this nicely paced tour. This is a super special sanctuary. We are so glad we got to experience it and will certainly support it. Thank you SW Wildlife Conservation Center for all you do for the animals. Thank you Kendra!

Beautiful property with majestic desert animals and very knowledgeable staff! We were able to get up close to the animals/exhibits and witness feedings, playtime and interactions!

an absolutely wonderful place. It's my third visit and won't be my last. I love this place. I hope if you read this you will be sure to visit the preserve. I enjoyed my tour and the staff/volunteers who I met.

What an incredible experience. Not only are the staff great people doing important work, but they have set up the tours to give visitors an informative guided tour and a (safe) close up encounter with the animals. We were there at feeding time and got to watch the cougars eating; that was unforgettable. We had an amazing time and all agreed we would love to go back.

It was great listening to all the animal stories and how they are acquired. And then it’s also good to know their behavior just in case ever encountered.

This is my third time visiting SWCC, always a wonderful reminder of the good work they do! Lori was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide! We always learn something new! Highly recommend going to learn about what we can do as the general public to support wildlife and the center.

We had our four-year-old grandson with us, and a great time was had by all. We loved listening to the wolves and coyotes howl, and learned so much about the work that the conservation center does. It was a fabulous tour.

A wonderful organization with caring staff and great stories of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Some of the "good guys."

Well organized and informative. Good food, weather and enough volunteers to interact with the attendees. Southwest always does a fine job of hosting events.

This was my 2nd time at SWCC. I enjoyed it so much the first time that I brought my husband and daughter to experience this fantastic place. Our guide was very knowledgeable and it was interesting to learn all about the animals that are at the Conservation Center and those they have been able to rescue, rehabilitate and release. This is a great place to bring visitors.

Amazing place and tour. Robyn taught us so much about the animals, issues with their habitats being at risk and their personalities. Such a great place doing really important work.

As many times that I have gone here I always come away with learning something new! You can tell that the animals in their care are truly loved and cared for.
Their main goal is for the ones that they can rescue/rehabilitate/release back to the wild! The ones that are able to be released back to wild have a home for life!
A lot of ones that can not be returned back to the wild is because people think they are rescuing the animal and within 24 hours the animal is imprinted to people. People that try to keep as a pet, as the animal grows and becomes the wild animal that are, they find that it was a good idea for the people and especially the animal. The animal does not fear people and therefore cannot be back in wild.
So if you are in area of Scottsdale and you want a Great Adventure, please consider going to this Sanctuary- Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. You will not disappointed!

The tour and tour guide were very informative. We learned a lot about what this sanctuary does and why. We learned about different characteristics of the animals that was very interesting. They do very good work for the animals and their release percentages are very high giving the animals a high success rate after release.

This is an amazing sanctuary that not only rescues and rehabs wild animals, but allows those animals that cannot be returned to the wild to live their lives out at the conservation center.
Kendra was very informative and it was evident that she loved her job.

This is the second time we have taken our grandchildren and they enjoy it more as they get older. The volunteers are always cheerful and very knowledgeable about the animals. It's a learning experience for all of us.
Family day is the perfect time for us to experience SWCC but my husband and I would happily go back to see the rescued animals and learn more about them.

Loved our trip here! Great for all ages. The tour guides are wonderful and so knowledgeable. Loved seeing the wellbeing of all the rescue animals, hearing their stories and seeing how much they are loved and cared for!

Loved it! Very informative and enjoyed the up close viewing of their “residents”! Marcia was a great guide and provided stories and information on each animal we visited.

Visiting the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center was absolutely incredible. The guided tour was informative, moving, and deeply respectful of the animals and their stories. You can truly feel the dedication and passion behind the conservation work being done here.

Seeing these beautiful animals up close—each one rescued and given a second chance—was both humbling and inspiring. The staff and volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly care deeply about the well-being of every animal. This is not a zoo, but a sanctuary focused on rehabilitation, education, and protecting wildlife.

The tour offered meaningful insight into conservation efforts in Arizona and beyond, and left me with a greater appreciation for our responsibility to protect native wildlife and their habitats. I highly recommend visiting and supporting this amazing organization. It’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave. Nice job Robyn

We had a super guide named Robyn She did an amazing job of educating us and She had great humor and made sure she answered all of her questions. She did not rush us through the tour and just did an amazing job.

We took the tour and absolutely loved it. The animals were amazing and the tour was very educational and entertaining. We had two adults and two teens on our tour and we all loved it. We will definitely visit again when we are in Scottsdale. Highly recommend!

Great experience. You can tell the animals are well cared for and the staff/volunteers really care and enjoy their work.

I liked this conservation center a lot in particular the Mexican gray wolves. I hope they can be saved. The cats and other canines were also great to see.

My sister and I had the privilege of taking a tour with Marcia as our guide. I found it a deeply moving experience.
Each animal with their story was presented and all of the love and respect for them was so evident. The property is maintained exquisitely, and I honestly learned so much!
An absolute must see for all age groups! Could not recommend this beautiful sanctuary enough. Blessed to know places like this exist.

What a wonderful afternoon. We visited on a day that was quite cool and at feeding time so the animals were quite spunky. Many wolf and coyote calls happening! The volunteers and our tour guide were all very happy doing their respective work and very knowledgable. I’ll be visiting again !

Great experience! Our guide was knowledgeable and helpful, and the animals were great. We learned a lot and had fun. Highly recommended!

Really enjoyed it and hearing about the history of so many animals there. Rescue, rehabilitate and return is their motto but the ones that could not be safely returned have a home for the rest of their lives. Would definitely go again. Our guide was very knowledgeable! If I lived in the area I would love to volunteer but sadly just here on vacation.

Great experience seeing all of the rescued wildlife. The enclosures look secure and pleasant for the animals. This would be a great experience for all ages.

The Don Coyote Club lunch was a terrific event. The staff was informative and cheerful. This was my first time in this setting, but it will not be my last.

I’ve visited a few times over the years and love to bring out of towners. Each time I come it’s a new experience, the grounds improve, the animals behave differently and the tour guides all bring a new perspective. I love giving my guests a chance to see our Arizona wildlife up close and personal, all tours are small groups. The reintroduction of the Mexican grey wolf is my favorite aspect of SWCC. The pumas were especially active and very interested in the activity of the kids in our group. Wonderful day!

I went with a Meetup group of 8. We had an amazing guided tours with Mr. Henry. It was such a thrill to see these wildlife animals up close, and hear about their rescue stories. The 2 hour tour was about right.

Southwest Wildlife does amazing work with native animals! This is our third time and we learn something new each time we go. We’ve brought family members and have recommended it to others. A very unique place. Marcia Stewart was our guide and did an excellent job.

This is the 3rd time visiting. I’ve taken two out of town guests there. Yesterday a group of 9 of us went. Kendra was our guide. A big shout out to Kendra! She made our tour very informative and fun. All the ticket money goes back to the preserve for the care of the animals.
What a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people. If you’re wondering where to take your guests to see our desert animals and what they do for them I would highly recommend!

Our tour was fantastic. I live in Arizona and did not know about this wildlife refuge. It was very educational. This center is a good opportunity for volunteers.

This was a surprise birthday present for my daughter, and she absolutely LOVED it. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable about every single animal, their history of how they ended up at the conservation center, and their habits/behaviors. The staff were all very friendly- the landscaping was beautiful- and the animals all looked happy.

Very interesting place. Bat Netting was a fun experience. The Biologist talk was very informative and seeing the bats was special.

We had a great visit at SWCC. It was very interesting and educational. This organization provides a great service to the community and to our desert wildlife.
I would encourage everyone and especially animal lovers to go visit. Emily was a
great tour guide

The full moon tour exceeded my expectations. Getting up front and close to the wildlife is amazing. It was clear that the tour guides and volunteers are passionate about rescue and rehabilitation. Hearing the howls of the Mexican Gray Wolves alongside the Coyotes is a sound I will not forget.

We did a special event with bat netting and a presentation with a bat expert. It was very interesting and educational. The biologist that did the presentation was funny and kept everyone interested. Included was a 1 hour tour of the grounds and all of the animals. It was very nice, I loved hearing the wolves and coyotes howling at dusk and into the night.

One of the best tourist attractions i have ever visited. Learned a lot about the wonderful work that the Conservatory is doing. Our guide, Kendra, was incredibly great at explaining everything they do and very interesting facts about the wildlife they have rescued. I highly recommend a trip to the Conservatory.

We really enjoyed our visit. The tour was very educational; they talk about their mission - rescue, rehabilitate, and release. The animals you see are ones that could not be released for various reasons, so they live on the property where they are loved and cared for. The center is largely volunteer driven and they do great work! Among the animals we saw were Mexican gray wolves, foxes, deer, coyotes, ring tails, mountain lions, and tortoises.

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Kendra was so interesting and informative and luckily we were able to see many animals. I highly recommend visiting this conservation society as they help so many animals that are abandoned, disabled or have been used as pets. They rescue these animals for life.

This tour is AMAZING! I always take my out-of-town visitors, which means I have taken the tour 17 times. Every time, I learn new information, and never tire of seeing the animals. Highly recommended. So much better than a zoo!

I absolutely love visiting the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center! This was my second time, and it was just as great as I remembered. The staff is incredible, and you can truly see their passion for the animals and their mission. It’s always a great time learning about the rescued wildlife and hearing their unique stories. I highly recommend this experience to anyone in the area—it’s a fun, educational, and meaningful adventure!

This place was amazing. The animals are wonderful to look at. Our guide Diane was very knowledgeable about all the animals. I definitely would go back and visit again.

Very informative and informal. Great guide and animals seem well cared for although I hate animals being caged. Well done and hope you can move soon to larger spaces.

Our guided tour was very interesting and informative. Seeing and learning about so many of the SW animals was an incredible experience. The entire team at the sanctuary is doing amazing and needed work. Glad to have visited and to be able to support the organization with a donation - check out the website. Highly recommend

We went with our 7-yr old granddaughter, and she was listening so intently to our guide, Henry, he was wonderful. There was an extended family with grandparents, young mom and dad and a baby about 6 months old included in our group. It was so interesting standing in front of the mountain lion's enclosures and watching their natural instinct to eye up the little ones. It was the highlight of our granddaughter's experience when the guide suggested that she run the length of one enclosure, and we all watched the mountain lion "run along with her"! She also loved seeing and hearing the wolves and coyotes howling. One was a lovesick wolf who had been separated from his mate by a fence due to an impending procedure she would soon be having We all enjoyed it very much and our granddaughter couldn't wait to tell her parents and is asking to go back again! I also enjoyed the potted plants and bright flowerpots of annuals scattered about to break up the shades of brown dirt and desert atmosphere.

Must see wildlife facility. Guides are very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Even the wildlife participated in the tour. See photograph below.

They are always so welcoming & knowledgeable.
Watching the two year old mountain lions with their enrichment was wonderful & silly.

My husband and I just loved this tour! Henry was very knowledgeable and answered every question. We got to see almost all of the animals up close at one point or another. My favorites were the Mexican Gray Wolves and the giant tortoise. Seeing the rare coati was a nice bonus. We were amazed how large the male mountain lions are! This place is a must see for any nature lover visiting the Scottsdale area.

This was such an awesome experience! I came here with my mom last Saturday and we went on the 10:00am tour. Diane was very engaging and informative. The facility was extremely well-kept, and the paths were bordered by trees and flowers. The animals were obviously well cared for and had plenty of enrichment. Overall, I would recommend this place over other conservation centers or zoos in Arizona. Small, quiet, and a personal experience!

This was such a fun tour! So informative….many things I never knew. Marcia our guide was great. She sure knew the animals

Highlight of our week in AZ! Diane the guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. So exciting to see these rescued animals in their beautiful habitats

it was an interesting experience. The tour was conducted by a committed professsional. we could learn how they rescue, rehabilitate and return the wild animals to their habitat as far as possible. It was not a safari and it was not a zoo. it is truly a wildlife conservation centre.

Recommend this small but impactful tour. The information given by the docent is worth the price alone! Flat terrain and paced for all ages. Our last two trips to Scottsdale from PA included this tour and we recently brought 8 friends with us who were impressed and appreciative of the experience. Organize a group and take the tour. You won't regret it!

We had an excellent guide, and were able to see the animals that normally are a bit shy. We felt lucky to have cooler weather as well. It was well worth the time to go and hear each of the animal’s “history” and how they have adapted to their home. We had a party of 6 including 3 of our grandchildren who were talking about the experience long after we returned home. Thank you

A fun place to visit to learn about animal conservation, safety, and see some wild animals as well. Better for grade school kids and older as it’s not a “zoo”. It’s less interactive than a zoo. It’s a place to learn about animal rescue and its importance on our environment and animal welfare.

This tour was money very well spent, and would have been even had the money not gone to such a good cause. The tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and provided fascinating information about the local wildlife. This is appropriate for children and adults, and it was a mixed group of both when we went today.

There were animals there we had never seen in a zoo, the ringtails, cotamumdi, and coyotes. The guide was very knowledgeable and patient.

Well worth your time and money....and your visit supports a worthwhile cause too!
Great animal viewing with friendly and knowledgeable guides.

I’m always impressed by Southwest Wildlife. Such wonderful and knowledgeable staff. A gorgeous facility and well cared for animals with enriching habitats. I went with a group of friends and they all had a wonderful time.

We enjoyed learning about and seeing some of the animals this organization helps. Would recommend for all ages. Worth the price and the money goes to a good cause.

Such a wonderful morning touring this facility and learning about all the native animals we live with in the desert. My daughter and I loved learning about the Mexican gray wolves and really enjoyed the mountain lions, who came up to the fence to check us out.

We really enjoyed our visit. It was interesting learning about the animals and hearing their stories. The staff was very knowledgeable. It’s great to see these animals are getting a second chance. I’d love to visit again sometime.

We had a fabulous time viewing and hearing stories about the residents.our guide Valerie was entertaining whole sharing her passion for the wildlife.many thanks for a job well done by staff and volunteers.

Excellent tour as always. We have enjoyed many times over the years. Animals cooperated and were very photogenic. We will return again soon.

The luncheon was very nice and the speakers were informative and cordial. It was great seeing many of the animals and having SWW volunteers explain the traits and personalities of the residents. It was also very exciting to hear of the soon to be announced plans of the new and enlarged sanctuary.

What an amazing experience! Super educational, informative, and enjoyable! The tour guide was so knowledgeable and fun. We learned so much about the various animals at the center, as well as how they operate and how we, as humans, can do more to keep wild animals safe. Highly recommended for teens and adults who are interested in animals, wildlife, nature, etc.

This was such a great experience and the educational information was wonderful!!
The Guided 2 hr slow paced walk was perfect spending good time for questions and answers!
Having cold water available in bottles was a plus+!!
It’s recommended a1$ donation for each bottle, however, the guide was quick to note that if you did not have a dollar to help yourselves so as not to be come dehydrated.
Hopefully EVERYONE would gladly donate to this non profit gladly!!
Oregon travelers ‼️

By far the most incredible animal experience our family ever had. Learned so much about each rescued animal and got to see them all up close (don’t think we’ve ever been that close to a lion before!). Our tour guide, Julie, was fantastic, and took the time to answer all the kids’ questions. Highly recommend.

We enjoyed this two hour tour very much. Our guide was very knowledgeable regarding all the animals. Each one has a story and she brought that to life. The work this organization does is pretty remarkable. Well worth the visit.

This place is amazing. What a story and incredible mission. I am so impressed in the difference they make. If you love animals, you will love and support them.

There were about 25 people signed up during our tour time so we were split into two groups with separate guides. Our guide (Kristi) was great. We first visited the large animals and then later the small animals during our 1 hour and 45 minute tour. The tour is all outdoors but there are several areas with shade and benches to sit. We particularly enjoyed seeing the mountain lions, bobcats, Mexican grey wolves, coyotes, and several varieties of foxes.

A wonderful organization. A very knowledgeable volunteer guide gave us a very informative tour. Our adult and children (6 and 12) group enjoyed it very much. All came away with improved knowledge of local animals.

What a great tour conducted by Robyn. We learned so much about the local animals plight and how this dedicated staff is creating a sustainable foster home for them. I say foster, because the goal is to send 100% of animals back to their natural homes. They are at about 88% as I write this.

We had an amazing time learning about the wildlife sanctuary during the Twilight Tour. The animals are so well-cared for, and the guide was super informative. I highly recommend taking a tour and donating to this organization. It’s a great way to support these amazing creatures!

Very comprehensive and knowledgeable tour and tour guide. So many different animals to observe, admire and learn about. Highly recommend this to anyone who loves animals or is curious about local wildlife (or both). You can tell the animals are loved and well cared for after the circumstance that led them to be here.

The center is in the most picturesque area in north Scottsdale. You can see and feel the love the employees and volunteers have for the wildlife they care for.

It is amazing to see what Southwest wildlife does, they truly love and care about these animals. The tours are awesome because you really do get to see the animals up close, mountain lions and all. I been there twice now and both times I have learned so much, and was able to see different animals. This is a place that is definitely worth going too! I am sure I will be back again.

We have been to the Conservation Center twice and have enjoyed it both times. I highly recommend going and seeing the good work they are doing.

It was an amazing experience! Our guide was so knowledgeable and full of insightful information. I would recommend this tour to anyone and encourage you to not only visit but to become a contributor!

We always enjoy our visits. The docents are amazing. I just wish you still fed some of the animals while we are on the tour. That was fun to see. The facility is well designed and maintained, and it is clear that the staff and volunteers share a love for the animals and our environment. Thanks!

Great experience! Our tour guide, Marcia, was awesome-very knowledgeable about the animals and their journeys. The animals appeared to be well taken care of and the facility was nice. Loved the cute lil javelina!

This place is doing great things. What an amazing opportunity to see these beautiful animals up close that have a place to call home forever. The guides are very informative and give you a heartwarming detail of the lives before these animals landed in their care. I loved seeing the variety of species that they have at the sanctuary. Mountain lions, wolves, bears, coyotes, foxes, javelinas, beautiful birds, and a tortoise that has so much personality. Make sure to visit the gift shop and purchase a nice souvenir for yourself. It’s a nice way to give to the sanctuary for all it does for these beautiful creatures.

Amazing experience! All of the guides were absolutely fantastic for family day. Everyone was so kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about the animals and the work they do!

Our family had an amazing time at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. From the 6 year old to Grandma, we all equally loved the experience. It gave us all an deep appreciation for the Arizona Wildlife and the balance of nature. Our guide, a volunteer made it a special experience. The people here do some great things. I highly recommend you give it a visit.

An exciting morning. Although most residents were in their "cool" spots our tour guide provided information about how each one found a "forever" home. Preparing enrichment for the Bears and getting to enter their home and place the goodies was a treat for us. Of course, the bears were secured until we made out exit. Then the fun began as we watched the bears having a blast ripping boxes, paper bags, etc. to find some yummy items. They are probably back on their very healthy diet today.

A fantastic preserve featuring rescued wildlife of the larger native variety, including wolves, mountain lions, bears, etc... with several smaller species thrown in. You get a guided tour through the areas where they keep the permanent residents who for whatever reason cannot be released, but you do not get to go to the areas where they keep the animals undergoing rehab for eventual return to the wildlife. It is a worthy mission and one that every animal lover should see.

It was a pleasure to go on a tour of the Southwest Wildlife Center. Animals that are injured, orphaned, or unable to survive in the wild are taken care of and released into their natural habitat when possible. Kendra was a fabulous guide who was incredibly knowledgable and made the experience fun for all ages.

Marsha was so informative about the animals we saw the other day!! She was engaging and asked if we had questions and ensured we all had a wonderful time! We will visit again soon! Thank you!

The center was fantastic! I took my family, 8 & 11 year old, along with their grandparents. It was something for all ages. I would not recommend small children as the animals need a quiet environment. We got to see a wide range of animals and we learned a lot about each one. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. I would highly recommend it.

Our family found our 2-hour tour to be very educational and interesting. The opportunity to ask questions and get answers made our visit very personal.

This was an amazing experience to learn about the Arizona animals and how SWCC rescues, rehabilitates and releases so many animals. It is an intimate, up close tour of the facility and the resident mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, bears and so much more! The staff were terrific, warm, welcoming and knowledgeable.

Our tour guide was great. She was very knowledgable about all the animals and their backstories. The center was well put together and better than some zoos I've seen. All the animals looked very healthy and well kept.

Up close wildlife experience in native Sonoran desert, not to be missed if you’re looking as a local or tourist. Amazing for kids and adults. These are sanctuary non-releasable native animals that have an amazing life watching their caretakers and visitors as they get the best vet care and food and enrichment, and you can be part of their entertainment!

Great experience all the way around. Their mission is as honorable as they come. The tour is definitely worth the price of admission; the animals are amazing and obviously well cared for and the volunteer tour guides are fantastic. This is a DO NOT MISS experience.

Amazing! We had a fabulous tour from Cheryl, and everyone (from grandpa to the teenager to the kids) absolutely loved it. We had never been so close to bears, mountain lions and gray wolves before - it was incredible. Wonderful organization with a wonderful mission. Highly recommend!

Just an excellent facility, with a caring staff, clean enclosures, and well taken care of rescue animals. Well worth the visit.

We are local for 17 years and had not been to the SWC despite rave reviews from neighbors. Wonderful and inspiring experience! Our guide Dana P was very knowledgeable and entertaining . We learned so much about AZ wildlife and about wildlife conservation in the US. Also it was great to see wolves, mountain lions, and bobcats close up! Well worth the time and the meager ticket price.

Wonderful experience! We did the moonlight tour - great time to be at the center. The coyotes barked, howled and yipped as the sun went down and the wolves began their spine tingling howling. Our tour guide did an amazing job of giving us background about each animal and how they came to be at the center, their typical life in the wild and how the staff and volunteers help the animals to adapt to living in captivity. Learning about each of these majestic creatures and how, for many, early interactions with humans and/or injury rendered them unable to survive in the wild gave me a sense of appreciation for how the staff and volunteers at SWCC make the best of a difficult situation for these wild souls.

I live close to the conservation center and was delighted to finally go with my out of town guest. The tour was extremely informative, the animals were well kept and the entire experience was top notch.
I hope to become a volunteer in the future.

Cathie our guide was excellent and so knowledgeable and friendly. We Loved the ethos of the organization to recover, rehabilitate and release. The animals in their care. They do excellent work and the animals are well taken care of and appear happy. Everyone who works there is so enthusiastic about what they do and that really enhances the experience. We were on the full moon tour with wolves and coyotes howling in the background and the nocturnal animals were just starting to come out. At the end we were served homemade snacks, just another reminder of the kind and caring atmosphere.
Highly recommended.

This place has potential but was very disappointing. This two hour tour could easily be done in under an hour. The tour guides are clearly dedicated to the vision, but offer over talk about minute details, making the trip long and boring at times. Our guide was also not great with kids and our kids were bored. She talked the entire time we were at each animal, leaving no time for families to talk among themselves. This is a very small conservatory and not worth the price of admission. There are far better things to do in this area.

one of the most memorable experiences I have had. My brother got tickets. Staff, Cate E. was amazing. I understand she has been giving tours for 30 years. She was made for this.

Very close encounters with the animals and knowledgeable staff. You can tell the animals are very well taken care of and it’s really cool to see how they react in their natural environment.

We were traveling in a group with 11 people. Of those 3 were 5 and 4 plus a 7 and 11 year old. Putting the other family with children in our group would have been a better option than two older couples interested in wolf breeding which our children were not interested in. We were from out of state so visiting on a a family day was not an option for us. Our guide was knowledgeable just didn't present for the majority of her audience.

Place is immaculate and the staff all work hard. We took a tour and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. Animals all look healthy and well cared for.

What an amazing place! I learned so many facts about desert animals and am so impressed with the educational component of the tour. Our guide Cheryl S was animated, engaging and an amazing story teller. Am I credible experience for young and old!

A fabulous, enthusiastic and informative tour with Marcia. Each animal you meet with her is like meeting part of her family and she loves sharing their personal stories. I'm sure no one leaves without feeling you have experienced something very special in the work that is done at Southwest Wildlife.

The tour is wonderfully informative, the team cares deeply about the animals and their work and the it's amazing to see native animals and hear their stories. Even as someone from Phoenix I learned so much! The cost of the tour is spent on their amazing rehabilitation and conservation efforts. Cannot recommend enough!

Excellent facility and wonderfully informative tour. This place is doing things right for the animals! Group tour fees go straight to taking care of the animals here.

volunteer tour guides were very personable and knowledgeable and offered to look up after the tour the answers to follow up questions that the children on the tour were interested in.

This is such an interesting place to visit! Our tour guide explained the story how many of the animals came to the center which made it very informative. The animals are well cared for.

Our guide made this tour absolutely fascinating. We learned numerous facts about wild animals that were extremely interesting.

Nice tour of the rescued and rehabbing animals at this conversvatory. Lori led our tour and shared stories about the animals. You get to walk around the various enclosures (not strenuous). Bring water and wear a hat. Enjoyed it very much!

We did a twilight tour and it was fantastic. They are doing a real good job with all the animals. Our guide Cathie was fantastic and explained about the background of all animals staying there. Animals appeared well fed and happy. Would totally recommend this if you are in phoenix.

We had a great visit. Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable about all the animals kept at the conversation center. I was amazed at the number of different animals, and all the center does to help the wildlife.

Was a really great family experience. Very informative and saw animals I wasn’t expecting. Goliath stole the show! Would definitely recommend going. We did a private tour so we were able to get a more focused experience

10 stars !!! If you haven't made the time to tour at this remarkable wildlife conservation center, we wholeheartedly encourage that you do! All ages will enjoy & learn so much about our wildlife.
The volunteers we've met are ALL so dedicated as they provide top notch care to our injured and orphaned wildlife. Diane was our tour guide...words cannot express how grateful we were for her guiding, teaching and sharing the healing journey of so many animals. Diane was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about every species in their care! Fascinating facts learned, and yet, some sad truths about the challenges our precious wildlife endure. We will tour again, it was that great! Kudos for all you do!!

Such a great cause and a great experience! Not all of the animals were out and about, but it was great to see the ones that were and to hear stories about them all and the center's mission. Robyn was a fantastic guide that clearly loves what she does. Highly recommend!

We visited the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale this winter, and it was a memorable experience. Having lived in Phoenix before, I thought I knew the area well, but this visit gave me new appreciation for local wildlife.

My husband and teen daughter both love wildlife documentaries and have traveled around the world. They were happy to have Robyn, who has been with the center for over 15 years, guide and be able to answer more detailed questions. She was clearly passionate and open which made our experience enjoyable and worthwhile. The 2 hour length of the tour was perfect for interested people who are new to understanding southwest animals.

If you’re in Phoenix and care about wildlife, I recommend booking a tour. We found it educational, enjoyable, and a meaningful way to connect with nature.

The Southwest Wildlife walk with wildlife tour is a must-do for any nature lover, whether local or visiting. You can see the diverse mammals of the Sonoran Desert and Arizona mountains up close and personal, learn their stories, and gain a greater appreciation for how humans and wildlife can interact in a mutually positive way. Javelinas, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, coatis, bobcats, foxes, bears (sleeping this time of year), and beavers all made an appearance on our tour. The tour takes about two hours and you will be with 10-15 other people. The volunteers and staff are wonderful and truly care for the animals.

Wonderful facility filled with a variety of animals. It was inspiring to hear stories about how they rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals back into the wild. The guides are volunteers and are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. I’d highly recommend visiting. Every dollar you spend goes directly towards the care of these animals as this place is a non-profit but not funded by state or federal grants.

Great stop during our visit to Arizona. I can't go to zoos anymore because I hate that animals that should be free to roam are trapped in little cages. But at the SWCC the animals all cannot live in the wild, so they need to be kept on property. There are a large number of beautiful animals there, including my favorite the bobcats. And the tour guide (Geneva) was very knowledgeable, so we learned a lot.

We had such an amazing experience. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable. We learned so much about the animals and their stories. It was thoroughly enjoyed by our whole family!

The information shared was very valuable in understanding both the purpose of a conservation center and the care and dedication involved toward its success. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and presented the information in a captivating manner. The facility was clean, and the animals well cared for. It was a great experience for all.

Caroline our tour guide for the “Moon Walk”was very knowledgeable about each and every one of the magnificent animals they care for at the Sanctuary. What an undertaking caring for these unfortunate animals. Mtn Lions, Bears, Wolves, Coyotes, Bobcats, Owls, Tortoises, etc losing their habitat daily - so sad. They care for the injured, sick animals and release the ones that are able back to the wild. Great tour, wonderful visit. The Wolves and Coyotes were howling as the moon was rising at these beautifully maintained grounds. Would recommend a visit to this amazing Conservation Center. It’s very educational for children and adults.

They are doing a great thing to save or rehabilitate the wildlife of AZ! Very enjoyable time with friends. Keep it up the great work!

Very informative tour, love to hear about the animals they have helped so far and the animals currently at their facility. I recommend to everyone, local and put of towners.

Awesome volunteer led tour. Up close to mountain lions and bears!
Very clean facilities, totally run by donations so feel free to leave a little extra!

So much fun! Paula was an incredible tour guide! Thank you so much for the wonderful experience! We loved getting to see animals that we don’t have at home :) Thank you for taking such good care of the wildlife in AZ!

We visited on family day when the refuge is set up to cater to small children. There were volunteers who explained interesting facts about each of the rescued animals, which were amazing to see— mountain lions, bears, javalinas, owls, etc. Our adult “kids” and our grandson, aged 1 1/2 yrs, loved it.

Diana was our tour guide. She was very funny and informative. I enjoyed listening to her speak. I loved learning about all the animals but especially the wolves.

If you can, go when the temperatures are cooler as the animals are more active. Great education along with excellent views of amazing creatures. The animals are well taken care of and it's all in the effort of getting them BACK into the wild which is a honorable cause. All guides are volunteers and genuinely care about the work they do. Also the gift shop has some great stuff ;)

A great experience! Enjoyed everything about it - tour guide, animals, facility. Many of the animals were active so we got to see most of them. And Goliath the tortoise is awesome! For those wondering, even though you are on your feet for the two-hour tour, there is not a lot of walking.

We visited for the 1st time for my 30th birthday. We had the best time - The animals were so cute! Our tour guide Marilyn was very knowledgeable and sweet. Even with 12 of us in the group, she answered everyone's questions and made sure everyone had a great time. Multiple friends have told me that they want to go back! The animals were active and very fun to watch.

This is a great find and great experience- we did the twilight 4-6pm tour. The animals were out an active- the tortoise was cruising, the mountain lions were pacing and the wolves were howling like we had never experienced. Great tour guides - very informative-
Dont miss it !

Really informative and interesting tour of the animals they are saving. SUCH a worthwhile cause and wonderful organization!! Volunteer staff were amazing.

I am a native Arizonian and I'm sad to say this is my first time here, but not my last. I'll be back with more family and friends.

They have Mexican wolves, mountain lions, foxes, coyotes, javalina, and bears oh my! You'll see a giant tortoise, Great horned owls, one which is named "one eyed Jack". 😉 They even have a coatimundi along with white tail and mule deer.

The Southwest wildlife center is a must see! They have a great tour, with knowledgeable and friendly volunteer tour guides. They depend on donations to care for these animals. If you are able to donate it is for a great cause. They rehabilitate and release a large percentage back to the wild where they belong.

The road to the facility is dirt, you are in Arizona! So don't drive you freshly washed car. A dirty truck would be more appropriate 😎

We had an awesome time and a great tour! Highly recommend this excellent facility. Owls, wolves, coyotes, puma, and so much more!

The tour was fun, informative and really we enjoyed seeing all of these beautiful wild animals up so close. Well worth going to! One of the highlights of our trip.

Super interesting. Our guide, Henry, was outstanding. You will learn a lot about AZ wildlife. Worth the visit. Children will love it.

Our visit was absolutely fantastic. Our guide (Kendra) was so very knowledgeable.

The fact that the “animals come first”, makes this a special place. They help so many animals return to the wild (those are the ones you don’t get to see - as they can’t have human interaction.

The animals available for viewing receive the very best care and support.

We absolutely loved this place. Many beautiful animals, everyone was very friendly, staff knowledgeable, and the gift shop is very unique! Great mission. Please bring donations as they can always use help.

Highly recommend taking this tour! What an amazing organization. Our guide Kendra was informative and funny, introducing us to the wildlife and their mission.

Ten of us visited and took a private tour at 4:00pm. We got the opportunity to hear the coyotes calling. SWCC is successfully rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing most of the animals they receive. Some are permanent ambassadors and it's a delight to see them up close and how well they are cared for. SWCC is doing great work!

I'm an AZ native and I've never learned so much about the mammals that inhabit our lovely state. Every animal was up and active. Our guide, Kendra, was extremely knowledgeable. We learned each animals' story and how they fit into the larger ecosystem. It was fascinating.

They have mountain lions on property which I have never seen in real life. The youngest, Echo, took an interest in my littles and while I almost turned into a Mama bear, there was no need as everything was safe and secure. It was a teachable moment about ambush predators and how to stay vigilant. I would recommend this place and Kendra as your guide if you get the opportunity.

What a fabulous experience and a wonderful staff! The dedication of the staff to the animals in their care is remarkable. This is a fantastic opportunity to see so many of the desert animals and to learn about them. Well worth it!

I came to visit from Wisconsin and went with my friend and her 2 young daughters. We all loved it, this is such an amazing experience! You won't get a up close experience like this at a zoo. 10/10 would go again!

Fantastic experience! Loved seeing the wide variety of animals up close and very educational. Our guide was funny and extremely knowledgable. We’d definitely recommend the experience for older children and adults.

I always bring my friends to SWCC when they visit and the full moon tour was extra special. All of the wolves and coyotes were howling and yelping and it was quite the sight to see and hear. All of the walking tours are well worth it but this was my first time at the full moon tour and I highly recommend it!

Always a terrific experience at SW Wildlife. Brought a family member from out of town for a certain vacation hit. Twilight Tour was particularly interesting as residents were more active. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and able to adapt on the fly as we encountered pawed friends with more energy. We got to experience pack howl, which was a first for me! Highly recommend.

This place was so wonderful! It’s so nice to see rescued animals being taken care of. Learned a ton about each animal- volunteers were a wealth of knowledge! You could tell that they really care about the animals. Would be an awesome experience for any age group.

This was a trip I had long dreamed of making, and it exceeded expectations. As the boat glided between magnificent rock features, guides were able to point out bighorn sheep which I wouldn't have seen without them. What an amazing place.

This was a great experience! Not only did I learn about the different animals but also learned about their environment and habitat. Our tour guide, Val, was very well informed. I especially enjoyed meeting Goliath!

Very well put together facility. The tour was very very well well done and the guide was extremely knowledgeable. I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoying myself.

Wonderful facility and tour. Highly recommend for everyone. Kendra was great and very informative. Will definitely be back again.

Highly recommend the tour - very informative on Arizona wild native animals. Our tour guide was fantastic- full of information and insight on the operations of the facility. This tour is all outdoors - you are on your feet the entire time , and not recommended for children under 6 . Close toes shoes are a must . The paths are primitive and not flat - lots of uneven terrain to cross so definitely not recommended for persons with stability issues.

Great place for anyone to see. Friendly staff. Great cause. Animals are healthy. Lions, tigers(mountian lion) and bears oh my!

We had a private tour with my daughter & my three grandchildren 9, 11 & 13 with tour guide Julie. She was wonderful with the kids including them with questions and hands on experiences. The animals are well cared for and beautiful to see. Stories about most of them were retold by Julie. We were lucky the brown bear came out to see us as well as mountain lions, bobcats, javelinas, coatimundi, mule deer, red & white fox, coyotes and Mexican Grey Wolves. The wolves and coyotes put on some show for us and howled in unison at the end of the tour.
We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the animals and the great work being accomplished at Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.

It was such a great experiencing getting so close to these beautiful animals and learning about their unique stories (as heartbreaking as some were). Though only one bat was caught during our session, it was such a privilege to see the biologists at work and learn more about our native wildlife. The howling of the wolves and coyotes as the sunset was magical. Knowing that the cost of the program goes directly to caring for the animals made it worth the cost.

Very Cool...saw Mountain Lions, Wolves, Foxes, Huge Tortoise, Coyotes, and more! All rescued and rehabilitated animals. Robyn was a very knowledgeable and committed conservationist who shared Great Knowledge and conducted a Fantastic Tour! What a Wonderful cause with dedicated people!
Definitely worth the drive.

Our docent Diane was brilliant and great company.one of a kind experience! The mountain lions are spectacular, but the brown bears are also so endearing.

Enjoyed the visit and the very knowledgeable staff as well, of course, the animals! Enjoyable leisurely walk about with Robin!

Please donate a few dollars at the end of your tour as that is how the pay for the needs of the animals!

The family event was everything we expected. The docents were very attentive to our 5 and 2 year old grandchildren. We all enjoyed observing the animals, having our questions answered, listening to the wolves and coyotes howl and playing in the open area near the owl habitat. We’ve visited several times before and had a wonderful experience each time.

What a wonderful visit! We learned so much about the animals they have. We even got to experience the wolves howling around us. And Barbara was a great tour guide. Thank you!

This was our third tour. Recommend the Hearts and Howls on Valentines and the Walk with Wildlife. Night tours are very interesting and some animals are more active in the cooler evening weather.

I have lived in the area for 23 years, a Concierge for 11+ years and refer this venue to guests, am a monthly contributor but never had visited until this past Thursday, March 27th. I don't know what I was expecting but it was one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever enjoyed. Robin, our Tour Associate, was awesome - so knowledgeable and made it so interesting! I didn't want the tour to end! One of the highlights, for sure, was watching the Mountain Lion come out for dinner - he devoured a gigantic turkey leg!
I would recommend this to anyone who loves animals. The work that this team of associates and their many volunteers perform is nothing short of amazing. They so need donations to keep up this wonderful work for these "much in need" magnificent animals. You can go on their website and find their "Wish List" of things they need; monetary donations also help so much. Please visit and please donate.

Very interesting and educational. The Center staff members are very cordial and knowledgeable. The work they are doing here is amazing.

Amazing experience! We all learned so much, and Kendra, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable, engaging and also fun. But, most importantly, the work they are doing is so important and a contribution to the science of conservation medicine.

What a great place, well worth the drive! The tour guide was excellent and you could tell she was really passionate about the animals and the mission of the sanctuary. If you remotely like animals, go to SWCC.

The animals - lions, bears, foxes, coati, owls and wolves are the real stars! The Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release mission is inspiring - as is the work done by all the volunteers. Super guide who did a great job engaging kids and adults. What a fun morning! Now I want to go back for the Full Moon Tour!

It was so awesome to see all the animals at the SW Conservation Center! The wolves and mountain lions were especially impressive. As a person passionate about wildlife conservation, it was great to hear about what they do and how they are helping out the local AZ animals! I highly recommend anyone who loves animals to take a tour!

Absolutely love it. The staff is wonderful and knowledgeable.
Definitely a place worth visiting.
Hope to go again soon.

Really cool place with volunteers that are so incredibly knowledgeable. So cool to see all the animals and learn so much about all the different animals they support and rescue here! Would definitely go back!

We went to a special event and made enrichment boxes for the animals. It was so much fun to watch them tear the boxes and bags apart to get their treats. The mountain lion got his head stuck in a box but it was worth it when he could pull a big turkey leg out!

Our visit was phenomenal. Robyn was a superb guide who covered all aspects of the conservation center. We are extremely lucky to have this conservation center in Arizona. We highly recommend that everyone visit this center!!

This is an amazing place! The only dissappointment was (selfeshly) not able to get good photos because of the safety fence. The girls answer all of the questions, and if they do not know the answer, they will google it after the tour. They are very caring and knowledgeable there and greatly appreciative of any supply donations sent to them.

this is was such a pleasant experience and oh gosh the staff is sooo knowledgeable and wonderful . My hope is all of humanity stays in touch with wildlife

This was our third time visiting and our tour guide (forgive me I’ve forgot her name) was outstanding. She made it fun for ever age in our group.

Great small group tour and appropriate length of time . This organization is doing such worthwhile work !! Heartwarming ❤️

What a wonderful experience. I don't know why more people are not going on this tour. The guides were amazing and had a lot of information. I love that the animals each have a origin story. They all looked well cared for and loved. These wild animals are up close a personal to view which is quite a treat. They are local to the Arizona wild. This organization is doing an amazing job and I will definitely go back whenever I can.

Really cool place to see local wildlife. I finally got to see coyotes here, after only hearing them in the wild before. The wolves were awesome, and the pumas and cute little foxes were a highlight too. Super glad I came—got to see animals you don’t usually spot in a zoo, and it felt good supporting a great cause. Big shoutout to the team at the Conservation Center—they’re doing amazing work.