All the wild animals usually found in the wilds, game reserves, and rivers are living close to you – in the city of Joburg! These animals live inside the Johannesburg Zoo, in beautiful enclosures that look like their natural homes. You can spend the day at the zoo and get to see your favourite animals and observe them for as long as you want. You can also enjoy a picnic on the green lawns in the shadow provided by trees. And play your heart out in the play areas that include fun rides while enjoying the great outdoors in the beautiful, green zoo!
Fun Facts About The Johannesburg Zoo
The Johannesburg Zoo started operating in 1904 with only a few animals, can you believe it? The Zoo celebrates its 120th birthday this year. It's home to more than 2 000 animals from 300 different kinds of species. The Big Five are there – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses and buffalo.
You can also see a wide range of birds – including South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane. There are also reptiles and animals found in the Amazon. The Joburg Zoo proudly offers visitors a fresh water aquarium, as part of the Animals of Amazon exhibition.
Exciting Programmes & Events At the Johannesburg Zoo
A fun walk in the zoo will lead you to see reptiles, including scale covered snakes and the sneaky crocodiles hiding under water. And don’t leave without seeing a giraffe – the tallest mammal in the world! Fun fact: each giraffe has a different coat patch, that can be used as camouflage and is as unique as a human being’s fingerprint!
The Joburg Zoo keeps animals protected and safe from harm. The zoo offers great programmes to learn about animals at the zoo. This includes their holiday programme in March, June, October and December. You can also participate in the Zoo Snooze, an overnight camping experience at the zoo.
The zoo also arranges fun educational activities for different types of events. These include: Endangered Species Day on 19 May; World Elephant Day on 30 August; and Rhino Day on 22 September. There's also World Animal Day is on 04 October and International Cheetah Day on 04 December.
March is the zoo’s birthday month and normally fun activities – and free entrance to everyone born in March – are arranged to celebrate. And there are plenty of other fun events hosted in the zoo throughout the year. These include the Festival of Lights with a beautiful glow lighting displays and plays during December.
An Easter Egg Hunt during Easter and the night of frights with a fun scary Halloween celebration in October. Keeping active is part of our tradition and every second Sunday of the month runners, walkers and families can take part in a fun run or walk at the Zoo Trot.
For More Information
For more information about The Joburg Zoo, visit www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com.
You can also contact them on 011 646 2000 for more details.
Don’t forget to follow The Joburg Zoo on their social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram and Twitter — to keep up to date with the latest news, information, events and more.
Address: Corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Upper Park Drive, Parkview, Johannesburg.
