Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is the perfect day out for visitors of all ages, and there is always something new to see and do.

Heart of Africa allows visitors to discover sights, sounds, and tastes inspired by Central and East Africa. Encompassing 22 acres of grasslands and over 50 incredible animal species, from critically endangered vultures to porcupines, aardvarks, and pygmy mice, as well as giraffe, zebra, antelope, and ostrich roaming together in the vast, sweeping savannah habitat.

While exploring Heart of Africa, visitors will also find carefully selected plants and shrubbery to reflect the vast range of landscapes found in East and Central Africa. There are more than 30 bird species to spot, including flamingos and the colourful black-cheeked love birds. Hidden Savannah has some of Africa’s smallest species, from chameleons, pancake tortoises, and a colony of naked mole rats.

Chester Zoo also offers Madagascar walk-through where visitors come face to face with 4 free-roaming lemur species, Snow leopards, can be seen in their specially designed Himalayan inspired habitat and the Monsoon Forest, a large tropical bio-dome, is home to Sumatran orangutans and Sunda gharial crocodiles, as well as free-flying bird species.

Chester Zoo is fully accessible and offers children’s play areas, face painting, the Lazy River Boat Trip, and shopping opportunities and the free daily animal talks are unmissable. Food options include Sunday lunch at the zoo’s classic pub, authentic Southeast Asian Street food on Islands, plus tasty snacks. There are also picnic areas for visitors who bring their own packed lunch.