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The zoo has a number of tours that offer a different look at the animals, from mythbusting to dinner, with a special trip for pensioners.
Getting close to different animals
THERE'S a brand-new tour at the Johannesburg Zoo, filled with fantastical sights, such as hippos that sweat blood, and much more.
On the Animal Mythbuster Tour, visitors learn more about interesting animals like bewitched owls and porcupines that shoot quills, among other strange but true feats. It is just one of several specials that the zoo offers.
But remember to book a date and time for the Mythbuster Tour. Other tours at the facility range from morning to evening outings, and are for family and friends. There are also smaller tours available.
Tours
Ferry tours take place from Mondays to Sundays. During the week tour times are 9.30am, 11am and 2pm and on weekends they are 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
If you are taking the tour, meet at the zoo's main entrance on Upper Park Drive 10 minutes before it begins. The ferry - tractors and trailers - visits about five enclosures and the tour guides feed the polar bears and red river hogs.
The tour is 90 minutes long and each vehicle can seat 35 people. The fee is R45, which also covers parking. The price is the same for adults and children, while it is free for kids under three.
Parties at the zoo are also possible after the tour; the zoo provides the space on its rolling green lawns, but not catering.
For the night owls, there is a Moonlight Tour, an Open Moonlight Tour and a Night Tour, catering for all those romantics and nocturnal folk.
Moonlight Tour
Bring along picnic baskets, torches, comfortable shoes and jackets for this tour. And if you plan to take pictures of the shy nocturnal creatures, need to bring your own cameras.
Again, the tour begins at the main entrance, this time at 5.15pm. Participants are ferried to the Education Centre for a slideshow of nocturnal animals at 5.30pm. After the slide show, they are taken around the zoo, stopping at about five animal enclosures.
Then it is time to enjoy their picnics around a bon fire. The zoo provides marshmallows, toast, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Afterwards, participants are taken back to the main gate at 8pm.
This is a private tour for parties of 15 or more people.
Open Moonlight Tours are designed for people who want to enjoy an evening in the zoo. They accommodate any number of people, from one upwards - organising a party of friends is not needed.
The Open Moonlight Tour costs R70 a person and runs from 5.15pm to 8pm. Again, bring torches and picnic baskets. It operates in the same way as the Moonlight Tour and takes place more often during school holidays.
And then there is the Night Tour. Specifically catering for adults, it costs R70 a ticket. Again, bring your own picnic baskets, jackets, torches, cameras and comfortable shoes. There are Night Tours from Mondays to Saturdays, running from 6.15pm to 9pm.
Departing from the main entrance at 6.15pm, the tour goes straight to the zoo's Education Centre where there is a slide show featuring nocturnal animals. This is followed by a ferried trip around the zoo.
This tour stops at three enclosures and then returns to the Education Centre for picnics by the bonfire. Marshmallows, toast and hot drinks are provided by the zoo. The tour ends back at the main gate at 9pm.
Behind the Scenes Tour
For those who want to have a closer look at things, the zoo has designed a Behind the Scenes Tour.
For those who want to have a closer look at things, the zoo has designed a Behind the Scenes Tour
A walking visit, it takes people to places usually closed to the public - stopping at the kitchen and hospital and two night rooms.
The tour lasts for one-and-a-half hours and costs R50 for adults and children. It takes place during the week between 9am and 2pm and on weekends at 9am and 10am. No children under the age of seven are allowed on this tour.
For those who can't decide between the options, the zoo has the Sunset Tour, which incorporates all its tours.
It caters for adults and children and takes place from Mondays to Saturdays, from 3.45pm to 6pm. It costs R50 a person and visitors must bring along their own picnic baskets.
Beginning at the main entrance at 3.45pm, the first stop is the Education Centre to drop off the picnic baskets for later. Then it takes a trip through the zoo, stopping off at about five enclosures of diurnal and nocturnal animals.
Then it is time for a picnic round the bonfire; again hot drinks and marshmallows are provided by the zoo. From there, the tour vehicle takes participants back to the gate at 6pm.
Senior citizens
Not forgetting the older generation, there is a special treat just for them that requires no walking. They simply get to relax and take in the scenery.
On the Senior Citizens Tour, pensioners are treated to a two-hour guided tour specifically designed for them. It is for 15 people or more, and costs R30 each.
The tour takes place on weekdays from 9am to 2pm.
The fee includes entrance to the zoo and parking. Tour guides meet participants 15 minutes before the tour begins at the main zoo entrance on Upper Park Drive. They are ferried to the Education Centre for hot tea and coffee and biscuits.
There is an educational session about animals before the tour heads off. It stops at about five enclosures, with transport around the zoo on tractors and trailers. It ends back at the main entrance.
Dinner Tour
For busy businesspeople who want to spend some quality time with their families, the Dinner Tour is a nice outing.
It is ideal for small families or parties. Groups of 30 or more guests are encouraged to book for parties, work functions and special interest groups.
Arranged monthly on Mondays to Saturdays, it costs R150 per person and includes a tour of the zoo and a three-course meal. However, drinks are excluded and can be bought at the restaurant. Visitors may also bring along their own alcoholic drinks.
The tour starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm. Visitors should bring along their own torches.
Feeding times and talks are included in this programme.
Booking and payment must be made in advance. For more information about the zoo, its tours and discounts, call 011 646 2000, fax 011 486 2866, send an email to
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, or visit the zoo's website .
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