Facilities

Under the redevelopment, the zoo has a themed structure, with animals grouped according to their habitat:

• The Spice Route comprises the animals found along the old trading routes to India;
• Heart of Africa, comprising of zoo’s gorillas, chimpanzees and other central African animals;
• Southern Safari, filled with local Southern African animals, from lions to bushbabies;
• Extreme Environments, where the animals from the hot and cold deserts live – the camels, polar bears and penguins; and
• Amazonia, for animals from South America.

There is also a farmyard for younger children and entertainment areas for play and picnicking.

There are also seven venues that can be hired for various functions or events. They cater for indoor and outdoor events and can accommodate small, intimate groups as well as groups of up to 3 000 people.

These include the Anglo Ashanti Conference Centre, a unique venue with a wooden deck overlooking the lion enclosure; the Ape House deck, which is ideal for cocktail parties; and The Elephant House, an in- and outdoor area that also has a wedding chapel.

Other venues are the Tree of Lights, the Centenary Lawn, the Bandstand and the Sasol Wing of the Aviary.