FANCY an encounter with the big cats under the cover of darkness? Well, the Johannesburg zoo is just the place to be. The zoo offers moonlight tours which take visitors behind the scenes to see various animals at close range … and in the dark.

Tanya Smith, the marketing manager of the zoo, says night visitors are taken by tractor-driven open coaches to see their favourite animals up close and personal. "Visitors are taken to unusual areas such as the night rooms for baboons, giraffes or the big cats. They get to see where and how animals are fed and sleep," said Smith.

Night-time visits to the big cats are not for the faint hearted. Here, you will have a close encounter with fearsome lions, restless cheetahs, ferocious leopards, and sweet looking lion cubs. Dominique Moss, the zoo keeper explains: "Hand raised lions are more dangerous than wild ones because they have lost their fear of humans. They won't hesitate to attack you."

He says this even as he puts his hand through the bars to gently stroke them. Don't doubt his word though. He should know - He has the scars to prove it. He relates how he was attacked by one lioness early this year. He remembers clinging to and being choked by an electric fence as he frantically tried to escape the clutches of the lioness he had been feeding for years. At that moment he had to decide, which is worse between being mauled by a lion and being electrocuted. He opted for the latter.

It is only when you step outside and begin to feel the evening Jo'burg breeze stroking your skin that your heart regains its natural beat. You are struck by spectacular lights, all shaped in the form of animals, erected in open spaces inside the zoo for the Christmas period. The brightness of the lights offers comforting reassurance that you are not in a jungle but in a city, and you can confidently ignore the roaring noise behind you.

Unlike day trips where visitors wander around the zoo on their own, the night trips offer knowledgeable guides to inform visitors about the various animals as they go along, providing a more focussed and interactive experience.

Smith points out that "you also get to see nocturnal animals such all small mammals and cats, all big cats, hippos and the bush baby". These animals, which tend to sleep during the day, are particularly active at night. The zoo has been running these night tours since 1984.

The zoo also offers dinner walks which culminate with visitors being served food of their choice. All the tours of the zoo are strictly by reservation. A minimum of 100 people are required for the dinner walks to go ahead. You can take advantage of this programme to organise special functions like birthday celebrations.

Visitors can also elect to go on guided tours of the zoo which include slide shows, drinks, rusks and mashmallows around the bonfire. Guided tours are offered for groups of at least 30 people, at a rate of R35 per person. Moonlight tours and behind the scenes visits take place daily.

For reservations, call 646-2000, extension 210 or 214.