Johannesburg Zoo

Johannesburg Zoo is a municipal zoo on Jan Smuts Avenue in Parkview, near Saxonwold, in Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa. Established in 1904, it covers around 55 hectares of landscaped grounds on a wooded hillside beside Zoo Lake and is home to more than 2,000 animals of roughly 320 species, from African savanna animals to species from other continents. Visitors follow a network of paths that link enclosures for lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, primates, big cats, reptiles and birds. The zoo is known for its polar bear exhibit and for a well-regarded collection of primates, and includes a children's section with a petting area and play equipment. Large trees and open lawns give the grounds a park-like feel, and picnic spots are popular with local families. A visit typically takes about three hours, though the layout is hilly and a full walk around the site takes longer. Guided night tours, safari-style tours and early-morning walks are sometimes offered, and details are available from the zoo. Weekday mornings are calmest, when animals are more active and cooler temperatures make walking more comfortable. Weekends and school holidays bring large local crowds. The best photographs come from the viewing areas near the big cats and giraffes in the morning light. Photography is generally allowed, though flash near animals is discouraged. A restaurant, kiosks and a shop operate on site. Uber and Bolt are the most convenient ways to get there, and Rea Vaya buses serve nearby routes. Visitors should keep valuables discreet when walking outside the zoo grounds.