The largest UK zoo habitat ever created set to open at Chester Zoo

The largest UK zoo habitat ever created - home to 57 iconic African species - is set to open at Chester Zoo.

The new Heart of Africa zone, spanning more than 17 football pitches (22.5 acres), has been designed to recreate a variety of grassland habitats found across central Africa. It is among the most ambitious zoo expansions ever undertaken in Europe.

Taking centre stage in the new area is a vast open savannah where, for the first time at the zoo, visitors will encounter northern giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, roan antelopes and ostrich, all living together side-by-side.

Away from the sweeping grasslands, a new indoor habitat, named Hidden Savannah, shines a spotlight on Africa’s desert dwellers and less heralded species. Here, guests will come face-to-face with naked mole rats burrowing through tunnels, as well as other rodent species such as short-eared sengi and pygmy mice. Eleven ectotherm species (‘cold-blooded animals’) can also be found, including the African bullfrog, the largest frog species in Africa, dung beetles, red spitting cobra, Ethiopian viper, critically endangered pancake tortoises and an immersive new habitat where visitors can climb into a Land Rover surrounded by 15,000 locusts.

Keen birders will also spot more than 30 species of bird within several new habitats, including a flock of 107 iconic greater flamingos, three species of critically endangered vulture - white-headed vultures, African white-backed vultures, and hooded vultures - colourful black-cheeked lovebirds, the continent’s rarest species of lovebird, and the Verreaux’s eagle owl, the largest owl found in Africa.

The area is also home to a host of other mammal species including meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, Eastern black rhino, yellow mongoose, rock hyrax and dik-dik.

Heart of Africa is expected to create 30 new jobs at the zoo, while also growing the zoo’s appeal and allowing it to attract an extra 200,000 people per year to the region – delivering a significant economic boost to the wider Cheshire region through increased tourism.

Conservationists say it will stand as a “vibrant symbol” of the zoo’s long-term commitment to conservation across the continent, with every visit contributing to its scientific and conservation initiatives aimed at protecting endangered African species.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said:

“Heart of Africa is the largest and most ambitious zoo development ever undertaken in the UK. It stands as a vibrant symbol of our commitment to safeguarding wildlife across Africa, ensuring its future for generations to come.

“Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us. We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah, and what better way to achieve that than by seeing northern giraffe, Grevy's zebra, ostrich, and roan antelope roaming together, just as they would in Africa. It's truly a breathtaking sight.

“To bring this vision to life, our expert teams have planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses, while also welcoming many species to the zoo for the first time. We're proud to join international breeding programmes that will leverage our teams' expertise to protect threatened species, including vultures, naked mole rats, and the highly venomous red spitting cobra. We're also welcoming back beloved species, with new homes for meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, porcupines, and critically endangered eastern black rhinos.

“This marks a significant new chapter for Chester Zoo. As an international wildlife charity, Heart of Africa will help us connect hundreds of thousands of people with nature, generate jobs and economic growth for the region, and continue our vital conservation work in Africa, long into the future. It’s the most complex habitat we’ve ever created, and we can’t wait to invite visitors into this extraordinary new space.”

The zoo has long been at the forefront of protecting African wildlife, working with its partners across the continent to safeguard vital habitats, combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, as well as supporting sustainable livelihoods that uplift local communities.

Dr. Gerardo Garcia, Head of Ectotherms at Chester Zoo, added:

“Africa is one of six regions where we’re actively working to protect some of the planet’s most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems. Our efforts range from supporting the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking. We're also pioneering endocrinology science to help increase eastern black rhino populations in Kenya and supporting initiatives like the Maasai Olympics, a sporting event where the culture of hunting lions has been replaced with sport.

“Heart of Africa celebrates these conservation successes but also reminds us that our work is far from finished. Every species here carries an important story with many facing real threats in the wild. That’s why every visit to the zoo and this new zone will make a difference. As a charity, it’ll provide a boost to our funds that will see us protect even more of Africa’s incredible wildlife, with plans already in place to save new species of reptile and amphibians from extinction.

“We hope this huge new part of Chester Zoo inspires action from those who visit - whether that’s making more sustainable choices or supporting conservation efforts. Together, we can help ensure that Africa’s wildlife not only survives but thrives into the future.”

In addition to the remarkable wildlife experiences, Heart of Africa also features Pamoja Village, a vibrant cultural space offering visitors a taste of African traditions, from authentic street food to immersive storytelling from the wild. It aims to not only create a deeper appreciation for Africa’s wildlife, but also for the communities that live alongside it.

Heart of Africa will open to visitors from Saturday 5 April. Entry is free, with normal zoo admission.

Zoo tickets can be booked via: 

www.chesterzoo.org

The opening of Heart of Africa comes ahead of the unveiling of another exciting new development at the zoo this summer. The Reserve, Chester Zoo’s answer to a premium safari getaway right here in the UK, will feature 51 luxury African-themed lodges, offering guests the chance to stay overnight at the zoo in support of conservation for the very first time.

More information here: 

www.chesterzoo.org/accommodation

Pictured - Chester Zoo to unveil its new Heart of Africa zone – a 22.5-acre savannah habitat, home to 57 iconic species.