‘Heart of Africa’ habitat opens at Chester Zoo

The UK’s largest zoo habitat – with 57 African species – is set to open at Chester Zoo this weekend.

The ‘Heart of Africa’ experience will open on Saturday, April 5.

It’s been designed to recreate grassland habitats across central Africa – one of the most ambitious zoo projects ever undertaken in Europe.

A new indoor zone – Hidden Savannah – shows Africa’s desert dwellers – naked mole rats and other rodent species including short-eared Sengi and Pygmy Mice.

Eleven ectotherm cold-blooded animals – will be see, including the largest frog species in Africa – the African Bullfrog – Dung Beetles, Red Spitting Cobra, Ethiopian Viper and critically endangered Pancake Tortoises.

Keen birders will see over 30 species of birds, including a flock of Greater Flamingos, White-headed, African White-backed and Hooded Vultures, Black-cheeked Lovebirds – the continent’s rarest species of Lovebird – and the largest owl found in Africa, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.

The area is also home to other mammal species including Meerkats, African Wild Dogs, Aardvarks, Eastern Black Rhino’s, Yellow Mongoose, Rock Hyrax and Dik-dik.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo says: “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.

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.

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.