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Chester Zoo’s ambitious 22.5 acre Heart of Africa expansion, home to more than 57 African species, will open to the public on April 5
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 02 Apr 2025
The Mixed Savannah, home to zebras, giraffes and antelope, is at the heart of the expansion Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo’s Heart of Africa expansion, dubbed the UK’s ‘most ambitious zoo development ever’, will open to the public on April 5.
The £28m (US$36m, €34m) expansion, spanning 22.5 acres, is home to 57 African species and has been meticulously designed to replicate the grasslands of Central Africa, with more than 6,000 trees, grasses and shrubs planted to recreate the various habitats.
At the heart of the development is the 3.5 acre Mixed Savannah where visitors will encounter giraffes, zebras, antelope and ostriches as they roam freely through the grasslands.
The Heart of Africa development spans 22.5 acres CREDIT: CHESTER ZOO
The Hidden Savannah meanwhile is an indoor habitat, housing the zoo’s African rodent population, including pygmy mice, mole rats and round-eared sengi, as well as several other species such as the critically-endangered pancake tortoise, African bullfrogs, Ethiopian viper, red spitting cobra and dung beetles.
The development is also home to a flock of white-headed vultures, 107 flamingos, black-cheeked lovebirds, as well as African wild dogs, dik-dik, aardvarks, yellow mongoose and meerkats.
Other new additions include a new state-of-the-art giraffe house, heated to 23C to keep the animals warm, and Pamoja Village, a cultural space and play area offering immersive experiences and authentic street food.
Chester Zoo has a flock of more than 107 flamingoes CREDIT: CHESTER ZOO
The launch of the Heart of Africa expansion has been a long time coming, with the plans first conceived in 2017 and building works scheduled to begin in 2020. The project finally broke ground in November 2022 following Covid-related delays, with the works completed at the end of last year.
It’s hoped that the development will increase visitor numbers by 200,000 a year and generate an additional £3m (US$3.9m, €3.6m) in revenue for the zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts.
“Heart of Africa is the largest and most ambitious zoo development ever undertaken in the UK,” said Chester Zoo CEO Jamie Christon.
“It stands as a vibrant symbol of our commitment to safeguarding wildlife across Africa, ensuring its future for generations to come.”
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