Your Guide to the Johannesburg Zoo

The story of the Johannesburg Zoo begins in the German district of Hohenheim in 1847 with the birth of future mining magnate and zoo benefactor Hermann Ludwig Eckstein. Some 35 years later he would move to Johannesburg. In 1904, the same year that ice-cream cones were invented, the Johannesburg Zoo was established. This was following Eckstein's initiative to plant 3 million trees in the area of Saxonwold which was then known as Sachsenwald.

Tip: Joburg newbies will be pleased to discover that the Johannesburg Zoo is under 20 minutes away from the most convenient Johannesburg accommodation, The Maslow. Click here for directions.

Established on land donated to the City of Johannesburg by the firm of the late Eckstein, the Johannesburg Zoo developed in leaps and bounds for much of the 20th century. Becoming a Joburg institution, the zoo has since dominated the list of things to do with kids in the city.

Did you know? The original animal collection consisted of a solitary lion, leopard, giraffe and genet, two Sable antelope bulls, one baboon, one pair of Rhesus monkeys, one pair of porcupines and one golden eagle.

Tip: Keep up-to-date with upcoming events at the zoo by liking the Johannesburg Zoo Facebook page.

Today the Johannesburg Zoo is home to over 320 species of animals with the total animal count sitting at approximately 2 000 animals. While each animal is special (Here's looking at you BG the tweeting honey badger) extra-special mention goes out to the white lions that call the Joburg Zoo home sweet home. One of the few places in the world that this pigment-challenged lion is found, the zoo has also had success in breeding white lions and Siberian tigers.

Did you know? The Johannesburg Zoo has one Sumatran orangutan named Duma. Born in Leipzig Zoo in Germany, Duma moved to sunny South Africa in 1998.

Tip: For fun with the kids, why not explore The Joburg Zoo's Top 5 Animals to see list. Click here for more info and get exploring! Plus, to make sure that you spot the nocturnal animals on the list, be sure to book an evening tour by clicking here.

For more fun things to do with kids at the Johannesburg Zoo make a lunchtime date with a furry friend… Every weekend the zoo presents animal talks and feeding times for some of the hungry animals.

Did you know? Chimpanzees eat flowers, eggs, bark and monkeys! How's that for a varied diet?

Basic info and operating hours:

Open from 08h30 to 17h30 Monday - Sunday, including public holidays and Christmas and New Year's Day.

For directions click here. For fees click here. But don't worry if you forget to bring cash, there is an Absa ATM at the main entrance in Upper Park Drive. For more info about day tours, click here.

Tell us: what's your favourite animal at the Johannesburg Zoo?