Wondering where to travel? Searching for a good place to hang out in your free time? Looking forward to going outside and exploring nature? Then maybe visiting the zoo is the thing for you!
Everyone loves the zoo. From kids to adults - different people visit the zoo each year. Zoos have a certain appeal to visitors as it features different zoo animals which are sure to tickle one’s curiosity. The explorer in anyone comes alive as we observe animals in their natural behaviors and environments.
There are many great zoos found all over the world, each holding a variety of species of land animals, aquatic animals, and flying animals. However, there are particular zoos which stand out among the rest because of its diversity and attractions. Here is a quick list of where to travel to find the five best zoos in the world.
- Bronx Zoo: New York City, USA
This is the largest zoo in America (or maybe even the world), with over 265 acres of land area. The Bronx zoo opened in 1899, making it one of the oldest zoos as well. It houses an amazing 4,000 animals, including the very rare snow leopard. Moreover, several beautiful man made habitats are included, like the 6.5 acre Congo Gorilla Forest, the African Savanna (packed with gazelles and giraffes), and the Tiger Mountain (a replica of Russian woodland with several Siberian tigers roaming). It also boasts of the largest man-made rainforest. With all these attractions in such a large space, no wonder the Bronx zoo has always been considered as one of the best zoos in the world.
- Animal Kingdom: Orlando, Florida, USA
This zoo is owned by Disney, and is a combination of a zoo and theme park in one. This zoo – theme park was opened in 1975, and houses over 1,700 zoo animals of around 250 species. The zoo is divided into seven areas, representing different habitats such as savannas and rainforests.
- Singapore Zoo: Mandai, Singapore
The Singapore zoo is known for its “open zoo” concept”, wherein animals are not caged, but rather let loose on beautifully landscaped areas. Dry or wet moats, vegetation, streams and rocks are the only things that separate the zoo animals from visitors. This zoo has been successful in achieving full simulation of natural wild life, making visitors feel they are completely immersed inside the zoo. This zoo was opened in 1973, with a 70-acre land area.
- Zoologischer Garten: Basel, Switzerland
The “Zolli” is the oldest zoo in the world, having been opened in 1874. This zoo houses several desert, rainforest and aquatic animals, some of which are only found here. It also features rare species like the pygmy hippopotamus and the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. This zoo is famous for its stringent sanitation procedure, making it one of the cleanest zoos in the world.
- National Zoological Gardens: Pretoria, South Africa
Africa’s finest zoological park was opened in 1899. It spans over 85 hectares, so a golf cart is recommended for touring the area. The zoo’s main attractions are the overnight camping adventure (zoo tour at night and camping out in tents, with an added traditional folklore sharing), and the evening aquarium outings. These amenities make the National Zoological Gardens a must in every list of where to travel.
