The African Savanna exhibit is now open at Hogle Zoo.
The Hogle Zoo has opened its new African Savanna exhibit. There are several animals added to the zoo that were really exciting. The focus, of course, is the lions. We saw 2 male lions, and they were fairly active and close to us. The viewing area makes it really nice to see the lions behind huge glass walls.
The lions are definitely fun to watch.
You can also view the lions through a large net on the other side.
Other new-ish animals, which have been at the zoo before are zebras and ostriches. The zebras were in the back of the enclosure, so they were difficult to see, but the ostriches were right up close. And later when we passed back by for a train ride, the zebras were right up front. It must just depend on the time of day. A few animals, like the nyala (a type of antelope) are not yet on display.
The ostriches were very territorial.
There are termite mound in the African Savanna.
We enjoyed watching the zebras.
We really liked the new layout. There is a huge viewing platform with tons of shade that puts you up above the savanna. The lion enclosure is perfect, too. But we were disappointed that the cave in the play area that housed bats, scorpions, and some other nocturnal animals is gone. The playground has been entirely removed, too. The other drawback is that the giraffes are in a much smaller enclosure. We liked going upstairs to see them, but now you look at them from across the train tracks.
The platform area offers great views over the savanna.
You can look at the African Savanna from the other side as well.
We love taking pictures on all the animal statues!
And we were stoked that the lion fountain is back and working!
We were disappointed about the giraffe exhibit. Going inside and upstairs was such a fun way to view the giraffes.
The boys were glad that the Zoo train was up and running again. It has a new route, but it takes you entirely around the African Savanna and then through the old mining town like before. It looks nice and shiny again. The train cleaned up well.
We have loved the last two updates to the zoo and we’re excited to see what other changes are coming to Hogle Zoo.
You get up close and personal with the African Savanna on the Zoo train.
The Zoo train is all cleaned up and shiny. It looks brand new.
We love the zoo train.
