African Trail

Hippopotamus means ‘river horse’, but their closest relatives are actually whales and dolphins! Hippos spend most of their time in the water, venturing out at dusk to feed. They’re very territorial and can be aggressive. It's important for hippos to have clean teeth, so our keepers perform regular checks. Ah!

See our hippos as they splash, graze or lie in the sun before heading to Hippo Beach Cafe with its super-size sandpit, hammock swings, and water play area. Positioned close to the half-way point of the African River Trail, it's a great spot to sit and relax before you continue on your wild adventures.

Cheetahs are the fastest mammal on earth, reaching speeds of 112km per hour thanks to extra traction from their non-retractable claws. Dark facial ‘tear marks’ shield their eyes from glare, much like sunglasses. Back home, in the eastern and southern regions of Africa, there are less than 10,000 Cheetahs left in the wild.

The Leopard Tortoise has a long lifespan, and can live for 100 years or more. These solitary creatures spend their time grazing on plants with their sharp, beak-like mouths. They’re found in African savannahs (they're not fond of the cold), preferring open spaces with room to lug their hefty bodies around.

Meerkats live in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa, in groups of 10 to 30 animals. They spend their days foraging for food, taking turns to act as the lookout for threats that include vultures, snakes and jackals. The lookout uses specific warning calls to alert the group to the form of danger.

In sunshine or rain, come inside and let your imagination run wild! Check out the new sensory wall and tortoise enclosure as well as a giant helicopter, big plushy toys for little ones and seats for adults to relax. Parents room available.

Servals are some of Africa's best hunters, and can be found from sub-Saharan Africa to the south-east of the continent. They’re slim, agile and athletic, adept at pouncing on their prey and using their long forelimbs to reach into rodent burrows. While not endangered, they’re considered rare in many areas. The servals are only viewable during the Crazy About Cats Talk. 

Vervet Monkeys are found in many parts of Africa. They’re small and slender, with a long tail and sharp canine teeth, and live in troops with a strict social hierarchy. They eat fruits, figs, leaves, seeds and flowers, but also like to snack on insects, birds’ eggs and young chicks.