Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg - Peacock
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Johannesburg Zoo

4.2
·16k reviews·Johannesburg, South Africa

Explore diverse African wildlife, including majestic white lions, at the 55-hectare Johannesburg Zoo. A family-friendly destination with beautiful gro...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

CrowdLow
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Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg - Peacock

Johannesburg Zoo

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore diverse African wildlife, including majestic white lions, at the 55-hectare Johannesburg Zoo. A family-friendly destination with beautiful grounds.

4.2
(16k reviews)

"The Johannesburg Zoo is a blast for the kids and a worthwhile visit for animal lovers."

Vertical photo
TIP

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The zoo is large, so comfortable footwear is essential for exploring all the exhibits.

🚗 Parking Availability

Parking at the Johannesburg Zoo is generally better and more accessible than at Pretoria Zoo.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.2 · 16,312 reviews

Type

Zoo

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

African Wildlife Encounters

African Wildlife Encounters

Various enclosures

See a diverse range of African animals, including lions, elephants, and giraffes. A must-see for animal lovers!

White Lion Breeding Program

White Lion Breeding Program

Lion enclosure

Witness the majestic white lions, a testament to the zoo's successful conservation efforts.

Spacious Grounds and Lake

Spacious Grounds and Lake

Zoo Lake area

Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the picturesque Zoo Lake, offering a tranquil escape.

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Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to Johannesburg Zoo

The Johannesburg Zoo is a sprawling 55-hectare park. Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking. Consider renting a golf cart if you have young children or want to cover more ground efficiently. Check operating hours before you go, as they can vary.

Tickets and Entry Insights

Adult tickets are around R110 and children R80, but prices can change. Booking tickets online in advance is an option, though many visitors purchase them at the gate. Be aware that some enclosures might be closed for maintenance, so it's good to manage expectations.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Crowd
Low
When
Weekends, early afternoon
Why
Lively atmosphere, but can get busy
Crowd
Medium
When
School holidays
Why
Very busy, lots of family activities
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

In 2012 a tour group was visiting the Jane Goodall chimp eden in South Africa when they would b witness something truly horrific that none of them would ever forget. NOTE: My apologies, by the time I finished researching and memorizing this one I had 10 minutes before leaving for work, which meant if I was going to do it today like I promised I would, I had time for only 1 attempt at recording. So...
@thewanderingbeard2.0
514.6K likes • 5.5M views

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The zoo is large, so comfortable footwear is essential for exploring all the exhibits. Reddit

🚗 Parking Availability

Parking at the Johannesburg Zoo is generally better and more accessible than at Pretoria Zoo. Reddit

Joburg and Pretoria Zoo don’t have animals anymore #satiktok🇿🇦 #Pretoria #mzansicomedy #johannesburg #sepeditiktok
@kay_mahapa
121.3K likes • 1.3M views
Just a girl who loves animals🐅🐘🦒 #johannesburgzoo#joburgzoo#zoo#elephant#giraffe#tiger#lion#zoodate
daniellecarmenotto25
80 likes • 0 views

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Golf Cart Rentals

Consider renting a golf cart for families with young children to navigate the extensive grounds. Reddit

⏰ Check Operating Hours

Verify the zoo's operating hours before your visit, as they can vary. TikTok

I had so much fun 😭🤣. It was scary at first but it’s really cool. It’s Family friendly and they have great food 🤤 #thingstodoinjoburg #thingstodoinjohannesburg #thingstodoinjohannesburgwithkids #obstaclecourse #ropeswing
@kim.ngwenya
66.3K likes • 1.6M views

Tips

from all over the internet

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The zoo is large, so comfortable footwear is essential for exploring all the exhibits. Reddit

🚗 Parking Availability

Parking at the Johannesburg Zoo is generally better and more accessible than at Pretoria Zoo. Reddit

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Golf Cart Rentals

Consider renting a golf cart for families with young children to navigate the extensive grounds. Reddit

⏰ Check Operating Hours

Verify the zoo's operating hours before your visit, as they can vary. TikTok

📸 Capture the Moments

Bring your camera to photograph the diverse array of animals and beautiful scenery. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.2
(16k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Johannesburg Zoo is generally well-regarded, particularly for its family-friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to see a variety of African wildlife, including its famous white lions. While some visitors note occasional enclosure closures, the overall condition of the zoo and its enclosures is considered good, offering a worthwhile experience for a few hours of exploration.

"With much trepidation, we visited the zoo and were pleasantly surprised at what a great time we had. It's not the zoo in all its glory of yesteryear but it's still a great place to visit and enjoy family time. The animals look healthy and the grounds well maintained-and this in winter too! Amazing sights of the cheetahs, leopard, lions, wild dogs, the Amazon, chimpanzees, hippos, rhino, array of bucks, giraffes, elephants, the stunning bird enclosure which you can walk through....the list goes on!"

tasneem akoojee

"Always a good visit, my boys liked it and from and adult perspective,it was sad to see the state, this was after a couple of years not having visited this zoo. The problems starts with parking at the entrance, the new parking seems to have been made with small cars in mind. The lower part after the entrance is clean and taken care off, as you move up, there are more cages that are empty, with signs of under repair. There is no grass for the white rhino's, some bucks looked unhealthy, areas full of leaves , sign of not being cleaned throughout the winter months, dirty water pools, the fishes near the lion's where gasping for air. The ankole cattles and only a handful of healthy looking animals were interesting, but sad to see lots of distressed and unhealthy looking animals.There seems to be not enough water and seeing a leaking toilet close to the white rhino's enclosure was not good, toilets are not taken care off too. They have a R21 entrance fee on the 21'st of every month."

Gary Sibanyoni

"We rented a golf cart which didn’t help as much as I thought it would. Probably would have been a better experience in the summer since a lot of the animals were put away. Our souvenir magnet cost as much as the entry ticket."

Jacob Kizer

What People Like

Family-friendly atmosphere
White lion breeding program
Spacious grounds

What People Dislike

Occasional enclosure closures
Can be a long walk

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Johannesburg Zoo is accessible by car and is a popular stop on the Joburg Red Bus Tour. Parking is generally considered better and more convenient than at the Pretoria Zoo. TikTokReddit

The Johannesburg Zoo is located at 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa. TikTok

While not explicitly detailed in the provided content, the Joburg Red Bus Tour offers a convenient way to reach the zoo as part of a city sightseeing experience. TikTok

Parking at the Johannesburg Zoo is generally considered good, with more availability and undercover options compared to other zoos. Reddit

Yes, the zoo is a well-known landmark and easily accessible, especially if using navigation or following signs for Zoo Lake. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entrance fees are approximately R110 for adults and R80 for children. It's advisable to check the latest prices as they can change. TikTok

Yes, you can purchase Johannesburg Zoo tickets online in advance, though tickets are also available at the gate. TikTok

Operating hours for the Johannesburg Zoo can vary, so it's recommended to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date times before your visit. TikTok

Information on current specials or discounts for Johannesburg Zoo tickets is not detailed here, but it's worth checking their official channels for any promotions. TikTok

The entry price for the Johannesburg Zoo is around R110 for adults and R80 for children. TikTok

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The Johannesburg Zoo houses a variety of animals, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and white lions. While some enclosures might be closed, there are still many animals to observe. InstagramReddit

Yes, the Johannesburg Zoo is generally considered a great place for kids, offering a fun and educational experience. Many visitors report their children had a blast. Reddit

You'll likely need at least 3 hours to explore the entire Johannesburg Zoo, and potentially longer if you want to see everything thoroughly. Reddit

Beyond the animal enclosures, the zoo offers a family-friendly environment. While not explicitly mentioned, the overall experience is geared towards family enjoyment. TikTok

Recent reviews suggest that the enclosures at the Johannesburg Zoo are generally well-kept, though some may occasionally be closed for maintenance. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, the Johannesburg Zoo has food options available, with one visitor mentioning they have great food. TikTok

Specific details on the types of food available are not provided, but the mention of 'great food' suggests a decent selection for visitors. TikTok

Information on whether outside food is permitted at the Johannesburg Zoo is not available in the provided content. It's best to check their policies directly.

While not explicitly stated, the zoo's large grounds and family-friendly nature suggest that picnic areas might be available. TikTok

For dining options outside the zoo, the surrounding areas of Johannesburg offer a wide variety of restaurants and cafes to explore. TikTok

📸 📸 Photography

The best spots for photography include the animal enclosures, especially for the white lions and other African wildlife, as well as the scenic Zoo Lake area. Instagram

Yes, photography of the animals is generally permitted at the Johannesburg Zoo, allowing you to capture memorable moments. Instagram

No specific photography restrictions are mentioned for the Johannesburg Zoo, but it's always good practice to be mindful of other visitors and animal welfare. Instagram

A camera with a good zoom lens is recommended for capturing clear shots of animals from a distance, while a wide-angle lens can be useful for landscape shots around Zoo Lake. Instagram

Depending on the enclosure design and animal behavior, you may be able to get close-up shots. However, maintaining a safe distance is always paramount. Instagram

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