Main Camp Safari Lodge

The Zoo’s admission facility is 26,000 square feet facility modeled after a safari lodge in Africa.  It houses the ticket gates, Guest Relations and Membership Offices, the Mombasa Import/Export Shop, a 2,500 square foot store that sells animal-themed gifts; and the Main Camp Café, a food kiosk that offers a variety of fast foods. The Lodge also includes spaces that can be rented for private or business events, such as the Samburu Room, a 1,900 square foot indoor facility; Shaba Terrace, a 69,000 square foot space that is located upstairs and is a covered, open air venue used for larger, private or business-related events; and Mt. Kenya Boardroom, used for the Zoo’s Board meetings and can also be rented for meetings.  For more information on the rental facilities click here.

River Valley Aviary

Interact with the Birds of the River Valley in a free-flight aviary.  A two-story enclosure covering 9,000 feet allows birds such as the yellow-billed stork, white-bellied bustard, lesser flamingos and turacos to fly about freely.

Plains of East Africa

Walk along the 1,400-foot boardwalk overlooking the Plains of East Africa and see the animals in their large, open-air environment.

The Nile crocodile exhibit is the first exhibit at the Plains. The Nile crocodile is the largest of African reptiles and can grow 14-16 feet long. Mainly found in sub-Sahara Africa, Nile crocodiles specialize in preying on large mammals. The Wart Hog exhibit is across from the Nile crocodiles.

The Wattled Crane is in the area across from the center antelop exhibit. This is the largest and rarest of the African crane species.

The Antelope exhibit is in the center of the loop around the Plains. Home to eastern bongo, impala, and African ground hornbills, the exhibit is spacious and tree-shaded. It is also our new home to a wild breeding colony of the endangered wood stork.

The Cheetah exhibit is a 300-foot long, 50-foot wide area and home to our cheetah. Cheetahs are capable of running 70 miles per hour, the fastest four-legged animal in the world.

White rhinoceros, greater kudu, sitatunga and ostrich inhabit three exhibit areas at the end of the boardwalk. This 2.5-acre exhibit allows plenty of room for the animals to roam. Cape Buffalo are further along the boardwalk and are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa

Elephant Plaza offers an intimate view of the Elephants in their 275,000-gallon pool. Included in the same area in the reptile building, home to some of the world's deadliest snakes, such as vipers, cobras and mambas. Outside there are vultures, bats, klipspringer and a host of other animals.

Mahali Pa Simba ("Place of the Lion" in Swahili) is the one-acre home to our two male lions. Colobus Monkeys live in the area in front of the lions. Colobus monkeys, from East Africa, move by leaping from tree to tree and can be seen in action in their lively exhibit. A Leopard is along the southern end of the boardwalk.

Savanna Blooms

The first Themed Pocket Garden in the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Botanical Garden Concept Plan, Savanna Blooms, was completed in spring 2005. Nestled beneath the Giraffe Overlook, visitors will find acacia groves that flank two entrances into the one-half acre, “not so big garden”.  This unique garden, fashioned after a South African oasis, transitions from soft grasslands and fine textured acacia leaves at each entrance into a bold contemporary garden at its core.  Kopje outcrops erupt from the landscape, and a weep trickles down the face of the rocks.  The spring feeds a serene pool that showcases African water lilies and water edge plants.  Visitors rest beneath the curved trellis laden with fragrant flowering vines and view the garden’s splendor from an internal vantage point. 

Giraffe Overlook

Take a stroll across the elevated viewing platform and get eye-to-eye with a giraffe.  The covered boardwalk gives guests a breathtaking view across a replica of the African Savanna.  Giraffe and greater kudu walk and graze freely in this 2.5 acre exhibit, adjacent to the new Savanna Blooms botanical garden.
(photo courtesy of Barry Rabinowitz)

Range of the Jaguar

In addition to enjoying the breathtaking jaguar exhibit, take the time to walk the winding halls of the captivating Lost Temple to see bushmasters, poison dart frogs, vampire bats, Amazon tree boas, anaconda, pygmy marmosets and more.
Catch sight of howler monkeys, giant anteaters, capybaras and tapirs coexisting in the River's Edge exhibit.

As an Inca tern flies overhead in the Emerald Forest Aviary, a pudu, the smallest deer species, might dart across your path. Look for a red-capped cardinal perched above you or a sunbittern sunning itself on a low branch.  While in the aviary, you'll have an opportunity to see the largest freshwater fish, the arapaima, which can grow up to 15 feet in length and can weigh up to 400 pounds.

The Gardens at Trout River Plaza

The new garden space features a partially-walled botanical garden plaza that will serve as a gathering and event space and offers a beautiful view of the Trout River.  Central to the plaza is a celebratory fountain with a spill bowl topped by a basking anhinga bird sculpture. The fountain is surrounded by pebble mosaic paving that features a menagerie of animals of the Trout River.  Springing from lush garden beds, thirteen Grecian-style “living” columns topped with overflowing flowering urns giving the Gardens a classical look.  A planted trellis, lush and cool with colorful and fragrant vines, along with a number of large shade trees and themed lights all create a special area that can be enjoyed for private parties after hours. The Grand Opening was held September 2007. 

Australian Adventure

Take a walkabout! The Australian Adventure attraction is the first new major exhibit at the south end of the Zoo since 1995. Animals included in this South Pacific attraction include the cassowary, lorikeets in a free-flight aviary and wallabies.

Save the Frogs!: Amphibian Conservation Center

Monsoon Asia - Coming Soon!!

Play Park and Splash Ground

The Splash Ground is now open.

The new, $6.7 million Play Park occupies 2.5 acres in the center of the Zoo across from the Range of the Jaguar and adjacent to the Trout River Grill.

Climb, jump, and get wet in the 4,000 square foot Splash Ground and Plaza.  Find your way through two mazes and discover and create in the Discovery Building.  Climb a tree house or rock climb in Forest Play area or set up camp in the Adventure Camp area.  Watch the otters through a tunnel window as they swim overhead.  Groom and pet the pygmy goats in the Animal Care Area and enjoy ice cream, cold drinks and food from the Play Park Cafe. 

To see a map of Play Park, click here.

Great Apes

Great Apes allows visitors to take an up-close look at all three kinds of primates. The three primate groups are the apes, monkeys, and the prosimians. Our apes consist of the western lowland gorilla, the bonobo and siamangs. Monkeys are represented by the mandrill. Our prosimians include the ring-tailed lemur and theblack-and-white ruffed lemur.
(photo courtesy of Barry Rabinowitz)

Wild Florida

Wild Florida includes 2.5 acres of natural wetlands consisting of native animals and plants and is home to black bears, otters, red wolves, whooping cranes, bald eagles, bobcats, alligators, Florida panthers, white-tail deer, an owl species and various reptiles and amphibians.

Reptile House at Wild Florida
The Reptile House is home to more than 25 different species of reptiles and amphibians, including the eastern indigo snake, one of several threatened species protected by the State of Florida. The alligators are presently located just north of the reptile house, and are fed every Saturday at 2:15 p.m. during mid April through November.