Zoological sights in Africa
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Nature Sanctuary
The Nature Sanctuary is an incredibly peaceful wilderness area by the Lingadzi River. Take a taxi here though; it's not safe to walk. There is a signposted network of walking trails, and the information centre lists the birds and animals that may be seen. There is also a small, and rather unpleasant 'zoo' area, which consists of a few precarious looking cages filled with mangy-looking hyenas, monkeys and crocs.
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uShaka Marine World
Divided into several areas (Sea World, Wet’n’Wild World and uShaka Beach), uShaka Marine World boasts one of the world’s largest aquariums, the biggest collection of sharks in the southern hemisphere, a seal stadium, a dolphinarium, marine animals and exhibits, a mock-up 1940s steamer wreck featuring two classy restaurants, a shopping centre, enough freshwater rides to make you seasick, and a beach featuring activities from surfing lessons to kayaking.
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Langata Giraffe Centre
The Langata Giraffe Centre, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, is a sanctuary for the rare Rothschilds giraffe. Here you can observe, hand-feed or even kiss the giraffes from a raised circular wooden structure, and it is quite an experience. It's a good place to get the close-up photographs that eluded you on safari.
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Lekki Conservation Centre
Run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, this centre has a huge tract of wetlands set aside for wildlife viewing. Raised walkways enable you to see monkeys, crocodiles and various birds; early morning is the best time to visit. There is a conservation centre and a library.
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Camel Safari Park La Baranda
After the water rides and Guanches, how about a trip to the Orient? Camel Safari Park La Baranda has 70 camels and is located in a lush property with palms and avocado and citrus trees and also has a restaurant, bar and small zoo.
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Johannesburg Zoo
The Johannesburg Zoo has a good selection of fierce and furry critters. The Animal Mythbuster tour (R45) is good fun; take it at night (R70) and it includes snacks and fireside marshmallow-toasting.
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Hyena Feeding
Are you ready to sample the thrill of a lifetime? You came to the right place. Possibly Harar's greatest attraction is the hyena men of Harar. As night falls (from around 19:00), the last remaining hyena men (about four) set themselves up just outside the city walls. Sometimes the hyena men risk feeding the animals from their own mouths - you can have a go at this, too, if you like! We didn't… The hyena men know the animals as individuals and call them by the names they have given them.
Though the tradition of feeding spotted hyenas like this has existed for no more that 35 years, the ritual is less of a tourist show than some travellers imagine. The Hararis have long…
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Fondouk Americain
This animal hospital was established in 1927 at the instigation of Amy Bend Bishop, an American traveller who was appalled at the poor condition of the many working animals in the medina. A team headed by Canadian veterinarian Denis Frappier treats the city's animals free of charge, courtesy of funding from The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
In a country where many humans cannot easily access medical care, veterinary care is often viewed as a luxury, so the work of charities such as this one is extremely important, particularly as many locals rely on the their animals to transport goods, carry water and help with the harvesting of crops.…
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Gaborone Game Reserve
The Gaborone Game Reserve was established in 1988 by the Kalahari Conservation Society to give the Gaborone public an opportunity to view Botswana's wildlife in a natural and accessible location.
Although the reserve is only 5 sq km, it boasts wildebeests, elands, gemsboks, kudus, ostriches and warthogs. The bird life, which includes kingfishers and hornbills, is particularly plentiful and easy to spot from observation areas. The reserve also has several picnic sites and a small visitor education centre.
All roads in the reserve are accessible by 2WD, and guided drives are not offered. The reserve is located about 1km east of Broadhurst Mall, and can be accessed from…
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Tripoli Zoo
One of the definite highlights is the surprisingly good Tripoli Zoo, which you'll find south of the city centre in the 200-hectare An-Nasr Forest. Most of the enclosures are spacious and reasonably well kept and include elephants, lions, tigers, reptiles, monkeys, gazelle and waddan, among others. We're not quite sure what the Persian cats are doing there, but as our guide pointed out, they're exotic for Libyans.
The landscaped grounds come alive on Fridays when you'll struggle to find picnic space amid the Libyan families - a great time for your kids to make new friends. There are a few snack stalls scattered around the grounds.
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Bio Ken Snake Farm
This excellent Bio Ken Snake Farm is by far the best of the snake parks along the coast. It was established by the late James Ashe, a reptile expert and former curator from the National Museums of Kenya, who achieved such recognition in his field that he even has a bush viper named after him.
The farm is a nonprofit organisation, providing free antivenin wherever it is needed in Kenya. As well as touring the facilities, staff can take you on a day safari to look for snakes in their natural habitat.
The centre is just north of Watamu village on the main beach road.
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Mukuvisi Woodlands
The nearest thing to a zoo in Harare is the Mukuvisi Woodlands, also given the trendy title of 'environmental centre'. Two-thirds of this 265-hectare woodland reserve, 7km east of the city centre, is natural msasa parkland, ideal for picnics, walking and bird-watching. The remaining area is a wildlife park where antelopes, zebras, giraffes and warthogs roam free.
Mukuvisi is at its best when there are special events on such as lectures or family days, which are advertised via banners around town.
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National Marine Aquarium
The waterfront National Marine Aquarium provides an excellent introduction to the cold offshore world in the South Atlantic. Most impressive is the tunnel through the largest aquarium, which allows close-up views of graceful rays, toothy sharks (you can literally count all the teeth!) and other little marine beasties found on Namibia's seafood platters. The fish are fed daily at 15:00, which makes an interesting spectacle.
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Munda Wanga Environmental Park
Munda Wanga Environmental Park rehabilitates all sorts of animals for re-entry into the wild, unless they are too injured. The park features plenty of regional flora and fauna, including two cheetahs and seven lions, though the American black bear (a gift from Kenneth Kaunda) looks a little out of place. For visitors, the pool, bar and braai grills are welcome additions. It's about 16km south of central Lusaka.
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Kalimba Reptile Park
A bit of a schlep northeast from town, Kalimba Reptile Park is not only a crocodile and snake zoo (not for petting!), but is also a pleasant place to grab a beer and a crocodile sandwich, though you'll need a 4WD to get there. To get there, go east on the Great East Rd 13km from Arcades. Then make a left at the Caltex filling station, take the road to the end (11km) and the park is on the right.
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Pretoria National Zoological Gardens
The zoological gardens, about 1km out of the city centre, are a fun place to spend an afternoon. There’s a reptile park and an aquarium here, as well as a vast collection of exotic trees and plenty of beautiful picnic spots. The highlight, though, is probably the cable car, which runs up to the top of a hill that overlooks the city.
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Malindi Crocodile Farm & Snake Park
This commercial crocodile farm is just off the main road leading to the marine park (offshore from Malindi), and the crocs obligingly engage in a feeding frenzy at 16:00 every Wednesday and Friday. Kids are more likely than adults to enjoy the spectacle without making the link between the smiling reptiles in the pens and the belts and wallets on sale in the foyer…
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Train Station
Windhoek's beautiful old Cape Dutch-style train station dates from 1912, and was expanded in 1929 by the South African administration. Across the driveway from the entrance is the German steam locomotive Poor Old Joe, which was shipped to Swakopmund in 1899, and reassembled for the run to Windhoek. Upstairs is the small but worthwhile Trans-Namib Transport Museum.
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Zoo du Paradis
Ironically, or cynically, or simply honestly named, the Zoo du Paradis, on the southern side of the palmeraie, is anything but for the animals housed, if it can be called that, in tiny cages. The star turn is a Coca-Cola-drinking camel. The closing time isn't set in stone and paradise usually closes its pearly gates when it gets dark.
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Loro Parque
Loro Parque the self-declared 'must' of the Canaries, is home to 340 species of parrots along with other exotic animals. Unless you object in principle to wild animals in captivity, the park is really quite impressive. Don't miss the dolphin and parrot shows, the aquarium with 15,000 aquatic animals, and the world's largest 'penguinarium'.
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Aquarium
If you don’t want to put your head under the water, you can still get an idea of some of the life in the Red Sea at the aquarium. It’s just north of the public hospital in Ad-Dahar and has a reasonable, if somewhat neglected, selection of fish and other marine creatures.
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Snake Park
In the grounds of the National Museum, there's a recreated Kikuyu homestead and a Snake Park, where you can see black mambas, some sad-looking crocodiles and giant dudus (creepy crawlies). The guided nature trail nearby isn't particularly exciting, being so close to two main roads.
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Living Desert Snake Park
The Living Desert Snake Park houses an array of serpentine sorts. The owner knows everything you'd ever want to know - or not know - about snakes, scorpions, spiders and other widely misunderstood creatures. She feeds them at 16:00 daily.
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Gabalaya Park & Aquarium
The pleasant Gabalaya Park & Aquarium has landscaped gardens with aquariums set in rocks (though not many actual fish). It’s a great central spot to escape the crowds.
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Jungle Park
Away from the beaches, theme parks include Jungle Park, where the main show stars eagles that swoop dramatically over the crowd. You can also see hippos, crocodiles and other wild beasts here.
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