Govind Tekale
Chester Zoo opened its ambitious £28 million Heart of Africa zone on Saturday, marking the largest habitat ever created in a UK zoo. The 22.5-acre development, spanning more than 17 football pitches, recreates the African savannah and houses 57 different species.
The expansive facility features a 3.5-acre open savannah where northern giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, roan antelopes, and ostriches will eventually roam together, mimicking their natural environment. Other residents include eastern black rhinos, African wild dogs, aardvarks, meerkats, and dik-diks.
“Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us,” said Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo. “We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah.”
The zoo has taken a cautious approach to mixing different species. “It is difficult to know how the animals will mix and how they will get on with each other so we are doing it really, really gradually,” Christon explained. “It’s baby steps. We want to make sure everyone’s happy and we are not putting any animals under pressure.”
Climate Control for Animal Welfare
A key feature of the development is a state-of-the-art giraffe house heated to a constant 23°C, addressing the challenge of keeping these African natives comfortable in the UK climate.
“Although we are trying to replicate Uganda and Kenya we are actually in Cheshire so the weather is slightly different,” Christon noted on a chilly morning at the launch.
Sam Harley, a giraffe keeper, explained that the transition has been challenging for some animals: “Most of our giraffes were born here so the only other animals they had ever seen were the Congo buffalo across the road.”
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Conservation Focus
The Heart of Africa project aims to highlight the biodiversity crisis in Africa and showcase conservation efforts. The zoo actively works to protect endangered species both at home and in Uganda and Kenya.
Our huge NEW Heart of Africa habitat is now OPEN! 🦒🦓 Just LOOK at some of the incredible animals you'll find living here…
Posted by Chester Zoo on Saturday, April 5, 2025
“Some of these species are critically endangered in the wild and unfortunately their numbers are going the wrong way,” Christon said.
The facility includes three species of critically endangered vultures: white-headed vultures, African white-backed vultures, and hooded vultures. It also houses black-cheeked lovebirds, Africa’s rarest species of lovebird.
Economic and Educational Impact
The new zone is creating 30 new jobs and is expected to attract an additional 200,000 visitors annually, delivering a significant boost to the local economy. Chester Zoo anticipates generating an extra £3 million for conservation efforts.
The development also includes Pamoja Village, a cultural space offering African traditions through food and storytelling, designed to help visitors understand the relationship between people and wildlife.
As the most visited zoo in the UK, Chester Zoo welcomes 150,000 schoolchildren annually. Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at the zoo, believes the project will enrich the lives of animals in their care: “To finally get to the end is fantastic and a big relief but actually the real work starts now.”
The Heart of Africa opened to the public on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chester Zoo’s Heart of Africa zone opened on Saturday, April 5, 2025. It spans 22.5 acres (equivalent to more than 17 football pitches), making it the largest habitat ever created in a UK zoo. The development cost £28 million and features a 3.5-acre open savannah area where multiple species will eventually coexist together.
The Heart of Africa houses 57 different African species. The main savannah area will eventually feature northern giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, roan antelopes, and ostriches living together. Other animals include eastern black rhinos, African wild dogs, aardvarks, meerkats, flamingos, critically endangered vultures, naked mole rats, and Africa’s rarest lovebirds. The zone also includes a display with 15,000 locusts.
To keep African animals comfortable in the UK’s cooler climate, Chester Zoo built a state-of-the-art giraffe house maintained at a constant temperature of 23°C. This is especially important for giraffes, which have very little body fat and are adapted to warmer climates. The climate-controlled environment helps prevent temperature-related stress and health issues for the animals.
The Heart of Africa project aims to raise awareness about the biodiversity crisis in Africa and showcase conservation efforts. Chester Zoo works on conservation projects in Uganda and Kenya, supporting endangered species protection. The new zone is expected to generate an additional £3 million for these conservation efforts. The zoo houses several critically endangered species as part of breeding programs, including rare vultures and black rhinos.
Pamoja Village is a cultural space within the Heart of Africa zone that offers visitors a taste of African traditions. It features authentic African street food and immersive storytelling experiences. The area is designed to help visitors understand the relationship between African wildlife and the human communities that live alongside them, creating a deeper appreciation for both the animals and cultural aspects of Africa.
The Heart of Africa zone is creating 30 new jobs at Chester Zoo and is expected to attract an additional 200,000 visitors annually. This will provide a significant economic boost to the Cheshire region through increased tourism. Chester Zoo is already the UK’s most visited zoo, welcoming 150,000 schoolchildren each year, and this expansion is expected to further enhance its appeal as both an educational and tourist destination.
