Africa is home to some of the most amazing, and endangered, animals in the world. But getting to Africa isn’t always an option.
Seeing the ‘Big 5’ is high on many travel bucket lists, and kids are often the ones pushing mum and dad to see these animals that are so regularly featured in their favourite books.
Bound Round has pulled together a list of some of the best places around the country for families to go and get wild, without leaving Aussie shores.
1. Werribee Open Range Zoo, Victoria
Photo: visitvictoria.com
Number one on the list has to be the ultimate African animal experience in Australia, Werribee Open Range Zoo. This zoo is specifically designed to replicate the animals’ African habitats, and the wide-open spaces are perfect for free roaming.
Check out the African Village, and go on an off-road safari to see the gorillas behind-the-scenes and encounter the African big cats (including the most regal of them all, the lion) as well as much more.
2. Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast
Australia Zoo has loads of opportunities to get up close and personal with the animals. You can try the Cheeky Cheetah Encounter, take a selfie with a leapin’ Lemur, feed a rare Rhino, pat a fashion-forward zebra or say hello to the friendly giraffes!
Aside from this, you can also see many of the other animals from a slightly further away on the African Safari Shuttle. Check out what kids really think about Australia Zoo here.
3. Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Photo: seesydneypass.iventurecard.com
The Giraffes at Taronga Zoo have the best view in the city- and a mighty appetite!
Giraffe feedings are one of the most popular animal experiences at the zoo – for guests and for giraffes. The Giraffes are just one of the African animals you can meet – well in person anyway.
The Green Screen Encounters allows you to take a selfie with a Western Lowland Gorilla, Black Rhino, Sumatran Tiger and more.
4. Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is a great African animal experience in Australia.
The wide open spaces and warm climate makes a very happy home for rhino, lions, giraffes, hippopotamuses, zebra, cheetah, elephants, buffalo and many, many more. It truly is a wild experience.
5. Perth Zoo , Perth
Photo: leileiclavey.com
The African Savannah enclosure at Perth Zoo is the home to all sorts of African animals like lions, zebra, a radiated tortoise, a brigade of cute and curious Slender-tailed Meerkat and even a rare Southern White Rhinoceros.
You can also find some rare Ring-tailed and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs, the latter of which is critically endangered. There is no knowing how long these interesting animals will remain in the wild, but you can check them out at the Zoo’s Main Lake.
