Dallas Zoo

Home to over 2,000 animals of 400 different species, Dallas Zoo is divided into two distinct areas, Zoo North and The Wilds of Africa. With a wide range of fantastic exhibits and exciting habitats to visit, visitors can look forward to some serious adventure.

The zoo is pioneering in its educational programmes, with child-friendly daily keeper encounters and training demonstrations, emphasising the importance of conservation through entertaining shows and performances.

Hold onto your hat as keas and Eurasian eagle owls swoop, soar and dive over your head at the exhilarating SOAR Festival of Flight. Keep an eye out for pickpockets in the form of the African pied crows and be careful not to trip over the 2-metre-long African alligators.

Kids love nothing better than getting up-close with the animals and the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo is the perfect place to do this. Watch them ride ponies, pet baby sheep, squeal at the pot-bellied pigs and feed worms to the birds in the interactive aviary.

It’s not often you get a chance to meet a koala bear in Texas so don’t miss the chance to say hello to Kobi and Tekin at the Koala Walkabout. Held in the new “Outback” section of Zoo North, the walkabout also features guest appearances from wallabies, lorikeets, emus and kookaburras.

If you are feeling particularly brave, then head over to Giants of the Savanna at Predator Rock. Here, majestic lions and sleek cheetahs live lazily side-by-side in a climate-controlled holding area that is expertly designed to emulate their natural habitat. This is a wonderful opportunity to observe the natural behaviours of the world’s fastest land mammals and Africa’s most fearsome cats. For a different type of close encounter, head over to nearby Giraffe Ridge where visitors can hand-feed heads of lettuce to these gentle giants.

If your feet are starting to ache, take a seat on the Monorail Safari. This narrated twenty-minute train ride goes deep into the Wilds of Africa through woodland, mountains and desert as it brings visitors on a fascinating journey through six African habitats. As many of the animals in this ecosystem can only be seen from the Monorail, this is not to be missed.

With 42 hectares to cover, it’s never too soon to start planning your trip to the largest zoological experience in Texas. There is even a free Dallas Zoo iphone app with details on opening hours, discounts and a map to help you navigate your way around, so what are you waiting for the animals aren't getting any younger!