Nashville Zoo is a leader in education, conservation, and recreation in Middle Tennessee and is growing wild into the future with new expansions and features.
African River Safari
The Zoo’s next expansion will transport visitors to the continent of Africa with 40 acres of undeveloped land being transformed into an immersive African River Safari experience that can be viewed by boat ride or walking path.
The overall concept is broken up into individual habitats featuring leopards, lions, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas and a number of bird and primate species. Large savannas will showcase giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and several other antelope species.
The African River Safari area will include a lodge with amazing views across the savannas as well as a giraffe feeding opportunity. Construction estimates for the entire project span a period of eight years, but individual habitats will open as they are completed.
Leopard Forest – Projected Opening 2023
The first habitat within the African River Safari Expansion to open will be Leopard Forest, located along the path to the existing giraffe exhibit. Leopard Forest will feature four separate habitats with multiple viewing areas for guests.
- Species exhibited will include Amur leopards, colobus monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, rock hyraxes, and klipspringers, which are small antelope.
- Zoo visitors will enjoy a unique view of the colobus monkeys as they pass above the guest pathway via an overhead transfer.
While the Amur leopard is not native to Africa, it is the most critically endangered leopard and one of the most threatened cat species in the world. Nashville Zoo hopes to replicate the breeding success achieved with other endangered species to help in the conservation of these beautiful cats.