After 6 years of planning and almost 2 years of construction, Chester Zoo’s brand new ‘Heart of Africa’ habitat has opened to the public! The brand new, 22-acre habitat is home to 57 different species found throughout Africa, from towering giraffes to swarms of locusts.

As a member of the zoo I was able to book a time to see the new area before it opened to the public and I jumped at the chance! Luckily for me, the day I chose to go it was warm and sunny so I could take everything in and see most of the animals. The lighting was also surprisingly good for photos too! 

A Meerkat perched on a log, taken from a viewing dome | Source: Jessica

The first animals we see upon entering the new area are the meerkats. They’ve been provided with a large indoor habitat filled with hollow logs, branches, rocks and lots of places for them to tunnel, as well as an equally large and similarly furnished outdoor enclosure. One thing I loved about this enclosure was the viewing domes that allowed you to get a closer look at the meerkats; they truly provided some brilliant photo opportunities!

Across from the meerkats is one of my favourite animals - the rhinoceros. The species on display in the Heart of Africa is the Eastern Black Rhino, native to the east of the African continent with introduced populations in South Africa. The Black Rhino is one of two rhinoceros species found in Africa, the other being the White Rhino. Of the two, the Black Rhino is the smallest and can be identified by the pointed top lip, as opposed to the wide, square top lip of the White Rhino. The enclosures for Chester’s Black Rhino population are very spacious and green, with their indoor areas providing warmth and comfort.

A Black Rhino calf with her mother, note the pointed lip. | Source: Jessica

Beyond here are multiple aviaries. Unfortunately, due to the current outbreak of avian flu, the Tsavo Aviary walkthrough was closed and I couldn’t see any of the birds in there. It was a shame because some of my favourite birds were there, but I’m super happy to know that once the threat is gone I’ll be able to see them! Aside from the Tsavo Aviary, there was a huge exhibit for a flamboyance of Greater Flamingo, Grey crowned cranes and waterfowl; a smaller exhibit for three different species of vultures; an indoor house for lovebirds; and a small, sheltered enclosure for a Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, one of my favourite birds.

White-Headed Vultures | Source: Jessica

From this point you’re able to see the open savannah, a mixed-species habitat that spans 3.5 acres and aims to replicate the grasslands of Africa. When I went through, only the zebras and ostriches were out in the habitat and were quite far away from the viewing platform, which meant I couldn't get a really good look at them without my camera’s zoom lens. This didn’t particularly bother me though as I believe the zoo’s aim to give these animals enough space to replicate natural behaviours is far more important than my ability to see them up close. 

Eventually this space will be shared by 4 different species: the two previously mentioned, Northern Giraffe and Roan Antelope. Until then the keepers will be mixing species temporarily to allow them to get used to each other and learn each other’s boundaries in a safe way. I was lucky enough to see the giraffe out and about in the area as I headed to a different part of the zoo, which was super nice to see.

Northern Giraffe enjoying the savannah space. | Source: Jessica

Following on from the viewing platform is the giraffes’ indoor area, it has a generous amount of space for the giraffes, but it felt very cramped from the amount of people trying to get into the small viewing space. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend going in at busy periods as no one is truly aware of what’s going on as they’re all looking up at the giraffes towering above.

Outside there’s a small area to sit down and eat but I wasn’t particularly interested in that. What caught my attention were the Yellow Mongoose hastily running around their enclosure, running in and out of their house and digging. To see inside you do have to bend down or crouch which isn’t the best if you struggle to do so, but the outside area has a large viewing space if you’re lucky to catch them outside.

Yellow Mongoose | Source: Jessica

Beyond here you enter a sheltered area where you can look out into the African Painted Dogs’ enclosure! Also known as African Wild Dogs, they are such beautiful animals but are unfortunately less known about, as well as endangered. Wild Dogs live in packs and are very sociable, often hunting together and allowing pups to eat first from kills. There is so much information about these amazing animals lined along the walls of the habitat, explaining what threats they face and how populations are improved. The amount of education within the new area is commendable and I’d highly recommend reading the signage to learn more about all the animals the zoo houses and supports the conservation of.

An African Painted Dog sleeps with the pack | Source: Jessica

One part of the Heart of Africa I never got to experience was the Hidden Savannah, which had a queue coming out of the building and right along the fence line for a good little while. It did disappoint me a little as I had wanted to see the snakes inside, however I expect that depending on timing and what days you go the queue will be shorter.

The queue for the Hidden Savannah | Source: Jessica

I found that there were barely any steps, which made it very  accessible. However, as an autistic person, I did find some spaces felt incredibly cramped and overwhelming - especially the rhino house. The smells are incredibly strong (as should be expected) and people are also not very good at looking where they’re standing and the walkway isn’t particularly big. Some issues I have seen were regarding the atmospheric noise played all around the habitat. People said that they struggled with their hearing aids so I would just keep that in mind.

Overall, I truly believe this new habitat is one of the best in the country, with so much open space for all the animals and the chance for natural enrichment through interaction with other species. Animal welfare is evidently a top priority for Chester Zoo and it’s very clear to see through the habitat spaces provided for the species in the upgraded area.