Chester Zoo Chester Zoo discussion and questions 2025

Hi guys,

I’ll be heading to Chester for the weekend for my first ever trip just as HoA opens (tickets are booked). Is there any advice on how to tackle the zoo especially if we have two almost full days and would like to see everything/as much as possible? Anything we might miss by just following the paths or advice on when to be where for a feeding for example? Seems like there aren’t too many talks on their website for a zoo of Chester’s size.

Thanks a lot in advance!
 
Joker22Hero said:
Hi guys,

I’ll be heading to Chester for the weekend for my first ever trip just as HoA opens (tickets are booked). Is there any advice on how to tackle the zoo especially if we have two almost full days and would like to see everything/as much as possible? Anything we might miss by just following the paths or advice on when to be where for a feeding for example? Seems like there aren’t too many talks on their website for a zoo of Chester’s size.

Thanks a lot in advance!
Click to expand...
The next time I plan on visiting Chester Zoo in July, I intend on splitting it across two visits, doing the Pink (Islands) and Yellow zones on the updated map along with Heart of Africa on the first day, and the Blue and Green zones on the second day. It depends on how much time you have on your two days, but doing it this way might work out for you.
It's also worth noting that because of bird flu, the Latin American walkthrough aviary and two walkthrough aviaries in the Islands area are closed for now, but with the Latin American aviary you'll still be able to see the flamingoes and other birds in there from the outside.
 
Joker22Hero said:
Hi guys,

I’ll be heading to Chester for the weekend for my first ever trip just as HoA opens (tickets are booked). Is there any advice on how to tackle the zoo especially if we have two almost full days and would like to see everything/as much as possible? Anything we might miss by just following the paths or advice on when to be where for a feeding for example? Seems like there aren’t too many talks on their website for a zoo of Chester’s size.

Thanks a lot in advance!
Click to expand...

Okay so you should start by going through Elephants of the Asian Forest, an exhibit that a lot of people miss, which shows you the elephant backstage along with an Asian river aquarium, some birds, Swinboe squirrels, Cloud Rats and Rhinoceros Hornbills. It is to the left of the entrance and gift shop. Then as Jambi said try to complete 2 zones in one day. But for me I would start by going left at the Monkey House, over the 2 bridges, go past all the African forest animals and into Tropical Realm. Once out loop round the chimpanzees, go through Realm of the Red Ape and come out through the America aviary. Past the giant otters, past the penguins to the Himalayas. See everything there then go over the wooden walkway, right instead of heading to the Islands and HoA and see the Indian Rhinos and the monkey house then loop back round through Dragons in Danger and Madagascar and go past the Realm of the Red Ape where you were before but now head past the Conservation Centre and turn right into Spirit of the Jaguar. Finally follow the canal to Butterfly Journey and head back. For Day 2 head down past the Monkey House into Fruit Bat Forest then past the Andean Bears and Panthanal habitat and into the Islands. These don't need directions as you just follow the path. Once you're out head to the entrance and begin exploring HoA. Not familiar with the layout so can't really give directions.
 
Jambi said:
The next time I plan on visiting Chester Zoo in July, I intend on splitting it across two visits, doing the Pink (Islands) and Yellow zones on the updated map along with Heart of Africa on the first day, and the Blue and Green zones on the second day. It depends on how much time you have on your two days, but doing it this way might work out for you.
It's also worth noting that because of bird flu, the Latin American walkthrough aviary and two walkthrough aviaries in the Islands area are closed for now, but with the Latin American aviary you'll still be able to see the flamingoes and other birds in there from the outside.
Click to expand...
Do you know if the aviaries in HoA will be closed as well?
 
AmazonianHippo said:
Do you know if the aviaries in HoA will be closed as well?
Click to expand...
There is only one walkthrough aviary in HoA, Tsavo, which will be closed, all the others you just look into them. One point to make is that this weekend the zoo will probably be 'rammed' as there is likely good weather, HoA is opening for general visitors and school holidays start in this area.
 
We normally do 1 day right (start at Black Rhino), and then go left on the other day, working our way round from there.

Personally I recommend head straight to Realm of the Red Ape first. It's horrible when it's crowded
 
derek said:
There is only one walkthrough aviary in HoA, Tsavo, which will be closed, all the others you just look into them. One point to make is that this weekend the zoo will probably be 'rammed' as there is likely good weather, HoA is opening for general visitors and school holidays start in this area.
Click to expand...

does anyone know if the following have joined HoA yet if so where?
West African crowned crane
Secretary bird
Bat eared foxes
Grandiers vonistra
Dwarf mongoose
Narrow striped mongoose

also does anyone know how many of these species there are (genders for mammals and birds appreciated)
Aardvarks

Rock hyrax

sengi

Blue billed teals

Guinea fowl

Black cheeked lovebirds

African bullfrogs

dune sand geckos

Starred agama

Cat eyed mantis

Dung beetles
 
jayden said:
does anyone know if the following have joined HoA yet if so where?
West African crowned crane
Secretary bird
Bat eared foxes
Grandiers vonistra
Dwarf mongoose
Narrow striped mongoose
Click to expand...

The two Malagasy carnivores have never been on the docket for Grasslands!
 
Chester no longer holds West African Crowned Crane, Blue-billed Teal or Kenya Crested Guineafowl, they 1.1 East African Grey-necked Crowned Cranes.

On 31st December 2024 Chester had 3.3.2 Dune Gecko and 0.3 Sengi.

1.3 Starred Agama arrived from Marwell in February.

African Bullfrogs, Black-cheeked Lovebirds and Cape Hyrax arrived this year, I have no numbers. All have been previously kept at the zoo.

No idea about the inverts.

Not all of the specimens held at Chester may be on show.
 
If the Warthogs have moved to a different enclosure, then any idea what'll happen to their old one? It'll probably be something African to fit inn with the Rhino Reserve background. Maybe Gerenuks... no snap back to reality Evan!
 
AmazonianHippo said:
If the Warthogs have moved to a different enclosure, then any idea what'll happen to their old one? It'll probably be something African to fit inn with the Rhino Reserve background. Maybe Gerenuks... no snap back to reality Evan!
Click to expand...

The warthogs hadn't been on show for some time until this week - their former enclosure behind the cafe is already occupied by Black Rhino.
 
AmazonianHippo said:
Not really, it is mostly about luck.
Wow, HoA opens today and honestly I'm so excited (although technically it was already open for me in the week) Been waiting ages for this!
Click to expand...
I believe there’s a baby roan antelope any one know when it was born and any info about it?
 
As I mentioned in an above post, when I next visit Chester Zoo in July, I plan on splitting it across two days, covering Heart of Africa, Islands and the Yellow Zone on the new map for the first day, and the green and blue zones for the second day. However, Something I've also thought about doing is either:
A) on the first day once I've covered Islands, nipping over the bridge and checking out the snow leopard and cheetah enclosures and/or Spirit of the Jaguar, in case I don't manage to see the cats on the second day,
B) on the second day, re-visiting Islands specifically for the tiger enclosure, if I don't see the tigers during the first day,
or C) both of the above.
I mostly say this because last time I visited Chester in 2023, the tigers and cheetah were sadly no-shows, and I only managed to get a very brief glimpse of the top of Napo's head. In case I get such rotten luck in spotting the cats again, I feel as if I should give myself a couple of opportunities to view them. With all that said, does anyone have any tips for spotting any of the cats?
 
Last edited:
Jambi said:
As I mentioned in an above post, when I next visit Chester Zoo in July, I plan on splitting it across two days, covering Heart of Africa, Islands and the Yellow Zone on the new map for the first day, and the green and blue zones for the second day. However, Something I've also thought about doing is either:
A) on the first day once I've covered Islands, nipping over the bridge and checking out the snow leopard and cheetah enclosures and/or Spirit of the Jaguar, in case I don't manage to see the cats on the second day,
B) on the second day, re-visiting Islands specifically for the tiger enclosure, if I don't see the tigers during the first day,
or C) both of the above.
I mostly say this because last time I visited Chester in 2023, the tigers and cheetah were sadly no-shows, and I only managed to get a very brief glimpse of the top of Napo's head. In case I get such rotten luck in spotting the cats again, I feel as if I should give myself a couple of opportunities to view them. With all that said, does anyone have any tips for spotting any of the cats?
Click to expand...
I suggest going to the lions and Jaguars in the morning as I had luck seeing them and them being active then I see tigers over which is 50/50 if I see them and then 1:30 to 2 I will head to snow leopards and cheetahs where they are active.
 
I think if you want the full experience, do just Heart of Africa and The Islands in one day, everything else you can do in a day as there is less in each zone than HoA and the Islands
 
Does anybody have a new map of Chester which includes the HOA development? It’s not been uploaded to the website yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top