Spotlight on International Zoos: 7 Animal Sanctuaries Worth the Visit

Our national zoo is a treasure and we’re proud of it, but there are outstanding international zoos too! If you’re an animal lover and going to the zoo is always your number one priority when travelling, here are a few animal sanctuaries that might interest you.

 

1.  Zoologischer Garten (Berlin Zoological Garden), Berlin, Germany

There’s a lot to be said about the Berlin zoo. For starters, it’s the oldest zoo in Germany. It’s also the most species-rich zoo in the world, with around 1,400 different species and over 20,000 animals in this sanctuary! You’ll be able to see interesting wildlife such as Arctic wolves, king vultures, Bactrian camels and more. The Berlin Zoological Garden also features an aquarium with aquatic species like the blacktip reef shark, jellyfish, piranhas and more.

Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin, Germany

Opening Hours: 9:00am–6:30pm

 

2. San Diego Zoo, California, USA

Occupying almost 100 acres of land, the San Diego Zoo is a truly amazing educational zoo that’s loved by many around the world. It was the pioneer in the open-air zoo concept, with the aim of recreating the animals’ natural habitats. Take a stroll to the Koalafornia Adventure exhibit for an Australian experience, or go to Africa Rocks to marvel at Africa’s rich biodiversity. With exotic animals from the Chinese alligator to the Galápagos tortoise and Tasmanian devil, there’s so much to see at the zoo.

Address: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Opening Hours: 9:00am–9:00pm

 

3. Beijing Zoo, Beijing, China

The Beijing Zoo is home to many interesting species that are native to China including the Chinese giant salamander,  golden snub-nosed monkey, Père David’s deer and, you guessed it – the giant panda. Moreover, the scenery and landscape of the zoo is representative of Beijing’s parks, mimicking the traditional Chinese gardens with lotus pools, rivers, and pavilions. If you want to discover the beautiful wildlife and nature of China, this is the best place to start.

Address: 137 Xizhimen Outer St, DongWuYuan, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100037

Opening Hours: 7:30am–5:00pm (6:00pm – 1st April – 31st October)

 

4. Singapore Zoo, Singapore

Dubbed as the best Rainforest zoo in the world, the Singapore Zoo is also one of the best international zoos in the world. Featuring open-air exhibits, you can watch the wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat. It’s also a great destination for families with kids, as the zoo runs a Kidzranger Tour, where children can learn all about being a zookeeper by feeding and grooming tame animals. Besides that, kids can ride on ponies and pet some adorable goats at the Rainforest Kidzworld.

Address: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826

Opening Hours: 8:30am–6:00pm

 

5. Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia

The Taronga Zoo is located a 12-minute ferry ride away from Sydney with sweeping views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House. Discover native Australian wildlife like the koala, kangaroo, wallabies, Tasmanian devil and more. Taronga Zoo also offers a unique experience to visitors with an overnight camp in one of their safari-style tents. It’s a one of a kind experience you don’t want to miss, so be sure to book early!

Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia

Opening Hours: 9:30am–4:30pm

 

6. Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania, USA

The Philadelphia Zoo is America’s first zoo. It’s home to many rare and endangered animals such as the Rodrigues fruit bat, Mhorr gazelle, Panamanian golden frog and more. Another unique feature of the zoo is its Zoo360 system, the first trail system in the world for animal travel and exploration. Zoo360 is a zoo-wide network of see-through mesh trains, which link to the animal habitats, allowing them to roam above and around the zoo. Additionally, it also offers visitors a chance to view these animals from a different vantage point.

Address: 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

Opening Hours: 9:30am–5:00pm

 

7. Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Vienna, Austria

Tiergarten Schönbrunn, or more simply known as the Vienna Zoo, offers one of the greatest international zoo experiences in the world. It was voted the best European zoo in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Another fun fact: it’s also the world’s oldest continuously operating zoo! Experience the animal kingdom in its glory with animals like Peruvian penguins, Egyptian vultures, and more. If you’re feeling tired, take a ride on the Panorama train and enjoy the zoo in comfort.

Address: Maxingstraße 13b, 1130 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours: 9:00am–4:30pm