Lewa Savanne

Imagine the vast expanses of Africa miraculously transported to Switzerland. This is exactly the impression Lewa Savanne makes—the largest and most modern exhibit at the famous Zurich Zoo. Opened in June 2020, this zone covers an impressive 5.6 hectares and is a carefully recreated ecosystem of the African continent.

Lewa Savannah. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The landscape of the exhibit is breathtakingly realistic: here you can see majestic baobabs, characteristic rock formations known as "kopjes," and thickets of grass. The design is calculated to create the illusion of an endless horizon for visitors, where animals live in conditions as close to natural as possible. It is not just an enclosure, but an entire Lewa Village with elements of human presence—a tourism school and a stranded safari bus.

15 animal species coexist in this unique ecosystem, including graceful reticulated giraffes, mighty white rhinos, Grevy's zebras, and African ostriches. The site was named after Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, highlighting the zoo's important role in global wildlife protection programs. This place is perfect for those who want to feel the spirit of a safari without leaving Europe.

To check the current information about events or book special tours, you can use the zoo's official communication channels.

The main adventure at Lewa Savanne is watching how different animal species interact with each other in the same territory. You can spend hours watching giraffes leisurely munching on leaves or observe the formidable-looking spotted hyenas. Be sure to find the safari bus: it serves as an excellent observation deck, offering the best view of the savanna's expanses and its inhabitants.

For curious travelers, an entire interactive environment has been created here. In the stylized "Lewa Village," you can learn about human life in Africa and how people learn to coexist with wild animals. Information boards and exhibits tell the story of anti-poaching efforts and rhino protection. A pleasant surprise awaits at the Kopjes—massive rocks where curious porcupines hide among the stones.

A visit to the savanna is perfectly complemented by walks through other parts of the zoo. After the sweltering African landscapes, you can head to the cool of the Masoala Rainforest or watch a family of elephants in their park. This place is ideal for family holidays: children will be delighted with the chance to see exotic animals without bars or cages, literally at arm's length.

Getting to this corner of Africa in the heart of Europe is quite simple. The primary method for most tourists is the city's famous public transport. From central Zurich, trams No. 5 and No. 10 run regularly to the Zoologischer Garten stop. The journey takes only 10–15 minutes, followed by a roughly five-minute walk to the main entrance.

If you prefer buses, route No. 60 and trolleybus No. 46 also lead to the zoo. For those arriving from the airport, the journey by car or a combination of train and tram takes about 20 minutes. If you enjoy long walks, you can reach the zoo from the city center in about 50 minutes by following the scenic Zürichbergstrasse (the distance is about 4 km).

For travelers with a private or rented car, there is a parking lot with 1,000 spaces. However, it's worth noting that it fills up quickly on weekends and public holidays, so it's best to plan your visit for the first half of the day. Convenient bicycle parking is also available at the entrance.

The history of the site where Lewa Savanne stands today is inextricably linked to the development of the Zurich Zoo, which dates back to 1902. It all began with an unusual gift—two Abyssinian lions presented to the city. However, the zoo officially opened its doors in Fluntern only in 1929, after overcoming financial difficulties and years of careful planning.

The idea of creating a large-scale African zone was part of an ambitious master plan adopted back in 1993. The Lewa Savanne project became the third "pillar" of this program, following the Masoala Rainforest and the elephant park. Design work took place from 2014 to 2017, and the construction itself took three years. The grand opening took place on June 6, 2020, marking an important milestone in the zoo's modern history.

The name of the exhibit was not chosen by chance: it is dedicated to the Kenyan Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Zurich Zoo has been working closely with it since 1998, investing more than 2.6 million Swiss francs in wildlife conservation programs and the protection of rare species, such as black rhinos. Thus, by visiting the savanna in Switzerland, guests indirectly support real conservation projects in Africa.

To fully enjoy the atmosphere of the African savanna, observe animal behavior, and study all the information boards, visitors are recommended to set aside 2 to 4 hours for this zone. The space is quite extensive, and many details, such as hidden porcupine enclosures or the interiors of the "African village," require unhurried exploration.

If you plan to see not only Lewa Savanne but the entire Zurich Zoo, it's worth allocating at least 5–6 hours or even a whole day. This will allow you to visit the tropical pavilion, the aquarium, and see the elephant feedings without rushing, making your visit as educational and pleasant as possible.

You can visit the Lewa Savanne exhibit during Zurich Zoo's opening hours. Generally, the doors are open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the summer season and until 5:00 PM in the winter months. On some summer weekends, the park's hours may be extended until 8:00 PM.

Please note that ticket offices stop selling tickets and entry closes one hour before the official closing time. As the schedule may change depending on the season and events being held, it is recommended to check for current information on the official website www.zoo.ch before your trip.

After immersing yourself in the world of African wildlife at Lewa Savanne, you can continue exploring the surrounding area. The district around the zoo and the nearby suburbs offer many options for active recreation, learning, and entertainment to make your day even more fulfilling.