The spirit of Africa is unmistakable at the San Antonio Zoo. Africa Live! the Zoo’s newest exhibit presents an amazing opportunity for Zoo visitors to actually experience the world of Africa - its plants, animals, and people. As home to some of the world's most extraordinary animals, Africa is a continent like no other. Because more animals are threatened by loss of habitat than any other factor, it is especially important for people to view these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Few people will have the opportunity to travel to the continent of Africa. It is our goal to transport Zoo visitors into this majestic land.

The theme of Africa Live!, the importance of water both in abundance and scarcity, encourages visitors to make comparisons to other areas like San Antonio, where water is especially precious. Visitors are immersed in a setting three months after the seasonal rains; trickling streams with occasional pools dwarfed by the flash-flooding channel of the streambed. By tracing the progress of river wash, habitats in Africa Live! are arranged according to the way plants and animals have adapted to varying amounts of water. Hippos, crocodiles, and African cichlids from Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi are visible through underwater viewing windows that allow visitors to see these creatures in the environment where they spend much of their lives.

A central feature of Africa Live! is the Nanyuki Market, modeled after an actual street market in equatorial Africa. The Nanyuki Market features amenities including restrooms, conference center, and a remarkable gift shop.

Throughout Africa Live!, special programs, interpretive guides, discovery stations, and more will enrich the guest experience while exploring the wonders of Africa. Africa Live! opens the door to a whole new spectrum of education opportunities. Imagine spending the night on the banks of the Semliki River with only a few inches of glass separating you and your sleeping bag from massive 8,000-pound hippopotamus or fearsome 10-foot Nile crocodiles.

Africa Live! See it. Feel it. LIVE IT.

Read New Zoo For You - courtesy of the San Antonio Express-News