Set in over 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes Colchester Zoo in Essex is home to over 160 species offering a great family day out.

Animals From All Around the World

As you navigate your way around the Zoo, you’ll visit many different habitats and see animals from all around the world. Discover Komodo Dragons, Red Pandas and head out into the African plain which is home to White Rhinos, Giraffes, Ostrich, Zebra and Kudu!

Photo Credits to Colchester Zoo

A First Class Experience

The Zoo’s mission is to provide a first-class experience for all its visitors and at the same time further understanding and respect for animals. This is not only done through interpretation and experience but also by maintaining and developing an education programme from pre-school to degree level.

Exhibits at Colchester Zoo

Below we have listed a few of the family-friendly exhibits on offer at Colchester Zoo.

Aardvark Burrow

A group of Aardvarks who are expert diggers are waiting to be discovered at Aardvark Burrow. Aardvarks are nocturnal, so you may find the group curled up sleeping in their indoor burrow. Sharing the habitat with them is a group of Rock Hyrax.

The Aardvarks love eating terminate porridge which contains up to 50,000 insects. They collect these using their sticky tongue that it can extend up to 30cm!

Wilds of Asia

Colchester Zoo’s Wilds Of Asia exhibit is home to many rare and endangered Asian species from Red Pandas to Burmese Pythons with both indoor and outdoor viewing available.

Photo Credits to Colchester Zoo

Meddelin Monkeys

The Meddelin Monkeys enclosure is where you will find a sociable bunch of Colombian Black Spider Monkeys. You can often find them climbing along their beams or soaking up some sunshine together on one of their many platform!

Bears of the Rising Sun

After being confiscated by Government Anti-Poaching Patrols in Cambodia in 2007 and 2008 respectively, Jo-Jo and Srey Ya were relocated to Colchester Zoo in September 2010. An exciting and diverse habitat was provided, ensuring that the sun bears have a home suiting all of their physical and behavioural needs.

Jo-Jo and Srey Ya have a large outdoor area for them to explore, along with an indoor area consisting of a waterfall and climbing frames for enrichment.

Dragons of Komodo

The Komodo Dragon is the largest surviving lizard in the world, averaging a length of 2.1m! They can also can run up to 11 miles an hour in short bursts! Colchester Zoo is one of the few zoos in the UK approved to keep Komodo Dragons.

Elephant Kingdom

Colchester Zoo is home to one male and three female African Elephants. All of the African Elephants can be viewed in their large outdoor paddock area, which has a pool area and a waterfall.

Photo Credits to Colchester Zoo

Tiger Taiga

The Amur Tiger, which is also known as the Siberian Tiger, is the largest of the five remaining tiger species, and the largest of all the big cats. Due to illegal poaching and habitat loss, the Amur Tiger is one of the most endangered species of tiger, with a population of just 400 animals left in the wild.

The tigers’ stripes act as camouflage, which helps them blend into their forest environment, this camouflage is essential for stalking animals such as Sika Deer and Wild Boar. Much like a human fingerprint, no two tigers have the same stripe pattern.

Photo Credits to Colchester Zoo

Kingdom of the Wild

Housing a range of different African species in the Kingdom of the Wild you will get to see Reticulated Giraffes, Maneless Zebras, White Rhino, Ostriches and Greater Kudu mixing together in the Savannah environment.

Located inside are Pygmy Hippos, a variety of reptiles, invertebrates and fish species. There is also a lovely view from the balcony overlooking the African Savannah. This is the perfect place to sit, relax and watch the animals.

Photo Credits to Colchester Zoo

The Lost Madagascar Express

The Lost Madagascar Express takes visitors across countries and continents to spot many exciting species along the way, before disembarking at the Lost Madagascar Lemur Walkthrough, where the adventure really begins…

Photo Credits to Colchester Zoo

Activities and Play Areas

As you make your way around the Zoo, you’ll find there’s lots to explore with a wide range of activities available. Children can release their inner wild side at Jungle Tumble, make sand filled bottles and pendants at Crazy Sand and play and explore at the numerous outdoor play areas.

Food and Drink

In addition to the animals, there are plenty of food and drink options available. Start your day with a delicious breakfast, take a break from exploring for a coffee and snack, or grab some lunch at one of the many food and drink outlets available throughout the Zoo.

Travelling to Colchester Zoo

Located just south of Colchester, take the A1124 exit (Junction 26) off the main A12 following the brown elephant signs on the Stanway Western Bypass. Car parking is free and disabled car parking spaces are available close to the Zoo entrance.

Travelling by Train

Colchester Train Station can be reached from Liverpool Street Station in London within an hour. The attraction is also easily reached using the Lowestoft or Norwich networks to Ipswich and then on to Colchester. Colchester Zoo is only 10 minutes by taxi from the railway station. Search for your train tickets using Raileasy.

Staying in Colchester

There are loads of places to stay in Colchester, we recommend that you try Hotels.com or Travelodge.

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