Johannesburg Zoo, Zoo complex in Saxonwold, South Africa

Johannesburg Zoo covers 55 hectares in Saxonwold and holds about 2,000 animals of some 320 species, from 20 frog species to 101 mammal species. Its first enclosures held two lions and a leopard; from the 1960s iron and concrete cages gave way to open, landscaped enclosures. A rhino and elephant house went up between 1913 and 1915, and a bandstand was built in 1910.

The zoo's land came from Hermann Eckstein's Braamfontein farm, converted into the Sachsenwald timber plantation in 1891. In 1903 Wernher Beit & Co and Max Michaelis offered 200 acres to the town council, and the land was transferred on 22 March 1904. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick donated the first animals, and the first enclosures held two lions and a leopard.

The zoo serves as an important space for learning about nature and protecting endangered species. Families and school groups come here regularly to connect with animals and understand their conservation needs.

The grounds are large, so visitors can walk the paths or rent vehicles to get around more easily. Plan to spend several hours here and bring water and sunscreen for sun protection.

The zoo is one of the few places worldwide holding white lions, a colour mutation of the African lion, and it has bred them with such success that other zoos seek them out over tawny lions. It is also the only zoo in South Africa to have bred Siberian tigers; the male Twist weighed 320 kg and fathered every Siberian tiger in the country.