A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world.
Conservation
A visit to Zoo Atlanta supports field conservation efforts happening now for wildlife and their habitats around the globe. This includes support for signature partners like Conservation South Luangwa, based in Zambia and working to protect African elephants and other species affected by the illegal wildlife trade, and the Golden Lion Tamarin Association, based in Brazil and focused on protecting an icon brought back from the brink of extinction through targeted conservation efforts in Brazil's Atlantic Coastal Forest.
What to See
African Savanna, featuring newly updated African lion complex
A newly updated African lion complex opened in April 2025. Design elements geared toward lion wellbeing include around 1,500 square feet of new habitat space for the lions and an in-habitat water feature. Guest experience upgrades incorporate three different viewing areas, including an expansive deck offering views of the entire lion habitat.
All aspects of the Zoo's African Savanna zone have been reimagined and updated over the past five years. These include expanded habitats for the Zoo's African elephant herd, giraffes, zebras, meerkats, warthogs, kori bustards, and blue cranes. Another key feature of the African Savanna is the Delta Air Lines Rhino Habitat, redesigned for rhinos and the home of four southern white rhinos.
Primates
Zoo Atlanta is home to one of North America's largest populations of great apes, including western lowland gorillas, Sumatran orangutans, and Bornean orangutans. The Zoo is a longtime leader in the care and study of gorillas, with four distinct family groups in a series of naturalistic habitats in The Ford African Rain Forest. Mixed-species habitats include homes for several African monkey species, including the only zoological population of drill monkeys in North America.
Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience
A tropical indoor destination year-round, Scaly Slimy Spectacular features more than 50 species of amphibians and reptiles in habitats designed to replicate some of the planet's most iconic wild places.
For Kids
Meet friendly goats and sheep and make exciting early connections with animals in the petting zoo.
Take a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel or hop on the Norfolk Southern Zoo Train with an All-Day Rides Wristband.
Experience the Zoo from the perspective of animal tree-dwellers! Zig, zag, climb, walk, and balance on Treetop Trail presented by Kaiser Permanente. The aerial playground lets guests navigate a series of rope ladders, bridges, nets, and tightrope-style foot lines on a two-level challenge. Little adventurers can try Treetop Tykes Trail. Additional purchase required.
Splash Fountain presented by Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, a water play experience in the Zoo's KIDZone, is open seasonally from April through October. Bring bathing suits for the children to play and a set of dry clothes for fun on the rides.
VR Adventures
Venture into the jungle of Rwanda to observe mountain gorillas or join the spectacle of Africa's legendary Great Migration – without ever leaving your seat at the Zoo – at the Wild Explorer 360° Virtual Reality Experience. Additional purchase required.
Wild Encounters
Go behind the scenes to meet and learn about the care of African elephants, lemurs and more with Wild Encounters. Separate purchase required; some offerings run seasonally.
Giraffe Feeding
Feed one of Earth's tallest land mammals on Twiga Terrace. Additional purchase required; Giraffe Feeding runs seasonally from March to November and is weather permitting.
Hours and Parking
Refer to zooatlanta.org for current hours of operation. Parking is conveniently located in the lot on Cherokee Avenue and in the Grant Park Gateway parking facility on Boulevard. Both are public parking facilities owned by the City of Atlanta and managed by AAA Parking. Rates are $3 an hour for a daily maximum of $12. To aid you in your planning, the average Zoo visit time is around three hours.
AAA Parking may be reached by phone at 877.727.5714.
Admission
You can get discounted admission to Zoo Atlanta with Atlanta CityPASS® tickets. CityPASS® tickets include admission to Zoo Atlanta along with more of Atlanta's top attractions including World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and more. The bundled ticket package saves you close to half off gate admission prices.
Lodging in Atlanta
To get the most out of your stay in Atlanta, we recommend finding lodging near Atlanta's top attractions. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:
Header Image Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta