African Savannah
Embark on a journey along a dry river bed, in search of Africa’s remarkable treasures, as the African Savannah unfolds before you. Striking landscapes, tall grasses, thorny trees, baboons, hyaenas, giraffes and lions—the sights, sounds and smells of Africa.
Perth Zoo's African Savannah exhibit provides a sense of the variety and beauty of Africa. Formerly a flat, grassed oval circled by a miniature railway, this area of 1.25 hectares has been transformed to present the diversity and fragility of African wildlife and their environment.
Follow the path to see African Painted Dogs, lions, baboons, meerkats and rhinoceros. Stand beneath the cool shade of the thatched tree houses and watch grazing zebras and browsing giraffes or visit Cinema N’dutu to find out how Perth Zoo cares for some of its African animals and plants.
The African Savannah has been planted with authentic Africa grasses and trees to provide a natural habitat for the animals. Trees that you will see as you wander through the African Savannah at Perth Zoo include Cape Chestnut, Senegal Date Palm, Cabbage Tree, Sausage Tree, Thunga Tree, Flame Tree and Kei Apple. The main grasses found in the exhibit are found throughout East Africa. These grasses include Kikuyu, Fountain Grass, Elephant Grass and Rhodes Grass.
Kopje, or rocky outcrops are characteristic of the savannah and these have been incorporated into the exhibits. The rocks were constructed of wire frames and concrete and disguise night quarters for the animals or storage facilities.
Africa awaits the adventurous…
Cinema N’dutu
Experience a special behind-the-scenes look at how Perth Zoo cares for some of its African animals and plants. Escape from the summer’s heat or the winter rain and still see something more than the average visitor.
Cinema N’dutu offers four films featuring Rothschild’s Giraffe, Southern White Rhinoceros, Cheetah and African Plants.
Free screening every day in Cinema N’dutu from 10am to 5pm.
African Painted Dog
Once widespread across Africa, African Painted Dogs are now reduced to small, scattered populations.
Cheetah
The cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal and can sprint at over 110 kph for 10–20 seconds. Once distributed widely across Asia and Africa, the cheetah is now considered extinct in Asia and only scattered populations survive in Africa.
Grant's Zebra
Zebras are smaller than horses. They have a mane on their neck and a long-haired tail. Zebras have black skin with white fur.
Hamadryas Baboon
Hamadryas Baboons have a highly organised, unique and complicated social structure. Grooming is very important for maintaining the social bond. Less dominant members do a greater proportion of the grooming.
Lion
Unlike other cat species, lions are quite social and live in groups called ‘prides’. The male protects the pride and maintains his role as the dominant lion while the lionesses hunt.
Radiated Tortoise
Radiated Tortoises are the largest of the ‘star’ tortoises, so called because of the star pattern on their back. Because of this beautiful shell, they are often hunted and the shells used as ornaments.
Rothschild's Giraffe
The giraffe is the tallest land animal on earth. Despite its length, the neck of a giraffe contains only seven vertebrae—the same as humans.
Slender-tailed Meerkat
Slender-tailed Meerkats live in large social groups of up to 30 members. While most of the group members are foraging for food, ‘sentries’ are posted as look-outs for predators such as eagles or cobras.
Southern White Rhinoceros
The Southern White Rhinoceros has a thick grey hide and two long horns on its snout. They also have a wide, straight upper lip. The Southern White Rhinoceros is the largest species of rhinoceros.
Spotted Hyaena
The Spotted Hyaena has a spotted coat and is the largest of the hyaenas. Large packs of Spotted Hyaenas intimidate other larger predators such as cheetahs and lions into giving up their prey.