Day Plans
Whether you’ve got a full or half day to spend with us, our itineraries can help you make the most of your visit.
Top tips to get the most from your day
Pick up a paper map or download our sitemap – the best way to make sure you don’t miss anything!
Check the Admissions welcome board on arrival to see the animal talk and feed times, as well as information on food and drinks on site, and any extra events and activities.
Bristol Zoo Project is a beautiful natural environment. As well as our animals, depending on the time of year, you’ll see native birds, butterflies, squirrels and fungi. See what treasures you can spot during the day.
Loved your visit? Become a member and visit as often as you like. Bristol Zoo Project is always changing, and there’s always something new to discover.
Half-day itinerary
1.30pm – Head straight to Bear Wood!
Once you’re in the zoo, say ‘hello’ to ostriches Mbuni and Mary at the entrance before walking straight to our award-winning Bear Wood habitat.
Follow the treetop walkway through ancient British woodland to spot species that roamed here 10,000 years ago – bears, wolves, wolverines and lynxes. Make sure to go down into the 360-degree viewing area, where you might be lucky enough to come nose-to-nose with a bear!
Top tip: Visiting between November and March? The bears will likely be in torpor, a light form of hibernation. Spot them snoozing on the Bear Cam!
2.30pm – African Forest
Next up, head to our brand-new habitat for threatened species! On the way, you have the chance to stop and see (deep breath) geladas, cheetahs, giraffes, addax, zebras, Philippine spotted deer and four species of lemur!
Once you reach African Forest, there are 5 more species for you to meet. Can you spot the gorillas and mangabeys playing, climbing and swinging out on the island? Head into the Crocodile House to see slender-snouted croc, Sassandra, swimming amongst freshwater fish. Then look inside the aviary for our flock of African grey parrots – listen to their musical calls!
There’s also spots for kids to play around African Forest, including the mangabey balance beams and gorilla nests. Lie back in the forest bathing area and watch the tree canopy sway above you – and, breathe!
Top tip: Don’t miss the gorilla talk every day at 3.30pm!
3.45pm – Panda and home!
From the mangabey area, head to the exit via the red panda habitat, where our female panda Asha will hopefully be emerging from the tree to munch happily on bamboo (her favourite pastime).
If you’re visiting between April and October, then you get an extra hour of zoo fun, as the site closes at 5pm! You could visit the mischievous meerkats in the Walled Garden, watch the red river hogs snuffling in the undergrowth or marvel at free-roaming rainforest species in the Tropical House.
Full-day itinerary
10am – Giraffes and cheetahs!
Walk straight ahead past Wilder, our giant gorilla statue, and you’ll end up right outside the Giraffe House. On sunny days, our two giraffes will be outside roaming around, but if it’s a bit chillier, head inside the house to see them munching away from their hanging feeders (one thing about these guys, they’re always eating).
Then head along the path opposite the Giraffe House to find our pair of cheetah brothers, Boma and Nasir. They like to laze about near the wooden structure in the centre of their grassy habitat, but if you catch them at feeding time you’ll see how much energy they have!
10.45am – Bear Wood
From cheetahs, wander through the Webb’s Brake woodland to Bear Wood. Follow the treetop walkway through ancient British woodland to spot species that roamed here 10,000 years ago – bears, wolves, wolverines and lynxes. Make sure to go down into the 360-degree viewing area, where you might be lucky enough to come nose-to-nose with a bear!
Top tip: Don’t miss the Bear Wood talk every day at 11.15am!
11.45am – Play time!
Emerge from ancient woodland into the adventure of Explorers Basecamp, our three-storey, conservation-themed play tower.
With ziplines, swings, trampolines, climbing walls and more, it’s the perfect place to let the little ones run wild! Don’t miss the geladas just next door – their nickname is “bleeding heart baboons” thanks to the splash of red on their chest!
12.30pm – Lunch!
With all that animal spotting, you must be hungry! If you’ve brought a picnic, there are lots of benches dotted around Explorers Basecamp and the geladas. Or head to Base Camp Pizzeria at the entrance of Bear Wood for delicious pizzas, sandwiches, drinks and snacks.
1.15pm – Travel through Cameroon, Madagascar and the Philippines
Our Bénoué area is modelled after the national park in Cameroon where we carry out conservation work. Here, you’ll find our trio of zebras, Safi, Haezel and Pete, and our addax, Phoenix and Nico.
Head inside the Lemur Walkthrough to find ring-tailed and ruffed lemurs springing over your head and bounding along beside you. Make sure you give them space!
When you exit the walkthrough, look out for our Philippine spotted deer mum Pandora and her adorable son, Buwan!
Top tip: The lemur talk and feed happens at 1.15pm every day!
2pm – African Forest time!
Walk along the path at the back of the zoo, where you can see two more species of lemur; blue-eyed black and gentle lemurs. This will take you right to African Forest, our brand-new habitat for threatened species.
Can you spot the gorillas and mangabeys playing, climbing and swinging out on the island? Head into the Crocodile House to see slender-snouted croc, Sassandra, swimming amongst freshwater fish. Then look inside the aviary for our flock of African grey parrots – listen to their musical calls!
There’s also spots for kids to play around African Forest, including the mangabey balance beams and gorilla nests. Lie back in the forest bathing area and watch the tree canopy sway above you – and, breathe!
Top tip: Catch the croc talk at 2.30pm and the gorilla talk at 3.30pm!
3pm – A welcome snack, and more animals!
From the mangabey area, head to the exit via the red panda habitat, where our female panda Asha will hopefully be emerging from a tree to munch happily on bamboo (her favourite pastime).
Follow the path round to the Walled Garden, which is home to our mob of meerkats and several species of endangered birds, including grey-crowned crane, Visayan tarictic hornbill and Sumatran laughingthrush. On the way is our Marshfield Farm Ice Cream van – will it be salted caramel, vanilla or chocolate?
4pm – Home time
If you’re visiting between April and October, then you get an extra hour of zoo fun, as the site closes at 5pm!
On your way to the zoo exit, you can see our red river hog pair snuffling in the undergrowth, our two common ostriches parading and birds, tortoises and reptiles in the Tropical House!