Quick answer: Heart of Africa is Chester Zoo’s largest habitat, covering 22 acres and featuring 57 species. Official highlights include giraffes, zebras and ostriches in a large mixed-species landscape. It is now open.
What makes it different
This is a major zone rather than one new enclosure. Its scale, landscaping and mix of species mean it deserves a planned section of the day. Do not treat it as a five-minute photo stop on the way out.
How to include it in your route
Go early if it is your main reason for visiting, then work outward into neighbouring areas. Check the current map and keeper-talk information on arrival. Animals decide where to stand, so visibility can never be guaranteed.
What about the £10 offer?
A widely shared £10 Heart of Africa promotion applied to specific weekday afternoon visits from 30 June to 25 July 2025 and only to that zone. It is historical, not a permanent ticket price. Check the current official offers page before promising anybody a £10 zoo day.
Our experience
The scale made the return visit feel genuinely different. It added a lot of walking, but also gave us a strong new focus. We would begin there next time rather than saving it until everybody is tired.
Check the latest official information
Opening times, prices, transport and package inclusions can change. These are the official pages we used, so check them again for your travel date:
Last fact-checked: 19 August 2026. Our experience is personal; operational details above are linked to official sources.