African Adventure – Fresno Chaffee Zoo

For all the times I’ve been to the zoo for the African Adventure, it never ceases to amaze me. I still can’t believe it’s done and how beautiful it is. Taking a toddler to the zoo is a frequent must and a zoo membership is always worth it but now I can’t recommend it enough! The lodge is amazing to have a more extensive pick of food (great quality food) and just sit. And watch the animals. They have a fish tank that goes through the wall inside the café and my son loves it! It keeps him busy while I’m getting the food for us. (Bonus! Members get 10% off in cafes!) if you have a zoo cup (I believe it’s $ 4 to buy) you can get refills for $ 1 and bring the cup every time you go! My son loves the Dino dig and will stay there all day! They have something similar but it’s more of a giant sand box in the African adventure and he loves that as well. At one of the many windows of the lions they have a jeep for kids to play on and usually the lion is really close to that area for a close look. They have nice and clean bathrooms all over. They recently got the giraffe feeding off the ground in the new exhibit, I know it took them a while to let the giraffes get used to their new home and now, it’s amazing. They had 4 of them up there waiting to be fed when we went yesterday and they are so much closer than before. Feedings are still $ 2 and you get 2 piecing of lettuce. And while you’re waiting in line, it’s a beautiful view of the whole African adventure. It’s better than we ever could’ve imagined it.

The new African area is a zoo in itself. Not to mention they have four nicer restrooms scattered throughout that are more spacious, modern, and very clean.
The path heads in one of two directions and doesn’t connect, so you head out one until you get to the end, then turn around and head the other way.
If you take the path through the gate to the left, you get to the Giraffe Feeding Station, which is a good number of feet off the ground to allow giraffes less of a reach. The price is still $ 2, but you might want to wait until the giraffes amble over there before buying.
If you’re heading right, you’ll start at the Kopje Lodge, a cafeteria that is actually a grill station/​pizza place/​sandwich shop/​salad area all in one, surrounded by a gigantic patio with a panoramic view.
With me being gluten-​free, I noticed an option to get a burger or sandwich on lettuce, and they’re careful with the grill. Out the patio exit you find condiments, napkins, and silverware.
There is a coffee/​chips window around back with snacks, including Food Should Taste Good GF chips (not offered inside).
If you’re heading towards the patio and don’t want to go to the lodge or walk through their patio chairs, keep going right through the gate (make a right u-​turn) and take the path that goes behind the cafeteria and past the coffee window. This right-​hand path passes a couple of «indoor» lookout points and ends at the Elephant Falls watering hole.
If you’re planning on seeing all of it, I’d recommend coming straight here from the front gate, eating, relaxing, making a day of it, and saving the rest of the zoo for later.

Got to hand it to the fresno zoo for this awesome exhibit. I had the chance to experience the new African Adventure exhibit and this is a must see for everyone. The exhibit adds a nice charm of nature and you actually kind of feel like you are in the safari in Africa. The new addition of animals, such as the cheetahs, lions, African elephants, and my favorite the white rhinos, bring something new to the zoo. You actually get to see the animals interact like they would if they were out in their natural habitat.
The feeding giraffe station is a huge improvement when compared to before. You are actually up towards them, instead of them bending over to get the leaves. The best part, it is still the same price as before to feed them. My favorite part was the café and the open view of the safari. Watching the animals, while eatting and relaxing in the open seating area was a very good experience. The prices of the food is affordable aswell, ranging up to around the $ 8 dollar mark and was worth it.
If you have not checked out this new exhibit, you really need to, and at still the same prices of going into the zoo and park it is worth it. I cannot wait to see what the second part of this exhibit is going to look like when they are finished. Thumbs up to the zoo for this.

‘Two thumbs and two toes up’ for this awe-​aspiring 13 acre masterpiece which happens to be the NEW attraction at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Be ready to put on your khakis, boots, adventure hats and bring a pair of binoculars because you are literally going to be in Africa. I really must compliment the designers and the people who made this attraction possible, its simply amazing and breathtaking, I couldn’t have imagined a better African Adventure. The best part, this extension of the zoo, doesn’t cost me a penny more to experience, its all inclusive in the $ 7 adult entrance fee or $ 3.50 for children when you enter the zoo.
This attraction felt so prestigious and grand, especially the Kopje Lodge. It felt as if I was back at Singita Sagi Sand, a luxurious african safari resort in Africa, with its 20 foot ceilings designed to embody a classic safari lodge with fresh and contemporary interpretation. The Kopje Lodge, overlooks the african savannah, complete with watering hole and waterfall where the african elephants and the rhinos roam freely and mingle. It felt so natural, not a hint of fabrication in sight. Within the Kopje Lodge is the the new safari café; its a gorgeous food hall, and they serve only gourmet selections, I shall elaborate more on that, with its own separate review. Just know the food is good and its affordable, under $ 8.
This 13 acre of masterpiece is amazing and feels like the african savannah, it houses lions, cheetahs, meerkats, giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, ostrich, gazelles, and so much more. The animals look very happy and at home, as they stroll along their natural habitat. The best part about this exhibit, it feels very open. Its not the classical zoo enclosure where bars and grills separate us humans, instead this open space concept allows the animals to feel comfortable, while patrons get to experience the real taste of Africa.
The new giraffe feeding station is just splendid, where patrons are on a high feeding tower connected by a bridge to the rest of the lodge, making it easy to feed the giraffes, since the height difference is now not an issue. I do appreciate how the zoo charges such a small fee to feed the giraffe, only $ 2. There are zoo guides through out the exhibit and they are helpful and friendly to explain and hold genuine conversation with you.
Make sure to bring a hat and a pair of comfortable walking shoe, since lots of walking is required when visiting the new and impressive African Adventure. And since Im OCD, its worth mentioning that the bathroom facility here is clean, modern and environmental friendly, and of course well equipped for family with children.