First look at UK zoo’s HUGE new attraction as big as 17 football pitches – with ‘breathtaking site’ to open in days

A UK zoo has revealed details of a huge new attraction as big as 17 football pitches to open in just a matter of days.

Dubbed the “biggest and most ambitious” zoo habitats created, Heart of Africa is set to open on April 5 in Chester, northwest England.

Designed to mimic the landscape in central Africa, the whopping terrain at Chester Zoo will be home to 57 threatened species from the continent – including giraffes and zebras.

The 22.5 acre space will also house antelopes, flamingoes, ostriches and rhinos, which visitors will be able pay to go and see.

Also spread across the man-made savannah will be a string of safari lodges too, where guests can stay from August.

Pygmy mice, naked mole rats, and short-eared sengi – among other rodents – will also be available to take a look at in the new indoor habitat, Hidden Savannah.

A number of ectotherms – or cold blooded animals – will be available to look at too. These include various frog species and the terrifying red spitting cobra.

An Ethiopian viper and endangered pancake tortoises will also be lurking about among the flora, whilst bird enthusiasts will be in for a real treat, with 31 species being released into the area.

White-headed vultures, African white-backed vultures, and hooded vultures are due to be released into Chester's Savannah, whilst a mega rare eagle owl will also be making its home in the space.

These will be joined by 120 flamingos and the beautiful, colourful black cheeked lovebirds.

In addition to the wide and diverse array of wildlife, Heart of Africa will also have a new cultural space with authentic African cuisine and immersive storytelling for visitors to enjoy.

Chester Zoo has said it will be committing some of the proceeds from Heart of Africa to its conservation efforts across the continent.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, told Manchester Evening News: “Heart of Africa is the largest and most ambitious zoo development ever undertaken in the UK. It stands as a vibrant symbol of our commitment to safeguarding wildlife across Africa, ensuring its future for generations to come.

“Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us.

“We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah, and what better way to achieve that than by seeing northern giraffe, Grevy's zebra, ostrich, and roan antelope roaming together.

“It's truly a breathtaking sight. To bring this vision to life, our expert teams have planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses, while also welcoming many species to the zoo for the first time.

“We're proud to join international breeding programmes that will leverage our teams' expertise to protect threatened species, including vultures and the highly venomous red spitting cobra.

“We're also welcoming back beloved species, with new homes for meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, porcupines, and critically endangered eastern black rhinos.

“This marks a significant new chapter for Chester Zoo. As an international wildlife charity, Heart of Africa will help us connect hundreds of thousands of people with nature, generate jobs and economic growth for the region, and continue our vital conservation work in Africa, long into the future.

“It’s the most complex habitat we’ve ever created, and we can’t wait to invite visitors into this extraordinary new space.”;