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Heart of Africa

How to view Owl Vision: It's easy! Simply hold your mouse button down while scrolling over the image, moving it left, right, up or down. You're now able to get a panoramic view of the exhibit area! Click on the "+" or "-" buttons at the bottom of the frame to zoom in or out. QuickTime plug-in is required. Click here to download for free

Exploring Africa's heart and soul

The heart and soul of Africa is its amazing diversity of species, which includes some of the most widely recognized and admired animals in the world.

The Wild Animal Park has captured the enduring spirit of Africa's wild places in its Heart of Africa exhibit, bringing you close to such majestic animals as okapis, giraffes, warthogs, ground hornbills, and cheetahs.

The walking trail begins at the southern end of Nairobi Village. It takes you from the forest to the savanna to a serene lake by means of rustic paths, wooden-planked walkways, and even a floating bridge.

The winding trails and gentle terrain offer many places to sit beneath the trees or near the streams, and side trips abound, as if you had ventured off the beaten path in the African plains. Take time to admire silky-haired colobus monkeys on Primate Island, and look for fluffy gray chicks among the brilliant pink and coral of the adult birds on Flamingo Island.

Opportunities for meeting animals face to face abound in the Heart of Africa. On most days you can watch a cheetah enjoy its afternoon meal while its keeper shares interesting facts about the fastest land mammal. Stop by the Jameson Island research outpost to see animals up close and hear real-life animal stories.

This is a magical journey that will transport you to the Heart of Africa, a safari—which means "travel" in Swahili—that takes you to Africa without the need of a passport!

Fun facts

• A free field guide is available at the entrance to Heart of Africa. It describes the animals you will encounter on your "African safari" and documents, in story form, a researcher's discoveries of this exotic place.
• Animal Encounters are offered on the Heart of Africa lawn daily. Check your map insert for times.
• The Heart of Africa is home to more than 260 animals, representing 20 species of birds and 11 species of mammals.
• Follow different animal footprints along the trail, and look for a nest of ostrich "eggs" you can sit on!
• The research station on Jameson Island has some wild ways to cool off. Be sure to stop by!