Africa Rocks at the San Diego Zoo

Are you ready to rock with the coolest species from Africa?!  Not lions or giraffes, we’re talking about PENGUINS! San Diego’s newest exhibit Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks features African penguins.  Keep reading for your backstage pass to the fun!

On our adventure to the new show, we started with an opening act — the Panda Trek.  Always a favorite to see the black and white bears lumbering around and snacking on some bamboo.  My kids also adored walking through the Lost Forest & aviaries.  Seeing the birds swoop by was a fun way to get up close and personal.

After seeing some of our favorites from around the zoo, it was time to surprise my kids with something a little unexpected.  When I think of African animals, I picture lions or giraffes.  But Africa Rocks presents a side of the continent’s inhabitants we don’t often discuss.  The six new habitats are rolling out, starting with the Cape Fynbos, take visitors from savanna to seashore.

The Venues

Cape Fynbos 

Penguins and leopard sharks are home within gigantic granite boulders.  You’ll also see sandy beaches with calm water, perfect for our penguin friends.

Walking through the Africa Rocks exhibit allowed us to see penguins and their co-headliners the leopard sharks from lots of different angles.  Don’t worry.  The penguins and sharks don’t mind sharing the stage.  But the penguins are just the beginning of the fun!

New Africa Rocks exhibits are opening soon! Click here for more information!

Acacia Woodland 

Looking for a cool cat?  Leopards call the Acacia Woodland home.  The area features a canopy of acacia trees, perfect for the leopard to keep his eye on the world below.   Here you’ll find vervet monkeys and a walk-through aviary.

Madagascar Forest

Geographically isolated, the Madagascar Forest features both rain forest and spiny, dry forest.  In this area, you’ll find lemurs jumping, grooming, and getting ready to rock the “sifaka dance.”

Kopje

The savanna hosts boulder-strewn islands.  Here you’ll find rock stars living among the rocks, like meerkats, hyraxes, and klipspringer antelope.

West African Forest

Dwarf crocodiles keep it cool in the West African Forest with up to 80 inches of rainfall.  Like an after gig pool party, this exhibit has streams, waterfalls, and pools.

Ethiopian Highlands

Get your tickets for the Ethiopian Highlands, a rugged mountain habitat.  Here you’ll be treated to a live performance from Hamadryas baboons, geladas, and Nubian ibex.

We’re Big Fans of African Penguins

From down below we watched penguins speed through the water like little torpedos.  Then we were able to see them float atop the water & hide in the caves.  The black and white penguins share a lot of similarities to their cold-weather relatives, but they’re a unique species you just have to see yourself!

Travel Tip: Don’t miss the gorgeous waterfall at the back of the exhibit.  In addition to a fun photo op, you can walk behind the water.  On a warm Southern California day, the spray from the water is a welcome relief!

Want to check out more of the line-up of all the unexpected stars of Africa Rocks? Check out this groovy video from our friends at the San Diego Zoo.

Your ticket or season pass purchase assists the San Diego Zoo’s work towards protecting these endangered rock stars through breeding and sustainability.  Rock on with the unexpected stars of the San Diego Zoo in Africa Rocks.  It’s the hottest ticket this summer!