Prague Zoo

Count Sweerts-Sporck first pitched a zoo here in 1881. Nothing happened for 40 years. Then farming mogul Alois Svoboda donated the Troja land in 1922. Professor Jiří Janda took charge and officially opened the gates on September 28, 1931. Back then, Janda actually kept a lioness named Šárka at his own villa. The zoo eventually became famous for saving the Przewalski's horse from extinction. Disaster hit in August 2002. A massive 500-year flood drowned the lower section. The zoo lost 134 animals. Gaston the sea lion became a tragic hero when he swam all the way to Germany before dying. The city didn't give up. They rebuilt the entire lower park into the modern facility you see today.

This place is huge. You need a plan or you'll miss the best parts. Start low. Hit the Penguin Pavilion first. Then check out the big cats and snakes in the Feline and Reptile Pavilion. Look for the Darwin Crater nearby. It’s a newer spot for Tasmanian devils and Australian plants. Take the chairlift up or hike the forested paths to the upper level. It feels like a different country up there. The African Savannah lets giraffes and zebras roam a wide, open plain. But the Indonesian Jungle is the real showstopper. It's a giant glass dome holding a literal rainforest. You'll see orangutans overhead and Komodo dragons in the heat below. Make time for Elephant Valley. It’s a massive space where a herd of Asian elephants actually gets to live like elephants. You can watch their social rituals and mud-bathing from the high platforms. Keep an eye out for the smaller spots too. The Chinese giant salamanders have their own dark gallery. They're weird and worth a look. You'll also find ancient giant tortoises nearby. Every corner of the park seems to offer a new discovery if you take the time to look.

Bring the kids. They'll love it. The Bororo Reserve is the big draw. It’s a massive multi-level playground built to look like an Amazon village. It has rope bridges and climbing frames that will exhaust any toddler. You can grab a coffee at the cafe right next to it while they play. Then head to the Children's Zoo near the main entrance. It’s a petting zoo where they can get close to goats and sheep. Use the vending machines to buy pellets for feeding. It’s safe and the animals expect it. It is a great way to introduce toddlers to animals in a calm environment. If their legs give out, hop on the miniature train that loops around the lower grounds. It's a cheap win at the end of a long day. Check the board for keeper talks and feeding times. They’re usually geared toward a younger crowd and offer great insights. And don't forget the chairlift. It’s a fun ride that saves you from dragging a stroller up the big hill. The whole park is designed to spark a love of nature in the youngest guests.