An Incredible Journey.
As you begin to Encounter Africa, you’ll notice that this exhibit is…different. Intriguing. Extraordinary.
- African Tent Camp
- Life-sized Elephant Sculptures
- Elephant Pools
- Suspension Bridge - Walk over the elephants
- New Elephant Barn with Splash Stall
- Downed Bush Plane
- Black Rhinoceros
- Amphitheatre and Meerkats
- African Lion Pride overlooking it all
Your journey into the wild begins with an immersion into our African tent camp. As you walk through the communal tent, you’ll realize that your view has been momentarily compressed, only to be mesmerized by the expanse beyond. Here, you’ll find life-sized elephant sculptures to inspire your imagination and help you see elephants in a way that you never have before.
With the sculptures in front of you, you’ll notice in the distance an incredible view of our African elephants in their new exhibit, where Lucky, Kimba and Malaika are splashing in their pools, exploring their dry riverbed and making use of every inch of their expanded exhibit. Be wowed by their sheer size as you view them from unprecedented vantages, and experience the rush of walking over the elephants, through the sky, on our suspension bridge to the spectacular new Elephant Barn. Here, you’ll find such unique features as an elephant “splash” stall, remarkably large holding areas, and all the amenities an elephant could want
As you approach the black rhinoceros exhibit, you’ll notice the downed bush plane with incredible “this close” viewing of the majestic black rhino, brought back to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with the opening of Encounter Africa.
While you continue on your journey, make your way to the ampitheater to see a show, watch our keepers take care of our animals, or just find a comfortable spot to rest. Continue your journey as you stroll past our mob of meerkats, one of Africa’s most tightly-knit family groups, as they burrow and dig, all the while on the lookout for predators overhead.
As you near the African lion exhibit, you’ll experience a truly exciting sight; with the completion of Encounter Africa, our lion pride will now be where they belong, overlooking African Rift Valley. While you’re here, find unforgettable up-close encounters, including multiple viewing areas, with one of the fiercest predators in Africa.
As you Encounter Africa, you begin to understand the magnificence of the animals of Africa in a way that you never have before. Your journey begins…
New Elephant Exhibit:
The Zoo has embarked on a $13.5M capital campaign to build our fantastic new exhibit, Encounter Africa, which will provide new homes for our African elephants and lions, as well as bring the majestic black rhinoceros back to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! After breaking ground on the exhibit in October, we’re currently working on grading, building retaining walls, and generally preparing the area to build. We’re looking forward to:
- Spring 2011 opening of the spectacular new elephant barn
- Spring 2012 opening for the elephant and rhino exhibits
- Spring 2013 opening for the African lions
- Please view the overall Site Plan for Encounter Africa below
We hope you’ll be part of this extraordinary effort! Please support Encounter Africa by donating online, or, next time you’re at the Zoo, give us your spare change in the Grizzly Grill or at the current elephant exhibit.
Overall Site Plan - Encounter Africa:
Contact Us
To learn more about Encounter Africa, please contact Kelley Parker, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager at (719) 633-9924 ext. 164.
