RIYADH: The official reopening of Riyadh Zoo this weekend was marked with complimentary tickets being offered as part of Riyadh Season 2025.
Spanning 161,000 sq. meters in the Al-Malaz district, the zoo houses more than 1,600 animals in six areas designed to mirror natural habitats, including swamps, forests and coasts. Visitors can take part in activities including animal feeding and educational workshops.
New activities for 2025 include the elephant experience, which offers a chance to see these incredible creatures up close, and a giraffe and African exhibit with an elevated viewing platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
There are also daily live performances including a circus and magic show, along with roaming musicians and dancers around the grounds. There are various options for food and refreshments, a retail area and children’s activity zones.
Riyadh Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has a capacity of up to 12,000 people. Tickets are available through Webook.
The zoo, which first opened in 1957, is home to animals including the African elephant, cheetah and giraffe, as well as endangered species such as the Arabian leopard.
It was previously known as the Riyadh Zoological Gardens, having been established as a private menagerie for King Saud and the Saudi royal family before it opened to the public in 1987.
The zoo underwent extensive refurbishment in 2008 after reports of declining visitor numbers, after which it soon reported a 200 percent increase.
