The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is opening a new chapter in its Destination Africa experience with the launch of Savannah Crossing and the newly refreshed Savannah Plains.
The transformed exhibits, set to open Saturday, aim to immerse visitors in the sights and sounds of the African savannah while deepening connections to wildlife.
Originally built in 1993 and last updated in 2002, the African Savannah barn and yard have undergone a major transformation. Over the past nine months, a team of more than 200 professionals from 39 companies helped bring the project to life.
“This marks an exciting new era for our Destination Africa experience,” said Dr. Kyle Burks, President & CEO of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
“Savannah Crossing and Savannah Plains have been designed to deepen our visitors' connection with wildlife, showcasing the dynamic relationships between species in spaces that reflect their natural environments.”
The reimagined spaces come with new names that better reflect their ecological inspirations. Savannah Crossing, formerly known as Savannah Barn, mirrors natural gathering places in the wild, while Savannah Plains, previously Savannah Yard, is modeled after the vast landscapes where zebras, giraffes, and ostriches roam.
The 4,445-square-foot Savannah Crossing building features a 560-square-foot outdoor courtyard, a spacious interior habitat, and visitor viewing areas offering close-up experiences with species like Hartmann’s mountain zebras, ostriches, and African grey-crowned cranes.
The Savannah Plains exhibit has also been transformed with new landscaping, custom-engineered fencing, and designated retreat areas for smaller species.