Natal Zoological Gardens Reviews

A large, big cat zoo with exhibits that allow you to experience the big cats up close.

It was very disappointing the state those poor animals living conditions is horrific rubbish everywhere in and out of the enclosures and the poor animals my heart hurts just thinking about it

Great place for families to go and see all the well looked after animals. Some fun things for kids to do as well as picnic areas.

Terrible to see animals locked up in such a manner.

It was very exciting to see the animals especially the tigers and lions. I feel that more care should be given to the baboons as one was very ill and another was very frustrated throwing things at people. The zoo can be more welcoming but I think due to financial constraints they in a corner.

I liked this place because of its serenity, Amazing lush look, collection of Animals of different kind. Importantly, the staff looks after the animals and birds very nicely. I felt all the creatures residing there are happy and they feel homely.

Needs a lot of TLC. For one, the grass is super long.

What a beautiful experience would love to visit again

It was good, the leopards and tigers are the best attractions. And the apes are the most entertaining.

Major concern. Visited on a Saturday. Stayed for over 2 hours. Did not see a single staff member. Felt slightly scared, uncomfortable especially with my grandson whose presence seemed to attract the attention of the lions and tigers.

Excellent zoo..No elephants giraffes zebra..there are some naughty and clever apes,lots of tigers,tigers,lions ,leapord

There's a variety of animals especially birds and wild-cats... It's a good place for family outings or school trips.

Good place to take kids out lovely.love the animals it's educational as well but u get to walk have comfortable shoes

The animals are not taken care of. The zoo is untidy. Animals are neglected. Enclosures are dirty and lack of water for the animals. It's sad to see such beautiful animals treated in that way

Not the best of Zoo's I have seen. But still nice to be so close to Lions, Leopards and Tigers. Plenty bird life, cats, monkeys, baboons, ducks, lions, lepoards, tigers, wild horses, bufflos, camels, pigs and much more. It seems like new owners have taken over. Seen some improvements done in and around the area. Toilets nice and clean with a picnic/braai/play area as well.

Absolutely aweful, never cried so much seeing the animals in such small enclosures. The poor chimps & orangutan got me the most. These animals are living breathing creatures and need some stimulation in the form of tyres/trees something.... Won't go back to heartbreaking

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with the variety of animals and birds we got to see. That alone was worth it. This is a family friendly place with much to do for the children. Wear decent shoes for walking as the terrain is very uneven with steep uphills here and there but with lush tropical gardens. The food offered by the venue is ok. Make sure to get enough refreshments for the long walks. Toilets seem to be enough and they were clean. Would be nice to see gender neutral toilets and more disability friendly terrain for wheelchairs and for seniors.

Beautiful. Nature and wildlife at its best. Definitely a must see for locals and tourists.

What a good experience of wildlife up close . It's a place for all South Africans an international people to visit . Will definitely visit again an recommend to others to go there.

My kids wanted to go, but truely the saddest place, animals do not have enough space or care, there was one tiger in particular that looked terrible.

Beautiful place to spend the day at an affordable price. Nice for kids and a decent array of animals including lions and tigers. Would highly recommend a visit. Needs a bit of upkeep in terms of lawn and facilities but not major. Braai areas and picnic facilities available.

In desperate need of a make over but a decent amount of maintenance will still make it OK

5 year's ago there were zebras, orangutans, a brown bear and many other animals that are now missing. Real shame

Wild animals should be free! Or at the very least in sanctuaries if they are not able to be released. Animals are not here for our entertainment :(

I cant say I'm always a fan of a Zoo, but purely because I feel some of them are quite cruel with how they keep these majestic animals.

This one honestly is a bit worse than what I am use to.

The animals are beautiful, but if you have seen a proper Zoo, you get a bit of a backyard feel here. Stray cats roaming that are clearly sick, barely able to walk, and just really unkept conditions.

To see the animals I'd probably be able to visit again, but it would be purely just for that.

Animals really need a lot more attention. Whole place looks run down and not looked after. Animals look bored and as if they do not have enough space to live. It was not a pleasurable experience at all to visit this place. Also a lot of the cages are empty or does not even contain the animals as per the info boards.

Unfortunately a lot of cages empty and poor orangutan is still on his own

Average family outing.
Atmosphere isn't very positive.
Animals seem depressed.

Overall nice place to spend with family and kids.
Maintenance of the place is pathetic. As if on a downward spiral. Funding is a bit of a problem.
It needs A BOOST AND SOME GOOD MARKETING.

Housing wild animals in cages is disgraceful, Boycott this place.

Got to feed the rabbits and Alpacas, saw wildcat family. really nice park.

Bitter-sweet experience, although lovely to see the animals, too sad to see how depressed they are especially the orangutan she's not happy where she is

Many empty cages. Disappointed at tigers & leopards being kept in such a tiny enclosure.

Lovely family outing. They have increased the picnic sites since our last visit.

My kids aged 4 and 6 had a really good experience at the natal zoo. They had really nice and clean animals. The had a little tuck shop selling takeaway food and drinks as well as soft serve ice cream. Picnic areas are quiet convenient. Just carry a sun hat,lots of sunscreen and sunglasses for a hot day!.

Great place for kids and adults alike. Get to see all the Big cats

Horrible! The animals are in prison type cages, cement floor, some have too many in one small cage, others are totally alone. No stimulants to speak of. No.. This is cruelty. It should be shut down.

What a lovely and beautiful Zoo. All the enclosures are along a foresty walk and so beautifully nestled amongst the nature. Anbsolute aray of various animals, from Tigers to birds. Even cute lamas. The zoo offeres a lovely pick nic area to braai with pony rides for little ones. A definate treat for the whole family. Also go to the lions right next door wherey ou get a upclose encounter with an elephant and close drive by the Lions. Going on meet Gods creation.

Amazing experience. Tigers ! Lions and leopards best experience at a nature park

A self driving lion park where you can drive your car among 17 Lions in the park. Though it is a small park you will thoroughly enjoy the ride. Follow all the instructions and warnings of the zoo team before you start driving into the park.

Too hot most of the animals were sleeping,food by the shop too expensive

Really disappointed...animals seems has if they aren't cared for. Most of the animals were not in their enclosures, the vegetation was blocking the view.
Too few animals left, it's really sad seen them in that condition.

Nice Zoo. You will find many animals there like birds, lions, white lions, Tigers . And lots of foreign animals

Great experience for the kids. Not much to see but it's okay

Truly disappointed in what was once a decent zoo now, absolutely appalling...worst wildlife experience ever...Waste of time and money. Apart from the few seriously undernourished lion, tiger and leopard, stored in cages my two year old would be too confined in, there is nothing else to see. The sad, depressed looks on the faces of the orangutan and apes summed up the few minutes we spent there. Two buffalo, no giraffes, no elephant, no hippo, not even a buck or zebra in sight. I'm surprised this place is still open and has the audacity to call itself a zoo.

What a fun family outing. Animal enclosures are neat and animals look healthy! Bathrooms are clean. Kids had loads of fun. Ended it off with the most delicious snow cup!

Very nice day outing for family. Will visit again. Also visited the lion park, super hot day so all the lions was sleeping under and in the tree. The animals could perhaps get some toys to play with like the chimps and the one lonely orangutan, they looked a bit sad and bored. But none of the animals looked neglected which is a good thing.

Zoo is in a sad, deplorable state. Very overgrown with vegitation in display enclosures and outside around obstructing views. Water is green with algea and polluted with garbage in all primate areas and in fish tanks. Animal enclosures were unclean. This was a disgusting zoo, sad, and depressing. Plus, it is not handicap friendly as pedestrian walk area were dangerously tree rooted, water eroded, and slippery with mud.

A day filled with fun and laughter... The kids enjoyed the tigers and the macaws... The adults enjoyed spending time walking around at a leisurely pace...

My baby boy thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the zoo...very neat and clean

Nice, relaxing place. Wow the sound of lions roaring exciting!!!!