The sun was up, the sky was clear, and the morning air was tinged with that end-of-summer crispness. Coffee in hand, we decided to start our day in the African Savanna region.

When I first made eye contact, chills ran up my back and my heart started to race; Mama Giraffe and I had locked eyes. She was at the edge of her compound, no more than 15 feet from me. We stared at each other for a long time, and it was the distraction of other visitors arriving to the area that finally broke our moment.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve visited The Toronto Zoo, but that morning was unforgettable, and I remain grateful to my daughter for making it happen. If not for her chronic earlybird-itis, we never would have been at the zoo when the doors open at 9 a.m.

Planning your Visit

The Toronto Zoo is open 364 days a year, so summer mornings aren’t the only times you can connect with a wild animal. But first thing in the morning is the best time to start your visit, as things get busier and busier as lunch approaches.

Decide ahead of time which animals and exhibits are can’t-miss, and plan your visit accordingly. At over 700 acres and with over 500 species, it’s one of the world’s largest zoos and it’s nearly impossible to do and see everything in one visit. 

A Glimpse of the Wildlife

We were delighted with the return of the polar bears and the new Tundra Trek exhibit. Inukshuk, Nikita, and Aurora the bears now enjoy a larger, five-acre habitat with a green roof, a den with close viewing capabilities, and an improved underwater viewing area. Other inhabitants of the Tundra Trek area include Arctic wolves and foxes, reindeer and snowy owls.

The butterflies are spectacular in the Malayan Woods Pavilion, and catching a glimpse of the snow leopard and Siberian tiger are highlights of the Eurasia area. Toronto is still mourning the loss of Tara the elephant and Molek the orangutan, but their magnificent families are still there for us to admire.

Learn and Play

Every visit we spend time in the Discovery Zone, where our little zookeepers-in-training interact with smaller wildlife, then become palaeontologists-in-training as they dig for dinosaur bones in the giant sand pit. In the warmer months we always stuff a bathing suit and towel into our bag, as the Splash Island water park is far too tempting.

Getting Around and Hanging Out

In spite of its size, the Toronto Zoo is very accessible and wheelchairs are available for free (with refundable deposit), and both public transit bus routes that serve The Zoo are accessible to riders with mobility devices. Strollers and wagons are available to rent. Food options are plentiful, as are spaces to enjoy your own picnics.

The Toronto Zoo is open every day (except December 25); hours vary throughout the year. General admission is $23, Seniors are $17, Kids 4-12 are $13 and children 3 and under are free. Parking is $10, and special exhibitions and rides are extra.