Chattanooga Zoo Announces Open Date For $3.9 Million Cape Of Africa Section

  • Monday, August 5, 2024

Chattanooga Zoo officially announced Monday that its entirely new Cape of Africa section will be open to the public on Aug. 31. The $3.9 million development, located at the front of the Zoo, will include warthogs, servals, Cape porcupines, an enlarged giraffe yard, waterfalls, a group entrance and other new features.

"In 2013, we created a master plan to further establish the Zoo as a leading attraction in Chattanooga,” said Darde Long, president and CEO of Chattanooga Zoo. “Over the last decade, we’ve made tremendous strides in our animal collection, conservation efforts, educational programs and more. Some recent accomplishments include the addition of giraffes to our Zoo in 2020, the completion and subsequent success of the Hiwassee Hellbender Research and Education Facility and our Red Panda Rising campaign that has helped us grow our red panda pack. Now, we are elated to share our single-biggest expansion in Zoo history with visitors and locals alike.”

Construction started on The Cape of Africa in September 2023. The project incorporates authentic African imagery, colors, textures, sounds and iconography that pair with the new African species to create an immersive experience.

On Aug. 31, from 7:30-9 a.m., the Zoo is hosting a special breakfast in the Cape of Africa for Zoo members only. Members will enjoy the first look at the completed expansion and will see the warthogs, servals and Cape porcupines on exhibit for the first time. Additionally, they will enjoy animal meet and greets, a light breakfast from BeCaffeinated, themed giveaways and a drumming and dance workshop for kids presented by Ogya World Music Band and FAFAA African Drumming and Dance Company. Members may RSVP for this limited-capacity event here.

Following the Members' Breakfast, the Cape of Africa will officially be open to the public on Aug. 31 at 9 a.m.

Chattanooga Zoo would like to express their gratitude to the following Cape of Africa primary sponsors and supporters: State of Tennessee, City of Chattanooga, First Horizon Bank, Chattanooga Tourism Co., TVFCU, Dr. Tony and Alana Ashley, Dr. Thomas Donovan, Sr., Lisa Harris and Julia and Joe Horn. Chattanooga Zoo would also like to recognize Modus Build, LLC as the contractor and Billingsley Architecture as the architect.

For more information about the Cape of Africa at Chattanooga Zoo, visit https://www.chattzoo.org/visit/cape-of-africa.

Happenings
Author and Affrilachian Storyteller Kelle Jolly To Hold Children's Book Signing, Performance July 20
Author and Affrilachian Storyteller Kelle Jolly To Hold Children's Book Signing, Performance July 20
  • 7/14/2025

Author and Appalachian storyteller Kelle Jolly will visit And Then Books for a book signing and performance event featuring her new book "Lady Fay Ukulele" this coming Sunday at 4 p.m. The free, ... more

HCSO Joins Local And State Law Enforcement In Operation Southern Slow Down July 14-19
  • 7/14/2025

Sheriff Austin Garrett and members of the HCSO joined with law enforcement personnel from Georgia and Tennessee earlier this morning to kick-off the 9th Annual Operation Southern Slow Down speed ... more

Spoon Carving Workshop Set For July 19 In Cohutta
Spoon Carving Workshop Set For July 19 In Cohutta
  • 7/14/2025

Tom Brown, lifelong woodworker, will guide participants through the process of carving a wooden spoon at a workshop this Saturday at the Cohutta General Store, 317 Wolfe St. in Cohutta. There ... more