Basel Zoo

What makes it special

Opened in 1874, Basel Zoo is Switzerland's oldest zoo, and the city has called it the Zolli since its first year. The Antelope House, built in 1910, is the oldest building still standing.

It is also the country's largest zoo by number of animals, with more than 500 species from all seven continents on a small site close to the centre.

Basel had the first Indian rhino ever born in a zoo, and it keeps the species' international studbook, the register zoos use to plan breeding. Inside the Antelope House, breeding groups of giraffes, lesser kudus and okapis share one roof.

The pygmy hippos come from another long breeding line, with more than fifty births so far. The Etosha house is named after Namibia's largest national park, and its exhibit is built around the food chain of that African savannah.

Visiting

Three windows in Gamgoas, the African house for lions and Nile crocodiles, look straight in on the lions, so give it a long stop. It also holds five Nile crocodiles, termite colonies, a chameleon and East African cichlids.

In the winter months, start at the Vivarium, the zoo's aquarium: around eleven each morning the king and gentoo penguins walk out of it to their outdoor area. The pygmy hippos stay indoors and out of sight in the cold months, so come between spring and autumn if they are on your list.

The day ticket includes a small voluntary contribution to nature conservation.

Tips

Bring the Basel guest card your hotel gives you to the gate: it covers the tram ride out and halves the zoo entry.

Check the events listing on the zoo's website before you go. Some days bring events for children, and the paths have at times been lit by small kerosene lamps.