The award-winning Hanover zoo displays over 2,000 animals in the exciting gorilla mountain, jungle palace, Meyer's farm, the colourful village Mullewapp of Helme Heine's illustrated childrens's books and Zambezi themed areas. The exciting themed "worlds" allow the visitors to really come face to face with the animals in a nearly barrier-free environment. The world tour starts with the Zambezi.

The sights, sounds, smells of Africa - and on the boat trip down the Zambezi hippos, rhinos, flamingos and giraffes are almost close enough to touch. In the neighbouring jungle palace, you'll think you're in the middle of the Indian sub-continent. The magnificent palace is home to a herd of elephants, the most popular animals in the zoo.

Gorilla Mountain is set on the highest hill in the zoo, twelve gorillas inhabit a spectacular forest landscape - lush vegetation, a bubbling stream and a thundering waterfall recreate the East African homeland of these gentle giants. Panorama windows set into the rocks look out over the idyllic scene.

In contrast to this, Meyer's farm makes the countryside of Lower Saxony come to life. The family of pigs wallow happily in the mud and cute ponies and Friesian cows graze on the meadows. At the jolly Mullewapp petting zoo goats, sheep and pigs are eager to be stroked and brushed every day. A sixth Zoo World, the vast Alaskan wilderness of Yukon Bay, is coming soon

Summer opening hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Winter opening hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.