In the hills southwest of Caracas, a 630-hectare sanctuary brings together the wildlife of three continents in thoughtfully crafted environments.

Welcome to Parque Zoológico Caricuao, where Venezuela's commitment to wildlife conservation takes shape across seven distinct ecological zones.

Since opening its gates in 1977, this zoo has balanced recreation with serious conservation work, becoming home to species from African plains to South American rainforests. The sprawling grounds protect not just animals but an entire watershed, making it both a zoological park and a vital green lung for the bustling capital below.

From Coffee Plantation to Conservation Center

The zoo's story begins in 1967 when the Venezuelan government transferred the lands of Hacienda Cafetalera Santa Cruz with an ambitious vision: to create the capital's largest zoological park. Originally planned as the Metropolitan Zoological Park, the project evolved over the next decade.

By 1974, administration shifted to INPARQUES (the National Institute of Parks), and the facility took its current name. When the gates finally opened on July 31, 1977, visitors discovered a modern zoo unlike anything Venezuela had seen before. Today, ruins from the original colonial-era coffee plantation still stand in the African Savanna zone, connecting past and present.

Seven Worlds in One Park

The zoo divides its 36 developed hectares into seven themed environments. In the Monkey Forest, South American primates swing freely through open-air enclosures. The African Savanna houses elephants, hippos, and ostriches near those colonial ruins, while the South American Plains showcase tapirs, llamas, and capybaras.

The Avifauna Lagoon draws visitors to watch flamingos, scarlet ibis, and black swans glide across open waters. Big cats prowl the Feline Zone, from jaguars to Bengal tigers. The Ring Zone features caimans from both the Orinoco and Mississippi rivers, while the Contact Zone invites children to interact directly with sheep, goats, and ducks.

A Living Laboratory for Conservation

What sets Caricuao apart is its dual identity as both public attraction and research facility. The zoo actively works on breeding programs for endangered species, turning recreation into meaningful conservation action.

The remaining 594 undeveloped hectares serve as protected forest, preserving native deciduous woodland, gallery forests, and savannas. Trees like jabillo, apamate, mahogany, and bucare create a botanical showcase alongside exotic species from similar climates. This makes Caricuao more than a zoo; it's a small forest reserve where visitors walk through ecosystems housing countless plant species displaying diverse leaves, roots, and textures in a natural setting.

Caricuao Zoo Highlights & Tips

• The Avifauna Lagoon Watch flamingos, scarlet ibis, black swans, and capybaras share beautiful open-water lagoons in this stunning naturalistic habitat.
• Contact Zone Experience Let children get hands-on with friendly farm animals. Special food is available for purchase so kids can feed sheep, goats, and ducks.
• Colonial Ruins in African Savanna Discover remnants of the 18th-century Hacienda Santa Cruz coffee plantation while observing elephants and hippos.
• Free-Roaming Monkey Forest See South American primates in spacious open-air environments that let them move naturally through the trees.
• Plan for a Full Day With 36 developed hectares and seven zones to explore, give yourself plenty of time to see everything. Cafeterias and restaurants are available throughout the park.
• Bring Picnic Supplies Take advantage of picnic kiosks scattered around the grounds for a leisurely lunch surrounded by nature.
• Educational Programs Available Check about environmental education programs, guided tours, workshops, and talks that provide deeper insights into conservation efforts.
• Family-Friendly Amenities The zoo offers children's play areas, a public library, and parking facilities to make visits comfortable for families.

Caricuao Zoo represents Venezuela's vision of what modern zoos should be: places where conservation, education, and recreation intertwine. Whether you're watching jaguars stalk through their enclosure, feeding goats in the Contact Zone, or simply walking beneath towering bucare trees, you're participating in something larger than a day out.\n\nYou're supporting endangered species research, watershed protection, and environmental education that reaches thousands of Venezuelan families each year. This is conservation you can see, touch, and carry home in memory.