At Orana Park, an open-range Christchurch zoo, you can get up close to lions in their habitat, hand-feed a giraffe, or observe kiwi birds foraging in their nocturnal environment. Read on for discount opportunities at Orana Park and other animal encounters in the city.
If you think all zoos are alike, you haven’t yet been to Orana Park, our favourite Christchurch zoo and animal experience. New Zealand’s only open-range zoo features some amazing wildlife encounters. Where else can you travel through a lion reserve in NZ?
The wildlife encounters are up close and personal, with safety being paramount.
Endangered animals live in open enclosures emulating their natural habitat.
In fact, Orana Park is a Christchurch zoo that is home to over 1,000 animals from 90 different species, set on 80 hectares of land. And either on foot or with the free tram, you can try and see them all in a day.
Orana Park is a place for adults as much as children. Its open-range layout also makes it a photographer’s paradise.
Our must-see list at our favourite Christchurch zoo
There are New Zealand natives like kiwi birds and kea, as well as animals from Africa, Australia, Asia, and America. And while it’s all pretty cool, there are a few must-sees.
Meet the white rhinos
Imagine looking into the eyes of a white rhino, one of the earth’s largest land mammals, while standing so close you believe you could reach out and touch him, but you wouldn’t dare try to find out.
During the encounter, the keepers brought us quite close to some of the white rhinos while still protected by the contact barriers.
And if you are like me, you are looking at the photos and wondering why they are called ‘white’ when clearly, they’re not. Turns out, white rhinos are believed to be named from a mistranslation of the word “wijd” (Dutch for wide) as in wide-mouth rhino.
Head out ‘on safari’ on a lion encounter
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that gets your heart pumping, don’t miss the lion encounter at this Christchurch zoo.
You will travel through the African Lion Habitat alongside specialised keepers who will feed the lions from the safety of a specialized vehicle.
There is an additional fee for this adventure. With only 20 tickets available daily, you’ll need to book this one in advance by emailing or ringing at +64 3 359 7109.
Photo Credit: Orana Wildlife Park. Used with permission.
Hand-feed a giraffe
Have you ever felt the rough wet tongue of a giraffe as he takes food from your hand? There are two opportunities daily to hand feed a giraffe at this Christchurch zoo.
When we arrived for the afternoon feeding time, on that particular day the giraffes didn’t seem too interested in eating, but one did pose rather well for our camera.
Get up close with some of New Zealand’s unique birds
There are multiple opportunities to discover some of New Zealand’s birdlife, many of which are among the country’s most unique animals.
Two of our favourites are the walk-through kea habitat and the nocturnal kiwi house.
Kea are endemic to the South Island and nationally endangered. The habitat is an award-winning alpine environment for the world’s only mountain parrot.To keep the birds mentally challenged, their food is often hidden in containers.
As for the kiwi house, remember it will be dark. We recommend arriving a bit early for kiwi bird feeding time. We did this, and it allowed our eyes to adjust, so we could clearly see the endemic kiwi birds.
Shutter Speed: 1/15, Aperture: f/1.7, ISO: 6400
Handheld
New Zealand’s only gorillas live at this Christchurch Zoo
Housed in Orana’s Great Ape Centre, these magnificent primates have indoor and outdoor areas. Interacting through the enclosure perimeters with the critically endangered western lowland gorilla, we could appreciate his human-like qualities.
At first, whilst indoors, he seemed to just stare at me through the glass. But once the keepers opened the door, he went out and seemed to get a bit cheeky, sticking out his tongue.
Check out the farmyard
Chicken and sheep are amongst the animals in the farmyard, an area that allows visitors to get up close to some of the domestic animals. This colourful turkey was also roaming about when we were there.
Other animal highlights at Orana Park
In June 2018, four young Tasmanian devils arrived at Orana Park from the Devils@Cradle sanctuary in Tasmania. They are part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil (STDP) Ambassador Programme. According to the press release, Tasmanian devils are the world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupials.
Here are some other stunning animals.
Photo Credit: Orana Wildlife Park. Used with permission.
A bit of Orana Park history
Orana Park first opened in 1976. At that time, it had only 28 animals and a drive-thru lion reserve (which closed in 1995).
In 1984, they opened the South Island’s first kiwi house. Orana Park sustained significant damage from earthquakes, floods, snow, and wind storms between 2010-2013. They are now fully operational.
Conservation of endangered species is a top priority, including involvement in an international zoo-based breeding programme. In addition to animal welfare, the park provides education, recreation, and enjoyment to the public.
Practical information on Orana Park
- Orana Wildlife Park is at 793 McLeans Island Road. It’s a 15-minute drive from the airport or 30 minutes from Christchurch city.
- Animal encounters and feeding times follow a schedule with 12 options daily, starting with meerkats at 10.45 and ending with gorillas at 3.45 (subject to change). Not all encounters happen every day, and giraffe feeding takes place twice daily. Check the online schedule before you arrive, and be aware that the schedules can change to accommodate the animals.
- Allow at least three hours for a visit, more if you are doing the lion encounter.
- You can walk the park or take the commentated Safari Shuttle around the park (25-minute loop).
- The park also has a children’s adventure playground and two large picnic areas.
- Entrance fees support the park’s conservation work.
Get discounts on other Christchurch zoos or animal encounters
In Christchurch, you can also see animals at:
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve: This is the spot for the big 5 in New Zealand. Willowbank is home to the kea – a cheeky mountain parrot, the tuatara – an ancient relative of the dinosaur, the kaka – a bush parrot, takahe – a bird once thought to be extinct and now classified as nationally vulnerable, and the kiwi bird – a national icon. Check for discounts to Willowbank.
- International Antarctic Centre: If it’s penguins you are after, check for a VIP penguin backstage pass. And while you are here, experience the wonders, magic, and history of Antarctica.
Save on your NZ trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), Bookabach (self-contained in NZ), or Hostelworld (budget). See all our personal favourite NZ hotels here.
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans: Our readers prefer Jucy, and we get consistently great feedback.
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we do have a go-to when we hire a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel. And don’t forget to download our free New Zealand packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.
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Which Christchurch zoo will you visit?
More from Christchurch that you might like
- 39 Things to Do in Christchurch – New Zealand’s Garden City
- South Island Road Trip: Dunedin to Christchurch in New Zealand
- Christchurch Gondola for Panoramic Views and Hiking
- 18 Extraordinary Things to Do in the South Island
- Christchurch Street Art Uplifts NZ’s Post-Quake City
Disclaimer: We worked with ChristchurchNZ, the local tourism board who arranged for our entrance to Orana Wildlife Park to assist in the writing of this review. The opinions expressed here are strictly our own.
Shiju Sugunan
Some really nice pictures from the park. The Rhinos look really prehistoric.
Carol
It’s a terrific place for sure!
Clare
Wow, this is amazing, Rhonda! What an incredible experience to be able to get up so close to these animals. I’ve been to some more open zoos in the UK and have really appreciated that – both for the animals and the spectators, but this looks really special.
Rob+Ann
What a great park! We have seen a few “free range” zoos, but nothing with such variety. I can see how it’s a photographer’s dream. We’ll definitely have to include this if we ever get to New Zealand!
Sandy N Vyjay
Though we personally do not like to visit Zoo’s, this one looks to be an exception. The Orana Park seems to ensure that the animals live in a natural habitat in open space which is so good. Looking at the Gorilla I was reminded of my own encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Such huge but gentle giants they are.
corey
I love the idea of an open zoo. So many animals to see, and not in cramped quarters which can be sad to see at certain zoos. I would absolutely love to see a cheetah.
Lisa Isaacs
Seems like an amazing place. My son loves animals but only yesterday lamented that all the animal places here are dumbed-down for little kids. He would enjoy Orana Park by the looks of it.
Ruth
I like zoos or enclosures where you get to learn about the different species. Every time I visit one of these places, I end up learning a lot. I think I would get in that cage surrounded by lions. My husband would never do it though (he is scared of monkeys which are mostly inoffensive, I do not want to see him close to lions).
Anda
I love wild animal parks like this. Orana Park seems seems huge and it has quite a large variety of animals. It must have been an interesting experience to be close to some of them. However, I wouldn’t be too comfortable in that cage while lions roam around. I love the color of that turkey.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
I love close encounters with animals. Orana looks like the sort of place where I would be in heaven. I am putting it on the list for our next visit to Christchurch.
Dorothy
It’s a great concept and your photos are outstanding. I’m in for the lion encounter.
Wendy Maes
The lion encounter looks impressive. If you liked this, you should fo on a safari in Africa (in case you didn’t do that already).
Jill
I love this concept – a zoo but not a zoo and helping endangered animals. And I love the humongous statue of the kiwi bird!
Kelleyn Rothaermel
Incredible images! The one of them feeding the lions is nuts! But cool at the same time!
Julie Kemp Pick
Hi Rhonda! What a spectacular animal park! All of your photos are incredible, but my favorite is how you
got the gorilla to actually pose for you! You can tell how wise he is! I would’ve been extremely
frightened standing so close to those lions. It seems like they could easily reach through the cage.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Deborah Coombs
This looks like an incredible spot. I love that animals have room to roam.
Jane Cotton
Some wonderful shots here, and love the shot of the Gorilla leaning on his chin ( just like a human would) awesome!
Indah Nuria
Such an interesting experience indeed, Rhonda. My kids and I will love it! To get that close to those endangered animals is so precious. We have typical zoo here in Bronx, Queens and Central Park, but we have the safari park in Indonesia
judee
How wonderful that the animals are not caged. Quite impressive photos- thank you for sharing your adventure
Bill
Looks like a nice zoo to visit. Nearest on to me is Cotswold Wild Life Park, I go there every so often to see the animals
Ashwini KA
Awesome! I never had this place on my NZ itinerary but will add it. All thanks to you! My son would love his time there seeing all those animals and would jump in joy! But, how did you manage to stay clam with so many lions around! I know we are caged and safe but looks scary!
Sophia Grace
I’m just hearing all about Orana Wildlife Park with this post, I wasn’t aware about Orana Wildlife Park before this post. This Orana Wildlife Park looks really amazing & trip of Orana Wildlife Park would be unforgettable.
Wild animals looks really amazing & these are such great pictures.
Rishabh & Nirali
That lion encounter looks so cool. Always believed that the only beings worth being kept in cages is us humans and this looks like exactly that 🙂
Rajlakshmi
Wow I would love to have such close encounters… I have never seen a white rhino before… Must be amazing. I love the variety of species they have in the park. Will keep in mind when I visit NZ.
Megan Jerrard
I love the idea of an open range zoo. I’m not really keen on supporting places where the animals are caged. Orana Park in Christchurch sounds like they really have the best interests of the animals at heart, and I love that animal safety is their primary concern.
The lion encounter is something I would definitely pay extra for – that looks like an incredible experience!! … and I love that it’s us as humans who are caged lol which is a nice change for an animal enclosure!
Kay Davies
I can’t help wondering how the African animals got to New Zealand, and why. If it is to preserve the species, all well and good, but if it is to give humans the thrill of being in a cage while lions admire them, I have to wonder at the wisdom of it all. Nevertheless, the photos are wonderful.
Kay
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Nancy
Rhonda, your photos are top-notch! So clear and sharp, I can almost feel the fur and feathers! Kudos on this post.
Amy
Such amazing animals, wish they were out in the wild but it’s no safer there either.
Daphne
Good to hear New Zealand has an open range zoo, where endangered animals live in open enclosures emulating their natural habitat. 400 animals from 70 different species is a lot!! I see you took many photos, they look amazing! Can’t wait to visit this zoo once!
L. Diane Wolfe
I would love the lion encounter. There’s a place in Oregon called Wildlife Safari and it was always my favorite place to go. Never encountered a lion like that, but I did have a cheetah fall asleep in my lap.
Marie-OR
What an amazing place!!! I love the gorilla and the kiwi and orangutan especially. How scary being in that cage! 🙂 Beautiful photos!
Rhonda Albom
The orangutan just arrived, so I didn’t see him in Christchurch, but I have seen him in Auckland before he left. As for the kiwi, I was really pleased to get the shot. It’s so rare that I get to see one so close.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Ha,ha,ha. That gorilla is thinking, what the heck is that woman doing? That place is brilliant especially when you can be so close to those lions. Fantastic Rhonda. See ya my friend.
Cruisin Paul
Patrick Weseman
Holy cow, what beautiful shots. Thanks for sharing. That is an once in a lifetime experience.
Sandee
There is something similar in the San Diego area. You ride a bus though different continents and see the wildlife that resides there. It was most enjoyable. That was years ago, and now it’s a bit more pricey. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g32358-c131786/Escondido:California:Wild.Animal.Park.html
Great shots as always.
Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥
Carol
Fantastic post Rhonda! Love the idea of animals roaming free and unrestricted. Sounds and looks like an amazing zoo.
Shere
Being in the cage surrounded by lions is really cool. Something is not done in many zoos
shere
in one in The Netherladns you can feed them
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – amazing photos and what a range of animals … wild life is just brilliant – cheers Hilary
Chris Bloomfield
We love visiting zoos, but often are discouraged from taking photos because of the enclosures. Your pictures are great and now I am going to have to visit this zoo. The Cheetah one is my favorite because they are hard to get good pictures of. The lion encounter looks amazing and frighting at the same time. Our family visited a drive through safari zoo in Texas that was crazy because of how close the animals were, one zebra even stuck it’s head in the car!
Rhonda Albom
One of the tricks of the photos is to, whenever possible, try to get a natural background rather than a fence or a structure. As for the safari, I have been to one similar in Florida many, many years ago, but we didn’t have a zebra enter out car.
Teresa
I have mice in my attic…that’s too wild for me. Great photos!
stevebethere
What a fab park all those wonderful photos my favourite has to be Charlie LOL
Have a parktastic day Rhonda 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
That gorilla gave you his good side.
Looks like a great animal park.