North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and is home to 1,800 animals and 500 acres of developed land. There are incredible animal exhibits here, along with hiking trails, face-to-face animal encounters, and the Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden. It is also home to an amazing herd of African elephants at Watani Grasslands Reserve.

The reserve has 47 acres of land that is landscaped to look like the African savannah. Currently, seven African elephants live here, including three males and four females. In April 2023, the zoo’s “Zoofari: An African Wildlife Adventure” experience will reopen. This exclusive tour of the Watani Grasslands Reserve allows visitors to ride in an open-air vehicle, seeing and learning about the elephants and other African animals at the zoo.

Best times to visit the North Carolina Zoo: 

Winters are a great time to visit the North Carolina Zoo. The weather is typically mild, and many animals are more active in cooler temperatures. However, when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, many of the African animals go indoors where it is heated. 
Spring and fall are also cooler, so you have a better chance of seeing more animals. If you come in the summer, mornings or late afternoons are best since temperatures are lower.