Situated within historic Livingston Park, Jackson Zoo houses more than 350 animals from across the globe. It was established in 1919 by a group of firefighters who began collecting animals in the central fire station and has grown to include several rides and a splash pad that’s open during summer.

Venture into the African Rainforest to meet chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and red-tailed guenon, as well as pygmy hippopotamus and southern white rhinoceroses. The African Savannah exhibit is home to sable antelope, Nile lechwe, African spurred tortoises, zebras and ostriches.

Want to learn about Mississippi’s native species? Head to the Wilderness Mississippi where the state’s natural ecosystems are recreated to house black bears, mountain lions and rattlesnakes. You can dine on site at Elephant House Cafe before riding on the Endangered Species Carousel.

Getting there

Jackson Zoo is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Jackson and can be accessed by the number 2 bus that stops outside the entrance. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is 20 minutes away.