10 Biggest Zoos in the World Every Animal Lover Should Visit
Published: 10 Mar 2026
Did you know there’s a zoo so massive it covers over 10,000 acres which is larger than some small towns? And that’s just one of the incredible places on our list. If you’re curious about the biggest zoological park in the world, you’ve come to the right place.
Some parks are enormous in size but have only a handful of species, while others may be smaller yet house hundreds of animals.
In this guide, we explore the biggest zoos in the world and highlight the top ranked zoos in the world, so you can see which ones are truly the giants of the zoo world.
Largest Zoos in the World Ranked by Land Area
Below is a detailed look at the top ranked zoos in the world alongside their land area and animal diversity. This will help you spot which ones are must-visit destinations for any wildlife enthusiast.
| Rank | Zoo Name | Country | Land Area (Approx.) | Animals / Species | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Wilds Safari Park | USA | ~10,000 acres | ~300+ animals & <25 species | One of the world’s largest conservation parks with open‑range habitats |
| 2 | Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park | India | ~5,532 acres | ~1,071 animals & ~84 species | Asia’s largest zoo by area with many native species |
| 3 | Monarto Safari Park | Australia | ~3,700 acres | ~500+ animals & ~50 species | Australia’s largest open‑range zoo, focus on African & native wildlife |
| 4 | North Carolina Zoo | USA | ~2,600 acres | ~1,800+ animals & ~250 species | One of the largest natural habitat zoos globally |
| 5 | Khao Kheow Open Zoo | Thailand | ~1,976 acres | ~8,000+ animals & ~300+ species | Large open zoo with diverse wildlife; second largest in Asia |
| 6 | San Diego Zoo Safari Park | USA | ~1,800 acres | ~3,000+ animals & ~293 species | Safari‑style park with expansive natural exhibits |
| 7 | Arignar Anna Zoological Park | India | ~1,490 acres | ~2,389 animals & ~178 species | One of South Asia’s largest zoos with diverse exhibits |
| 8 | The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens | USA | ~1,200 acres | Not publicly reported | Desert ecosystem zoo with unique habitats |
| 9 | Nandankanan Zoological Park | India | ~1,080 acres | ~3,004 animals & ~156 species | Extensive zoo with birds, mammals, reptiles and orchids |
| 10 | Toronto Zoo | Canada | ~710 acres | ~5,000+ animals | Canada’s largest zoo with animals from multiple continents |
Top 10 Biggest Zoos in the World
Below is a list of the world’s largest zoos, each offering unique wildlife experiences.
1. The Wilds Safari Park — USA
- Size: ~10,000 acres
- Country: USA
The Wilds Safari Park was founded in 1984 with the goal of creating a conservation haven for endangered species. Located in rural Ohio, it’s not a typical zoo, it’s more like a vast wildlife preserve. Animals roam freely across open plains, giving visitors a true safari experience in North America.
You can spot giraffes, rhinos and antelopes during guided tours, all living in habitats that mimic their natural environment.
Fun Fact: Spanning over 10,000 acres, The Wilds Safari Park is recognized as the biggest zoological park in the world, giving animals vast open habitats that go beyond a typical zoo experience.
2. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park — India
- Size: ~5,532 acres
- Country: India
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park opened in 1987 in Andhra Pradesh, India. It was designed to be Asia’s largest zoo by land area, with large forested landscapes where animals live in naturalistic habitats instead of small cages.
Tigers, lions, elephants and deer roam freely across the park’s vast terrain, making it a favorite for wildlife lovers.
Fun Fact: The park spans over 5,500 acres, more than twice the size of many urban zoos in India.
Planning a trip to India? Check our guide to cheapest countries in Asia for travel tips.
3. Monarto Safari Park — Australia
- Size: ~3,700 acres
- Country: Australia
Monarto Safari Park was established in 1983 near Adelaide, Australia. It was built to be the largest open-range zoo in Australia, providing a true safari experience outside Africa. Animals like giraffes, zebras and rhinos roam across large savanna-style enclosures.
The park emphasizes conservation and breeding programs, particularly for endangered species from both Africa and Australia.
Fun Fact: Monarto is so large that it’s often called a “safari experience outside Africa”
4. North Carolina Zoo — USA
- Size: ~2,600 acres
- Country: USA
The North Carolina Zoo started in 1974 with a mission to create the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. From the beginning, the goal was to move away from cages and give animals spaces that felt like their real homes. Today, it spans 2,600 acres, with African and North American ecosystems recreated in detail.
Walking through the park, you can see giraffes grazing, lions resting under the sun and polar bears swimming in large ponds. It’s designed to be educational and immersive, letting visitors understand animals in environments that feel authentic.
Fun Fact: With over 1,800 animals from 250 species, it’s not just huge in size, it’s incredibly diverse too.
5. Khao Kheow Open Zoo — Thailand
- Size: ~1,976 acres
- Country: Thailand
Khao Kheow Open Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to create a large open-space wildlife park for conservation, education, and recreation. Unlike typical city zoos, this one features vast enclosures where animals roam freely across forested and grassland areas.
Visitors can see elephants, tigers, gibbons, and even exotic birds in habitats designed to resemble their natural homes. The park also has a night safari, giving a unique glimpse of nocturnal animals.
Fun Fact: With over 8,000 animals from more than 300 species, it’s one of Asia’s most diverse open-range zoos.
6. San Diego Zoo Safari Park — USA
- Size: ~1,800 acres
- Country: USA
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park opened in 1972 as an expansion of the original San Diego Zoo. It was created to give animals much larger, naturalistic habitats and to focus on conservation and breeding programs for endangered species.
The park features open plains and safari-style enclosures where giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, and other large animals roam freely. Visitors can take guided safari tours, walk along boardwalks, or even ride a zipline over the savanna.
Fun Fact: The Safari Park is home to over 3,000 animals from nearly 300 species, making it one of the most diverse open-range zoos in the world.
For inspiration, check our article ”Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the United States” for nearby escapes.
7. Arignar Anna Zoological Park — India
- Size: ~1,490 acres
- Country: India
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, opened in 1976 near Chennai. It was created to be one of South Asia’s largest zoological parks, providing spacious naturalistic habitats for a wide variety of animals.
The zoo is home to hundreds of species, including tigers, lions, elephants, and deer. Visitors can explore safari zones or walk through well-planned enclosures that mimic the animals’ native environments.
Fun Fact: With around 2,389 animals from 178 species, this zoo is both vast and diverse, making it a top destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts.
8. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens — USA
- Size: ~1,200 acres
- Country: USA
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in California was established in 1970 with a focus on desert wildlife conservation and education. Unlike traditional zoos, it showcases animals and plants from deserts around the world, giving visitors a chance to learn about these unique ecosystems.
Here, you can see cheetahs, giraffes, desert tortoises and various reptiles living in spacious habitats designed to replicate their natural homes. The park also has botanical gardens featuring cacti and desert flora.
Fun Fact: The zoo’s 1,200 acres are dedicated not just to animals but also to conserving desert plant life, making it a rare combination of zoo and botanical garden.
From global rankings to US highlights, explore the Largest Zoos in the US next.
9. Nandankanan Zoological Park — India
- Size: ~1,080 acres
- Country: India
Nandankanan Zoological Park, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, opened in 1960 and was one of India’s first zoos to focus on wildlife conservation and breeding programs. Its name, “Nandankanan,” means “The Garden of Heaven,” reflecting the lush greenery and natural landscapes inside the park.
The zoo is home to a wide range of animals, including white tigers, lions, elephants and exotic birds. It also features a large natural lake, botanical gardens and a breeding program that has successfully increased populations of endangered species.
Fun Fact: Nandankanan is famous for its white tiger breeding program and houses over 3,000 animals across 156 species.
10. Toronto Zoo — Canada
- Size: ~710 acres
- Country: Canada
The Toronto Zoo opened in 1974 with a vision to be a world-class conservation and education center. Located just outside the city, it is Canada’s largest zoo and is divided into regions representing different continents, such as Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Visitors can see animals like gorillas, polar bears, tigers and over 5,000 other creatures, all living in spacious exhibits that replicate their natural habitats. The zoo also emphasizes research and breeding programs to protect endangered species.
Fun Fact: With animals spread across such diverse regions, the Toronto Zoo gives visitors a mini “world tour” of wildlife in a single day.
Many of the biggest zoos in the world are not just tourist attractions. They also support wildlife conservation, breeding programs and research to protect endangered species. Several of these institutions collaborate with global organizations like the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums to improve animal welfare and conservation efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions — Biggest Zoos in the World
Measured by land area, the biggest zoological park in the world is The Wilds Safari Park in Ohio, USA. Covering roughly 10,000 acres, it provides expansive natural habitats where animals can roam freely, making it unique among the world’s top zoos.
A zoo can be considered “biggest” in different ways. Some rankings look at total land size, while others focus on how many animals or species live there. In most global comparisons, land area is used as the main factor because larger spaces allow zoos to build more natural and spacious habitats for wildlife.
The Berlin Zoological Garden has the most animals and species of any zoo globally, with over 20,000 animals from more than 1,200 species. However, it is not the largest zoo by land area.
The Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park in India is widely recognized as the Largest zoo in Asia by land coverage. The park extends over more than 5,500 acres, offering spacious habitats where animals live in environments designed to resemble their natural surroundings.
The Berlin Zoological Garden has the most unique species in the world, with around 1,200–1,300 species, making it the most species-rich zoo globally.
