Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
South Carolina
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a 170-acre zoological park, aquarium, and botanical garden located in Columbia, South Carolina, along the scenic Saluda River. Established in 1974, it is South Carolina's largest gated attraction, welcoming over one million visitors annually. The zoo houses more than 2,000 animals across diverse exhibits including African elephants, gorillas, koalas, and a popular African Plains area featuring giraffes and zebras. The Aquarium Reptile Complex contains a large coral reef tank and reptiles like Komodo dragons and Galapagos tortoises. The botanical garden boasts over 5,700 plant varieties, adding to the site's natural beauty. Riverbanks is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized for its conservation and education efforts. Unique features include interactive exhibits such as Kangaroo Walkabout, where visitors can walk among wallabies, and Riverbanks Farm, allowing guests to feed domestic animals. The zoo blends immersive habitats with educational programs, making it a premier destination for families and nature enthusiasts.
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Tipp: For a more comfortable visit with fewer crowds, avoid peak hours between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended to ensure entry during busy periods. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers various membership options and discounts for residents and groups. Check the official website for current hours and any special events before visiting.
Interessante Fakten
- •Riverbanks Zoo & Garden covers 170 acres along the Saluda River, with a small portion extending into West Columbia.
- •It is South Carolina's largest gated attraction, drawing over one million visitors annually despite serving a metropolitan area of about 800,000 people.
- •The Birdhouse exhibit, opened in 2001, received an AZA Significant Achievement Award for its penguin displays.
- •The zoo has won the Southeastern Tourism Society's Shining Example Award four times as the Southeast's top tourist attraction.
- •The African Plains exhibit includes a paid giraffe feeding station, enhancing visitor interaction.
- •The Aquarium Reptile Complex features a 50,000-gallon coral reef tank and houses Komodo dragons and Galapagos tortoises.
- •The last African elephant was relocated in 2019, replaced by a Southern white rhino exhibit in 2020.
Geschichte
The idea for Riverbanks Zoo & Garden originated in the early 1960s but gained momentum in 1969 when the Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District was created to oversee the project.
After five years of planning, the zoo opened on April 25, 1974, on land rich in archaeological significance.
Early designs featured mountainous, moated enclosures for large predators.
Financial challenges led to the formation of the Riverbanks Zoological Society to support operations.
Over the decades, the zoo expanded exhibits to include African elephants, gorillas, and koalas, and added a botanical garden.
It has grown into South Carolina's leading attraction and a model for regional zoos.
Ortsführer
African Plains2002
A 2-acre exhibit featuring giraffes, Grant's zebras, and ostriches, with an interactive giraffe feeding station for visitors.
Aquarium Reptile Complex1989
A 20,000-square-foot facility housing a 50,000-gallon coral reef tank, Galapagos tortoises, false gharials, Komodo dragons, and other reptiles.
Ndoki Forest2002
Exhibit designed for African elephants, western lowland gorillas, slender-tailed meerkats, and various birds; currently houses Southern white rhinos.
Riverbanks Farm1988
A petting zoo area with domestic animals like goats and alpacas, allowing guests to feed and interact with them.
Kangaroo Walkabout
An open-path exhibit where visitors walk among red kangaroos and wallabies without barriers, while staying on designated paths.
Kontakt
Telefon: (803) 779-8717
