WELCOME TO THE BIGGEST ZOO IN CYPRUS
The Pafos Zoo is the biggest licensed zoo in Cyprus. Set in an unspoiled natural area, just a few minutes’ drive north of the city of Paphos, its grounds span for more than 100.000 square metres. The zoo caters for all of its visitors needs and constantly strives to create compelling experiences that connect all people with all forms of wildlife. The zoo caters for all of its visitor’s needs and has a wide range of onsite facilities that include, a children’s playground, a souvenir shop, an ATM, a taxi office, three onsite museums, two snack bars, a restaurant and wheelchair hire. There are also picnic areas where visitors can take a relaxing break during the day, whilst soaking up the wonderful sights and sounds of the zoo. The zoo is the brainchild of Mr. Christos Christoforou, who opened the facility to the public in September 2003. Since then, it has become one of the island’s main places of interest and attracts thousands of visitors through its doors every year.
The Pafos Zoo is open to the public everyday of the year at 9.00am, but has varying closing times as listed below throughout the year
April to July
Daily from 9.00am – 6.00pm
August
Daily from 9.00am – 7.00pm
September to October
Daily from 9.00am – 6.00pm
November to March
Daily from 9.00am – 5.00pm
A GREAT DAY TRIP
The Pafos Zoo has something to offer everyone and a great day trip can be had by visiting this popular attraction. Its regular visitors include wildlife enthusiasts, families looking for a fun day out, and people that generally enjoy spending time outdoors. Open to the public at 9.00am every morning, 365 days a year, a visit will truly become a memorable day trip full of family fun and excitement. Older visitors will gain enrichment, whilst younger visitors will find the day full of exhilarating fun and amusement. All visitors will have the opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.
A MYRIAD OF BEAUTIFUL GARDENS
The Pafos Zoo is set against a myriad of beautiful gardens, separated by a number of large ponds. The well-maintained grounds are designed to enhance the visitor’s experience and in tandem with this, the large spacious animal enclosures were designed with the animals in mind. The large enclosures provide a comfortable and natural habitat for the animals, allowing them to move freely and exhibit their natural behaviour.
EXOTIC ANIMALS
The Pafos Zoo prides itself on being a cosmopolitan zoo, which means that it houses a varied selection of bird, mammal, amphibious and reptile species from all over the world. It houses one of the largest collections of parrots in Europe and the aviary amongst other things includes birds of prey and a family of penguins. There is also a large big cat enclosure, which includes lions, tigers, and leopards and the primate section is home to a variety of monkeys and apes including gibbons, lemurs and orangutangs. The reptile house is home to a collection of crocodiles, and a diverse range of reptiles and amphibians and also features a huge selection of venomous snakes. There are also plenty of opportunities to learn and engage with certain animals at the zoo. Visitors are offered a number of interactive experiences, from guided tours led by knowledgeable zookeepers, to one on one feeding sessions with certain animals. Visitors are also encouraged to get up close and personal with animals such as an elephant, Giraffe or a lemur, creating a once in a lifetime experience. They are encouraged to fully interacting with them and take a photo, recording the moment forever. There are also three daily parrot and owl shows, which features their amazing flying abilities.
The parrot and owl show times are as follows
April to July
12.00pm – 2.30pm – 5.00pm
August
12.00pm – 2.30pm – 6.00pm
September to October
12.00pm – 2.30pm – 5.00pm
November to March
12.00pm – 2.00pm – 16.00pm
THE ZOO’S MISSION
The Pafos Zoo maintains an animal conservation program that is committed to animal welfare. The three onsite museums collaborate with a number of educational programs designed to benefit visitors of all ages and the zoo promotes a captive breeding program in conjunction with other zoos from around the world. It also constantly maintains a conservation program that includes a number of endemic Cypriot animals. One of zoo’s main aims is to inspire personal responsibility for conserving the natural world and the zoo consequently actively promotes animal education and the importance of caring and conserving all wildlife. The zoo over the years has included The Egyptian Fruit Bat, The Striped Hyena, The Greater Flamingo, and The Siberian Tiger amongst others within its conservation and breeding programs.
THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The onsite Museum of Natural History houses fossils and stones from thousands of years ago. The bone fossil of a dwarf hippopotamus that used to be native to the Island is also on display and the museum contains detailed information about the animals housed at the Zoo, including animals that are endemic to Cyprus.
TRADITIONAL ART MUSEUM
The onsite Traditional Art Museum presents through its exhibits, the Cypriot way of life and the art of the recent past. This remarkable collection in both variety and quality opens a window into a world where all necessary things were handmade. Having lost their practical use today, these objects offer a snapshot of how Cypriot life used to be and the museum features almost all types of objects used in everyday rural life of the past. Agricultural tools related to the traditional cultivation of cereals, olive trees and vine as well as harnessing equipment such as saddles and bridles are exhibited and pre-industrial installations for the production of Cyprus Olive Oil and Zivania are also included. Objects of personal adornment and tools that were used by traditional artisans, such as cobblers, carpenters, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, gold and silversmiths, and potters are also on display, as well as articles of normal household equipment such as copper and ceramic cooking pots, vases, urns and various cutlery and crockery.
THE MUSEUM OF TRADITIONAL COSTUME
The onsite Museum of Traditional Costume houses a vast collection of traditional attire of the people of Cyprus during British Colonial rule, which began in 1878. Generally, the set of exhibits are observed in separate sections, some of which represent scenes of daily life, while others show snapshots depicting traditional scenes. The museums approach creates a sense of familiarity with the exhibits, making them more accessible and understandable to the viewer. The rural attire of peasantry at this time, as well as examples of middle and upper class clothing are also on display. The costumes, worn by mannequins are presented as sets within a specifically designed space, surrounded by furniture, utensils, lighting and decoration, thus creating a realistic scene from the past.
THE PENGUIN ICE CREAM KIOSK
The ice cream kiosk by the Lemur enclosure near the entrance of the zoo and is open from April through to October all day during zoo opening hours. As well as ice creams, the kiosk also serves fresh orange juice and frappes.
THE MACAW SNACK BAR
This snack bar is at the midway point directly opposite the children’s playground so serves as a perfect place to take a break. It is open from April through to October all day during zoo opening hours and offers soft drinks, frappes, coffees, teas, and freshly made milkshakes, as well as sandwiches, crisps and ice creams.
THE FLAMINGO RESTAURANT
This restaurant is open all year around and has its own dedicated area that takes full advantage of the Paphos sunsets. A wide variety of local foods are on offer, therefore giving patrons the opportunity to sit back and relax with a glass of the local wine while sampling the traditional cuisine of Cyprus. Fresh homemade bread is baked in traditional clay ovens and the restaurant has a selection of vegetarian specialties. Children’s meals as well as afternoon tea and coffee are also served at the restaurant.
BUS TRANSFERS FROM PAPHOS
The Pafos Zoo operates its own free transfer bus service from Paphos. The bus service runs every day from April through to October and three times per week from November through to March. This service has pre-designated collection points from the majority of Hotels within the Paphos region and requires a reservation that can be made when purchasing online tickets.
SHUTTLE TRANSFERS FROM CORAL BAY
The Pafos Zoo operates its own free shuttle transfer service from Coral Bay. The shuttle service runs every day from April through to October from three dedicated bus stops. No reservation is required for the hop on and off service.
Shuttle Service 1
Opposite Ascos Beach Hotel
Collection times are
10.30am – 11.30am – 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Shuttle Service 2
Opposite Corallia Beach Hotel
Collection times are
10.30am – 11.30am – 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Shuttle Service 3
Outside Crown Resort Hotel
Collection times are
10.30am – 11.30am – 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Return Shuttle Service
Returning from the Zoo
Collection times are
11.20am – 1.20pm – 3.20pm – 5.30pm
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