The Rostislav Aleksandrovich Shilo Novosibirsk Zoo - is a real pearl of Siberia and one of the largest zoos in Russia. Situated on 65 hectares in a picturesque pine forest in the Zaeltsovsky District of Novosibirsk, it has become a traditional place for summer adventures for my family and me. This year we went there again - me, my two sons, nephew and brother - and, as always, the zoo gave us a sea of emotions, new impressions and reasons to come back again!
Is the Novosibirsk Zoo a must-visit?
The zoo is famous for its unique collection of animals - about 12,000 inhabitants of 803 species, including rare representatives listed in the Red Books. Here is one of the best collections of cats and mustelids in the world. Among the stars of the zoo:
- Polar bears Kai and Gerda with their charming offspring - Shilka and Rostik.
- Snow leopards - the symbol of the zoo, graceful and majestic.
- Ligers - unique hybrids of a lion and a tiger, first bred here (ligress Zita and her liliger cubs are real celebrities!).
- Humboldt penguins, who swim in their pavilion, as if in a mini-ocean.
- Exotic animals: friendly capybaras, bright mandrills, funny Egyptian bats, kinkajou and binturongs.
- Birds: from pink flamingos to noisy parrots and majestic cranes.
- Reptiles: Arizona gila monster, crocodiles and monitor lizards in a terrarium.
The territory includes Swan Lake, where waterfowl roam, the Tropical World pavilion with lemurs and tropical birds, and the Dolphinia Oceanography and Marine Biology Center, where dolphin, belugas, sea lions, and walrus shows are held.
Our adventure: morning, heat, and a family gathering
This sunny summer morning, the whole group of us — me, my sons, nephew, and brother — went to the zoo. This place is special for us: we come here every year, and we never get tired of it! The zoo is constantly evolving: new species of animals appear, the infrastructure is updated, and attractions are added. It is also a rare chance to get the whole family together, because the children live in different cities, and such meetings are a real holiday.
My main goal was not only to show the boys animals, but also to capture their emotions. Photographing lions and tigers is, of course, interesting, but the smiles and delight of the children are what I wanted to capture in my memory. Although, I admit, the squirrels stole part of the show! These furry acrobats turned out to be so photogenic and funny that I couldn’t resist taking a dozen shots with them. They were jumping on the branches, as if posing for my blog!
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What we saw and how we spent the day
In five hours at the zoo, we managed to do a lot, but, frankly, this time was not enough to walk around all 65 hectares! Here are some highlights:
- Monkeys, lions and tigers: We counted dozens of species - from nimble monkeys to regal lions and tigers. Some animals, however, hid from the heat in the shade, but this only gave us a reason to come back again.
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- Swan Lake: We stayed here a little longer. The slight coolness from the water and graceful birds created the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. I took a few pictures of my brother and the kids against the backdrop of the lake — and I think they turned out to be frameable!
- Shooting attraction: The boys were thrilled with the accuracy shooting range. The youngest son became a champion, and his pride in winning was infectious!
- Steam sweets: At the exit, the kids convinced us to buy trendy sweets that release steam. They put on a whole show, trying to “breathe smoke” like dragons. We laughed until we cried, watching their experiments!
Practical information for visitors
If you are planning a visit, here are some useful details:
Ticket prices (2025):
- Adult: 600 rubles - (7.5$)
- Children (7-16 years), students, pensioners, disabled people: 300 rubles - (3.7$).
- Children under 7, large families, disabled children under 18 with an accompanying person: free of charge (upon presentation of documents).
Buy tickets online at zoonovosib.ru to avoid standing in lines.
Working hours:
- Summer: 08:00–22:00 (ticket office until 20:30).
- Spring/autumn: 09:00–20:00 (until 21:00 on weekends).
- Winter: 09:00–18:00.
Why visit?
The Novosibirsk Zoo is not just a place to look at animals. It is a space where children's dreams come true, where every corner breathes care for nature and its inhabitants. For our family, this place has become a tradition that unites us despite the distances. Five hours flew by, and we are already making plans for the next visit to see those who were hiding from the heat and try new attractions.
If you are in Novosibirsk, be sure to set aside a day for the zoo. Bring your children, friends, or just a good mood - delight is guaranteed!
I write my texts myself, correct mistakes and translate via ChatGPT (which is not a violation on Hive)!
All photos were taken by me personally - I am a beginner photographer, so I ask professionals not to judge strictly.
Thank you for sharing these moments with me! Until new stories and new holidays!
Camera 📷: Sony Alpha 7 IV full-frame
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 70-200mm F: 2.8 GM OSS II
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 20-70 mm F: 4 G
Processed 🛠: Lightroom
photo by openai