During the hot summer months of January and February, Werribee Open Range Zoo are hosting the Rhythm of Africa on Saturday evenings. These African infused nights, are now in it’s twentieth year and host an evening of animal viewing, live African music, African-inspired food and activities for the kids.
There’s drumming workshops, African beats, and you can alternate between relaxing on your picnic rug to spotting Lions, Cheetahs and Hippos. The menu draws from different parts of Africa, with flavours ranging from Uganda and Egypt. We’ve put together a little guide to how to get the most out of your evening, whether you’re with your partner, your friends or you’ve got the kids!
Friends and Couples Guide:
Load up your car with your rug and/or picnic
4:30pm: If you arrive early, enjoy your afternoon spotting giraffes, zebras and rhino’s on a Safari Tour through the Savannah
5:30pm: Chill out on the lawn and enjoy some African beats, eat your picnic or try some of the African inspired dishes on offer (You can’t go wrong with Mahindi Choma aka Corn on the Cob!)
6:30pm: Take a stroll around the Pula Walking Trail (which is open until 8pm) and lay your eyes on some Lions, Hippos, and Cheetahs!
7pm: If you’re feeling a bit tired, pep yourself up with the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony that will take place, and enjoy one of the sweet treats they have on offer.
7:30pm: Relax on the lawn or get up and show off your dancing skills – by the end of the night you’ll find the whole crowd is up on their feet
8:30pm: Time to find your thongs and pack everything back into the esky for the trip home.
With the kids in tow:
If it’s warm make sure you pack the kids bathers – they’ll love splashing about at Hippo Water Play
3.30pm: Get in even earlier and get straight to the Safari Tour through the Savannah, to show the kids the giraffes, zebras and rhinos!
4.30pm: Find a good possie on the lawn and sit back to enjoy the support act – designed to get the kids up and dancing.
5pm: Time for the kids to get their faces painted while you sustain yourself with an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
5.30pm: Enjoy the music over a picnic or try some of the African inspired dishes on offer
6.15pm: The kids will love trying out African games and drumming, or they can get their hair braided
6.45pm: Take a stroll around the Pula Walking Trail spotting Lions, Hippos, and Cheetah and enjoy a cool off at Hippo Water Play.
7.30pm: Hit the dance floor with the kids, or if they’ve already reached snooze town, bundle them up into the car for an early exit.
8.30pm: Time to head home and convince the kids they probably shouldn’t go to sleep with their face-paint on
When and Where: Every Saturday from 7th of Jan – 25th of Feb, 4:30pm – 8:30 pm, Zoo members and kids under 16 receive free entry.
