Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is located on 455 N. Galvin Parkway. Their hours are Monday through Friday 7:00am to 2:00pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays 7:00am to 4:00pm, but hours vary by time of year. Entrance fees are $18 for adults and $9 for children. Children two and under are free, along with zoo members. Membership prices start at $50 for one adult and go up with benefits. Members of the zoo can get in an hour before everyone else. The best time to go would be in the winter because the summers in Arizona can get up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
The cheetahs are named Juma and Ratel. They are brothers and have been captive raised. They are seven years old and came to the zoo at about two years of age. Most of the time they are sleeping in one of their favorite spots but occasionally walk around. One of their favorite spots is near the front right, behind a log and a tree or two.
The cheetah habitat at the Phoenix Zoo is located on the south west corner of the Africa Trail, near Cavern Café and Yakulla Caverns. The habitat to the east is the African Wild Dogs, and to the west is the Arthur L. & Elaine V. Johnson Conservation Center. Across the way from the cheetahs is a photo booth under a little roof along with a water two fountains. In the front of the habitat behind the rail, there is a small stream with some turtles in it.
Around the habitat there are two benches with shade trees behind them. On the left side there is a telescope for viewing them when they are the back or if you want a close-up view of the cheetahs. It cost a quarter to use the telescope, but I haven’t used it in a while and can’t remember how long it lets you use it. I would suggest that you bring your own binoculars if you wanted to instead of using the telescope. This way you don’t have to wait if there is someone else using it, and you could take your time.
I consider this habitat worth the admission price and the walk to the back of the zoo. With the water park and café nearby its bearable to go in the summer. It doesn’t generally get too crowded even though there can be many school trips there at times. Seeing the cheetahs next time you visit is definitely something you should do!

The Phoenix Zoo is ranked as one of the top 5 of zoos for kids. They have many educational programs and participate in the conservation of endangered species. I grew up in Arizona and have visited it many times. Since I’m so familiar with this zoo, there is not much there that is new to me however, one particular time I visited this summer I had a new experience at their walk-about monkey exhibit called Monkey Village. I’ve been through it many times before but never had been able to see the monkeys up close. They generally stayed as far away as possible and took naps.
Monkey Village is a large enclosure of Squirrel Monkeys located near the zoo’s second water park. As you walk in, the staff greets you and gives you the run-down on rules: “No touching the monkeys, no feeding the monkeys, and stay at least three feet away for your safety.” They then direct you to the cubbies for your personal items (so the monkeys don’t steal anything) and allow you to proceed through the second set of doors. As you walk down the rows you don’t see many monkeys, until the turning point at the end. Then you can spot them literally hanging out everywhere. Those monkeys have to be some of the cutest primates I have ever seen. When they are active they will pass over your head on the ropes and branches. What made this visit so astonishing were the acrobatic skills these monkeys had. They hung up-side down, exhibited pristine balance and, made amazing leaps from branch to branch. Occasionally, one will get the nerve run right past your feet, so watch where you step. As you observe these fascinating animals, another employee is around to answer your questions, making the experience not only entertaining, but educational as well.
When you are ready to leave, you walk back up the other side of the rope-lined pathway, wash your hands and, collect your belongings. In my opinion, Monkey Village makes a great addition to this prestigious zoo.