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If you think all zoos are alike, you haven’t yet been to Orana Park in Christchurch. Here, at New Zealand’s only open range zoo, endangered animals live in open enclosures emulating their natural habitat. The wildlife encounters are close up and personal, with safety being paramount.

Imagine looking into the eyes of a white rhino while standing so close you believe could reach out and touch him, but you wouldn’t dare try to find out. Or, feeling the rough wet tongue of a giraffe as he takes the food from your hand. These wildlife encounters are just the tip of the iceberg.

Typical wildlife encounters in New Zealand involve birds, seals, dolphins, and whales (recently we saw penguins and fur seals). In contrast, at Orana Park, there are plenty of large mammals from around the world, as well as birds from New Zealand and elsewhere. It is home to over 400 animals from 70 different species. Orana is a place for adults as much as children. Its open range layout makes it a photographer’s paradise.

African Animals at Orana Park

White rhino at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
White rhinos are believed to be named from a mistranslation of the word “wijd” (Dutch for wide) as in wide mouth rhino.
White rhino at feeding time at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
During the encounter, the keepers brought us quite close to some of the animals. It was pretty amazing to be this close to a white rhino, while still being completely safe.
Giraffe at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
While we arrived for the afternoon feeding times, the giraffes didn’t seem too interested in eating, but they did pose rather well. Giraffes were given vulnerable status last year.
Critically endangered western lowland gorilla at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
This critically endangered western lowland gorilla seemed interested in watching me through the glass for a while.
Gorilla at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Then he got bored, and let me know.
Soon the keepers opened the doors and the gorillas went outside. I think he had one final message for me.
Cheetah at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Cheetah.
Waterbuck at Orana Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Waterbuck
Meerkat at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Meerkat
Orana Wildlife Park Lion Wildlife Encounters
The lion encounter is one of the unique wildlife encounters at Orana Park. There is an extra fee for this once in a lifetime adventure.
Photo Credit: Orana Wildlife Park. Used with permission.

New Zealand Animals at Orana Park

Kiwi bird at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
By arriving before feeding time and allowing our eyes to adjust to the darkness, we could clearly see the endemic kiwi birds.
Photo shot on an Olympus OMD e-M5 
Shutter Speed: 1/15, Aperture: f/1.7, ISO: 6400
Handheld
Giant kiwi bird statue at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
The giant kiwi bird statue is an icon at Orana Park.
Kea at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Endemic to the South Island, the Kea is the world’s only mountain parrot. It is nationally endangered in New Zealand.
Kea eating at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
To keep the bird’s mentally challenged, their food is often hidden in containers.

Asian Animals at Orana Park

Siamang gibbons habitat at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Endangered Siamang Gibbons habitat
Yak at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Yak
Charlie the only orangutan at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
This is Charlie. Along with his two female mates Melur and Wanita, they are the only orang-utans in New Zealand. They arrived at Orana Park on November 24, 2017, and will stay there for two years while their home in the Auckland Zoo is being redone. They are an endangered species.
Photo Credit: Orana Wildlife Park. Used with permission.

Farm Animals

Chicken, sheep and this turkey:

A turkey at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand
Like us, this turkey was just walking down one of the paths.

A Bit of Orana Park History

Orano Park first opened in 1976. At that time it had only 28 animals and a drive-thru lion reserve (which closed in 1995). In 1984 they opened the South Island’s first kiwi house.  Orana Park sustained significant damage from earthquakes, floods, snow and wind storms between 2010-2013. They are now fully operational. Orana Park is currently home to the only gorillas and the only Orang-utans in New Zealand.

Conservation of endangered species is a top priority including involvement in an international zoo-based breeding programme. In addition to animal welfare, the park provides education, recreation and enjoyment to the public.

Practical Information on Orana Park:

  • Orana Wildlife Park is set on 80 hectares with an entrance at 793 McLeans Island Road. See their official website here.
  • It’s a 15-minute drive from the airport, and 30 minutes from Christchurch city.
  • Animal encounters and feeding times follow a schedule with 12 options daily, starting with meerkats at 10.45 and ending with cheetahs at 3.45. Not all encounters happen every day, and the giraffe feeding takes place twice daily. Check the online schedule before you arrive, and be aware that the schedules can change to accommodate the animals.
  • The lion encounter and lemur feeding (not currently available) have additional fees.
  • Allow at least three hours for a visit.
  • You can walk the park, or take the commentated Safari Shuttle around the park (25-minute loop).
  • Entrance fees support the park’s conservation work.
  • We stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Christchurch City. While it’s lovely and had great food, I think on my next visit I will stay somewhere outside of the redeveloping city centre.

⇒ Click here for best prices on 400+ Christchurch accommodation options at booking.com

Do you prefer an open range zoo? What are your most exciting animal encounters?


Disclaimer: We receive a small commission from a few of the links on this page. There is no extra cost to you. Also, we worked with ChristchurchNZ, the local tourism board who arranged for our entrance to Orana Wildlife Park to assist in the writing of this review. The opinions expressed here are strictly our own.

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Comments

  1. Hi Rhonda,

    It’s great to check these photos. I was busy with my projects, that’s the reason I was inactive a bit, specially reading & commenting was completely off.

    But Anyways, Thanks for the interesting post. Keep up the good work and enjoy the holidays.

    A Very Happy New Year Rhonda! Cheers

    ~ Donna

    Reply

  2. Wow, this is amazing, Rhonda! What an incredible experience to be able to get up so close to these animals. I’ve been to some more open zoos in the UK and have really appreciated that – both for the animals and the spectators, but this looks really special. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles

    Reply

  3. What a great park! We have seen a few “free range” zoos, but nothing with such variety. I can see how it’s a photographer’s dream. We’ll definitely have to include this if we ever get to New Zealand! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

    Reply

  4. Though we personally do not like to visit Zoo’s, this one looks to be an exception. The Orana Park seems to ensure that the animals live in a natural habitat in open space which is so good. Looking at the Gorilla I was reminded of my own encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Such huge but gentle giants they are.

    Reply

  5. I love the idea of an open zoo. So many animals to see, and not in cramped quarters which can be sad to see at certain zoos. I would absolutely love to see a cheetah.

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  6. Seems like an amazing place. My son loves animals but only yesterday lamented that all the animal places here are dumbed-down for little kids. He would enjoy Orana Park by the looks of it.

    Reply

  7. I like zoos or enclosures where you get to learn about the different species. Every time I visit one of these places, I end up learning a lot. I think I would get in that cage surrounded by lions. My husband would never do it though (he is scared of monkeys which are mostly inoffensive, I do not want to see him close to lions). #TPThursday

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  8. I love wild animal parks like this. Orana Park seems seems huge and it has quite a large variety of animals. It must have been an interesting experience to be close to some of them. However, I wouldn’t be too comfortable in that cage while lions roam around. I love the color of that turkey.

    Reply

  14. Hi Rhonda! What a spectacular animal park! All of your photos are incredible, but my favorite is how you
    got the gorilla to actually pose for you! You can tell how wise he is! I would’ve been extremely
    frightened standing so close to those lions. It seems like they could easily reach through the cage.

    Happy Holidays to you and your family!

    Reply

  17. Such an interesting experience indeed, Rhonda. My kids and I will love it! To get that close to those endangered animals is so precious. We have typical zoo here in Bronx, Queens and Central Park, but we have the safari park in Indonesia

    Reply

  20. Awesome! I never had this place on my NZ itinerary but will add it. All thanks to you! My son would love his time there seeing all those animals and would jump in joy! But, how did you manage to stay clam with so many lions around! I know we are caged and safe but looks scary!

    Reply

  21. I’m just hearing all about Orana Wildlife Park with this post, I wasn’t aware about Orana Wildlife Park before this post. This Orana Wildlife Park looks really amazing & trip of Orana Wildlife Park would be unforgettable.

    Wild animals looks really amazing & these are such great pictures.

    Reply

  23. Wow I would love to have such close encounters… I have never seen a white rhino before… Must be amazing. I love the variety of species they have in the park. Will keep in mind when I visit NZ.

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  24. I love the idea of an open range zoo. I’m not really keen on supporting places where the animals are caged. Orana Park in Christchurch sounds like they really have the best interests of the animals at heart, and I love that animal safety is their primary concern.

    The lion encounter is something I would definitely pay extra for – that looks like an incredible experience!! … and I love that it’s us as humans who are caged lol which is a nice change for an animal enclosure!

    Reply

  25. I can’t help wondering how the African animals got to New Zealand, and why. If it is to preserve the species, all well and good, but if it is to give humans the thrill of being in a cage while lions admire them, I have to wonder at the wisdom of it all. Nevertheless, the photos are wonderful.
    Kay
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

    Reply

    • I remember the first time I visited Orana Park over 10 years ago. Back then they didn’t have the Lion encounter, but rather a cage, possibly the same one, where the keepers could go into and feed the lions.

      Reply

  28. Good to hear New Zealand has an open range zoo, where endangered animals live in open enclosures emulating their natural habitat. 400 animals from 70 different species is a lot!! I see you took many photos, they look amazing! Can’t wait to visit this zoo once!

    Reply

  29. I would love the lion encounter. There’s a place in Oregon called Wildlife Safari and it was always my favorite place to go. Never encountered a lion like that, but I did have a cheetah fall asleep in my lap.

    Reply

    • The orangutan just arrived, so I didn’t see him in Christchurch, but I have seen him in Auckland before he left. As for the kiwi, I was really pleased to get the shot. It’s so rare that I get to see one so close.

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    • Thanks Patrick. Actually, this is our second visit to Orana. The first was before me moved to New Zealand, so about 15 years ago when our girls were 2 and 4. This was a completely different experience.

      Reply

  37. We love visiting zoos, but often are discouraged from taking photos because of the enclosures. Your pictures are great and now I am going to have to visit this zoo. The Cheetah one is my favorite because they are hard to get good pictures of. The lion encounter looks amazing and frighting at the same time. Our family visited a drive through safari zoo in Texas that was crazy because of how close the animals were, one zebra even stuck it’s head in the car!

    Reply

    • One of the tricks of the photos is to, whenever possible, try to get a natural background rather than a fence or a structure. As for the safari, I have been to one similar in Florida many, many years ago, but we didn’t have a zebra enter out car.

      Reply

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