Service description
This magical animal kingdom is set in 10 hectares of land not far from the sea. Here you’ll find lakes, rivers and small waterfalls, as well as paths winding past the enclosures of reptiles, predators, monkeys and a wide variety of birds. The zoo has a special atmosphere, bursting with colour and sound. And, of course, you mustn’t miss the daily parrot show, which is included in the price of your admission ticket.
Getting to the zoo is very straightforward. If you’re staying at one of Paphos’s hotels, ask at reception when the free shuttle service runs. You can also get there independently by city bus, but you’ll need to change buses: first, take the number 615 bus to Coral Bay, then change to the number 616, which goes to the zoo. If travelling by car, take the road running along the coast towards Akamas, in the direction of Coral Bay, Pegia and St George. After passing the turn-offs for Coral Bay and Pegia, follow the signposts – they’ll ensure you don’t get lost.
In summer, during the hot season, it’s best to arrive at the zoo either right at opening time (9 am) or at 4.30 pm – it won’t be quite so hot then. The traditional parrot show takes place three times a day: at 12 noon, 2.30 pm and 5.00 pm.
We arrived at the zoo in the morning, around 10.00 am. It was early spring – the perfect time of year for a stroll in the fresh air. Even in the car park, you can hear the magical sounds of the animal kingdom: the loud cries of peacocks, the chirping of exotic birds and the ‘voices’ of more serious-looking beasts, blending into a thrilling cacophony.
You couldn’t exactly call the admission tickets cheap: at the height of the tourist season, they cost €15.50 for an adult and €8.50 for a child. With these tickets, you can stay on the zoo grounds all day and also attend the parrot show.
Stepping out onto the main path, we admire the amusing meerkats (a type of mongoose) and turn left, following a wide loop. The variety of birds is simply breathtaking! This riot of colour is accompanied by their incredible chirping.
Next to the birds are the animal enclosures: funny porcupines raise their quills, trying to scare off curious visitors, along with gazelles and raccoons, but our daughters have already spotted the sign and are dragging their parents towards the monkey enclosures. Every time I watch these creatures, I never cease to be amazed at just how much they resemble humans! I’m not a supporter of Darwinism, and I’m drawn to the idea that God created primates specifically to entertain people. You can spend ages by the monkey enclosures, watching not only the animals but also the children having fun.
Next, we head north. Here, the animals are more imposing: a lynx, an ostrich, a llama, a zebra and… My daughters froze in awe! A giraffe! This majestic animal carries itself with dignity, moving its hooves with a dignified grace. But the children have caught its attention – perhaps now is the moment for a tasty treat! A smiling zoo staff member offers an attraction: for €5, you get a basket of sweet carob fruits and can feed the giraffe by hand. Just imagine: from the height of a second-floor window, a comical triangular head with amusing ears leans towards you and gazes intently into your eyes with a pleading look. A swift flick of its long black tongue, and the giraffe’s treat vanishes into its mouth. The giraffe stands up to its full height, surveys the surroundings with a serious air, and slowly bends down again, as if lamenting: ‘Why on earth did God have to create such short little people!’
The basket is now empty, and we move on. In the north-western corner of the zoo is a children’s playground. It’s a great place for the little ones to let off steam. Further on, we pass the enclosure being prepared for the elephants. Very soon, the native inhabitants of these exotic lands will arrive here. Giant tortoises stand motionless, whilst toucans struggle to flap their enormous beaks.
The girls, with their keen eyes, spot the sign for ‘Wilde Cats’ (English: wild cats), so we turn onto the path leading into the enclosure. To the left and right are enclosures housing feline predators: tigers and white lions are lazily basking in the sun.
Separate from all the other animals is a terrarium. Be sure to seek it out! Here, in the silence, live terrifyingly beautiful venomous reptiles: soft, cool skin, breathtaking colours, and an otherworldly, mesmerising gaze that conceals wisdom, cunning and treachery… Is it just me, or do snakes make me think of women first and foremost?
‘Dad, Dad, she bit me!’ My eldest daughter Ksyusha’s eyes are wide; I can tell she isn’t making it up.
‘That’s impossible, darling!’ I say, trying to reassure us both. ‘Come on, let me see.’
Behind the glass, a pale cobra has menacingly puffed out its hood. Its head sways rhythmically back and forth.
– “There, look, I tapped the glass with my finger and it lunged at me,” explains my daughter. I can see a damp patch on the glass, left by the reptile from the inside. Yes, these creatures are not to be trifled with.
We spent a long time walking in the silence and coolness of the terrarium, looking at snakes, lizards and spiders, but we had to hurry off to the parrot show. It was a midday performance. Two hours were enough for a proper stroll round the zoo, and the show proved a fine finale.
The audience takes their seats on the stone steps of the covered amphitheatre, and two female trainers come out, carrying the colourful feathered performers. The parrots do incredible things: they ride a bike and a scooter, play basketball, solve jigsaw puzzles at the level of a one-year-old, and, of course, talk!
A short interval. The parrots are taken back to their aviary and… two owls appear. Inside, they seem enormous, especially when they take flight from the trainer’s hand and swoop over the audience’s heads. All that can be heard is the rustle of their powerful wings – this is the last sound heard by the distracted mice and ground squirrels who have ventured out for a night-time stroll.
Children and adults alike applaud the feathered performers and their talented trainers wholeheartedly.
We step out onto the street, squinting in the bright sunlight. I fancy some lunch, but I haven’t heard any glowing reviews of the local tavern yet, so we head to a familiar spot (they’re all described in the ‘Restaurants’ section). I might even make it to the tavern at the zoo, but that will only happen after a glowing recommendation from my friends. In the meantime, we’re visiting Paphos Zoo for the sake of our animal friends.
If you do decide to settle in Cyprus, an annual adult pass costs just €34, whilst a family pass for two adults and two children costs €102. I’m afraid we’re going to become regulars at the zoo, and I’ll have to write about the local taverna after all!
