Parque Zoologico Huachipa is Lima's second zoo. Even though way smaller than the Parque de las Leyendas the privately owned park is a great place for families to enjoy a day. The zoo is a nicely arranged refuge for over 1000 animals of more than 200 species.
Next to the "international" animals like tigers, lions, giraffes, zebras, kangaroos and dromedaries you find numerous indigenous Peruvian animals (monkeys, pelicans, vicuñas, lamas, different birds, parrots, crocodiles, fish, turtles and many more); a great way to learn more about local animal species.
The "Amazonas" area inside the Parque Zoologico Huachipa is a recreation of the Peruvian jungle and covers around 2000 m2. Here the visitors not only can enjoy different birds from the Amazon region, but also learn more about environmental issues and of course have fun.
One of the newer additions to the zoo is the "Sea World". In three exhibition areas visitors can see penguins, otters, sea lions and pelicans. The penguin exhibition area includes incubators and special breeding facilities. In general the environment seems quite close to their natural habitat.
Parque Zoologico Huachipa has large natural and recreational areas, including small, clean and nicely maintained areas for the animals, gardens with over 600 species of exotic, native and endangered plants, a bonsai garden, a cactus garden and a garden for succulent plants.
Visitors can enjoy the picnic area, the restaurant, the small lagoon for a boat trip and kids will love a train ride around the zoo or the inviting playground with an interesting pirate boat.
Traffic in that area is particularly problematic on weekends when everybody is leaving Lima for the weekend or coming back to work. So be patient when visiting on weekends!