Rabat Zoo

The national zoo moved out of central Rabat to a large new site at Temara and reopened in 2012, laid out as a walk through five African environments: Atlas mountain, Sahara desert, savannah, tropical forest and wetland. Enclosures are open and planted rather than barred cages, and the paths are long, so a full visit means a few hours of walking. The animals people come for are the lions, a group descended from the collection kept for generations in Morocco and linked to the extinct wild Atlas lion, along with elephants, giraffes, crocodiles and a large aviary. It is one of the better zoos in the region and is busy with school groups.

What you actually see

• The lions - the group linked to the Atlas lion lineage, the zoo's best known animals.
• The five habitat zones - Atlas, Sahara, savannah, tropical forest and wetland.
• The savannah enclosure - giraffes, antelope and zebra in open ground.
• The aviary and reptile house - birds and crocodiles under cover.

When to go

Spring and autumn are best for walking the site, which has long open stretches and limited shade. Go early: animals are more active in the morning and the middle of the day is hot and quiet. Weekends and school holidays are crowded with families and groups. Allow three hours minimum for the full circuit.

Honest expectations

It is a long walk with real gaps between enclosures and not much shade, which is hard going with small children in summer. Some animals are inactive or out of sight in the heat, and a few enclosures are barer than the marketing suggests. Food inside is limited and mediocre. It is out of town, so budget for a taxi in both directions.

Nearby

The beaches at Temara are close by, and central Rabat with the Kasbah of the Udayas is twenty minutes north.