Images courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo
Gorillas are officially back in San Antonio—and not just in any habitat, but in America’s newest, tallest, and most immersive gorilla experience ever built. San Antonio Zoo has unveiled Congo Falls, a breathtaking, two-acre, multi-habitat world designed to bring guests and gorillas closer than ever before.
Congo Falls opens to the public on December 13, marking a history-making milestone for the zoo and an unforgettable moment for animal lovers across Texas. If your family loves wildlife, conservation, and exploring new zoo exhibits, this is the Texas adventure you won’t want to miss.
Planning a trip? Don’t forget to check out our full guide to the zoo here:
👉 San Antonio Zoo – Visitor Guide
A Historic Homecoming for Gorillas in San Antonio
It’s been more than 30 years since San Antonio Zoo last housed gorillas, and the return of these iconic great apes has been long-awaited by families and zoo fans. But the zoo didn’t just bring gorillas back—they built an entirely new way to experience them.
Congo Falls represents a bold new chapter in the zoo’s 111-year story, showcasing how modern zoos can combine animal welfare, conservation, education, and immersive design into one extraordinary experience. From sky-high climbing structures to lush rainforest landscapes, the new habitat is designed for gorillas to thrive—and for guests to fall in love with them.
Seven Western Lowland gorillas will call the habitat home, including silverbacks and younger troop members who will grow, explore, and form bonds right before your eyes.
Three Habitats. Two Acres. Endless Adventure.
Congo Falls is more than a single exhibit—it’s a connected world with three distinct gorilla environments, each with its own landscape and purpose. As your family wanders through, it truly feels like stepping into a living rainforest.
1. The Lowland Basin
A lush, ground-level valley filled with greenery, water features, and shaded areas. Expect to see gorillas foraging, relaxing, and interacting naturally.
2. The Indoor Rainforest
Designed for year-round comfort, this climate-controlled habitat lets guests watch gorillas up close while learning about their forest homes, behaviors, and conservation stories.
3. Gorilla Gorge
An expansive canyon-like space with dramatic rockwork, climbing boulders, and high vantage points. This is where you’ll see the gorillas’ agility and strength on full display.
Each area offers unique viewing points for guests—and even better, 360-degree visual access for the gorillas, who can look out across the entire space and even observe guests just as clearly. It’s a habitat that puts curiosity, enrichment, and mental stimulation at the forefront.
Meet the Mays Family Silverback Peak: The Tallest Gorilla Tower on Earth
One of the most jaw-dropping features of Congo Falls is the Mays Family Silverback Peak, a record-breaking, 70-foot-tall climbing structure that gives gorillas elevated views of the zoo and the San Antonio skyline.
Imagine watching a towering silverback surveying the city from above—it’s the kind of moment that creates lifelong memories for kids and adults alike.
This soaring structure isn’t just impressive for guests. It was designed with animal welfare experts, biologists, and gorilla specialists to encourage natural behaviors like climbing, exploring, and observing their surroundings.
The result? A habitat that feels dynamic, alive, and constantly engaging.
A Grand Opening Celebration for the Whole Family
To celebrate the launch of Congo Falls, the San Antonio Zoo is hosting a full-day grand opening event—and yes, it’s going to be epic.
🎆 Drone Show Spectacular – 8:00 p.m.
Hundreds of glowing drones will light up the sky in a 15-minute show honoring gorillas, conservation, and the spirit of adventure. This show is FREE for zoo members and included with regular admission.
If your kids love lights, animals, and surprises, this is definitely the night to visit.
The zoo recommends purchasing tickets or memberships early for opening weekend crowds. You can find details on their site—but if you want an easy overview, our TexasZoos.com guide has everything you need.
A Milestone for Conservation, Not Just an Exhibit
Congo Falls isn’t simply a new attraction—it’s a mission-driven investment in global conservation.
San Antonio Zoo is a proud participant in the AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) and SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction® programs, global networks dedicated to preserving endangered species and genetic diversity.
Their gorilla conservation partners include:
- GRACE (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
- AZA Gorilla SAFE program
Through collaboration, these organizations are working to protect wild gorilla populations, rehabilitate rescued orphans, restore habitat, and educate communities—both in Africa and right here in Texas.
Congo Falls allows the zoo to participate more deeply in gorilla conservation, research, and long-term population sustainability.
New Podcast: Edge of the Earth – Tales of Conservation
To celebrate the spirit of exploration and conservation, the zoo is launching a new podcast:
Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation
Hosted by Dr. Danté Fenolio, Vice President of the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo, and his daughter Sierra, the podcast will take listeners on a journey behind the scenes of wildlife conservation work.
Episodes will be available on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Audible
- YouTube
This is a great podcast for curious kids, nature-loving families, and anyone who wants to learn what it really takes to protect species around the world.
Why Congo Falls Is a Must-Visit for Texas Families
Whether you’re local to San Antonio or planning a zoo-themed road trip, Congo Falls is one of the biggest zoo openings in recent U.S. history.
Families will love it because:
- It’s immersive, interactive, and visually stunning
- Kids can learn real conservation science through hands-on experiences
- It offers tons of viewing opportunities—no crowding or waiting for a glimpse
- The gorillas have an extremely enriched, naturalistic home
- It brings global conservation stories right to Texas
And because the zoo designed the habitat with both animals and guests in mind, it’s a place you can visit again and again and always discover something new.
Plan Your Visit
👉 Ready to explore Congo Falls? Visit our San Antonio Zoo page for tips, hours, attractions, and travel info:
https://texaszoos.com/zoo/san-antonio-zoo/
Whether you’re heading to the grand opening or planning a trip later this season, Congo Falls is set to become one of Texas’s most unforgettable zoo experiences. Get ready to meet the gorillas—and fall in love with them.
