Khedive Ismail, Egypt’s late 19th Century ruler, initially conceived of the idea of establishing a zoo in conjunction with the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869. However, due to time constraints, this plan was not realized. It was not until 1 March, 1891, that the Giza Zoo was officially opened to the public. Spanning approximately 80 acres, the Giza Zoo — the third oldest in the world and the oldest in Africa — was originally intended as a botanical garden featuring a diverse collection of rare plants and cacti from around the world, with the introduction of animals coming later. In addition to the zoo’s animal inhabitants, several cultural attractions can be found within. The Japanese Kiosk was established in 1924 during King Fuad’s reign in honor of a Japanese prince’s visit to Egypt. The pavilion now operates as a museum within the zoo, housing artifacts and photos that highlight its history. Not far from it, visitors can find the centuries-old gates that used to serve as the entrance to Khedive’s Palace and the Haramlik Palace. Additionally, the Zoological Museum, constructed in 1906, features three large halls displaying various…
