Head to Joburg Zoo for ‘Howloween’

FOREST TOWN – Get ready to be tricked and treated, spooked and scared at Joburg Zoo’s annual ‘Howloween’ event.

For one night only, the zoo will be transformed into a ghoulishly ghastly wonderland of ghostly figures, carved pumpkins and spiderwebs, all in celebration of things that go bump in the night.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo managing director Bulumko Nelana said visitors would be welcomed to the spooky tour by the zoo crew in frightful Halloween costumes.

“The first stop for visitors is a choice between Scary and Fairy. The scary path will lead you to the Haunted Forest. This suspense-fuelled walk will see creepy crawlies and vampires coming out of the dark to frighten and enthral,” said Nelana.

Children under the age of nine will not be allowed into the Haunted Forest.

Visitors to the Enchanted Forest will be met by zoo fairies and magical creatures.

“This enthralling garden is where flying fairies, a dancing hippo and giraffes make all feel at home,” he said.

The next stop on the Howloween tour is the Ghost House, located in the old carnivore house, where supernatural beings, lions, tigers and hyenas lurk in the shadows.

“To gain entry to this spooky section, visitors will have to overcome their fears by touching and tasting eerie things. Sangomas will also thrill and enthral visitors with a display of African magic,” said Nelana.

From the Ghost House, the tour will move on to the Slithering House at the reptile and snake enclosure, where visitors can meet the entire cold-blooded family and interact with snakes from throughout Africa.

The tour will proceed to the children’s fun area near the Tree of Light lawns where jumping castles, animal characters and stilt-walkers will delight smaller children.

Nelana encouraged visitors to dress up in their scariest Halloween costumes and bring a picnic basket filled with goodies for the night. Prizes for the best dressed visitors will be up for grabs.

Howloween will take place on 2 November at Joburg Zoo, Upper Park Drive, Forest Town, from 5pm until 9pm.

Details: 011-646-2000; www.jhbzoo.org.za