San Antonio Zoo’s Congo Falls Opens, Bringing Gorillas Back After 35 Years in a Landmark Conservation Experience
For generations of San Antonio families, the zoo has been a place where childhood memories are made—and now, a major new addition is reshaping that experience in a meaningful way.
Congo Falls, the San Antonio Zoo’s newest and most ambitious exhibit, is now open, marking the return of gorillas to the city for the first time in more than 35 years. For local residents, this isn’t just another attraction—it’s a significant investment in education, conservation, and the future of one of San Antonio’s most visited cultural institutions.
The $28 million project transforms an underutilized area of the zoo into a two-acre, immersive habitat designed to bring visitors face-to-face with one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species. For families, students, and wildlife enthusiasts across Bexar County, it offers a rare opportunity to connect with animals in a way that feels both personal and purposeful.
Inside Congo Falls: A First-of-Its-Kind Gorilla Experience
At the heart of Congo Falls is an experience designed to change how people see gorillas—and how they think about protecting them.
The exhibit features expansive outdoor habitats, interactive browsing gardens, waterfalls, and multiple viewing areas that allow guests to observe a troop of seven Western lowland gorillas from different perspectives. The design mirrors the layered terrain of the African jungle, encouraging natural behaviors like climbing, foraging, and social interaction.
One of the most striking features is the Mays Family Silverback Peak, a 70-foot-tall gorilla tower—the first of its kind in the world. The structure allows gorillas to climb to elevated observation points, offering sweeping views of the San Antonio skyline while giving visitors a rare vantage point into their world.
The habitat also includes an 18,000-square-foot indoor care and support facility, ensuring year-round animal care and welfare remain a top priority.
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Meet the Gorillas: Personalities That Bring the Habitat to Life
Congo Falls is not just about infrastructure—it’s about the animals themselves.
Guests can observe gorillas like Ajari, a 400-pound silverback known for his gentle and playful nature, or Andi, the smallest of the group, recognized for her agility and problem-solving skills. Others, like B’Wenzi and Juba, bring their own distinct personalities, from laid-back curiosity to quiet observation.
Additional gorillas, including Anaka and Merry, are expected to join the troop later this year, continuing to grow the exhibit and deepen the experience for returning visitors.
For many families, these individual stories help transform a zoo visit into something more memorable—especially for children learning about wildlife for the first time.
Why Congo Falls Matters Beyond the Zoo
While Congo Falls delivers a visually impressive experience, its broader purpose is rooted in conservation and education.
Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, and their survival is closely tied to global issues like habitat destruction and resource extraction. Through initiatives like “Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call,” the San Antonio Zoo is connecting local action to global impact by encouraging guests to recycle old electronics. Mining for materials like coltan—commonly used in cell phones—has contributed to habitat loss in gorilla populations.
By offering on-site recycling opportunities near the Congo Falls entrance, the zoo is making it easier for San Antonio residents to take small but meaningful steps toward conservation.
This connection between everyday choices and wildlife protection is a key part of the zoo’s mission, helping visitors leave not just entertained, but informed.
A Zoo Rooted in San Antonio’s History
Congo Falls builds on a legacy that stretches back more than a century.
What began in the late 1800s as a small collection of animals in San Pedro Park evolved into the San Antonio Zoo in Brackenridge Park, thanks in part to a 1914 land donation by Colonel George W. Brackenridge. Over time, the zoo became a national leader in innovative exhibits, including some of the first cageless enclosures in the United States.
Today, the 50+ acre zoo is home to more than 700 species and welcomes over one million visitors each year. As a nonprofit operated by the San Antonio Zoological Society, it remains focused on conservation, education, and community engagement—values that are reflected in the scale and ambition of Congo Falls.
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A Brief Look at the Zoo’s New Entrance Experience
Visitors arriving to see Congo Falls will also notice improvements before they even step inside.
The zoo’s recently redeveloped main entrance, completed in 2023, was designed to improve accessibility, traffic flow, and the overall guest experience. Features like H-E-B Plaza, updated pathways, and enhanced gathering spaces help create a smoother, more welcoming arrival for families, school groups, and tourists alike.
What This Means for San Antonio
As San Antonio continues to grow, projects like Congo Falls feel less like expansion and more like an investment in the everyday lives of the people who call this city home.
For parents, it’s another place to spend a Saturday morning that’s both fun and meaningful. For students, it turns lessons about wildlife and conservation into something they can actually see and experience up close. And for the community as a whole, it’s a reminder that San Antonio continues to prioritize spaces that bring people together while also looking outward—toward the protection of animals and ecosystems beyond our city.
Congo Falls doesn’t just add something new to the zoo—it adds another layer to a place many families already feel connected to, giving them a reason to come back and experience it in a whole new way.
What Happens Next
With Congo Falls now open, additional gorillas are expected to join the habitat in the coming months, expanding both the troop and the visitor experience. The zoo will also continue its conservation programming and community engagement efforts tied to the exhibit.
For those planning a visit, zoo memberships—starting at a low monthly cost—offer unlimited entry, free parking, and access to seasonal events, making it easier for families to return and experience the exhibit as it grows.
San Antonio residents can expect Congo Falls to remain a centerpiece of the zoo for years to come, offering both a place to gather and a reminder of the role the community plays in protecting wildlife worldwide.
Stay with My Neighborhood News for more updates on local attractions, family experiences, and community developments across San Antonio.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.