Giraffes, zebras and antelope are among the African animals that can be seen at a special exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo this summer. (Photo by Ryan Clausen)

Take an African safari…right here in Minnesota!  The amazing wildlife of an African savanna will be featured in a special six-acre exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo this summer.  Giraffes, zebras, antelope, wildebeest and ostrich can be viewed from May 23 through Sept. 7.  A similar exhibit of African animals three years ago at the zoo was a big hit with visitors.

The Minnesota Zoo is also opening a new children’s play area this summer.  The General Mills Woodland Adventure, expected to open July 11, should be a kid magnet.  With whimsical sculptures of animals, the play area is geared toward climbing and crawling, with suspension bridges, nets, tunnels and slides.

This will be the second summer for the new Russia’s Grizzly Coast exhibit, a major addition to the zoo that opened that June.  This exhibit earned rave reviews for its up-close views of massive grizzly bears.  The Grizzly Coast also includes sea otters and Amur leopards.

The Minnesota Zoo is in Apple Valley, on the south side of the Twin Cities area, and is open daily.  It is home to more than 380 animal special whose habitats range from Minnesota to the tropics.  Highlights include farm animals, dolphin and bird shows and shark feedings.  For more information, including hours and admission fees, visit www.mnzoo.org or call 952-431-9200.