An African Safari is set to open soon at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park in Nagpur, formerly known as Gorewada Zoo. Developed over approx. 63 hectares, the safari will feature around 22 African species and is estimated to cost Rs 285 crore.

The project is scheduled for completion within 18 months and aims to transform the zoo into a major tourism and conservation hub. A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Maharashtra Forest Department and NBCC – India, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik. Key officials including K.P.M. Swamy (Chairman and MD of NBCC), Pravin Doiphode (Executive Director), Naresh Zhurmure (Managing Director of Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation), and Chandrasekaran Bala (CEO of FDCM Gorewada Zoo Ltd.) attended the ceremony at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

The African Safari will feature both island-dwelling and open-range species. Visitors will see Spotted hyenas, African lions, white rhinoceroses, cheetahs, chimpanzees, and giraffes, among others. The initiative promotes biodiversity conservation, environmental awareness, and offers an immersive wildlife experience, positioning the zoo as the largest zoological park in India with international standards.