2011-02-14: Valentine’s fun at the zoo

Take your Valentine to the Joburg Zoo for a picnic under the stars, serenaded by the night calls of the many animals. It’s like a bush safari in the comfort of your city.
FOR those with romance on their minds this Valentine’s Day, the Johannesburg Zoo is hosting an evening sure to scintillate the senses.

Visitors will be taken on a guided tour of the zooVisitors will be taken on a guided tour of the zooDiners can recline on their picnic blankets under the stars, with the sounds of the animals as background music, and tasty morsels in their specially packed picnic baskets to share. Café Fino, the zoo’s restaurant, has included tastes for all palates in the baskets, along with some Valentine’s favourites to sweeten the deal.

The menu is beef tenderloin with a horse radish sauce in a ciabatta roll, creamy garlic prawn baguette, Greek salad, strawberries and cream, sweet grapes, heart-shaped cookies and a bottle of red or white wine to wash it down.

The only thing you need to bring is your own picnic blanket, and perhaps a gift for your beloved.

Collect your picnic basket directly from the restaurant from 5pm onwards; there is also an optional nocturnal tour at 6pm.

“People can enjoy a guided tour of the zoo on a ferry, before they begin their picnic. Once they are dropped off, they can choose whichever spot they would like to enjoy the treats in their picnic baskets,” says Café Fino’s Afara Matjalla.

Visitors can savour this hassle-free evening in the tranquil surrounds of the zoo for R750 per couple, with an additional R40 charge for the night-time expedition, Matjalla adds. Booking is essential and can be done directly through Café Fino by phoning 011 646 3931 or emailing cafefinojhbzoo@telkomsa.net.

Over and above is daily opening, the zoo regularly hosts special events; to find out more, visit its website or phone 011 646 2000.