Nagpur’s Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoo is set to launch an African Safari and a Night Safari soon. The Maharashtra government has approved a budget of ₹517 crore for this project.

The safari will cover 63 hectares and will include infrastructure like a new entrance and visitor facilities. The project is expected to be completed in two years, with the African Safari likely to open for tourists by January 2027.

According to officials, discussions are ongoing with the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) for project execution. The Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (FDCM) is also involved in the development.

The safari will feature over 33 species of African wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and rare white rhinos. The government has allocated ₹80 crore for purchasing these animals. The master plan, designed with the help of experts from Singapore, aims to create an African savanna landscape within the zoo.

The first phase of construction is expected to start before the monsoon. The African Safari is expected to attract more tourists to Nagpur and create local employment opportunities. The Indian Safari at Gorewada Zoo, which houses tigers, leopards, bears, and herbivores, has already been a major attraction, and officials hope this new addition will further boost tourism.