The Birth of a Landmark
Khedive Ismail, Egypt’s 19th-century ruler, first envisioned a zoological garden to coincide with the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869. The plan, however, was never realized at the time due to pressing constraints. It was not until 1 March 1891 that the Giza Zoo officially opened its gates to the public.
Covering nearly 80 acres, the zoo, considered the oldest in Africa and the third oldest worldwide—was originally designed as a botanical garden, showcasing a remarkable array of rare plants and cacti collected from across the globe. The introduction of animals came later, transforming it into the landmark it would become.
For over a century, the Giza Zoo has held deep cultural and social significance for Egyptians. Beyond its role in education and conservation, it has been one of the few remaining green lungs of Cairo, offering shade, fresh air, and escape from the city’s relentless pace. At an entry fee of only 5 EGP, it was also one of the most accessible recreational spaces for millions of Egyptians, especially working-class families who visited for picnics, strolls, and moments of leisure. Almost every Egyptian home holds a photograph from childhood taken at the zoo—smiling children posed beside cages or reaching out to feed the animals. These images have become part of Egypt’s collective memory, linking generations through the shared experience of the Giza Zoo.
A Cultural Landscape at Risk
The zoo is more than animals and gardens, it is a cultural landscape, a living archive of Egypt’s urban and social history. Its architecture, from the suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel to its ornate animal houses, reflects the late 19th-century vision of modernization. Over generations, it became a space of memory and identity for Egyptians, tied to childhood visits, family outings, and social gatherings.
Glory faded
In its heyday, Giza Zoo was celebrated as one of the finest in the world, a symbol of modernity and pride in the region. Yet in recent decades, it has fallen into severe decline. Facilities aged, infrastructure crumbled under neglect, and animal conditions became increasingly criticized. With minimal funding allocated to its upkeep, the zoo progressively deteriorated, and in 2004 it was removed from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) due to substandard practices.
Over the past decade, animal rights groups and activists have amplified their concerns. Petitions circulated widely, some even calling for the zoo’s permanent closure. In 2012, Occupy for Animals, an international welfare organization, launched a campaign targeting Egypt’s government-run zoos, featuring stark photographs of mistreatment and injury that drew global condemnation.
At the heart of the criticism was the zoo’s reliance on outdated 19th- and 20th-century designs—small cages, concrete enclosures, and layouts that prioritized spectacle over animal welfare. While zoos worldwide shifted toward open habitats, larger enclosures, and a focus on conservation and education, Giza Zoo lagged behind, its practices locked in the past.
And yet, despite these failings, the zoo never ceased to attract the public. Its remarkably low ticket price made it one of the most accessible outings in Cairo, a place where couples and families could picnic under exotic trees, enjoy abundant grassy areas, and treat the zoo less as an animal exhibition than as one of the city’s last remaining green refuges.
A Renovation Full of Promise…and Worry
In 2022, authorities announced a 3 billion EGP renovation project to modernize the Giza Zoo and bring it up to 21st-century international standards. The project promises new facilities, redesigned landscapes, and improved conditions for the animals, along with a stronger focus on tourism.
Part of the plans also includes the Orman Garden, established in 1875 during Khedive Ismail’s reign. Originally designed as a vast collection of rare plants and trees, the Orman served both scientific study and public enjoyment. Like the zoo, it has been one of the few remaining green spaces in Cairo and, with its affordable access, a beloved refuge for ordinary Egyptians.
But the plan has raised a critical concern: will the renovated zoo and gardens remain affordable public spaces? With the entry fee once only 5 EGP, many fear a steep rise in prices could exclude the very people for whom these places have been most essential—working-class families who relied on them as some of the few green, accessible spaces in Cairo.
Both the Giza Zoo and the Orman Garden have long served as havens for ordinary Egyptians, offering moments of leisure, fresh air, and connection to nature in a city where green areas are systematically shrinking in favor of commercial and consumer-focused developments. For many, the fear is that the renovation, while much-needed, could transform these beloved landmarks into exclusive attractions, leaving behind those who need them most.
Documenting Before Change
In 2023, Egyptian documentary photographers Georges & Samuel Mohsen began documenting the Giza Zoo before its closure for renovation. Their project seeks to preserve the zoo’s memory and cultural meaning at a moment of transformation. the photographers aim to record the zoo not just as a collection of spaces and structures, but as a site of lived experiences, public accessibility, and social history. reflecting on a larger question: how can Cairo preserve its green and cultural spaces while adapting to contemporary needs? And more importantly, who will these spaces serve in the future?
Looking Ahead
According to official statements, the renovated Giza Zoo is expected to reopen by the end of 2025, with modernized facilities, animal-friendly enclosures, and a renewed focus on tourism. For many Egyptians, the hope is that the project will balance conservation, heritage, and accessibility, ensuring that this historic landmark remains a shared public space rather than a restricted attraction.
As Cairo continues to expand and green spaces vanish, the Giza Zoo represents more than a zoological garden. It is a symbol of heritage, memory, and belonging—a reminder that public spaces are not only about recreation, but also about identity, equity, and the right to the city
Project by Egyptian documentary photographers Georges & Samuel Mohsen