Located in Columbia County, South Carolina is the 69-hectare Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, an all-in-one botanical garden, aquarium, and zoo. Riverbanks averages 1,000,000 visits annually, making it the state's biggest gated attraction.
The Riverbanks Zoo serves as home to about 3000 species of fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Newest inclusions in the zoo include a collection of Koalas, Gorillas, and African Elephants. A 2-acre attraction, named African plains, displays ostriches, giraffes, and zebras. A half-acre place, named Ndoki Forest, is where visitors can see a De Brazza Monkey, Western Lowland Gorilla, and a Slender-tailed Meerkat.
A 1,900 square meter Aquarium Reptile Complex is home to reptiles such as Gharials and Tortoises, and an array of coral reefs from the Pacific Ocean. The Birdhouse is famous for being home to an array of Gentoo, Rockhopper, and King penguins.
About 28 hectares of Riverbanks is dedicated to its Botanical Garden, which serves as home to more than 4,000 species of indigenous and exotic plants. The visitors can explore the different flora in the garden by following numerous trails.
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has been around since the early 19th century. In 1973, it was inducted to the National Register of Historic Places.