Woxy Wanders

ZOORI (Zoo at Residence Inn)

Are you ready to unleash your wild side? Look no further than the Zoo at the Residence Inn Tagaytay, a thrilling and family-friendly destination that's perfect for kids and kids at heart.

Nestled in the breathtaking Tagaytay landscape in the Philippines, this zoo offers a unique and memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you're a fan of big cats, exotic birds, or slithering reptiles, there's something for everyone here.

The first part of the zoo is the Serpentarium, which is a zigzag area of aquariums featuring different types of fishes, reptiles, and exotic insects. We had fun playing with the fish that follow our moves as if they were trained to. Once you’re done at Serpentarium, there is a restaurant outside it where you can dine (Samgyupsal). 

Snakes at ZOORI

At the zoo ground nestle the different animals such as monkeys, donkeys, horses, wild boars, and, my personal favorite, the camel! You can purchase grasses by the entrance to feed the animals. Since we were on a tight budget, we got some of the grasses that other visitors accidentally dropped. LOL!

If you're looking for a more hands-on experience and you’re brave enough, there’s a part where you can take photos with the animals such as snakes and eagles, and you may also ride a horse and camel. 

We went downstairs to see more animals and were greeted by a loud scream of a large eagle. The aviary is located by the stairs of the zoo. Once we get down, we saw sleeping lions, crocodiles, and boars. At 3 PM, we hurried up to witness the show.

One of the highlights of the zoo is the Animal Encounter Show. You can get up close and personal with these majestic creatures and learn about their habits and behaviors from the knowledgeable staff. At first, they were encouraging kids to volunteer for the animal encounter. After a while, they asked for an adult female volunteer. As a fan of Katniss Everdeen, I volunteered as a tribute! I was so nervous and excited at the same time and was expecting to hold something big and scary. What they made me encounter, though was something small yet… scary. A big spider! The host was describing the spidey and its diet and habitat but I was too stunned to listen. I don’t know if I’m shaking at that time but still, it was a fun experience.

But the fun doesn't stop there. The show features trained animals performing jaw-dropping tricks and stunts. Marvel at the intelligence of the rats, be awed by the agility of the monkeys, and be charmed by the antics of their resident dogs.

And after a day of excitement, you can also bring out souvenirs and photos to relive the memories. My take out was the itchy touch of that big spider that will last in my memory forever. LOL.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, the Zoo at the Residence Inn Tagaytay is a must-visit destination that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Let's go wild!