Spanning 11 acres, Giants of the Savanna was created to capture the scale and openness of Africa’s vast grasslands, giving guests panoramic views of some of the continent’s most recognizable wildlife. The exhibit brings together expansive habitats, naturalistic landscapes and up-close animal encounters to create an experience that feels more like a wildlife reserve than a traditional zoo exhibit.

Nassal developed the shop fabrication drawings and completed custom rockwork and mud bank fabrication throughout both the north and south savannas. These features were carefully integrated into the exhibit’s terrain, blending with watering holes, grasses, trees, sand features and habitat areas to create environments that feel natural to both animals and visitors.

The scenic elements were designed to support a diverse collection of species, including giraffes, elephants, lions and cheetahs. Rather than serving as standalone features, the rockwork and terrain help define the character of each habitat, creating visual separation between species while maintaining the sweeping appearance of a continuous African landscape.

A defining aspect of the exhibit is its sense of scale. Long sightlines, layered terrain and carefully crafted habitat features allow guests to experience wildlife within environments that reflect the vastness of the African savanna, creating opportunities for observation, learning and appreciation in a setting that feels authentic and immersive.