Head to the main entrance of the zoo at 6200 Golf Course Drive in Hermann Park, just off South Main, not far from downtown Houston. There's another entrance at North MacGregor Drive, but the tour described here starts at the Main Entrance.
Turn left at the gift shop and you'll see, going clockwise, the koalas, meercats, the Education Center, cheetah and Anatolian Shepherd, the ever-popular giraffes, Asian elephants, to the right the lemurs and mandrills and straight ahead, the vultures. Keep left and you'll encounter the okapi, Bongo antelope, tapir, maned wolf, and in the South American exhibit, the anteater. Hang a right at the ankole cattle and continue going right around that enclosure, noting the African wild dogs to the left, then make a right at the spectacled bear. The small cats are off to the left and the grizzlies to the right. Turn left at the small cats and curve around and you'll see the jaguar and cougar, with the madrills again off to the right. Make a left at the tigers, then cut across under the archway to the lions.
Proceed straight ahead, with the lions on your left, to the wildlife carousel. The West Gate Entrance will be off to your left. Go right at the carousel, pass the wishing well and Blue Pavilion and enter the Children's Zoo. Cross the plaza with the map of Texas and work your way clockwise, past the butterfly stage, waterplay area, Red Pavilion, petting zoo and farm, keeping all these exhibits to your left. When you get to the Yellow Pavilion, turn right at the bat cave and prairie dogs, pelicans, otter, bald eagle and deer. Pass the Discovery Center and head out the way you came, past the Blue Pavilion.
Go left to the Karamu Outpost, then go right until you see the Cypress Circle. By now you're probably overdue for something to eat, and since this overlooks the duck lake, it's a pretty nice place to go. When you're done, head back to the Karamu Outpost, but veer right and pass the butterfly garden. At the end of that walkway you'll run right into the warthogs. Go right and pass the giant eland, Nyala antelope, zebra and great hornbill. Turn right, then left. To the right you'll see the flamingo and to the left the enclosure containing birds from all over the world.
Continue on to the right, pass the duck lake and then left into the primate enclosure. That's pretty hard to miss. Make the circuit there and stepping back into the flow of pedestrian traffic, look for the duck lake to be at your left and an awning to be straight ahead. Go to the left of the awning, follow it down and turn in at the tropical bird house on the left.
Exit the bird house, turn left and walk straight up to the macaw. Make a left and tour the bird garden. Turn left at the macaw and grab something to drink at the Macaw Café. Off to the left is the aquarium and the Guest Relations Building. Step across the plaza, keeping the faithful macaw to your right, and walk straight ahead to that awning. Turn left. The sea lions will be to your left and a long reflecting pool to your right.
Cross under the other awning and enter the reptile and amphibian house, one of the oldest and best-loved buildings on the grounds. The Komodo Dragon display is at the far end. Exit, turn right, pass the koalas, then pay a visit to the gift shop before going out the Main Entrance. Then catch the Hermann Park Miniature Train for a quick ride around the park. It runs from 10am to 6:30pm. There is a small fare charged.
