It's an African safari with authentic African cuisine and spectacular African wildlife... and it's in the middle of urban Auckland.

Auckland Zoo is hosting an Africa Night tonight, to raise funds for its support of local and international conservation projects.

Keepers will lead guided tours with hippos, rhinos, zebra, flamingo, giraffe, cheetahs and even lions.

Carnivore team leader Lauren Booth says it will be a lot of fun, but will also help fund the protection of giraffe, rhino and cheetah.

That includes supporting a livestock guard dog programme that provides an alternative to protective hunting.