The best zoos in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has the most beautiful zoos where you come face to face with roaring lions, fast sharks and climbing monkeys. There are thousands of animal species that you can discover on foot or by car in their own simulated habitat! We have listed five adventurous zoos for you, where you can get to know the animals in unique ways. Curious about which special zoos the Netherlands has to offer? Then read on quickly!
Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek
Beekse Bergen is the largest safari park in the entire Benelux, with a size of no less than 120 hectares. This adventurous zoo in Brabant offers four different ways to go on safari and experience the wild animals up close.
Not easily scared? Then there is also the possibility to follow the bird of prey safari. Here you can admire fast birds of prey flying over your head! For the real daredevils there is even the possibility to let the big birds land on your arm from the air.
Discover the Big Five of the Netherlands
In the Beekse Bergen you will discover the Big Five in your own country! Go out and follow unique routes that lead you past the simulated habitats of these African giants. Be amazed by the big ears of the elephants, and hear the king of the jungle roar on his throne! Admire the animals from a different angle? Then step aboard the boat safari and sail across the water. Or get behind the wheel yourself and experience the exciting safari from your own car like a real ranger!
Opening hours: 10am to 4.30pm, open every day
Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen
Discover the Asian giant pandas with their newborn panda cub at Burgers' Zoo! Enter the unique Bear Forest, where rescued brown bears slowly awaken from their winter sleep.
This special zoo in Rhenen is the second largest zoo in the Netherlands, and offers many exciting ways to learn more about animals. For example, you can go on Gorilla Adventure and admire the big gorillas. Through the transparent walls you can see the lifestyle of this king of the apes up close!
Climbing through the jungle in RavotAapia
In between spotting the animals, there is also enough space to relax with a nice cup of coffee, while the children climb out their energy in a large play paradise! In this extensive park you will find RavotAapia, an indoor playground of no less than 4000 m² and 12 meters high. Here the little ones can fully enjoy themselves by climbing and clambering in the imitation jungle of the animals.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, open every day
Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam
Ever wanted to see how giraffes, zebras and rhinos live together in the wilderness? At Diergaarde Blijdorp you can experience it through the eyes of the vultures by looking down into the enclosure from above!
Discover the world of dangerous sharks by walking underneath them in the iconic shark tunnel. Never before have you been able to see these cunning hunters of the sea swim by so close! In this large Dutch aquarium you will find an impressive selection of different sea creatures.
For example, watch flat rays moving across the bottom of the aquarium, or the five-armed starfish clinging to the rocks and sand and moving slowly forward.
From zoo to nature restoration organization
Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam is no longer a classic zoo, but a large organization that actively works for nature restoration and conservation. They do this by means of special impact areas that they have created in the park. These simulated habitats of different animal species give these (endangered) animal species a new chance to live. The 'continents' vary between the Asian rainforests with lots of green to the deep underwater world.
Opening hours: 09:00 to 17:00, open every day
Apenheul in Apeldoorn
For true monkey fans, a visit to the Apenheul is a must. Walk through the great forests of Bolivia or explore the primates in the mysterious rainforest of Madagascar... More than 30 species of monkeys can be admired throughout the park, they even walk past you! These acrobats of nature also swing past you here.
Feeding presentations of the gorillas
Can you spot the ring-tailed lemurs, orangutans and chimpanzees? You also don't want to miss the impressive feeding presentations of the gorillas! The gorillas emerge from all sides of the large enclosure to be fed. During the feeding presentation, the zookeepers will tell you more about the king of the apes and how they survive in the wild.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, March 21 to November 9, 2025
Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem
Close to the centre of Arnhem is the perfect zoo for a world trip that you can complete in just one day. In Burgers' Zoo you will make an adventurous journey of discovery along various ecosystems of the world. In the Burgers' Bush you will enter an indoor tropical rainforest and experience how the unique birds, butterflies and reptiles make their way through the humid jungle.
Then visit the African Savannah, where you will come face to face with the largest animals in Africa. The vast enclosures will remind you of a real safari! Then dive deep into the world of Burgers' Ocean, where you will discover beautiful sea turtles, fearsome sharks and tropical fish swimming past you.
Activities for the busy bees
Discover many more animals during your world trip at Burgers' Zoo by joining the treasure hunts or by taking part in interactive tours. For the curious ones there is also the chance to take a look behind the scenes of the fascinating Burgers' Ocean. Learn more about how the water is purified, the salt water is made and about the light sensitivity of the corals!
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, open every day
Avifauna in Alphen aan den Rijn
With 230 species, bird park Avifauna is a true paradise for lovers of beautiful birds and other exotic animals. In this unique animal park you walk past different species of birds such as white vultures or Dalmatian pelicans. But these birds are not the only animals you can spot in the bird park. Explore the habitat of the ring-tailed lemurs, or come face to face with the red pandas!
Activities
In this bird park you can take part in the Lori Landings, where colourful Lori's land on your hand to drink nectar from your hands. In the covered areas birds flutter around freely, allowing you to admire them from very close by. During the special bird demonstrations the fast birds of prey show their hunting techniques, the hornbills fly past you and macaws circle in front of you above the pond. In the meantime the caretakers tell you interesting facts about these fast flyers.
For an even more unique experience, you can book a Meet & Greet with the red pandas or rare kiwis for a fee. During this special encounter, you will not only learn fun facts about these animals, but you will also get the rare chance to enter the red panda enclosure.
Opening hours: 9am to 6pm, April 1 to November 2, 2025
