Questions about possible Lower Saxony zoo trip

KevinB

KevinB

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Good day everyone.

I am considering doing a zoo trip to the Lower Saxony region somewhere this or next year.

The primary target for the trip is Weltvogelpark Walsrode, but I also want to visit some other interesting places.

I have some questions I would like to ask.
  • Given my love for birds, and going by the number of rare species and the experience from my visit over a decade and a half ago, I think I will probably need two days for Walsrode. Would that be a correct judgement?
  • To what extent are German zoos suffering from avian influenza control measures? Are for example aviaries or bird houses closed, or are some birds in open exhibits off-show?
  • What would be the best time of the year for such a trip? Most likely for us would be to do it in either late spring or late summer/early fall.
  • Besides Walsrode, what are other interesting places to consider visiting in or near this region? Mostly zoos, but if there are any specific science or nature-related attractions I will also welcome those suggestions.
Already thanks in advance for any answers and suggestions.

If I have any additional questions I will add them to this thread later on.
 
According to ZTL, Walsode is the only ZTL collection with horned guans, Papuan cassowaries, giant couas, pale-winged trumpeters and little chacalacas,
 
KevinB said:
Good day everyone.

I am considering doing a zoo trip to the Lower Saxony region somewhere this or next year.

The primary target for the trip is Weltvogelpark Walsrode, but I also want to visit some other interesting places.

I have some questions I would like to ask.
  • Given my love for birds, and going by the number of rare species and the experience from my visit over a decade and a half ago, I think I will probably need two days for Walsrode. Would that be a correct judgement?
  • To what extent are German zoos suffering from avian influenza control measures? Are for example aviaries or bird houses closed, or are some birds in open exhibits off-show?
  • What would be the best time of the year for such a trip? Most likely for us would be to do it in either late spring or late summer/early fall.
  • Besides Walsrode, what are other interesting places to consider visiting in or near this region? Mostly zoos, but if there are any specific science or nature-related attractions I will also welcome those suggestions.
Already thanks in advance for any answers and suggestions.

If I have any additional questions I will add them to this thread later on.
Click to expand...
The 2 major zoos close to Walsrode would be Hannover and Hamburg. Hannover has a only slightly above avreage but large collection. Focused on large Mammals. It is much more like the typical american zoo than the avrege euopean zoo. Some of its newer exhibits are very good. But it also has a few bad ones. (primates)

Hamburg is another obvious choice. The most important zoo in history. It has a large collection. But many exhibits are old and outdated. The zoo only recently started to modernise. You as a bird lover will like many bird rariities in Germany. Probelly only behind Walsrode and Berlin. Maybe Cologne. The Tierpark and Tropical Aquarium are a bit expensive though. You have to pay for both seperatly

A Smaller zoos close by is Schwerin. A smaller, but very modern zoo. With intersting species. would say one of the most underrated small zoos in Germany. And realtivily close. I would defentivly recomend Schwerin.

Osnabrück is also a very decent choice. Not a perfect Zoo. But a decend one.

Another small one is Braunschweig. But unlike Schwerin- It is not a hidden gem. But just very nice, and relativily close.

Rostock (in particular), but also Nordhorn,Rheine and Münster are also good zoos not that far away.
 
KevinB said:
Given my love for birds, and going by the number of rare species and the experience from my visit over a decade and a half ago, I think I will probably need two days for Walsrode. Would that be a correct judgement?
Click to expand...

I think you'll definitely need two days given how much it will have changed since your last visit, and the fact you like to take methodical photos and notes as much as is possible. It IS doable in a day, but only if you are familiar with the place or don't mind missing quite a few odds and ends I reckon.

KevinB said:
What would be the best time of the year for such a trip? Most likely for us would be to do it in either late spring or late summer/early fall.
Click to expand...

That sounds about right - both of my visits were in early June, and I think that worked quite well - late May may also be a good option, as more of the flower displays will be at their height.

KevinB said:
Besides Walsrode, what are other interesting places to consider visiting in or near this region? Mostly zoos, but if there are any specific science or nature-related attractions I will also welcome those suggestions.
Click to expand...

There is a rather-excellent expanse of lowland heath, marshland and mixed woodland about 20 minutes north of Hamburg city centre, where I have spent a very pleasurable day roaming and watching wildlife on two occasions; if you end up staying in Hamburg and can therefore use the city as a base at any point, I strongly urge that you visit :) both for the wildlife itself, and the therapeutic effects that a relaxing day wandering in peaceful countryside can have on the autistic mind! Highlight species in the area include Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Common Crane, Corncrake, Black Woodpecker, Wild Boar, Moor Frog, Marsh Frog, European Treefrog and European Eagle Owl.
 
KevinB said:
Good day everyone.

I am considering doing a zoo trip to the Lower Saxony region somewhere this or next year.

The primary target for the trip is Weltvogelpark Walsrode, but I also want to visit some other interesting places.

I have some questions I would like to ask.
  • Given my love for birds, and going by the number of rare species and the experience from my visit over a decade and a half ago, I think I will probably need two days for Walsrode. Would that be a correct judgement?
  • To what extent are German zoos suffering from avian influenza control measures? Are for example aviaries or bird houses closed, or are some birds in open exhibits off-show?
  • What would be the best time of the year for such a trip? Most likely for us would be to do it in either late spring or late summer/early fall.
  • Besides Walsrode, what are other interesting places to consider visiting in or near this region? Mostly zoos, but if there are any specific science or nature-related attractions I will also welcome those suggestions.
Already thanks in advance for any answers and suggestions.

If I have any additional questions I will add them to this thread later on.
Click to expand...

In your case I would certainly take 2 days for Walsrode. There is a hotel literally opposite the bird park, which is a convenient option. Be aware that many cold-sensitive species are only put on exhibit in late April, so don't plan your visit too early. I found May-June a perfect time to visit.

As for other zoos:
-You might want to consider visiting Rheine and/or Nordhorn on the driving days to/from Belgium. Both are very fine and compact zoos that are perfect as a 2-4 hour break on a driving day.
- I don't think Hannover is a zoo that would appeal to you, but Tierpark Hagenbeck is something any zoo enthusiast should have seen at some point for its historical relevance. That is a full day zoo if you want it to be and it has a fine bird collection (though far behind the Berlins, Walsrode, Cologne and Stuttgart). If you can make it there, I would take the opportunity.
-Somewhat farther afield would be a zoo like Schwerin, which is not big, but one with a very high exhibit quality and a collection that is slowly improving. Another interesting option is Bremerhaven where there are 2 collection right next to each other. The Zoo am Meer is small, but with a good North sea aquarium. A real highlight for me is the Klimahaus 8° Ost, which is in essence a very well done geographical museum, but has a choice collection of reptiles and amphibians as well as fish and a few mammals. Not something for a busy day, but it has a few impressive exhibitions and quite possibly the best desert interpretation I have seen.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
There is a rather-excellent expanse of lowland heath, marshland and mixed woodland about 20 minutes north of Hamburg city centre, where I have spent a very pleasurable day roaming and watching wildlife on two occasions; if you end up staying in Hamburg and can therefore use the city as a base at any point, I strongly urge that you visit :) both for the wildlife itself, and the therapeutic effects that a relaxing day wandering in peaceful countryside can have on the autistic mind! Highlight species in the area include Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Common Crane, Corncrake, Black Woodpecker, Wild Boar, Moor Frog, Marsh Frog, European Treefrog and European Eagle Owl.
Click to expand...

I would like to do some research about that area, do you by any chance have or remember how it is called?

Already many thanks to everyone who was replied to this thread, very interesting and useful answers so far that I will definitely be looking into!
 
KevinB said:
I would like to do some research about that area, do you by any chance have or remember how it is called?
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I wonder if @TeaLovingDave may be referring to the Lüneburger Heide area which is huge and interesting, though that's about 20 minutes south of Hamburg, not north.

There's also a zoo at the outskirts of that area, the Lüneburger Heide Wildpark. I haven't visited, but I know it's big in area and has some nice exhibits, but probably not too interesting collection-wise. Its gimmick apparently is that it only keeps animals from the northern hemisphere.
 
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Hvedekorn said:
I wonder if @TeaLovingDave may be referring to the Lüneburger Heide area which is huge and interesting, though that's about 20 minutes south of Hamburg, not north.
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As a matter of fact I am *not* referring to Lüneburger Heide - which is somewhat more than 20 minutes from the city centre of Hamburg, and tricky to reach by public transport. I'd like to get there at some point, though.

KevinB said:
I would like to do some research about that area, do you by any chance have or remember how it is called?
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I do indeed; Duvenstedter Brook and (just to the south) the Wohldorfer Wald. You get the U1 line from the city centre to the terminus at Ohlstedt (about 20 minutes as noted), which is about 5 minutes walk from the southern edges of Wohldorfer Wald. Duvenstedter Brook itself is a mile or so further north, but it's very much worth taking your time over the walk there and not following the most direct route.

This is a pretty good general information resource: Duvenstedter Brook & Wohldorfer Wald | Birdingplaces.eu

However, for more specialised information, these two links to accounts written by a local discussing the area (although somewhat older and more out-of-date) are the ones I have consulted the most during both my 2016 and 2022 visits, complete with notes on which areas are good for given taxa:

Birding in or near Hamburg?

Beobachtungsmöglichkeiten

The latter contains annotated maps, too.
 
Does anyone know if the Pescheks Hotel Luisenhöhe is closed? I have been trying to book a room for a few days but have had no confirmation and when I call, it tells me that I 'have chosen an invalid number'...
 
Hvedekorn said:
There's also a zoo at the outskirts of that area, the Lüneburger Heide Wildpark. I haven't visited, but I know it's big in area and has some nice exhibits, but probably not too interesting collection-wise. Its gimmick apparently is that it only keeps animals from the northern hemisphere.
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This collection is a "de-luxe" version of a classical German tierpark. Its enclosures are spacious, nicely done visitors areas and even its collection is pretty good. Snow leopards, chamois, Andean condors or wolverines.
 
oflory said:
Does anyone know if the Pescheks Hotel Luisenhöhe is closed? I have been trying to book a room for a few days but have had no confirmation and when I call, it tells me that I 'have chosen an invalid number'...
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Have you tried this number? +49 (0) 5161 98620
 
I could dare to suggest this trip:
1. Allwetter Zoo Münster
2. Zoo Osnabruck + Tierpark Ströhen
3. Walsrode
4. Walsrode
5. Tierpark Thüle (buff-necked ibis and red-billed oxpecker) + Jaderpark
6. Zoo am Meer Bremershaven + Zoo in der Wingst
7. Tierpark Hagenbeck Hamburg
8. Erlebnis Zoo Hannover
9. Arche Noah Zoo Braunschweig - Tierpark Hamm

June or september are my preferred periods for zootripping.

We might meet in one of those places ;).

I agree on the Schwerin suggestion, but it's a bit poor in birds. Hamburg should be included in your trip: it's a historical important place and it has a very good number of (rare) birds.
 
Reviving this thread because I am considering a slimmed down version of the road trip for later this year or next year, and because I have a few more questions.
  • Does anyone know which German zoos is the Umweltplakette (environmental vignet) required for? Some I'm thinking about are Duisburg, Wuppertal, Zoom Gelsenkirchen, Munster and Walsrode.
  • How easily accessible are zoos in larger cities (think Cologne or Hannover) by car, in terms of the amount of driving through the city and ease and price of parking? Are there any possible alternatives or solutions?
  • Sadly I have become lactose intolerant since my earlier questions and that is now an extra concern. I could possibly use lactase pills but I don't trust them fully and using them for every meal for days is not the best solution. Are milk products commonly used in food in Germany (as they are here in Belgium), how well or not well do German facilities indicate allergens and how available would suitable food options for me be, both at zoos and at restaurants or other places outside of them?
  • Finally, how are German zoos generally dealing with avian influenza? Are exhibit closures and/or species being off-show expected or have they found solutions by now?
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
KevinB said:
Reviving this thread because I am considering a slimmed down version of the road trip for later this year or next year, and because I have a few more questions.
  • Does anyone know which German zoos is the Umweltplakette (environmental vignet) required for? Some I'm thinking about are Duisburg, Wuppertal, Zoom Gelsenkirchen, Munster and Walsrode.
  • How easily accessible are zoos in larger cities (think Cologne or Hannover) by car, in terms of the amount of driving through the city and ease and price of parking? Are there any possible alternatives or solutions?
  • Sadly I have become lactose intolerant since my earlier questions and that is now an extra concern. I could possibly use lactase pills but I don't trust them fully and using them for every meal for days is not the best solution. Are milk products commonly used in food in Germany (as they are here in Belgium), how well or not well do German facilities indicate allergens and how available would suitable food options for me be, both at zoos and at restaurants or other places outside of them?
  • Finally, how are German zoos generally dealing with avian influenza? Are exhibit closures and/or species being off-show expected or have they found solutions by now?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

1: Of the zoos in lower saxony and areas you may wanted to visit, the only were a Umweltplakette is needed are Hannover and Cologne . Osnabrück is just outside their Umweltzone, and Münster's zoo is also outside the Umweltzone, the other Zoos are in cities and towns with no Umweltzone.
2: I can not help you there. The only zoos I ever drived with my car too were in the netherlands. For german zoos I only use public transport
3:German cuisine is very similar to belgian one, In german the commen allergens have to be shown, includiding (even though technicly not a allergen) anything with lactose (Milkproducts)
4: It is the most common for zoos with a avian influenze outbreak to close tempery compleatly, usually for a few weeks, and even after being open to the public, aviars and animals houses are clsoed for the for the public, and many birds are keept inside. Like In cologne, all birds on the pounds are right now kepts behind the scenes and all aviaries and animal houses with free flying species are closed, after the whole zoo being closed for a few weeks. Sadly you will have to gamble on not going when a Outbreak starts
 
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