Deciding between two zoos
- Thread starter Various
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I would choose Burgers Zoo, which is very innovative.
The Openluchtmuseum is nearby: Daar maak je geschiedenis mee
The Openluchtmuseum is nearby: Daar maak je geschiedenis mee
Well, personally I think Burgers' zoo is easily the better zoo. However, current weather conditions mean that the greenhouses there will be blazing hot. Along with that, Amersfoort is more designed for walking and has more playground opportunities
Amersfoort is one of 2 ZTL collections with spiny chuckwallas
Burgers is one of 5 ZTL collections with Allison's anoles
one of 4 collections with mangrove whiprays, spotted-tail cardinalfish, Guadeloupean anoles and white-winged doves
one of 3 collections with blacktip sharks, tropical gars, African pompanos, ringtails and indigo buntings
one of 2 collections with atoll butterflyfish, mangrove mollies, mangrove rivulus, striated wrasses, Yucatan gambusias and lunar fusillers
and the only ZTL collection with Australian whiprays, African big barbs, eight-lined wrasses, giant sweetlips, long-finned corydoras, southern pompanos, seaweed blennies, spotted bigeyes, striped monocle breams, chestnut-bellied seed-finches, rose-bellied buntings and Montezuma quails
Burgers is one of 5 ZTL collections with Allison's anoles
one of 4 collections with mangrove whiprays, spotted-tail cardinalfish, Guadeloupean anoles and white-winged doves
one of 3 collections with blacktip sharks, tropical gars, African pompanos, ringtails and indigo buntings
one of 2 collections with atoll butterflyfish, mangrove mollies, mangrove rivulus, striated wrasses, Yucatan gambusias and lunar fusillers
and the only ZTL collection with Australian whiprays, African big barbs, eight-lined wrasses, giant sweetlips, long-finned corydoras, southern pompanos, seaweed blennies, spotted bigeyes, striped monocle breams, chestnut-bellied seed-finches, rose-bellied buntings and Montezuma quails
When you say that "Amersfoort is more designed for walking" Does it mean that you need to drive in burgers zoo? or ?
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I haven't visited Amersfoort, but Burgers' is incredible, and is one of the consensus best zoos in Europe.
There is no driving involved, but there is a fair amount of walking, as the zoo is rather big (it is entirely worth it, however). There aren't too many playgrounds, but there are a few, if that is a requirement, and in terms of great animals, there is just about every big name animal (the likes of elephants, rhinos, giraffes, bears, lions, tigers, leopards and manatees to name just a few) as well as plenty of smaller, but rarer and interesting species (such as Screaming Piha or Splitfin Flashlightfish) if that is something of interest to you. And the way the animals are displayed is very memorable, with two rainforest-themed greenhouses, the largest 'indoor desert' in the world, and Europe's largest aquarium away from the sea (by volume of water).
I would strongly recommend a visit, but I will leave it to others to comment on whether Amersfoort is worth visiting.
There is no driving involved, but there is a fair amount of walking, as the zoo is rather big (it is entirely worth it, however). There aren't too many playgrounds, but there are a few, if that is a requirement, and in terms of great animals, there is just about every big name animal (the likes of elephants, rhinos, giraffes, bears, lions, tigers, leopards and manatees to name just a few) as well as plenty of smaller, but rarer and interesting species (such as Screaming Piha or Splitfin Flashlightfish) if that is something of interest to you. And the way the animals are displayed is very memorable, with two rainforest-themed greenhouses, the largest 'indoor desert' in the world, and Europe's largest aquarium away from the sea (by volume of water).
I would strongly recommend a visit, but I will leave it to others to comment on whether Amersfoort is worth visiting.
Burgers' zoo is big, but it's also quite dense. It'll take some walking, but it's ridiculously hot in the indoor halls, which take up most of the zoo. Especially this time of year. Fainting women and nearly-dying old people, so I'm not sure if it's exactly suitable for a 1-year-old.
It does have a huge amount of rarities, and is easily the better zoo between the two, but Amersfoort is specifically designed for smaller children. With many winding paths, small climbing structures over animal enclosures, and a large section of forest with dinosaur statues you can walk through.
Again, Burgers', with the World's biggest indoor Mangrove and one of the biggest Desert halls, is easily the better zoo. Especially when you look at the rarities and the amazing aquarium. But Amersfoort is not without its merits. The Night is a really nicely done nocturnal house, there's a great collection of reptiles, and they have one of the best aviaries in The Netherlands (though I'll admit I can't say for sure if it's open at this time, as we are still experiencing Bird Flu).
If "best zoo" is your priority, Burgers' zoo wins it in a landslide. But if "exploring toddler" is your priority, I highly suggest Amersfoort
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This summarizes things nicely. Burgers' Zoo is one of the best in Europe, but Amersfoort is extremely kid-friendly with a lot of innovative exhibits.
As a father of two small kids, who has visited both Amersfoort and Burgers' with them, I would suggest Burgers.
Amersfoort is more clearly focused on children, but all the kid stuff isn't for 1 year olds but more for 3+. A one year old will have a field day in any zoo, no playgrounds necessary as there are plenty of rocks and stairs to explore and plants to destroy. What makes Burgers' more attractive is their large aquarium and impressive manatee tank. These underwater displays are easily the favourites of the whole zoo for my son and are endlessly fascinating for smaller kids in general as there is always something happening at close range.
If playgrounds are a necessity, the ones in Amersfoort are somewhat better accessible with small kids.
Overall Burgers' is clearly the better zoo from an enthusiast standpoint, with unique exhibits and a more varied animal collection, but in Amersfoort you would have a great day too. Heat can be an issue in the rainforest and desert halls in Burgers' Zoo, but it is nowhere as bad as described above though in a hot day you should visit them in the morning. The midday heat is no fun in there (ocean and mangrove are fine though, the latter is managed 25 degrees, though with higher humidity).
So notbad choices, buf I would suggest Burgers'.
Amersfoort is more clearly focused on children, but all the kid stuff isn't for 1 year olds but more for 3+. A one year old will have a field day in any zoo, no playgrounds necessary as there are plenty of rocks and stairs to explore and plants to destroy. What makes Burgers' more attractive is their large aquarium and impressive manatee tank. These underwater displays are easily the favourites of the whole zoo for my son and are endlessly fascinating for smaller kids in general as there is always something happening at close range.
If playgrounds are a necessity, the ones in Amersfoort are somewhat better accessible with small kids.
Overall Burgers' is clearly the better zoo from an enthusiast standpoint, with unique exhibits and a more varied animal collection, but in Amersfoort you would have a great day too. Heat can be an issue in the rainforest and desert halls in Burgers' Zoo, but it is nowhere as bad as described above though in a hot day you should visit them in the morning. The midday heat is no fun in there (ocean and mangrove are fine though, the latter is managed 25 degrees, though with higher humidity).
So notbad choices, buf I would suggest Burgers'.
Burgers' zoo is easily more weather-friendly. As nearly half the zoo is indoors
You have not visited either one of them yet? Burgers is an amazing European top tier zoo, it will blow you away.
I don't know much of babies, but are there really playgrounds for that age? Both zoos have playgrounds, perhaps for that age too. Yes Amersfoort is probably the best zoo for kids, it claims about itself to be 'the zoo for children' but I doubt if any of the children's attractions are for such a young age.
I don't know much of babies, but are there really playgrounds for that age? Both zoos have playgrounds, perhaps for that age too. Yes Amersfoort is probably the best zoo for kids, it claims about itself to be 'the zoo for children' but I doubt if any of the children's attractions are for such a young age.