Dutch Zoo Tour
- Thread starter Shirokuma
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Personally, I rather go to duisburg, they have dolphins, sealions, seals, penguins, a freshwater dolphin and a complete zoo collection with a lot of rare species for an entrance fee of 11 euro's. While the dolfinarium is 25 or 26 at the moment? This is way to expensive for what you get. The dolfinarium indeed has sea mammals, but with the exception of the touch pool for the ray's and small sharks, they have no coastal birds, penguins or aquaria, all of which would make a visit a lot more worthwile.
I did a 9-day zootrip in the Netherlands last year. I will post a little overview here soon. Blijdorp and Burgers' are must see. You can The Netherlands compare with Germany: many good traditional zoos in the larger cities with very often modern enclosures and interesting collections + a lot of small but well equiped zoos in smaller towns.
In Belgium:
- Antwerp: historical and beautifull landscaped zoo with an interesting collection: eastern and mountain gorilla, king pinguin, tamandua, aardvark, ceylon hulman, spectacled bear, civet, african buffalo, mandrill, 7 species of guan, 6 species of turaco, okapi, takin, anoa, babirussa, vischaja, javan langur, owl-faced guenon, malayan tapir, hippo, etc. Very modern reptile house and nocturama. Enclosures for great apes and cats are too small. They built a new lion enclosure and paddocks for babirussa, anoa and okapi
- Planckendael (Mechelen, 20 min by train from Antwerp): wooded zoo with african village (bonobo, secretary bird), rare giraffes, indian rhino and lion, wombat, koala, echidna, etc. They built a new elephant enclosure.
- Parc Daiza (former Paradisio): impressive collection of birds of prey, shoebill, many rare cranes, kiang. No carnivores. Very nice chinese and indonesian section.
In Germany close to the Dutch border:
- Köln: excellent zoo with strong focus on apes and monkeys (douc, bonobo, several lemur species and south american callithrix), new hippoaquarium and large elephant enclosure. Also good collection of turaco, reptiles, socorro dove, tree kangoroo, etc.
- Duisburg: as already mentioned above, many rare species
- Dortmund: extensive south american collection (tamandua, etc.)
- Wuppertal: many rare species (king cheetah, peruvian cock of the rock, harpy)
In Belgium:
- Antwerp: historical and beautifull landscaped zoo with an interesting collection: eastern and mountain gorilla, king pinguin, tamandua, aardvark, ceylon hulman, spectacled bear, civet, african buffalo, mandrill, 7 species of guan, 6 species of turaco, okapi, takin, anoa, babirussa, vischaja, javan langur, owl-faced guenon, malayan tapir, hippo, etc. Very modern reptile house and nocturama. Enclosures for great apes and cats are too small. They built a new lion enclosure and paddocks for babirussa, anoa and okapi
- Planckendael (Mechelen, 20 min by train from Antwerp): wooded zoo with african village (bonobo, secretary bird), rare giraffes, indian rhino and lion, wombat, koala, echidna, etc. They built a new elephant enclosure.
- Parc Daiza (former Paradisio): impressive collection of birds of prey, shoebill, many rare cranes, kiang. No carnivores. Very nice chinese and indonesian section.
In Germany close to the Dutch border:
- Köln: excellent zoo with strong focus on apes and monkeys (douc, bonobo, several lemur species and south american callithrix), new hippoaquarium and large elephant enclosure. Also good collection of turaco, reptiles, socorro dove, tree kangoroo, etc.
- Duisburg: as already mentioned above, many rare species
- Dortmund: extensive south american collection (tamandua, etc.)
- Wuppertal: many rare species (king cheetah, peruvian cock of the rock, harpy)
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I'm back with another plea for help to those of you in the Netherlands (my ancestral homeland):
I've been wanting to plan another European zoo trip all year, but my personal schedule has not allowed it. Now it appears that a window has opened up for me in mid- to late November. I would like to visit a few zoos in the Netherlands (and elsewhere) during this time, but (in your opinion) does the November weather make it not not worth the trip? Some local input would be invaluable in helping me plan my trip. Thanks!
I've been wanting to plan another European zoo trip all year, but my personal schedule has not allowed it. Now it appears that a window has opened up for me in mid- to late November. I would like to visit a few zoos in the Netherlands (and elsewhere) during this time, but (in your opinion) does the November weather make it not not worth the trip? Some local input would be invaluable in helping me plan my trip. Thanks!
Mjah...
During the winter period, both the Dolfinarium and the Apenheul are closed for public. The only zoo i usually visit during winter time is Burgers' Zoo, they have enough greenhouses to keep you going all day and to be honest, wandering at the end of the day in a dark Burgers' Bush is a (very!) memorable experience that you'll never get during the summer.
Artis Amsterdam has many buildings and a visit will surely pay with the weather being not very detrimental, Rotterdam will be not at it's best imo.
The rest has a lot of outside, really. It's not the parks at their best, but most of them are still worth seeing anyways. If you have a choice i'd say come back during the summer, but if there's no choice it's certainly better then nothing...
During the winter period, both the Dolfinarium and the Apenheul are closed for public. The only zoo i usually visit during winter time is Burgers' Zoo, they have enough greenhouses to keep you going all day and to be honest, wandering at the end of the day in a dark Burgers' Bush is a (very!) memorable experience that you'll never get during the summer.
Artis Amsterdam has many buildings and a visit will surely pay with the weather being not very detrimental, Rotterdam will be not at it's best imo.
The rest has a lot of outside, really. It's not the parks at their best, but most of them are still worth seeing anyways. If you have a choice i'd say come back during the summer, but if there's no choice it's certainly better then nothing...
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
Not at its best - but still worth seeing. The Oceanium and the old main hall are each superb, and there are several other indoor houses to. And it can be sunny in november in Northern Europe...
The best zoo's for visiting in this time of year are blijdorp, burgers and emmen, because of their large indoor exhibits. Burgers has three greenhouses, two of them connected by a tunnel, and a large spectaculair aquarium. Emmen has four greenhouses but most animals can not be visited in their indoor enclosures ( with the exception of hippo's, the main inhabitants of the savannah, the elephants and squirrel and spider monkey's). But the sealions, moose and forest bisons can always be viewed outside. Blijdorp has the rivierahall, oceanium and crocodileriver, and most animals can be viewed in their stables. Artis also has a lot of buildings but two of them are currently being renovated, so I would not recommend it for this autumn/winter.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
As I said above, I will be in the Netherlands in mid-November, there to see the best zoos of this nation. But the question is, which zoos should I go out of my way to see? So I ask you zoo fans from the Netherlands (and others who know them) -- what ARE the best zoos of the Netherlands?
I've heard that the best are Rotterdam, Artis, Burgers (Arnhem), and Emmen. Is this true? And in what order would you put them? Also, what aboutAmersfoort and Ouwehands? Would some of you put them in the Top 4, or Top 5? What other Dutch zoos am I not mentioning?
So to help me, it would be great if some of you could list your 5 favorite (or 10 favorite) zoos, in order, in the Netherlands. If enough of you do so, I'll accumulate your picks statistically and post the results of this informal poll. (I'm a professional statistician.) Thanks!
I've heard that the best are Rotterdam, Artis, Burgers (Arnhem), and Emmen. Is this true? And in what order would you put them? Also, what aboutAmersfoort and Ouwehands? Would some of you put them in the Top 4, or Top 5? What other Dutch zoos am I not mentioning?
So to help me, it would be great if some of you could list your 5 favorite (or 10 favorite) zoos, in order, in the Netherlands. If enough of you do so, I'll accumulate your picks statistically and post the results of this informal poll. (I'm a professional statistician.) Thanks!
Diergaarde Blijdorp and Burgers Zoo are by far the best 2 zoos in the Netherlands.
followed by gaiapark and Dierenpark Emmen. Gaiapark is really nice, opened in 2005, so many natural and good looking enclosures. Dierenpark Emmen has some very nice exhibits (wild west featuring Moose and Wood bison and "Playa Penguinos" a huge and beautifull penguin walkthrough).
I also like Safaripark Beekse Bergen, but as a Safaripark it isn't the best place to visit in November.
Artis is also nice and has many (historical) buildings
I find Ouwehands a kind of boring so I wouldn't place it in my top5, Amersfoort is nice, but not very big. They have one of the best elephant exhibits in Europe and the so called "Ancient city" which features many species that are related to the ancient persian, egyptians and romans (like croc, ibis, vulture, jackal, tiger, lion etc). so a top5 for the winter season:
1. Burgers Zoo
2. Diergaarde Blijdorp
... nothing
3. Dierenpark Emmen
4. Gaiapark
5. Artis Amsterdam
6. Dierenpark Amersfoort.
But you could also consider visiting Antwerp Zoo, which has very nice historical buildings and a nice collection. So perfect for cold weather.
followed by gaiapark and Dierenpark Emmen. Gaiapark is really nice, opened in 2005, so many natural and good looking enclosures. Dierenpark Emmen has some very nice exhibits (wild west featuring Moose and Wood bison and "Playa Penguinos" a huge and beautifull penguin walkthrough).
I also like Safaripark Beekse Bergen, but as a Safaripark it isn't the best place to visit in November.
Artis is also nice and has many (historical) buildings
I find Ouwehands a kind of boring so I wouldn't place it in my top5, Amersfoort is nice, but not very big. They have one of the best elephant exhibits in Europe and the so called "Ancient city" which features many species that are related to the ancient persian, egyptians and romans (like croc, ibis, vulture, jackal, tiger, lion etc). so a top5 for the winter season:
1. Burgers Zoo
2. Diergaarde Blijdorp
... nothing
3. Dierenpark Emmen
4. Gaiapark
5. Artis Amsterdam
6. Dierenpark Amersfoort.
But you could also consider visiting Antwerp Zoo, which has very nice historical buildings and a nice collection. So perfect for cold weather.
Agreed that Burgers and Rotterdam Blijdorp are in a league of their own. I love Artis, maybe not the best zoo in the world, but one of the few REALLY atmospheric old zoo's there are (even now one of their best old houses, the ape and connected bird house is under reconstruction).
Emmen is easily 4th on the list, and after that things get disputable imo (I highly doubt anyone would dispute this top 4 in the winter months, maybe the order of it.. ).
I haven't been to Gaiapark, but it's not that big and there's not much inside. It's also the most remote park in Holland, and if you ask me, if you're going to travel that far you could just as well go into the Ruhr area and see something bigger, or better yet go and see Antwerp.
Ouwehands, Amersfoort and Safaripark Beekse Bergen are all really decent zoos and all worth a visit but perhaps not a MUST see.
My top wintermonths;
1. Burgers Zoo
2. Diergaarde Blijdorp
... nothing
3. Artis Amsterdam
4. Dierenpark Emmen
5. Amersfoort (perhaps Gaiapark/Safaripark Beekse Bergen)
If you'd like a companion on the 19th, 20th and/or 21st of november in any Dutch Zoo (my only spare days in mid-november, i'm afraid) give me a PM
Emmen is easily 4th on the list, and after that things get disputable imo (I highly doubt anyone would dispute this top 4 in the winter months, maybe the order of it.. ).
I haven't been to Gaiapark, but it's not that big and there's not much inside. It's also the most remote park in Holland, and if you ask me, if you're going to travel that far you could just as well go into the Ruhr area and see something bigger, or better yet go and see Antwerp.
Ouwehands, Amersfoort and Safaripark Beekse Bergen are all really decent zoos and all worth a visit but perhaps not a MUST see.
My top wintermonths;
1. Burgers Zoo
2. Diergaarde Blijdorp
... nothing
3. Artis Amsterdam
4. Dierenpark Emmen
5. Amersfoort (perhaps Gaiapark/Safaripark Beekse Bergen)
If you'd like a companion on the 19th, 20th and/or 21st of november in any Dutch Zoo (my only spare days in mid-november, i'm afraid) give me a PM
It also depends on your taste. But, the netherlands have 4 unique zoo's, which can live up to the best in the world.
Here's my list;
1. Dierenpark Emmen ( very suitable in autumn/winter, large herds, excellent exhibits)
2. Burgers Zoo ( great ecodisplays, and still improving, although there still needs to be some work done)
3. Diergaarde Blijdorp ( together with burgers these are the best zoo's to visit in autumn and winter, blijdorp has a great collection, and the oceanium is a 'must-see')
4. Artis ( still an oldfashioned zoo, struggling to improve the living conditions of it's inhabitants, but it has an unique atmosphere)
5. Ouwehands ( not the best zoo in the winter, but improving fast, and a gerat example of how a good zoo can be commercial without putting the complete emphasis on that)
6. Apenheul ( unique park with free-roaming monkey's but closed in wintertime. Very nice park to visit during the summertime however)
7. Amersfoort. ( has some nice exhibits, but is too much emphasized on children, and like ouwehands, certainly not an all-weather zoo)
8. Dolfinarium Harderwijk ( also closed down during wintertime, but the dolphin-lagoon is worth a visit during summertime, only too much emphasis on marine mammals, and it's way to expensive for what you get)
Here's my list;
1. Dierenpark Emmen ( very suitable in autumn/winter, large herds, excellent exhibits)
2. Burgers Zoo ( great ecodisplays, and still improving, although there still needs to be some work done)
3. Diergaarde Blijdorp ( together with burgers these are the best zoo's to visit in autumn and winter, blijdorp has a great collection, and the oceanium is a 'must-see')
4. Artis ( still an oldfashioned zoo, struggling to improve the living conditions of it's inhabitants, but it has an unique atmosphere)
5. Ouwehands ( not the best zoo in the winter, but improving fast, and a gerat example of how a good zoo can be commercial without putting the complete emphasis on that)
6. Apenheul ( unique park with free-roaming monkey's but closed in wintertime. Very nice park to visit during the summertime however)
7. Amersfoort. ( has some nice exhibits, but is too much emphasized on children, and like ouwehands, certainly not an all-weather zoo)
8. Dolfinarium Harderwijk ( also closed down during wintertime, but the dolphin-lagoon is worth a visit during summertime, only too much emphasis on marine mammals, and it's way to expensive for what you get)
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Just wanted to thank all of you for your help and advice. I just returned from the Netherlands and visited 5 Dutch zoos -- Emmen, Artis, Burgers, Amersfoort, and Blijdorp. I enjoyed all of them and, even though it was a bit cold, the weather did not take away from my experience. Most of the animals were still out, with the exceptions of the great apes. One major thing I noticed: the Dutch people really love their zoos! Even though it was cold, these zoos were still relatively busy with families out visiting the Zoo. Here in America, when it gets cold, most zoos are empty.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
No problems, but you can't think you can get away with such a short review
I'm most curious about how you experienced Burgers' Bush, did you walk in it after dark? Did you enjoy the desert and Ocean? Can you rate the Bush against HDZ Lied Jungle?
I'm working on a new page for our book's website, which will give you all more complete reviews of all 13 zoos I visited (in 5 nations). It will include a photo or two from each zoo too. When the page is done, I'll post a link to it here.
To briefly answer your questions: Burgers Desert was quite simply the BEST indoor desert I've ever seen! Simply amazing! Burgers Ocean was similarly the best in-zoo aquarium I had ever seen, though it may have been surpassed slightly the next day when I saw Blijdorp's Oceanarium. I'm still not sure which of these amazing aquatic buildings I liked best. As for how I compare Burgers Bush versus Omaha's Lied Jungle, that's a complicated question, at least for me. I'll start by saying that Burgers is the more realistic rain forest experience. While walking through it, at times it was hard to believe I was inside a building in the Netherlands -- it just seemed so real! But Omaha has far more and better animals to see, though Burgers almost makes up for this gap by having manatees, though it would help if you could see them from underwater, as Omaha offers with their water animals. I'm very aware that some here think Omaha's large animal exhibits are a negative, but I'm not one of those. Also, at Burgers the experience is almost entirely from the jungle floor, while Omaha lets you do the floor and many wonderful overlooking views from above. So I'd give a slight edge to Omaha -- though I can respect differing views. It's a close, good comparison. One thing I was curious about Burgers is why they didn't have any monkeys in the Bush.
There aren't any monkeys in the bush because they would eat bird eggs and little birds or would destroy the vegetation to much, so with 40 free ranging bird species that's not an option.
About the manatees: they came in 1989, a year after the opening of the Bush from Nuremberg. So they were not planned to live in the Bush and there wasn't a real enclosure built for them. But Nuremberg was breeding this species so well that they needed more manateeholders in Europe and Burgers Zoo decided to keep them in the bush, cause they had the space to do that. But unfortunately there is no underwater viewing area...
About the manatees: they came in 1989, a year after the opening of the Bush from Nuremberg. So they were not planned to live in the Bush and there wasn't a real enclosure built for them. But Nuremberg was breeding this species so well that they needed more manateeholders in Europe and Burgers Zoo decided to keep them in the bush, cause they had the space to do that. But unfortunately there is no underwater viewing area...