It was a childhood dream to visit Dvůr Králové and I finally made it. I read a lot about the zoo legendary past and heard comments that the glorious days are long gone. After visiting the collection yesterday, I can say with confidence that Dvůr Králové looks absolutely great and I believe in their bright future. There are some outdated parts, but is there zoo without any ? The collection is still impressive, missing only an exclusive rarity, like Giant Eland herd.
Like most Czech places, the zoo is accessible with public transport and it's comfortably done in a day, if you arrive at opening time.
In a bit San Diego SP fashion, the park is divided in three parts:
Zoo, Pedestrian Safari and Drivethrough Safari (car, bus or truck). The Drive Safari is only open from May to September. I booked the Safari Truck, which gives access to Lion Safari, soon after arrival and here I will begin.
Truck Safari
As you can imagine, the Truck drives through some stunning ungulate exhibits, offering beautiful vistas and only the fact that big areas are covered by temperete forest takes down from the full African experience.
The journey pass by picturesque hills housing Nile Lechwe and Blesbok herds and two separate "Savannas" with Reticulated giraffe/Roan antelope/Plain Zebra in first and Scimitar-horned Oryx/Somali Wild Ass in second. All three can be seen by the Walking Safari as well.
The following part of the Safari goes through Lions, African Wild Dogs and Arabian Striped Hyena on one side and enormous lake, home to Red Forest Buffalos, Sitatunga and Water Birds on the other. I am pretty sure, we saw wild Muscrats on the way out of this part.
Next Plains, dedicated to South Africa contain herds of Common Eland/Chapman's Zebras/Kafue Lechwe/Blue Wildebeest/Watussi Cattle and two Rotschildt’s Giraffes confined in a small paddock.
East Africa ( + ) follows with Defassa Waterbuck/ Blesbok/ White-Beareded Gnu/Impala/Lesser Kudu/Roan Antelope/ Common Ostrich and Barbary Sheep in a small separate exhibit.
On the final we passed through the only Lion Safari in Central Europe and after 50 minutes pleasant journey, returned to the Kibo Restaurant. This is the place, where you need to buy separate ticket and bord the Truck Safari.
In this same area are located the Cape Buffalo, Maneless Zebra and beautifully designed Meerkat exhibit.
Walk Safari
The Walk Safari starts from the resently opened Giraffe house. Very well done indoor facility, which brings the visitors closer to the animals by wooden platform. There's an older Black Rhino house on the other side of the road with three separate paddocks.
The path continues trough bridge which devides the two main Savannas. It is an experience to watch herds of Rotschildt’s Giraffes (10)/ Grevy's Zebra and Gemsbok on one side and to compere them with Reticulated Giraffe (9)/Grant's Zebra and Roan on the other.
The same applies for the next rows of paddocks for White Rhinos/Warthog and Black Rhino.
Next stop is a strong reminder that Dvůr Králové brought Africa in Europe and is, imho, the best single exhibit at the park. Huge waterhole for at least 3 Hippos surrounded by herds of Impala, Common Defassa and Nyala bachelor group. All antelopes have access to a safe paddock and rest of the Nyalas are separated from the male group.
The Walk Safari ends with nice Drill exhibit and viewing platform to the Lion's. You can buy tickets and board the Bus Safari here.
The zoo
The oldest and most speices rich area of Dvůr Králové is, of course, the zoo. Square shaped with parallel walking paths it is very easy to navigate, but not as easy reveals its secrets.
Few of the hoofstock paddocks are rotating the inhabitants and you need to revised many times during the day, if you want to see everything. I saw all the Ungulate species in Europe last year, but I was missing one very attractive subspecies, available only here.
As one can guess I rushed to their exhibit on arrival and was very relieved to see the last two female Nubian red-necked gazelles having breakfast. On all my following visits the exhibit was filled by big Lesser Kudu herd and I never saw them again. The same exhibit supposed to hold Black Sable as well, which I also haven't seen.
First block from the entrance holds most of the African Carnivores and a non-African Leopard, visible indoor and outdoor. I saw Bat-eared Fox, European Genet, African Civet, Serval, African Wild Dogs, Fennec Fox and Yellow Mongoose on one side. And Cheetah (great designed exhibit) ,Persian Leopard, Honey Badger (not sure which ssp?), Caracal and Spotted Hyena on the other. The Black-backed Jackal was not signed or seen but the rare Smith's Bush Squirrel is still here.
There is also Teraruim/Aquarium building, freshly renovated and home of some venomous rarities, like Boomslang, Western Bush Viper, Leaf-nosed Snake and very attractive Cape Cobra. All the Crocodilans were off-show.
Second block is occupied by rather small African Elephant facility with renovated Elephant House with Aardvark, Rock Hyrax, Cape Ground Squirrel and Dwarf Mongoose inside. Than there's Okapi/Red Duiker house and Bongo exhibit.
Last block exhibits Pygmy hippos, Red River Hogs/Blesbok in rotating exhibit and one intresting attraction. Tembo African village with small mammals hidden in the huts:
Senegal Galago/African Bushy-tailed Porcupine, Gundi, Cairo Spiny Mouse, Straw-colored Fruit Bat and the very rare in captivity Thick-tailed Galago/Southern Springhare.
I was living with the illusion that Dvůr still has Gorillas, but I was obviously wrong. The Chimpanzees occupied all the space now and benefits fully of the Ape ample facility. There is also Angolan Colobus and the rare Lowe's or Campbell's Monkey ( depends who you ask). The logic says that Orangutan living with Eastern Puty-nosed Monkey on the left corner of the zoos need to give a way to Gorillas, but this is just a guess.
With the Ape House I will start the surrounding exhibits of the zoo.
Next door Sitatungas, which are usually lucky got another beautiful exhibit together with Kirk’s Dik-Dik/Southern Ground Hornbill and Wattled Crane. Mountain Reedbuck is also signed here, but I haven't seen any.
Second big paddock - Greater Kudu/Thomson's Gazelle/Blesbok/Black Crowned Crane/Spur-Winged Goose.
Around the corner - Thomson's Gazelle/Blesbok
Than Nubian red-necked gazelle/Lesser Kudu/Springbok (seen only)
And last - the mentioned Nubian red-necked gazelle/Lesser Kudu/Sable exhibit.
The furthest left corner from the entrance is mostly dedicated to African birds. There's a huge Walktrough Aviary and completely renovated Bird house with very well designed walktrough Madagascar and Reinforest halls. If someone interested in species lists, let me know and I'll do my best.
The Fossa is hidden here too.
This area experience many new developments and the Penguin cost just been opened, while the Flamingo Aviary expecting massive extension soon.
The good zoo is not only animals and exhibits and Dvůr Králové excels here too. Very nice service facilities, adventureous accommodation opportunities, great signage, proper theming, friendly staff and strong conservation message is what separates the good from great. And Dvůr is definitely in the later league.
Like most Czech places, the zoo is accessible with public transport and it's comfortably done in a day, if you arrive at opening time.
In a bit San Diego SP fashion, the park is divided in three parts:
Zoo, Pedestrian Safari and Drivethrough Safari (car, bus or truck). The Drive Safari is only open from May to September. I booked the Safari Truck, which gives access to Lion Safari, soon after arrival and here I will begin.
Truck Safari
As you can imagine, the Truck drives through some stunning ungulate exhibits, offering beautiful vistas and only the fact that big areas are covered by temperete forest takes down from the full African experience.
The journey pass by picturesque hills housing Nile Lechwe and Blesbok herds and two separate "Savannas" with Reticulated giraffe/Roan antelope/Plain Zebra in first and Scimitar-horned Oryx/Somali Wild Ass in second. All three can be seen by the Walking Safari as well.
The following part of the Safari goes through Lions, African Wild Dogs and Arabian Striped Hyena on one side and enormous lake, home to Red Forest Buffalos, Sitatunga and Water Birds on the other. I am pretty sure, we saw wild Muscrats on the way out of this part.
Next Plains, dedicated to South Africa contain herds of Common Eland/Chapman's Zebras/Kafue Lechwe/Blue Wildebeest/Watussi Cattle and two Rotschildt’s Giraffes confined in a small paddock.
East Africa ( + ) follows with Defassa Waterbuck/ Blesbok/ White-Beareded Gnu/Impala/Lesser Kudu/Roan Antelope/ Common Ostrich and Barbary Sheep in a small separate exhibit.
On the final we passed through the only Lion Safari in Central Europe and after 50 minutes pleasant journey, returned to the Kibo Restaurant. This is the place, where you need to buy separate ticket and bord the Truck Safari.
In this same area are located the Cape Buffalo, Maneless Zebra and beautifully designed Meerkat exhibit.
Walk Safari
The Walk Safari starts from the resently opened Giraffe house. Very well done indoor facility, which brings the visitors closer to the animals by wooden platform. There's an older Black Rhino house on the other side of the road with three separate paddocks.
The path continues trough bridge which devides the two main Savannas. It is an experience to watch herds of Rotschildt’s Giraffes (10)/ Grevy's Zebra and Gemsbok on one side and to compere them with Reticulated Giraffe (9)/Grant's Zebra and Roan on the other.
The same applies for the next rows of paddocks for White Rhinos/Warthog and Black Rhino.
Next stop is a strong reminder that Dvůr Králové brought Africa in Europe and is, imho, the best single exhibit at the park. Huge waterhole for at least 3 Hippos surrounded by herds of Impala, Common Defassa and Nyala bachelor group. All antelopes have access to a safe paddock and rest of the Nyalas are separated from the male group.
The Walk Safari ends with nice Drill exhibit and viewing platform to the Lion's. You can buy tickets and board the Bus Safari here.
The zoo
The oldest and most speices rich area of Dvůr Králové is, of course, the zoo. Square shaped with parallel walking paths it is very easy to navigate, but not as easy reveals its secrets.
Few of the hoofstock paddocks are rotating the inhabitants and you need to revised many times during the day, if you want to see everything. I saw all the Ungulate species in Europe last year, but I was missing one very attractive subspecies, available only here.
As one can guess I rushed to their exhibit on arrival and was very relieved to see the last two female Nubian red-necked gazelles having breakfast. On all my following visits the exhibit was filled by big Lesser Kudu herd and I never saw them again. The same exhibit supposed to hold Black Sable as well, which I also haven't seen.
First block from the entrance holds most of the African Carnivores and a non-African Leopard, visible indoor and outdoor. I saw Bat-eared Fox, European Genet, African Civet, Serval, African Wild Dogs, Fennec Fox and Yellow Mongoose on one side. And Cheetah (great designed exhibit) ,Persian Leopard, Honey Badger (not sure which ssp?), Caracal and Spotted Hyena on the other. The Black-backed Jackal was not signed or seen but the rare Smith's Bush Squirrel is still here.
There is also Teraruim/Aquarium building, freshly renovated and home of some venomous rarities, like Boomslang, Western Bush Viper, Leaf-nosed Snake and very attractive Cape Cobra. All the Crocodilans were off-show.
Second block is occupied by rather small African Elephant facility with renovated Elephant House with Aardvark, Rock Hyrax, Cape Ground Squirrel and Dwarf Mongoose inside. Than there's Okapi/Red Duiker house and Bongo exhibit.
Last block exhibits Pygmy hippos, Red River Hogs/Blesbok in rotating exhibit and one intresting attraction. Tembo African village with small mammals hidden in the huts:
Senegal Galago/African Bushy-tailed Porcupine, Gundi, Cairo Spiny Mouse, Straw-colored Fruit Bat and the very rare in captivity Thick-tailed Galago/Southern Springhare.
I was living with the illusion that Dvůr still has Gorillas, but I was obviously wrong. The Chimpanzees occupied all the space now and benefits fully of the Ape ample facility. There is also Angolan Colobus and the rare Lowe's or Campbell's Monkey ( depends who you ask). The logic says that Orangutan living with Eastern Puty-nosed Monkey on the left corner of the zoos need to give a way to Gorillas, but this is just a guess.
With the Ape House I will start the surrounding exhibits of the zoo.
Next door Sitatungas, which are usually lucky got another beautiful exhibit together with Kirk’s Dik-Dik/Southern Ground Hornbill and Wattled Crane. Mountain Reedbuck is also signed here, but I haven't seen any.
Second big paddock - Greater Kudu/Thomson's Gazelle/Blesbok/Black Crowned Crane/Spur-Winged Goose.
Around the corner - Thomson's Gazelle/Blesbok
Than Nubian red-necked gazelle/Lesser Kudu/Springbok (seen only)
And last - the mentioned Nubian red-necked gazelle/Lesser Kudu/Sable exhibit.
The furthest left corner from the entrance is mostly dedicated to African birds. There's a huge Walktrough Aviary and completely renovated Bird house with very well designed walktrough Madagascar and Reinforest halls. If someone interested in species lists, let me know and I'll do my best.
The Fossa is hidden here too.
This area experience many new developments and the Penguin cost just been opened, while the Flamingo Aviary expecting massive extension soon.
The good zoo is not only animals and exhibits and Dvůr Králové excels here too. Very nice service facilities, adventureous accommodation opportunities, great signage, proper theming, friendly staff and strong conservation message is what separates the good from great. And Dvůr is definitely in the later league.
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