Swedish Zoo Fan
Well-Known Member
Kristiansand Zoo (in Norway also known as Dyreparken) is a zoo that isn't getting much attention here on ZooChat. Despite living in neighboring country Sweden, I've never got the chance to visit the zoo until now. I visited the zoo at 24th and 25th of February.
Due to the winter holidays in Norway, it was quite crowded despite very cold weather and snowfall. The park is located in the town of Kristiansand, about five hours from the capital Oslo by bus or by train. There is also a hotel right outside the entrance, called Dyreparken Hotell, where I decided to stay during the night (they have packages with entry tickets for two days including breakfast and lodging). I believe it's very packed in the summertime, since the park also has amusement rides and a water park next door.
But back to the zoo part, I must say I was positively surprised by the zoo. It has a nice and quite varied collection of species, most exhibits are very good and there's definitely enough to keep both families with children and Zoochatters busy here.
The exhibit for Scandinavian animals (called Nordisk Villmark - Nordic Wilderness) was stunning, including the best enclosures for wolves, lynx and wolverine I have ever seen. It does actually feel like being out for a walk in the Norwegian woods. There is also evening walks in this part of the part at certain times of the year.
The park keeps a small but nice collection of African animals, highlights include lions, cheetahs and a savannah for giraffe, zebras, antelopes etc. The exhibits for lions and cheetahs are both very good, and I had the luck to see the cheetah group (I saw six individuals) play around in the snow which was a fantastic experience!
Also, their exhibit for Siberian tigers is spectacular, and probably the largest exhibit I've seen for this species. The Jungle houses different monkeys, birds, reptiles (nice collection!), fishes and the beloved chimpanzee Julius and his group.
All in all, I had two really nice and exiting days at this zoo. Regarding the masterplan, I don't know much. This summer, a new haunted house will have it's premiere. Although I've heard rumours they are planning for rhinos (mixed with the cheetahs) and also gorillas in the future. Let's just hope for the best, because the zoo has massive potential with the beautiful nature around it.
Species list will follow.
/ Swedish Zoo Fan
Due to the winter holidays in Norway, it was quite crowded despite very cold weather and snowfall. The park is located in the town of Kristiansand, about five hours from the capital Oslo by bus or by train. There is also a hotel right outside the entrance, called Dyreparken Hotell, where I decided to stay during the night (they have packages with entry tickets for two days including breakfast and lodging). I believe it's very packed in the summertime, since the park also has amusement rides and a water park next door.
But back to the zoo part, I must say I was positively surprised by the zoo. It has a nice and quite varied collection of species, most exhibits are very good and there's definitely enough to keep both families with children and Zoochatters busy here.
The exhibit for Scandinavian animals (called Nordisk Villmark - Nordic Wilderness) was stunning, including the best enclosures for wolves, lynx and wolverine I have ever seen. It does actually feel like being out for a walk in the Norwegian woods. There is also evening walks in this part of the part at certain times of the year.
The park keeps a small but nice collection of African animals, highlights include lions, cheetahs and a savannah for giraffe, zebras, antelopes etc. The exhibits for lions and cheetahs are both very good, and I had the luck to see the cheetah group (I saw six individuals) play around in the snow which was a fantastic experience!
Also, their exhibit for Siberian tigers is spectacular, and probably the largest exhibit I've seen for this species. The Jungle houses different monkeys, birds, reptiles (nice collection!), fishes and the beloved chimpanzee Julius and his group.
All in all, I had two really nice and exiting days at this zoo. Regarding the masterplan, I don't know much. This summer, a new haunted house will have it's premiere. Although I've heard rumours they are planning for rhinos (mixed with the cheetahs) and also gorillas in the future. Let's just hope for the best, because the zoo has massive potential with the beautiful nature around it.
Species list will follow.
/ Swedish Zoo Fan