Questions about Berlin's Zoological institutions

Mickey

Mickey

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
I'll travel to Berlin between the end of March and the first days of April, I yet don't know if the group of people I'll be traveling with will accompany me in the zoological institutions, but I have some questions regardless of my companion:

  • In case I won't be able to visit all three institutions, which one should I prioritize? And if I can visit them all, in which order do you recommend?
  • Since the Aquarium is literally attached to the zoo, do you think it's possible to visit both in one day?
  • The Rhino Reserve, the Empire of Cats, The Himalayas and the new Elephant House are being built, do you think that by the time I go there they'll be finished?
  • Finally, a more technical question: I'm aware that the zoo is under 2G restrictions, and after reading what they say on their website, I still have a doubt, is the italian "Green Pass" recognized by Berlin authorities?
Thanks in advance for anyone answering to these questions.
 
Mickey said:
I'll travel to Berlin between the end of March and the first days of April, I yet don't know if the group of people I'll be traveling with will accompany me in the zoological institutions, but I have some questions regardless of my companion:

  • In case I won't be able to visit all three institutions, which one should I prioritize? And if I can visit them all, in which order do you recommend?
  • Since the Aquarium is literally attached to the zoo, do you think it's possible to visit both in one day?
  • The Rhino Reserve, the Empire of Cats, The Himalayas and the new Elephant House are being built, do you think that by the time I go there they'll be finished?
  • Finally, a more technical question: I'm aware that the zoo is under 2G restrictions, and after reading what they say on their website, I still have a doubt, is the italian "Green Pass" recognized by Berlin authorities?
Thanks in advance for anyone answering to these questions.
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It really depends on personal preference on taxes really. The Tierpark has an excellent hoofstock collection and a fantastic new Alfred Brehm house. The zoo is at the moment in my eyes at least a more rounded collection with a great bird house, pandas, an aquarium.
On my own visit to the zoo in 2019 when most of this building work was still taking place or yet to commence I was able to do both the zoo and aquarium in the one visit.
The most likely to be finished is the upgraded carnivore house in the zoo. However I wouldn’t count on it.
I’m unsure on the final question. A digital EU covid certificate definitely is accepted.
 
Mickey said:
I'll travel to Berlin between the end of March and the first days of April, I yet don't know if the group of people I'll be traveling with will accompany me in the zoological institutions, but I have some questions regardless of my companion:

  • In case I won't be able to visit all three institutions, which one should I prioritize? And if I can visit them all, in which order do you recommend?
  • Since the Aquarium is literally attached to the zoo, do you think it's possible to visit both in one day?
  • The Rhino Reserve, the Empire of Cats, The Himalayas and the new Elephant House are being built, do you think that by the time I go there they'll be finished?
  • Finally, a more technical question: I'm aware that the zoo is under 2G restrictions, and after reading what they say on their website, I still have a doubt, is the italian "Green Pass" recognized by Berlin authorities?
Thanks in advance for anyone answering to these questions.
Click to expand...

  • It depends what you prefer seeing, personally I would say the Zoo is the best bet as it has a greater variety and more species. If you are partial to hoofstock or carnivorans though, Tierpark is probably for you. In terms of order I would probably do Zoo, Aquarium, Tierpark.
  • The Aquarium is definitely doable with the zoo in one day, it isn't too big and you can see it all in an hour. There is a dual ticket for the zoo and the aquarium too. (At least, there was when I visited in 2018)
  • The carnivore house in the zoo might be finished... the rest most likely not.
  • I can't answer you final question unfortunately.
 
Berlin Zoo and its quarium (which can be done in one day) have a certain advantage, especially when travelling as a foreigner & in a group: due to their central location within Berlin, they are easier to reach by public transport.
BTW: you might consider adding a visit of the NHM to your itinerary.
 
As others have said, yes you can certainly do the aquarium and zoo in one day. Perhaps a very long day... but doable. I think you can purchase a combination ticket on entry.

If I had to choose a priority for a first time Berlin trip it would be aquarium and zoo and then Tierpark.

As well as Batto's suggestion (NHM = Natural History Museum) one of the animal attractions I wish I had visited, and you may wish to consider, is the Aquadom.
This might be achievable of an evening as it is part of a hotel/leisure complex. It is also associated with Berlin SEALife which would obviously have a set opening time but the tower/cylinder tank appears to be24hour viewing...

Safe and Happy Travels!
 
If you don't want to waste time and money on the rather unremarkable Sealife centre, you can see the Aquadom for free from the outside: Just visit the hotel the Aquadom is located within and ask to use their restrooms. On the way out, take your time to look at it while strolling through the lobby. ;)
 
Honestly I really regret not visiting the NHM when I was in Berlin, I seriously don't know why I didn't. Ah well, all the more reason for me to make another visit there, probably once most of the current construction at the zoos is done though. ;)
 
Mickey said:
Finally, a more technical question: I'm aware that the zoo is under 2G restrictions, and after reading what they say on their website, I still have a doubt, is the italian "Green Pass" recognized by Berlin authorities?
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The COVID-19 certificate ("Green Pass") should be accepted everywhere in the EU. In some german zoos, e.g. Frankfurt, only 2G+ is accepted at the entrance. The "+" means that you will need a third vaccination or an actual negative test.

But who knows what will be in 2 months. German authorties have ideas for new rules nearly every day. :rolleyes:
 
New questions, for the veterans/"nerds" of the zoo:
  • At which time do you have a better chance of seeing the Kiwi and Tuatara?
  • Are there any other elusive animals other than the above mentioned?
Thanks in advance for anyone responding
 
Mayki said:
If by elusive you mean rare, the zoo does have a lot of rarities such as the last bearded pig in Europe... I would check out the rarities of Europe thread by @amur leopard
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Nop, by elusive I mean shy or that are rarely seen/hard to see due to their activity time or behaviors, I'm well aware of the rare animals that the zoo holds
 
Batto said:
BTW: you might consider adding a visit of the NHM to your itinerary.
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Batto said:
https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/en
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Worth adding that - like most museums in Germany - this is not open on Mondays.

Mickey said:
At which time do you have a better chance of seeing the Kiwi and Tuatara?
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Kiwi - no particular time, just need to be lucky.
Tuatara - probably never :p

Mickey said:
Are there any other elusive animals other than the above mentioned?
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The Trumpet Manucode can be tricky to spot given its age.
 
Not sure if this is right place for it, I have however some questions about Berlin zoo and don´t want to start new thread just for it.
If lucky, I will soon visit this facility, one of best of its kind? Sadly, my time will be limited (thats why I omit Tierpark).
1. How is it connected with Aquarium? Can you pass between them at will, or firstly visit one, than another, withou possibility for return to first?
Aquarium probably better sooner morning or later, during midday could be crowded, I suppose?
2. With limited time, what species or exhibit one surely SHOULDN´T skip? (i know, this is fairly subjective...)
I would like to see kiwi, tuataras (both are however pretty hard to spot?), aside of them I am interested mostly in larger mammals (never seen and would like gaurs, bonobos, water deers, maybe andean condors and red duikers...) - hope they are less elusive than tuataras and kiwis?
And are there some other gems (not necessarily mammals), who one shouldn´t miss?
Not only species but also exhibits (those historical building - stables, Antilopenhaus etc. in central part are must for me already)?
 
1. The Aquarium has 2 entrances, one on the Zoo side where the Iguanodon statue is, behind the lions, and the other on the side of the road outside the zoo, they'll scan your ticket whenever you enter the zoo or aquarium to be sure you bought the combined ticket
2. Kiwi you need to be lucky, tuatara almost impossible as stated previously in the thread;
Some exhibits I wouldn't miss are the Primate House, Eagle Canyon, Penguin Hood, Pheasantry, World of Birds and the Empire of Cats+Night house, all very good attractions in my opinion.
The Antilopenhaus also is a very nice exhibit, the mosaic is probably my favourite historical architecture piece in the whole zoo.
 
Mickey said:
1. The Aquarium has 2 entrances, one on the Zoo side where the Iguanodon statue is, behind the lions, and the other on the side of the road outside the zoo, they'll scan your ticket whenever you enter the zoo or aquarium to be sure you bought the combined ticket
2. Kiwi you need to be lucky, tuatara almost impossible as stated previously in the thread;
Some exhibits I wouldn't miss are the Primate House, Eagle Canyon, Penguin Hood, Pheasantry, World of Birds and the Empire of Cats+Night house, all very good attractions in my opinion.
The Antilopenhaus also is a very nice exhibit, the mosaic is probably my favourite historical architecture piece in the whole zoo.
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Are they really hard too see them. When I was in Berlin 2 years ago, I saw 2 ofthem, one was even active. Guess I was just lucky
 
xmoose said:
I would like to see kiwi, tuataras (both are however pretty hard to spot?), aside of them I am interested mostly in larger mammals (never seen and would like gaurs, bonobos, water deers, maybe andean condors and red duikers...) - hope they are less elusive than tuataras and kiwis?
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In all my visits I have never not seen a tuatara. I tend to visit the aquarium building in the morning, maybe that helps, but there is usually one (or multiple) tuatara basking just at the entrance to their burrow. They can be hard to spot at first because they tend not to move.

For the kiwi make sure you spend some time (like 1-2 minutes) to let your eyes adjust. Their exhibit is really dark, but I had no problem with spotting kiwi there.

The red duiker are in the okapi exhibit closest to the sable antelope and should be easy. The Chinese water deer are in the central deer part of the zoo in the path behind the panda enclosure. They can be tricky sometimes, as they like to seek cover, make sure to check the dry moat too ;). Gaur, bonobo & Andean condor are impossible to miss.

In terms of exhibits you shouldn't skip bird house, primate house and aquarium are a given with your targets. The carnivore house, with nocturnal house in the basement is also a must. From an architectural point of view the cattle & deer enclosures should not be missed, just as the ibex rock, antelope house (with giraffe & gerenuk) and the rhino and hippo houses. A small gem is the coastal bird aviary in the far northwest corner of the zoo. It is the one with the tidal machine and has lovely landscaping with some nice birds. Here you will also find the small aviary with the James' flamingo and Andean flamingo, which are slowly dying out in Europe.

If short on time, the expansion area across the bridge is the first thing to cut.
 
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