Recommendations for Northern-East Italy Zoos

[OkapiJohn]

Hello, I will be travelling to Bologna. Which major Italian zoo do you recommend to visit? I can only pick up one. I have Parco Natura viva in mind. If that is the case what do you advise when visiting that park?

Thank you

 

[Mickey]

If you visit PNV, you'd need 3h of public transport which if you don't mind is fine or, if you have a car, around 1h.
What you should know is:

• The Safari is doable both on your car and rent car;
• Give up trying to see the lemurs on the islands, unless the Safari is empty you'd end up waiting a long time.

That's all I can think of, if there's any specific questions you want to ask I'll be happy to answer.

There's another, very nice zoo closer to you which I recommend more and that is Parco Faunistico Valcorba, a little gem in my opinion.

 

[Andreaghido]

Hello, I will be travelling to Bologna. Which major Italian zoo do you recommend to visit? I can only pick up one. I have Parco Natura viva in mind. If that is the case what do you advise when visiting that park?

Thank you

Parco natura viva is surely the best option! Many rarities like giant otters, urials, mouse lemurs, anteaters and the only indian bald vultures in europe.
I'd recomend you to visit the safari area in the moarning and the main park only after it

 

[OkapiJohn]

If you visit PNV, you'd need 3h of public transport which if you don't mind is fine or, if you have a car, around 1h.
What you should know is:

• The Safari is doable both on your car and rent car;
• Give up trying to see the lemurs on the islands, unless the Safari is empty you'd end up waiting a long time.

That's all I can think of, if there's any specific questions you want to ask I'll be happy to answer.

There's another, very nice zoo closer to you which I recommend more and that is Parco Faunistico Valcorba, a little gem in my opinion.

Thank you for your reply! I will use public transport. Is it possible to do the safari if you do not want to drive? I am aware of Parco Valcorba. In which way do they compare?

Parco natura viva is surely the best option! Many rarities like giant otters, urials, mouse lemurs, anteaters and the only indian bald vultures in europe.
I'd recomend you to visit the safari area in the moarning and the main park only after it

Thank you for the insights!

 

[Mickey]

Is it possible to do the safari if you do not want to drive?

Unfortunately not, you would have to take someone with you to drive you around
However, if you arrive by bus you can get a 10€ discount on the jeep rent.
For more information you can visit their site here
Jeep Safari | Plan your visit

In which way do they compare?

Aesthetically Valcorba is much more rural, while PNV could be compared with highly planted city zoos (my best comparison would be Dublin); collection-wise PNV has a bigger variety and higher number of species, while Valcorba has a balance between rarities and common animals, with hoof stock and carnivores prevailing over other animal groups, so if you want more animals in less time, PNV is undoubtedly the best choice.

 

[OkapiJohn]

Unfortunately not, you would have to take someone with you to drive you around
However, if you arrive by bus you can get a 10€ discount on the jeep rent.
For more information you can visit their site here
Jeep Safari | Plan your visit

Aesthetically Valcorba is much more rural, while PNV could be compared with highly planted city zoos (my best comparison would be Dublin); collection-wise PNV has a bigger variety and higher number of species, while Valcorba has a balance between rarities and common animals, with hoof stock and carnivores prevailing over other animal groups, so if you want more animals in less time, PNV is undoubtedly the best choice.

That is petty. I do not drive for many years and I don't think a safari tour is the best way to restart again.