Burgers' Zoo

Burgers' Zoo is one of the largest and most innovative zoos not only in the Netherlands but in all of Europe. Located in the city of Arnhem, it covers an impressive 45 hectares and welcomes about 1.5 million guests annually. This is not just a zoo in the traditional sense, but a true nature park famous for its unique approach to animal welfare.

The main highlight of Burgers' Zoo is its massive ecosystems, which recreate natural habitats for their residents. Instead of small cages, entire worlds have been created here for you to explore. Visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a humid tropical jungle, explore the arid American-Mexican desert, watch life on a coral reef in a huge aquarium, or go on a safari across the African savannah.

This approach allows you to not just look at animals, but observe their behavior in conditions as close to the wild as possible. Here you can see giraffes and rhinos roaming the savannah, manatees swimming in the mangroves, and bright butterflies fluttering in the rainforest. A visit to Burgers' Zoo is an exciting and educational adventure for the whole family, offering the feeling of a trip around the world in a single day.

To plan your visit to Burgers' Zoo, we recommend checking the official website in advance. There you will find up-to-date information on opening hours, ticket prices, and special events. You can also contact the zoo representatives by phone for further details.

A visit to Burgers' Zoo is a true trip around the world packed into a single day. Guests can explore eight unique themed zones, each recreating a specific ecosystem. You can go on a safari, observing giraffes, zebras, and rhinos on vast open landscapes, or dive into the tropical rainforest atmosphere in the "Burgers' Bush" pavilion. Other worlds available for exploration include the arid desert, mysterious mangrove swamps, and even a tropical village recreating the life of a South American settlement.

Special attention is given to the underwater world. In the giant "Burgers' Ocean" aquarium, visitors can spend hours watching coral reef inhabitants and deep-sea creatures in massive tanks. This is a unique opportunity to see sharks, rays, and myriads of colorful fish swimming right over your head in a special tunnel. This area highlights the importance of marine conservation and offers a breathtaking underwater experience.

Beyond simple observation, the zoo offers many interactive activities for the whole family. Playgrounds and educational exhibits are provided for young explorers. Nature lovers can join guided tours, watch animal feedings, or attend lectures to learn more about their habits and species conservation programs. These activities make the visit not only fun but truly educational.

Getting to Burgers' Zoo is quite simple, as it is conveniently located in the city of Arnhem. One of the most popular and convenient ways is by public transport. Direct buses run regularly from Arnhem Central Station (Arnhem Centraal), taking you straight to the zoo entrance. The trip usually takes about 15–25 minutes, making this a quick and affordable option for tourists.

If you are traveling by car, the route is also straightforward. The zoo has its own large parking lot where you can leave your vehicle during your visit. Please note that there is a separate parking fee, and tickets can be purchased at the zoo's ticket office. For those using GPS, the exact address is: Antoon van Hooffplein 1, Arnhem. Additionally, you can use a taxi; the ride from the city center takes only about 6 minutes.

The history of Burgers' Zoo dates back to 1913, when entrepreneur Johan Burgers opened his private collection of wild animals to the general public. The park was originally located elsewhere but moved to the city of Arnhem in 1923. This move allowed for a revolutionary idea at the time: replacing cramped cages with spacious enclosures, creating a more natural habitat for the animals.

The mid-20th century brought significant challenges for the park, but the following years became a period of not just restoration, but large-scale modernization. This era laid the foundation for the future innovations that made the zoo famous throughout Europe.

A true breakthrough came in 1968 with the opening of the first safari park on continental Europe, allowing guests to observe animals in conditions as close to the wild as possible. In the following years, the zoo continued to amaze visitors by creating new themed zones, including indoor jungle pavilions and primate enclosures. Thanks to these innovations, Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands remains one of the most advanced in the world today.

When planning a visit to Burgers' Zoo, it is worth setting aside a significant part of your day. To fully enjoy all the themed zones and pavilions, we recommend allowing at least 4–6 hours. This is enough time to explore the main ecosystems without rushing—from the tropical forest to the savannah—as well as the aquarium and the desert, and to get a general overview of the diverse residents of this unique park.

If you are traveling with children or are a big nature and photography enthusiast, feel free to plan for a full day. This leisurely approach will allow you to see all the exhibits, attend animal feedings, relax at the playgrounds, and truly immerse yourself in the atmosphere of each unique world created in Arnhem. Burgers' Zoo is a place where time flies, so it's best to have plenty of it to ensure your impressions remain purely positive.

Burgers' Zoo is open to visitors year-round, making it accessible for a visit at any time. Standard opening hours during the summer season are daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, while in the winter period, the zoo closes an hour earlier, at 5:00 PM. Keep in mind that animals living in open areas may head to their indoor enclosures an hour before the park's official closing time.

To ensure your visit goes smoothly, it is highly recommended to check the current schedule on the official zoo website before your trip. This is especially important as hours may change depending on the season, holidays, or special events. You can also check the website to see if advance online ticket booking is required, which often helps avoid queues and allows you to plan your trip ahead of time.

A visit to Burgers' Zoo is an exciting adventure in itself, but its prime location in the city of Arnhem opens up plenty of opportunities for further exploration. A stroll through the surrounding area will not only extend the pleasure of your trip but also provide a deeper look into the culture and nature of the Netherlands.

Near the zoo, you'll find both its other themed zones and places with a completely different spirit—from open-air museums to picturesque parks. This is an excellent chance to create a full day or even a weekend itinerary, complementing your animal world experience with new discoveries.