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Although they do stir up controversy, zoos are a place where kids can learn about all about our planet’s wonderful creatures in a fun and engaging way. Germany has no shortage of fabulous zoos, with the Wilhelma in Stuttgart, Tierpark in Berlin and Tiergarten Nürnberg among those gaining the highest of accolades. Entry to most zoos, however, comes with a considerable price tag. Zoos are among the many establishments hard hit by the Coronavirus-related closures of 2020 and in need of the public’s support, so they’re particularly appreciative of visitors at the present time.
Scattered throughout Germany’s big cities and awe-inspiring nature parks, however, you’ll find a vast variety of corners in which both native and exotic species are lovingly looked after, often by volunteers. Here’s just a short list of places you can go to spot some animal friends, from cuddly farm animals to beasts you wouldn’t care to encounter out on your own in the wild! Best of all, entry to all the places listed below won’t cost you even a euro cent. However, bring some euro coins along, as many of these places will have food dispensers from which you can buy a snack for your new animal friends. The cost is small, but the feeling of a warm nuzzle in the palm of your hand is priceless. Note donations from visitors will be gladly accepted at a number of these facilities.
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
Berchtesgadener Land: those with lots of patience can hike the rather challenging trail to Königsbachalm in hope of spotting the rare Alpine marmot. As these shy creatures are most active in the morning hours, you’ll need to be up early and have boots to the ground for any hope of a sighting!
Wildgehege am Auerberg Bernbeuren: this enclosure, home to red and fallow deer, as well as mouflons, is found roughly half a mile between Bernbeuren and the Auerberg. A visit here can be combined with a a hike through the Feuersteinschlucht gorge.
Address: Auerbergstr. 86975, Bernbeuren
GRAFENWÖHR
Bayerischer Wald: this huge national park is home to thousands of diverse species; from tiny insects to bold birds of prey and the awe-inspiring lynx. There are many ways in which to discover these fascinating creatures. The Haus zur Wildness in the Falkenstein National Park Center offers the chance for sightings of wild horses, aurochs and other species while walking along a two-mile long circular route. The deer enclosure at Scheuereck, just down the road from Falkenstein, offers visitors the chance to observe deer from up close, and during the warm months of the year, a walking path cuts directly through their enclosure. The Hans-Eisenmann-Haus is the starting point for exploration of the National Park Center Lusen, where 40 different species, including lynx, owl, wolf, bison, otter and bear, are housed in enclosures providing a close approximation of their natural habitats. A 5 euro fee is charged for parking in the Bavarian National Park.
KMC
Tierpark Birkenfeld: in this spacious park west of Baumholder, you’ll find deer and goats aplenty, along with parakeets, canaries, owls, pheasant, geese and ducks.
Address: Schönenwaldstraße, 55765 Birkenfeld
Tierpark Birkenheide: lots of birds, to include ibises, herons and flamingos, along with ponies, goats, sheep, rabbits and fallow deer live in this park roughly between Bad Dürkheim and Mannheim.
Address: 1 Kranichweg, 67134 Birkenheide
Wildpark: within Kaiserslautern’s city limits is found a tranquil beechwood forest in which boar, bison, aurochs and wild horses reside in roomy enclosures. The park is located at Betzenberg. A good entry point is the parking lot across from the restaurant Quack am Wildpark, close to Kleber Kaserne.
Address: Quack’s address is Entersweilerstraße 74, 67657 Kaiserslautern
Wildpark: choose from three different trails named after owls, lynx and goats to get a good eyeful of all kinds of creatures.
Address: Meerwiesertalweg 140, 66123 Saarbrücken.
STUTTGART
Killesbergpark: this urban public park offers encounters with ponies, donkeys, miniature pigs, lamas, sheep and goats, along with a spacious playground and a cool observation tower.
Address: Stresemannstraße, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany
Naturpark-Schönbuch: seven enclosures within this nature park house red, roe and fallow deer, wild boar and mouflons.
Address: Im Schloss 4, 72074 Tübingen-Bebenhausen
Rot- und Schwarzwildpark: deer, stags and wild boars can be enjoyed along a nature trail through the Glemswald. A playground and barbecue pits are additional attractions.
Address: Wildparkstr. 35, 70197 Stuttgart
Wildpark Pforzheim: farmyard animals, along with some deer and bison, are at home here. While there’s no entry charge per se, there is a parking fee of 3 euros weekdays/5 euros weekends and holidays for a three-hour stay. Due to the current restrictions, parking tickets must be booked in advance.
Address: Tiefenbronner Str. 100, 75175 Pforzheim.
WIESBADEN
Gonsenheimer Wild Park: goats, wooly pigs, sheep, ducks, geese, red and fallow deer, mouflons and wild boar reside here.
Address: Kirchstraße, 55124 Mainz, Germany
Tier- und Pflanzenpark Fasanerie: this park is home to pigs, wolves, foxes, lynx, wild cats, deer, raccoons, badgers, otters and three bears. Entry is free, but tickets need to be booked and picked up in advance through the city’s tourist information, Marktplatz 1, or booked online as a print-at-home tickets.
Address: Wilfried-Ries-Str. 22, 65195 Wiesbaden
Tierparkastel im Biotop Petersberg: farm animals including goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits and turtles live here.
Address: Unterer Swerchweg, 55252 Mainz-Kastel
Tiger-Garten Waldeck: you guessed it – tigers! Six Bengalese beauties are to be seen here. As they roam about in a large enclosure, actually spotting them might take a little patience, however. Entry is free, but donations are more than welcome, as these big guys go through an awful lot of meat. Guided tours cost 4 euros per person.
Address: Waldeck 1, 55218 Ingelheim am Rhein
Wildpark Hofheim am Taunus: here you can see deer and boar in the wild 365 days a year.
Address: Hundshager Weg 62, 65719 Hofheim am Taunus
