Berlin Zoo - A Tale of Two!
If you are travelling to Berlin, especially as a family, then a visit to Berlin Zoo is a MUST! But which zoo? With some 10,000 zoos around the world, Berlin is one of the few cities that has two zoos!
Zoo Berlin is the oldest zoo in Germany, recently celebrating its 175th anniversary. It is virtually in the heart of Berlin; covers 33 hectares or more than 80 acres; houses around 20,000 animals encompassing 1,300 species; is the home of Germany’s only Giant Pandas; and also includes the Berlin Aquarium.
The Tierpark Zoo in Berlin was established as competition for West Berlin’s zoo in the former East Berlin in 1955, before the reunification.
At 160 hectares, or 400 acres, it is almost five times the size of the Berlin Zoo; was built on the former grounds of the Friedrichsfelde Palace, which forms part of the zoo; and today is Europe’s largest animal and adventure park. With around 846 species and only 7,250 animals in such a huge areas it is obvious that many of the animals roam much more freely. Tierpark Zoo also focuses in different areas, and includes the American Black Bear feature exhibit and show.
Zoo Berlin is the oldest zoo in Germany, recently celebrating its 175th anniversary. It is virtually in the heart of Berlin; covers 33 hectares or more than 80 acres; houses around 20,000 animals encompassing 1,300 species; is the home of Germany’s only Giant Pandas; and also includes the Berlin Aquarium.
The Tierpark Zoo in Berlin was established as competition for West Berlin’s zoo in the former East Berlin in 1955, before the reunification.
At 160 hectares, or 400 acres, it is almost five times the size of the Berlin Zoo; was built on the former grounds of the Friedrichsfelde Palace, which forms part of the zoo; and today is Europe’s largest animal and adventure park. With around 846 species and only 7,250 animals in such a huge areas it is obvious that many of the animals roam much more freely. Tierpark Zoo also focuses in different areas, and includes the American Black Bear feature exhibit and show.
We visited the Berlin Zoo as it was only a 10-minute walk from our hotel in the heart of the city. It was brilliantly set out, although unfortunately some of the exhibits were closed due to renovations so, while this is common in attractions all around the world, it is a good idea to check what will be closed in any attraction before you visit.
Our walk around the zoo was easy, comfortable and, despite it being during school holidays, surprisingly easy to see everything going on because the layout is well conceived and the walkways and surrounding lawns and gardens very spacious. After waiting for about 30 minutes to watch the elephants being fed, we were told feeding was postponed because there was a heatwave. While this was understandable, it would have been great it a couple of signs had been put up as dozens of people were waiting in what shaded areas they could find!
We were really impressed by how well the zoo surrounds were kept - in places it was almost like the zoo was set in a botanical gardens. Most of the animals were enclosed by deep concrete channels rather than fences, which gave an almost uninterrupted view as they went about their daily lives. We were also impressed by the adjacent shopping centre which had a massive glassed viewing area with seating and mats so people - especially children - could lounge about while watching the monkeys and other primates do their thing!
While the zoo featured the primates, elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers and other typical zoo species, a highlight was the outstanding Giant Panda exhibit.
We didn’t have time to explore the aquarium in depth but our colleagues were quick to point out that the fish species, reptiles and insects on display were among the best in the world and it is one place we will put on top of our list the next time we go to Berlin.
Tierpark is another we will add to our list, but with just a few days in Berlin it is a place we can only encourage others to enjoy.
Our walk around the zoo was easy, comfortable and, despite it being during school holidays, surprisingly easy to see everything going on because the layout is well conceived and the walkways and surrounding lawns and gardens very spacious. After waiting for about 30 minutes to watch the elephants being fed, we were told feeding was postponed because there was a heatwave. While this was understandable, it would have been great it a couple of signs had been put up as dozens of people were waiting in what shaded areas they could find!
We were really impressed by how well the zoo surrounds were kept - in places it was almost like the zoo was set in a botanical gardens. Most of the animals were enclosed by deep concrete channels rather than fences, which gave an almost uninterrupted view as they went about their daily lives. We were also impressed by the adjacent shopping centre which had a massive glassed viewing area with seating and mats so people - especially children - could lounge about while watching the monkeys and other primates do their thing!
While the zoo featured the primates, elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers and other typical zoo species, a highlight was the outstanding Giant Panda exhibit.
We didn’t have time to explore the aquarium in depth but our colleagues were quick to point out that the fish species, reptiles and insects on display were among the best in the world and it is one place we will put on top of our list the next time we go to Berlin.
Tierpark is another we will add to our list, but with just a few days in Berlin it is a place we can only encourage others to enjoy.
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