Hello everyone! Are you an animal lover? If yes, then you have to go to the Zürich zoo if you are here.
The Zürich Zoologischer Garten (Zürich Zoological Garden) is a zoo located in Zürich. Opened in 1929, it accumulated a collection of 2,200 specimens of 300 species by its seventy-fifth year. It is located on Zürichbergstrasse, on the lower reaches of the Zürichberg in the Fluntern quarter. You can take Tram No.6 to the last stop “Zoo”, and then follow the footprints. They will lead you to the front gate of the zoo.
One of its popular events is the penguin parade, which is performed daily after noon if the outside temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius. The zoo is most famous for its successful Asian elephant exhibit, which is inside of a large dome. Guests can even view them from underwater.
I’ve been to the zoo twice. Once is during museum night and the other time during the daytime. I suggest you go there in daytime as at night, most of the animals are sleeping and you can only visit around half of the zoo.
First of all, I will show you some basic info of the zoo such as opening hours and ticket prices.
Opening hours
- The zoo is open 365 days a year!
From March to October: Zoo: 9 am – 6 pm. Masoala Rainforest: 10 am – 6 pm - From November to February: Zoo: 9 am – 5 pm. Masoala Rainforest: 10 am – 5 pm
- December 24: the zoo closes at 4 pm
Ticket prices
- Adults (25 years and above): 26 CHF
- Young people (16–24 years old): 19 CHF
- Children (6–15 years old): 13 CHF
- Children below 6 years: free
- Disabled with valid ID: 13 CHF
- Family day pass (two adults with children, 6–15 years): 71 CHF
- For more info about group tickets please click here.
Below is a map of the zoo and you can have a look to plan your trip a little bit in advance.
There are some areas that you must go and a look as they replicate the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible. For example: Wetlands and marine ecosystem, Dry forest, Grassland, Farms and houses, Tropical rainforest and Desert.
There are two large parks that you have to go and have a look, one is Kaeng Krachen Elephant Park and the other one is Masoala Rainforest.
The Masoala Rainforest was opened in 2003. It marks a milestone on Zoo Zurich’s journey to becoming a center of nature conservation. In the ‘mini rainforest ecosystem’, visitors experience animals in their natural habitat. Since 2013, the Masoala treetop walkway has also allowed visitors a view from the treetops. (It’s really hot and humid in it……Don’t stay for too long……) Along with the Masoala Rainforest, the Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park is the new focal point in the eastern area of Zoo Zurich. It is home to eight Asiatic elephants and 10 other species. The underwater view is a particular highlight.
One tip: if you feel tired walking too much to the Kaeng Krachen Elephant Park and the Masoala Rainforest, you can take a small train in the zoo, but you need to pay 2 CHF cash per person.
If you wanna know more about the important areas in zoo Züruch please click here.
The other building that I like is the building for some monkeys, crocodiles, snakes and frogs.
Oh right! Don’t forget to get a map when you get into the zoo and look at the back of the map. It shows the animal feeding time and animal presentation time. It’s pretty fun as sometimes you can even interact with the animals. Sometimes the animals are quite lazy and they are just relaxing, but if it’s feeding time then they all become active and it;s much more fun watching them eating. 🙂
If you wanna check the feeding and presentation time in advance, please click here and choose your date of visit.
There are also penguins, lions, flamingos, peacocks, bambis, camels, monkeys, tigers, wolves, jaguars, red pandas and lamas etc. No matter whether you are an adult or a child, you will enjoy your time here. 🙂
