Posted by Karlsruhe Zoo is located in the middle of the city, with the main entrance virtually directly opposite the main railway station. The zoological garden thus has a dual function – it is a zoo and a city park at the same time. Karlsruhe Zoo is laid out accordingly – many green spaces and water areas are between the enclosures with the animals.
Karlsruhe Zoo is an old zoo. Much value is placed on species-appropriate husbandry and the preservation of endangered species. Animals from all continents and climatic regions live in Karlsruhe Zoo. It is probably the largest zoo in the Black Forest region, even if its size and animal diversity cannot quite compete with the very large zoos in Germany such as Zoom Gelsenkirchen or Zoo Berlin 2022. On the other hand, the entrance fees at Karlsruhe Zoo are much lower. A special feature of Karlsruhe Zoo is the possibility of a gondola tour (boat tour) through almost the entire zoological garden.
Animal species at Karlsruhe Zoo (excerpt): Lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, monkeys, owls, leopards, penguins, pelicans, kangaroos, polar bears, seals, harbour seals and sea lions.
Entrance fees Karlsruhe Zoo (as of 2024): 12 euros adults ; reduced 10 Euro ; pupils 54.50, children under 6 years frees. A gondola ride costs extra, to my knowledge about 2.50 euros for an adult, less for children. Of course, there are also annual tickets for Karlsruhe Zoo: adults pay only 30 euros for the whole year.
Online tickets Europapark Rust: The amusement park is located in the west of the Black Forest near the Rhine and the border with France. After Corona, there is a lot going on again at Europa-Park Rust. Many visitors are therefore buying tickets online in advance at a lower price: >>> You can buy tickets online on the well-known ticket website Getyourguide
Opening hours Karlsruhe Zoo 2024 The zoo is open daily. In winter from 9 am to 4 pm, in summer from 8 am to5 pm.
Feeding times Karlsruhe Zoo: Summer: cats of prey: 4 pm ; elephants 10 am and 4 pm ; pelicans 2 pm ; hippos 8:30 am and 4:30 pm ; penguins in the morning at different times and 3:30 pm ; seals and sea lions tomorrow at different times and at 4 pm. In winter, sometimes different times. So if you want to see a lot of feeding, it makes sense to visit in the afternoon, from about 1pm to 5pm.
Dogs in Karlsruhe Zoo: Many animals roam freely in the zoo. Dogs are therefore not allowed in the zoo – not even on a leash.
How to get to Karlsruhe Zoo: By train, tram or S-Bahn: Simply get off at Karlsruhe main station. If you come by car, you can use a multi-storey car park in the city centre (about 1.50 euros per hour). The Congress Centre multi-storey car park, for example, is ideal. This is north of the Zoologischer Garten, i.e. towards the city centre. There is also an entrance here in the zoo.
You can also eat and drink at the zoo in several restaurants, cafés and stalls. The prices, like the entrance fee, are rather reasonable compared to other zoos in southern Germany.
It’s also great to take a ride on small boats, so-called gondolas, through the zoo. Of course, this costs extra (only in the summer months from Easter, around 4 euros).
Tips: A great website about wild animals in Germany.