Wroclaw Zoo is the most popular zoo in Poland, as evidenced by the number of visitors: in 2021 alone, it was visited by well over a million people! Today we will show you a zoo that is worth visiting even if you are not traveling with children.
Remember, of course, that Zoo Wroclaw is primarily known for its newest part – the Afrykarium. The Afrykarium in Wroclaw is not a separate part, to get there you need to enter the Zoo Wroclaw.
But let’s start with the fact that somehow it has become accepted that zoos are attractions mainly for families with children. Fact, children love animals – they like to look at them, cuddle them, stroke them, feed them. A visit to the zoo is an amazing adventure for them and an opportunity to see animals they will probably never see in the wild, and it’s also a good way to educate them. However, the offer of gardens, the range of attractions and the way of education is changing so much that this type of facility should also interest adults.
Especially when we are talking about zoos, which are beautifully arranged, sensibly planned, and do not limit themselves to just showing animals, but place just as much emphasis on species conservation and visitor education (including environmental protection and pro-environmental attitudes). And there are more and more such facilities: for example, the famous Singapore Zoo, the Leipzig Zoo, or the… Wroclaw!
In our opinion, the garden in Wroclaw does not stand out from other European zoos. Of course, it is far from the famous zoo in Singapore, but it is worth mentioning that the Wroclaw zoo is the oldest in Poland, so these changes, adaptations and expansions take some time (different when the facility is put up from scratch).
So visit the zoo, where about 12,000 specimens await, there is a pavilion where you can feel like you are in Africa, including exploring the underwater world by walking through a glass tunnel.
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A tour of the Wrocław Zoo
You should plan a whole day to visit Zoo Wroclaw. Entering around 11:00 am, we stayed until closing time and by no means can we write that we managed to walk through every avenue and visit every resident of the zoo. There is plenty to do locally! On about 33 hectares we can meet representatives of more than 1,100 species.
If you enter through the main gate (i.e. from Wróblewskiego Street), immediately after entering you will see a large enclosure with animals living on the savannah, and right next to it the zoo’s most distinctive building, the Afrykarium.
Afrykarium and oceanarium in Wroclaw
The Afrykarium in Wroclaw is definitely a unique place, not only on the map of zoos, but on the map of all of Poland. Ba! Whole world-it is the first oceanarium in the world to focus entirely on one continent-Africa. It opened in October 2014, and it was definitely a turning point in terms of the popularity of the entire zoo.
Here we can feel like we are in Africa thanks to the originally arranged enclosures and aquariums with animals, thanks to the lush vegetation, high temperature and humidity, and the effect is completed by birds that fly freely over the heads of visitors!
The main idea was to showcase Africa and its diverse water environment. And it was fully successful! We have yet to see individual ecosystems so interestingly portrayed in any facility. Here you can discover the continent from a completely different perspective, because who would have thought that so many aquatic creatures inhabit Africa?
We were personally most impressed by the slow-moving manatees and the rain forest. For many, the underwater tunnel is also a big attraction, but in our opinion it is quite overrated.
Attention! There are long lines to the Afrykarium. We have heard that sometimes it is even more than 2 hours of standing. We, in the off-season, had no problem getting in, but it’s worth knowing this and planning your visit to the zoo well so you don’t lose most of your time in line.
Other pavilions and enclosures
The tour doesn’t end at the Afrykarium. There are many other themed pavilions and catwalks to explore. Many of them are fresh from upgrades, but old, cramped cages still remain.
There are 12 themed pavilions, in addition to the aforementioned Afrykarium, among others. Birdhouse, Elephant House, Monkey House, Terai or Madagascar. Very interesting is the Odrarium showing the Oder River from a different perspective and the Ranch with Shetland ponies and donkeys.
We were particularly positively surprised by the enclosure for European animals, which is located on the southern edge: very interestingly arranged and there was even room for rocks and a stream. The bears can be observed from a special wooden footbridge built above the enclosures.
What other animals can be seen in Wroclaw? There are bison, okapi, ostriches, llamas, rhinos, elephants, tigers, lions, camels, porcupines, giraffes, penguins – the large grounds, many enclosures and numerous pavilions make it easy to spend a whole day here.
If you come to the Wroclaw Zoo with children, it’s worth knowing that you can move around the premises with rented strollers (rental is at an additional cost), in which you can carry children and any luggage – a cool and practical solution if you don’t have your own stroller (and these wooden strollers are almost iconic now).
Interesting for toddlers can be demonstration feedings (it is worth being early because they are very popular).
Catering
We were at the Wroclaw zoo before the season and had the impression that the food and beverage outlets were operating at half speed.
In general, the choice of food does not knock. Sausages, pork chops, casseroles and ice cream are king. We didn’t particularly enjoy it, although we had the impression that not all the food outlets were open so the selection was modest as well.
We also know that there are large queues during the season, so we encourage you to bring provisions from home.
Opening hours
Opening hours vary depending on the month and day of the week.
The shortest time the garden is open is during the months of November through February: from 9:00 am to 4:00/17:00 pm, and the longest time during the holiday season: from 9:00 am to 5:00/18:00 pm.
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Entrance to the zoo is quite an expensive event, but keep in mind that we have a whole day full of attractions (entrance to the Afrykarium is included in the ticket price):
Normal ticket – 60 zloty.
Discounted ticket – 50 zloty.
Family ticket (2 adults + 3 children) – $195.
Children under 3 years of age enter for free.
Attention! Tickets can be purchased online, but it is not possible to purchase a family ticket! Also, it is not possible to buy a check ticket for a child under the age of 3, so there is a big risk that you will have to stand in line for the checkout on the spot anyway.
Although it is quite expensive, we even encourage you to overpay for your ticket – you can buy tickets that are a zloty more expensive, and the difference goes to animal protection. A penny won’t save a penny, and with the number of visitors, if everyone donated a penny, the zoo would get more than a million a year to help the animals!
Access and parking at the Wrocław Zoo
The zoo can be reached by public transportation (MPK Wrocław). Head to the stops: Centennial Hall or Zoo.
Streetcars: 1, 2, 4,10,11 and 16
Buses: 145 i 146
If you are going by car, you should know that Zoo Wroclaw does not have a dedicated parking lot for visitors. You can leave your car in the Centennial Hall parking lot, and an hour costs between 6.5 and 8 zlotys. A cheaper option is to park in the farther parking lot, at the Wróblewskiego 9 (prices: PLN 15-25 for the whole day).
Finding accommodation in Wroclaw should not be a problem, as there are really a lot of accommodations in the city.
Here are a few of them, not necessarily closest to the zoo, but worth a look:
Novotel Wroclaw Centrum Address: Powstancow Slaskich 7b, Krzyki, 53-332 Wroclaw Prices: from 220 PLN for a double room Link: http://r4b.link/novotel-wroclaw
Mercure Wroclaw Centrum Address: Pl. Dominikański 1, Old Town, 50-159 Wrocław Prices: from 360 PLN for a double room Link: http://r4b.link/mercure-wroclaw
Scandic Wroclaw Address: ul. Piłsudskiego 49/57, Old Town, 50-032 Wrocław Prices: from 300 PLN for a double room Link: http://r4b.link/scandic-wroclaw
Traffic Hotel Wroclaw Address: ul. Świdnicka 28, Old Town, 50-029 Wrocław Prices: from 240 PLN for a double room Link: http://r4b.link/traffic-wroclaw
Our opinion about Zoo Wroclaw
In our opinion, the Wrocław Zoo is a must-see if you come to the capital of Lower Silesia with children. Although, as we wrote above, it is worth entering here not only if you are traveling with children :)
In addition, the Afrykarium is sure to surprise everyone, both big and small. The Afrykarium very coolly shows the direction in which zoos around the world are (and should be) heading now. Because in addition to entertainment, the educational aspect is also very important.
...prefers a quiet, lazy vacation, but does not miss the opportunity to see something interesting and bravely keeps pace with Kamila. Contrary to appearances, he also loves active leisure :) He is responsible for the organizational and practical part of the trip, i.e. he makes sure that we get to the ... More about us >>
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