A day at the zoo
The zoo in Karlsruhe is no ordinary zoo. As the name Zoologischer Stadtgarten reveals, it is not only home to all kinds of animal inhabitants, but also a wide variety of gardens.
Mornings at Karlsruhe Zoo
The South Entrance to the zoo is easy to reach from the main station forecourt through the sandstone arcades. Those coming from the city center will find their way across the Festplatz and past the Schwarzwald-Halle to the North Entrance. Past the ticket offices, the Zoological City Garden with the Schwanensee and Stadtgartensee lakes, on which the Gondoletta are already out and about, immediately stretches out before you.
You can immediately join the circular route through Karlsruhe Zoo. Starting from the South Entrance and following the circular route around to the right, you come directly to the Lauterberg, which is adjoined by the Himalayan Mountain World. Since 2015, the coatis have been living here right next to the goitered gazelles.
Continuing along the path, you reach the giraffe house, which has both an outdoor area and an indoor area that is open to visitors. At 10.30 a.m. there is the opportunity to watch a feeding in the enclosure. Fish is on the penguins' menu and spectators can watch the penguins snapping at the individual fish and performing little tricks in the process. Continuing along the tour, the path leads past the monkey house, the predator house and the pachyderm house - where you can find shelter even in bad weather.
In general, it is advisable to adjust the zoo tour to the feeding times of your favorite animals.
A short culinary break
At lunchtime, you are spoiled for choice: lunch in the popular EXO restaurant with a view of the Exotenhaus or a snack in a relaxed atmosphere at Karl Kutta? Both are recommended. During or after lunch, the children can play in the Sallenwäldchen playground or take a ride on the children's car track
Exotic animal house and petting zoo
The Exotic House was opened in August 2015 and is home to many exotic animal species in a tropical river landscape. The Exotic House is characterized on the one hand by its biodiversity with mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish of around 200 species. It also has a unique plant world in which some of the animal species, such as birds and monkeys, move freely along the visitor paths. At a tropical 23 degrees, the Exotic House invites you to linger all year round.
Out of the tropics and back to the native animal species, the path leads to the petting zoo. Goats and sheep, among others, live there and love to be stroked.
The perfect ending - the Gondoletta ride
The northern landing stage of the Gondoletta is also located right next to the petting zoo. Especially when the weather is nice, you can use the little boats to sail along the Schwanensee and Stadtgartensee lakes and explore the zoo at the same time.
While the various enclosures are located on the eastern side of the zoo, the city garden area can be found on the western side. The lake stage often invites visitors to linger with a free and varied program. Plant lovers can enjoy the variety of plants along the various gardens - rose, seasonal, scent & touch, Japanese and hedge gardens - or relax in the extensive green areas.
