Burgers' Zoo
Gelderland
Royal Burgers' Zoo, located in Arnhem, Netherlands, is a 45-hectare zoological park renowned for its innovative ecological displays called ecodisplays. Founded in 1913 by Johan Burgers, the zoo features eight themed habitats that replicate natural ecosystems, including a tropical rainforest, a desert, a mangrove swamp, and a large seawater aquarium. These ecodisplays allow animals to live in spacious, naturalistic environments, encouraging visitors to explore and discover wildlife actively. Notable areas include Burgers' Safari, a vast plain for free-roaming animals, and Burgers' Rimba, a Southeast Asian rainforest habitat housing species such as Sumatran tigers and golden-cheeked gibbons. The zoo is also committed to conservation, successfully breeding endangered species like the Socorro dove and supporting global nature projects, including the Future For Nature Foundation and a nature reserve in Belize. With over a million visitors annually, Burgers' Zoo combines education, research, and entertainment, making it a leading attraction in the Netherlands and Europe.
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Tip: The best time to visit is during weekdays or outside peak holiday seasons to avoid crowds. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended to ensure entry and to benefit from any available discounts. Visitors should allocate several hours to explore the extensive indoor and outdoor ecodisplays, which are accessible year-round regardless of weather. The zoo also offers playgrounds for children, making it a family-friendly destination. Check the official website for updated opening hours and special events before planning your visit.
Interesting facts
- •Burgers' Zoo uses an artificial moonlight system to stimulate coral reproduction in its reef aquarium.
- •The zoo breeds the Socorro dove, a species extinct in the wild, for reintroduction programs.
- •It hosts the annual Future For Nature Awards, supporting young conservationists worldwide.
- •The chimpanzee colony at the zoo was the subject of internationally renowned behavioral research by Prof. Jan van Hooff.
- •Burgers' Zoo protects a 355 km² nature reserve in Belize in partnership with Swiss animal park Papiliorama.
History
Royal Burgers' Zoo was founded in 1913 by Johan Burgers, initially as a pheasantry in 's-Heerenberg before moving to Arnhem in 1923.
Inspired by Carl Hagenbeck's concept, the zoo pioneered open enclosures separated by moats rather than cages.
The zoo suffered significant damage during World War II, especially during the Battle of Arnhem in 1944, but was preserved through the efforts of Lucie Burgers and Reinier van Hooff.
Post-war, the zoo advanced animal husbandry by introducing group living for exotic species and opened innovative exhibits such as the lion park in 1968 and the chimpanzee island in 1971.
From the late 1980s, under Antoon van Hooff, the zoo developed its signature ecodisplays, including Burgers' Bush and Desert.
Recent decades have seen continued expansion and modernization, including the opening of Burgers' Mangrove in 2017 and indoor playgrounds for children.
Place Guide
Burgers' Safari
A large open plain habitat where animals roam freely, simulating an African savanna environment. Visitors observe species such as giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses from a walking gallery.
Burgers' Bush1988
A 1.5-hectare indoor tropical rainforest ecodisplay featuring hundreds of plant species and diverse fauna, offering an immersive experience of a real rainforest ecosystem.
Burgers' Mangrove2017
A 3,000 square meter indoor mangrove swamp habitat opened in 2017, showcasing the unique flora and fauna of mangrove ecosystems.
Burgers' Desert1994
An indoor desert ecodisplay of 0.75 hectares focusing on the Sonoran Desert, featuring desert-adapted plants and animals in a climate-controlled environment.
Burgers' Ocean
A massive 8 million liter seawater aquarium with main tanks housing sharks, tropical fish, corals, and other marine life, supporting coral breeding and conservation efforts.
Burgers' Rimba2008
Opened in 2008, this ecodisplay replicates a Southeast Asian rainforest, home to species such as Sumatran tigers, Malayan sun bears, and golden-cheeked gibbons, providing insight into tropical biodiversity.
Burgers' Avonturenland2002
An outdoor playground opened in 2002 that provides interactive play areas for children, enhancing the family-friendly experience of the zoo.
Burgers' Kids Jungle2012
An indoor playground themed as a South American village, opened in 2012, offering children an engaging environment to play and learn.
Contact
Phone: 026 442 4534
