Leipzig Zoo is the third largest zoo in Europe. Now it is a great place for tourists of any age, which can be interesting not only for children, but also for adults. The exposition of the zoo presents unique animals, and the original design of its territory will not leave anyone indifferent.
History of the Leipzig Zoo
Leipzig Zoo was founded on the Pfaffendorf farmland in June 1878 at the initiative of Ernst Pinkert and his partner Karl Hagenbeck, who invited the public to look at various exotic animals. For example, it was here that an orangutan from the island of Borneo was exhibited for the first time in Germany. By 1883, the territory of the zoo was three hectares.
In 1899, the joint-stock company "Zoological Garden of Leipzig" was formed, the result of which was the construction of new enclosures and an administrative building.
Throughout its history, the zoo has gone through several periods of crisis, which were associated with two world wars. In 1973, the zoo was finally restored and received the right to maintain an international tiger herd book. And since 1986, the right to keep a book of dwarf buffaloes has been added to it.
In 2000, a concept for the long-term development of the zoo was developed, which provides for its transformation into a modern educational and entertainment park with six large thematic areas.
What is included in the exposition of the zoo
From the very beginning, Leipzig Zoo has used state-of-the-art animal husbandry technology. No cages or cramped enclosures. All animals walk freely. Glass walls or ditches are used to fencing enclosures, so visitors can feel a real unity with nature, while animals generally do not notice fences.
The entire zoo is divided into thematic zones. In total, according to data for 2021, 850 animal species live on the territory, of which 10,000 are mammals, 388 are fish, the rest are birds and reptiles.
On holidays, performances and shows are organized for the little ones in the zoological garden. In addition, both children and adults will be happy to ride around the zoo in small carriages plying around its territory.
Many visitors enjoy spending time in the African countryside. These are, in fact, small cafes located in specially equipped huts, serving dishes from different national cuisines of the world.
Leipzig Zoo is divided into several distinct thematic zones.
Thematic zone "Africa"
In the Africa zone, there are landscape aviaries that contain giraffes, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, ostriches, cranes, marabou, flamingos and guinea fowls. Lions live in a separate zone, Makasi simba, while rhinos, mongooses and porcupines live in Kiwara-kopje.
Here, visitors can see spotted hyenas and meerkats. Of particular interest is the so-called okapi forest, where the typical habitats of these animals are recreated, as close as possible to natural ones.
Thematic zone "Asia"
The Asia zone is famous for the Himalaya landscape enclosure, which is inhabited by pandas, snow leopards, forest ibises and griffon vultures. Humpbacks and rhesus monkeys live in a separate paddock.
Many visitors will love the Ganesha Mandir, the so-called elephant temple, where these animals live together with the Chinese pangolins. There is also a swimming pool.
The elephant house has a Pachyderm House and 4 separate animal walks. Through the underground passage, visitors descend to the underwater window, where you can see how elephants swim and dive.
Here you can also see large felines - leopards and tigers. Musk deer, tamenga, Japanese and Daurian cranes also live in the "Asian forest". A separate paddock is allocated for Przewalski's horses.
South America
In the thematic zone "South America" there is a poultry house, a pen for maned wolves and "Monkey Islands" - an aviary for a huge number of monkeys. The exhibition features a great variety of birds, including the rarest ones. Visitors can observe animals in conditions as close to natural as possible.
Founders garden
Many visitors may be interested in an area such as the Founders Garden. Here you can learn a lot about the history of the zoo. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the house of the former director of the zoo, Ernst Pinkert, which now houses a safari bureau and a zoo school.
This is the administrative part of the zoological garden. There is also an aquarium, a terrarium and an old monkey house, which currently houses a koala enclosure.
Pongoland - a paradise for primates
Pongoland is the world's largest primate research center. It was created in conjunction with the Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and now bears the name of Wolfgang Köhler.
The world's largest primate enclosure has a total area of 3,000 square meters. In it, in natural conditions, you can observe various species of great apes, such as chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans. Another covered area with a total area of 3250 square meters is divided into 5 aviaries in which other species of primates live.
"Gondwanaland" - a unique project of the Leipzig Zoo
Gondwanaland is a domed pavilion with a total height of 34.5 m, which was opened in 2021. The construction cost was about 60 million euros. At the moment, it is the largest tropical greenhouse in Europe, where a huge collection of plants and animals is presented.
The complex can be navigated both on foot and by boat. Visitors will be able to get to the cave along the tropical river, where they will have a real journey through time: there they will see the whole history of the mainland of Gondwana and its division into modern continents.
Best time to visit Leipzig Zoo
Leipzig Zoo opening hours:
- from March 21 to April 30 - from 9.00 to 18.00;
- from May 1 to September 30 - from 9.00 to 19.00;
- from October 1 to October 31 - from 9.00 to 18.00;
- from November 1 to March 20 - from 9.00 to 17.00.
In December, on the 24th and 31st, the zoo is open from 9.00 to 17.00.
The standard entrance fee is 21 EUR. Beneficial categories of the population can visit the zoo for 17 EUR. A ticket for children from 4 to 14 years old will cost 13 EUR, children under 4 years old admission is free. It is also possible to purchase a family ticket, which costs 51 EUR.
When visiting the zoo, certain rules must be followed. For example, children under 7 years old can enter the territory only when accompanied by their parents.
It is prohibited to ride bicycles, scooters and skateboards on the territory of the zoo. Feeding of animals is also strictly prohibited. Taking photos is allowed.
How to get to the zoo
Leipzig Zoo is located at Pfaffendorfer Str. 29, 04105 Leipzig.
It is not difficult to find it - it is located right in the center of the city. The tram stops Wilhelm-Liebknecht-Platz and Goerdelerring are about 500 meters away from it. There are special signs with animal images on the pavement, which will help you find the entrance fairly quickly. The same landmarks can be used to get to the zoo from the central railway station.
If you come to the zoo by car, you can leave it in the guarded parking lot near the gate.
For more information on how to get to the zoo, visit its official website.
A little about other sights of the city
In Leipzig, you can see a huge number of different attractions. For art lovers, there is the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Books, Crafts, Ethnography and many others.
The old town hall, which houses the Leipzig history museum, will open its doors to connoisseurs of ancient architecture. Also, tourists can admire residential buildings from the same period of construction as the town hall, which are located in close proximity to it.
The attention of travelers will be attracted by the Church of St. Thomas, built in the Gothic style. It was her church choir that the great German composer I.S. Bach.
In the same area there is the Supreme Court, the Philharmonic Hall and the largest Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Europe. Its observation deck is located at an altitude of 91 m.
Those who love church architecture should definitely visit the Church of St. Nicholas, which is the largest and oldest in the city.
Finally
At the moment, the Leipzig Zoo is one of the most visited attractions in Germany - it is visited by approximately two million people annually. Moreover, not only tourists, but also many residents of the city are happy to visit the zoological garden. There are rules on the territory of the zoo that should be strictly observed by all visitors.
