A park of another kind. Animals that have found a new home in a big and carefree area, where lions hang out relaxed, hippos show their butts, monkeys stop by to take photos with you and butterflies all year around in a jungle house. You'll spend all day long exploring and get back home with a happy mind and full belly.
But what are the Wildlands exactly, how to get there and what do they actually have and how does it work out with having so many different animals from all over the world?
First of all you get the coordinates so that you know how to get there. Since the park is near the border to Germany it is a nice and quick getaway from the regular German life and environment. Just hop on a bus or car and you are almost there.
Not only is it very easy to get there, but also a variety of smaller diners can be found to the left and right of the park. The same for finding a spare spot to leave your car.
The website of the Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen is only available in Dutch and German. But still, the word tickets is the same and on the bottom of the site you can see the phone number. The good thing about the Dutch is, that they are able to speak very well English and there should be no further problem of communicating and to book the tickets online.
Even though the price seems a bit much in the beginning, you can actually stay all day long and enjoy every single corner. Besides, to run such a big business you need to have support of different companies and people who visit the Wildlands. Since there are so many animals living there, they need food, a place to rest and space in general. Others are medical treatments, advertisement, expanding the "cages" and much more.
The park is divided in three different areas that can be explored. But in the end it is so much more than just a nice trip to a zoo, because it is not feeling like it. For me, it is more like a sanctuary for animals that would not have survived without the help, effort and love that those people put into the park. Surely, we can debate about what's good and what's bad for creatures of this blue planet.
I only can say, I usually don't like zoos or water parks with animals as an attraction. Besides all of that I have been surprised of how positive I felt and still feel while looking back to the Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen. 9/10, because you can always do better.
GET READY FOR THE ARCTIC
The expedition begins with a world made out of ice and snow. Spiky rocks and cold coasts are the habitat you are about to see. Get to know animals that adapted perfectly to these conditions. Be it in the entrance, a small harbour where seals and sea lions are lying in the sun which is breaking through the dark clouds from time to time.
There are trainers, feeding the sea lions and playing with them so that they actually deserve their little snack in between.
Polar bears can be watched over and under water. The same with the penguins. Always take care that those animals are always the number one and visitors have to wait, in case one of the cute little fellows of movies like Madagascar or Happy Feet crossed the road.
Other than that you can be part of an excursion, an adventure that you won't forget. It's time to explore the Arctic together with some researchers that built the Arctic 1. A vehicle that is able to transform into a plane, a submarine and more. But be aware that everything can happen during that adventure. Put on your seat belt and let's go!
GET READY FOR THE JUNGLE
Deep inside the jungle are waiting treasures of you that you cannot imagine yet. From colourful birds to cheeky monkeys which are running, climbing and jumping around wild between the trees, the corpse of an old small aeroplane that must have been there for ages and nothing is left of the crew.
Be prepared for a trip through the thicket while entering a small area where a boat is already waiting for you to continue the exploration on water to get a very different perspective of what you seen before.
Maybe you'll be greeted by some elephants or a cheeky monkey that is just too cute to be true. But one rule, don't touch. When they want to get closer to you and even try to climb on your shoulders, try not to overreact or get rid of them. They are still wild, although they are used to humans, they are no pets.
One of the highlights has to be the butterfly house which is in the style of an overgrown and long forgotten temple. Everywhere are little corners with flowers, trees and fruits, butterflies are flying around and like to treat themself with a sweet snack like a papaya or mango.
But more animals can be found. For example turtles, a small box with caterpillars, getting ready to metamorphose into butterflies, piranha and smaller crocodiles in a lake.
No matter where you moved, butterflies of all colours just surrounded you. Some have been really tiny, others as big as your hand. Take your time and enjoy the warmth and the beauty of the jungle.
GET READY FOR SERENGETI
Serengeti or African area is having tribal houses, outdoor restaurant, petting zoo with super cute goats and a safari tour in a jeep.
Next to it you can visit everything from lions, hippos, zebras, giraffes - which like it to hang out near the entrance and eating leafs of tall branches, even camels and lots of monkeys. No matter where you go, you'll stumble over smaller new guinea pig like animals that run around free. Most of the times they just sleep in the sun or sitting on a big rock, overviewing everything.
While being there, I had the slightly feeling to be watched all the time. Maybe Timon and Pumba from Disney's The Lion King have been around for a small break and had fun working on a plan of how to steal the sweets of the nearby African store? Who knows.
Next to it you can hop on a roller coaster which is taking you deep inside a mine. Enjoy the ride, ups and downs and speed, while sitting with your friends in a mining cart.
Good for you, right in front of the roller coaster is a small diner where you can get super delicious nachos, ice cream and other things that want to be eaten.
Did you know that the Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen is a partner and is working together with ActionAid? No? Take a look at their website and see for yourself.
It was difficult to find a button that is changing Dutch to English, therefore you'll get a second link which is linking you directly to ActionAids main website. Always there to help out and support a good cause.
Together against violence.
Address:
Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen
Raadhuisplein 99
7811 AP Emmen, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)591 850 855
info@wildlands.nl Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday
10 am to 6 pm
Prices vary from online booking or in the park: Child 0 - 2 years / free
Child 3 - 9 years / € 19,50 to € 23,00
Children and Adults 10 - 64 years / € 22,50 € 27,50 €
65+ / € 21,50 € 26,00
Disabled / € 21,50 to € 26,00
Fun for the entire family!
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Thank you so much and see you in the future,
Sina
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