ZSL London Zoo, England

Posted on February 19, 2011 by admin

ZSL London Zoo in the capital of England; London and has a huge number of animals and species. Located about 3 miles away from London’s City Centre, Reagent’s Park is the home of the zoo and it is easily accessible from all over London. In case you wonder what ZSL stands for, here is a little bit of information: The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.

General Information

Opening Hours: ZSL London Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas day.

Late Winter, Spring, Summer and early Autumn (Everyday of the new year – 30th October): 10.00 am – 17.30 pm; Early Winter (31st October – 7th November): 10.00 am– 16.30 pm; Winter (8th November – early new year): 10.00 am – 16.00 pm.

Ticket Prices:
August 1st – 5th September and every weekend in September (Peak Season): Adult (£18.00); Senior citizens, Students and Disabled adults (£16.50); Children (£14.20); Infants aged 3 years or younger (FREE).

6th September – 31st October excluding every weekend in September (Mid Season): Adult (£17.20); Senior citizens, Students and Disabled adults (£15.70); Children (£13.70); Infants aged 3 years or younger (FREE).

1st November – February of the next year (Winter Season): Adult (£16.20); Senior citizens, Students and Disabled adults (£14.70); Children (£13.20); Infants aged 3 years or younger (FREE).

Getting There:
ZSL London Zoo is easily accessible from anywhere in London; you can drive, cycle, walk or catch public transportation such as a bus to get to the zoo.

The zoo owns its own car park, however there is a cost to use it. For people using the zoo: Cars and Motorbikes (£12.50); Coaches and Minibuses (£35.00); School Coaches (£15.00)
For people not using the zoo or overnight parking: Cars and Motorbikes (£45.00); Coaches and Minibuses (£60.00)

About the zoo:
ZSL London Zoo is one of two zoos owned by the ZSL organisation. London zoo location at Reagent’s Park in London and covers 36 acres of land near the centre of London. The zoo is home to over 16,000 animals of 726 different species. Mammals, birds, invetebrates, reptiles, amphibians and fish make up these 16,000 animals. The wide variety of animals gives London zoo the kick that other zoos may not have. Each category of animals has a few unique animals other zoos don’t have. These include the rat kangaroo, the african hunting dog, the black footed penguin and the moon jellyfish to name a few.

ZSL London Zoo has lots of features for all of the family to enjoy safely. There are a range of notable exhibits that you can view whilst you’re at London Zoo, which include the “Blackburn Pavilion” which replicates a tropical jungle, the “Giants of the Galapogos” which show you a few exciting turtle pensioners and the “Gorilla Kingdom” which is home to a colony of western lowland gorillas. Exciting stuff for families!

Not only does it have exhibits of animals for you to enjoy, but it also has various play areas for the kids to have hours of fun. Finally, the zoo also has a restaurant where you can go to take a break and have a bite to eat.

Summary

Generally, I think this zoo is suited to a lot of people. There are plenty of hotels nearby for people to stay at whilst they visit London and the zoo is a great tourist attraction. With the zoo being the home of over a 16,000 fascinating animals, the ticket price is definately worth it. Overall, I would say the zoo is a good place for families to visit on a day out because of all the attractions it has to offer.

For more information, please visit: www.zsl.org

Our Rating: All-in-all, we would give ZSL London Zoo 5/5 stars. The zoo has plenty of features and animals and is of great value for money – Writer: Sam Nogalski, Bolton, UK.

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Zoo Luján – Argentina 2008

Posted on January 22, 2011 by admin

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Live Gorilla Cam, Bristol Zoo, England

Posted on December 2, 2010 by admin

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Tierpark Hellabrunn Zoo, German

Posted on November 8, 2010 by admin

About 5km south of the main train station “München Hauptbahnhof”, next to the river “Isar”, you can find the animal park Hellabrunn, the zoo of the bavarian state’s capital city Munich.

Basic Information:

Opening hours: Peak season: 8.00 am – 6.00 pm, Fall/winter/spring: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Entrance prices: Children(4 – 14 years): 4,50 Euro, Pupils (Student ID card required): 7,50 Euro, Adults: 11 Euro, Small family card (1 adult + own children): 14 Euro, Family card(2 parents + own children): 25 Euro, Group price (Children, school classes, kindergardens): 3,50 Euro per person, Adults: 7,50 Euro per person.

You can access the zoo via the public transportation system of munich, e.g. via the U3 from the “Marienplatz” to the subway station “Thalkirchen (Tierpark)”. As soon as you have arrived at the station, you’ll walk for about 5 minutes until you reached the entrance “Isar-Eingang” of the zoo. During the small walk you’ll walk over a bridge and you’ll have a fantastic view on the Isar, a river going through munich, also passing the german museum. Cars can park by the “Isar-Eingang” for 3,50 Euro, busses and cars may park by the “Flamingo-Eingang” for 3,50 Euro too. Additionally, there are several park & ride stops all around the city, always located near subway or railway stations.

The Zoo of Munich is a bit more complicated concerning roads and ways throughout the park, so make sure to pick up a map at the entrance. Note that there are several rivers going through the park, please make sure you always know where your children are because some of the rivers are really flowing fast and children could drown in them, even though they are secured as much as possible.

The Tierpark Hellabrunn (Zoo Munich) was the first “Geo-Zoo” of the world, founded in 1911. Geo-Zoo means that the animals are living in complex “living community” according to their geographic location and situation. The zoo itself is more of a natural park than a zoo, most of the time the areal construction is pretty nice and you can view the animals without them getting disturbed by you.

After entering the park, you can either head straight out for the “left-sided” tour or to the right for the “right-sided” tour. The left sided tour guides you through the European area of the park, then through the monkey, elephant and turtle vivarium- and aquariums, then continues on with the African and American part with the lions and bears, also passing the average playground of the Tierpark. The left-side tour does the same, but with a turned around order. As the park is more constructed like an tetragon, you should always head a little to the middle of the park on your tour. The most interesting parts of the park are the turtle house and “Villa Dracula”, where bats fly directly over your head without being restricted in any way, which is a really interesting experience. Some people entering “Villa Dracula” reported that the bats even touched them, but before you wonder: You can enter the villa with children, it’s nothing horrorful, only interesting(Even though it’s dark inside). Another attraction is the snow leopard of the park, as well as the aquariums.

Be advised: You can not visit the polar bears, penguins and sea lions in 2010, as their areas are  getting renewd by then and reopen in the 2011 season.

Summary

For the relatively high entrance price, you get to see many interesting exotic animals, especially the snow leopards, bats and the up to 150 years old turtles. You can eat halfway acceptable in the “beergarden” of the “Tiergarten” located just next to the playground. There are also a few other activities, for example a chain bridge over a small river.

Photos, in order of appearance, credited to:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/767185
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15187570
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/19051843
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15587125
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Meet Lucy the Owl at Zoo America

Posted on October 11, 2010 by admin

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Zoo Karlsruhe, Germany

Posted on September 17, 2010 by admin

The Zoo Karlsruhe is one of the most spectacular and interesting zoos in Germany. It is especially known for it’s polar bear vivarium and the nice terrain.

Basic Information

The zoo cashdesk is opened from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm in the peak season, but it is also open in spring, fall and winter from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. The animal houses close at the same time. You can stay in the zoo until dark.

Entrance prices: Adults 6,50 Euro, Pensioners and disabled 5,50 Euro, Pupils (o. 15) 4,50 Euro, Children(6-15 years) 3,00 Euro. Groups may access the Zoo for 2 Euro per person.

You can access the zoo via the public transportation system (Train station “Hauptbahnhof”, Deutsche Bahn and KVV) or park your car on the street located to the west of the zoo (approx. 500m walking distance).

The zoo itself is a nice area located just a kilometer south from the inner-city of Karlsruhe, on the opposite site from the central train station (“Hauptbahnhof”), making it easily accessible from the complete region.  There are 4 entrances to each cardinal direction, though the biggest one is at the Hauptbahnhof. After entering the area via the Hauptbahnhof entrance, you can see a big lake with boats on it (Adults 3,50, Children 1,50) which you can use to get to the other entrance at the northern part of the zoo. If you walk to the right of the lake, you’ll reach the very nice sea lion vivarium.

The feeding times of all animals can be seen at the main entrance. If you continue on your tour over the small hill, you can see small animals from the desert region, followed by Europes most modern polar bear vivarium, with a over 4m deep swimming pool including a glass panel allowing you to watch the bears swim and dive. If you continue your tour, you’ll reach the penguin vivarium and on the other side of the small road you can enjoy watching the giraffes whilst they’re eating their grass in over 12 feet of height.

You might have already noticed the hill located at the south-east corner of the park, the so called “Lauterberg” which you can also walk up. Now continue walking to the north, passing the monkey island and duck pont and you’ll reach the monkey and lion houses, aswell as the elephant and parrot houses. Another highlight is the hippopotamus vivarium, located just by the elephant house.

If you keep walking the way between the elephant and lion house, you will walk under a small bridge and reach the cafeteria and garden part of the zoo with a big playground for children (Attention: They can also play with water here, so you might want to bring a few clothes to change – Just incase). When you walk by the playground to the left, you can view a large area full of wonderful flowers. Continue on this way and simply walk around the small lake and you will soonly reach the japanese garden, another impressive part of the zoo area.

Summary

The zoo of Karlsruhe (“Karlsruher Tiergarten”) is a nice area located in the middle of the city, easily accessible from all sides and offers much for little money. Children will with no doubt love the playground aswell as the polar bear vivarium, though, when I was young, I liked the sea lion area best. For those who aren’t too much into animals the area offers huge gardening areas looking impressive. Be advised that there are sometimes festivals on summer evenings.

Photos, according to the order of appearance credited to:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/37706242                                                                                      http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11614452                                                                                 http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7005278                                                                                                http://www.panoramio.com/photo/37742433
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6857730                                                                                       http://www.panoramio.com/photo/39275082                                                                                http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26583361
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Blackpool Zoo

Posted on August 19, 2010 by admin

Blackpool Zoo is located in north-western England, just on the outskirts of the town centre and is the home to a small variety of animals.

General Information

Opening Hours:
Blackpool Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas day. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing time.

Late winter, Spring and late Summer(Every day of the new year – 3rd Octrober): 10.00 – 17.45; Autumn (4th October – 7th November): 10.00 – 16.45; Winter and new year (8th November – New Year): 10.00 – 15.45

Ticket Prices:
Adult aged 16 – 59 years (£14.50); Seniors citizens and students (£12.50); Children aged 3 – 15 (£10.25); Children aged 2 years or younger (FREE); Family ticket consisting of 2 adults and 2 children (£44.00); Family ticket consisting of 2 adults and 3 children (£53.00); Adult with disability (£8.00); Child with disability (£6.50); Carer of someone with disability (£8.00)

Getting There:
Blackpool Zoo is located just outside of Blackpool’s town centre. By following signs you are easily able to walk to the zoo, however the zoo does not have it’s own car park. There are council car parks all around Blackpool including the sea-front, so parking is not a problem.

About the zoo:
Blackpool Zoo is a small zoo in Blackpool which is home to a small variety of animals. The majority of the zoo’s population are primates, including Western Lowland Gorillas, Ring-Tailed Lemurs and Bornean Orangutans. The zoo is one of the only zoos to own Bornean Orangutans, and due to man-made destruction in their natural habitat, it is likely that these primates are going to go extinct from the wild very soon.

Furthermore, the zoo is the home to a lot of mammals, on both the land and in the sea. The Californian Sealion is a fantastic sea lion that many visitors can go and watch. The sea lion’s pool recently underwent a massive refurbishment and is better than ever. Not only does the zoo host sealions, but it also has the land-variant African Lion, which the zoo claims is the “Pride of Blackpool”. One of the most amazing features of these animals is the fact that it’s roar can be heard across the park. The zoo also hosts to various birds and reptiles, including Emus and Albadran Tortoise. The tortoise, however is not a normal tortoise. It is one of the world’s largest.

Summary

Blackpool Zoo does not hold host to many animals, however. There are only around 15 main species attractions in the zoo, although it can be seen in two lights. The zoo is only small, so to say it has 15 main attractions can be somewhat an accomplishment. I think that the zoo is worth visiting, however it is a very costly zoo to visit for being the home to only 15 main species. Overall, I would say that it this zoo is not one of the best ones to visit, and for the price you could get a much better deal at another zoo across the country.

For more information, please visit their official website: www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk

Our Rating: “I would rate Blackpool Zoo 3/5 stars. The zoo is a decent zoo the take up a portion of a day out to the resort, however it doesn’t have a wide variety of animals to show which doesn’t give it that kick other zoos might. – Writer: Sam Nogalski, Bolton, UK.

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Tiergarten Nürnberg, Zoo Nuremberg, German

Posted on July 23, 2010 by admin

Known for their dolphin aquarium and sadly the death of 4 polar bears in the year 2000, the Tiergarten Nuremberg (Animal park) is located about 5km (about 3.2 miles) east of the inner city.

Basic Information

Opening hours: Fall, Winter, spring season: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm, Summer season: 8.00 am– 7.30 pm. The animal houses always close at 5.15 pm.

Ticket prices (Zoo): Children(Ages 4 to 13): 4,50 Euro, Pupils, disabled, pensionists: 7,50 Euro, Adults: 9 Euro, Part-Family card(1 parent with own children up to 17 years): 12 Euro, Family card(2 parents and own children up to 17 years): 21 Euro.
Group prices(Zoo, 15+ people): Adult groups: 7,50 Euro per Person, Children groups(4 to 13 years): 3,30 Euro per Person. School classes(grade 1 – 9): 3,30 Euro per Person, School classes(grade 10 – 13): 7,50 Euro per Person.

Ticket prices (Dolphin aquarium): Children(Ages 4 to 13): 2 Euro, Pupils, disabled, pensionists: 4 Euro, Adults: 4,50 Euro, Part-Family card(1 parent with own children up to 17 years): 6 Euro, Family card(2 parents and own children up to 17 years): 10,50 Euro.
Group prices(Dolphin aquarium, 15+ people): Adult groups: 4 Euro per Person, Children groups(4 to 13 years): 1,50 Euro per Person. School classes(grade 1 – 9):  1,50 Euro per Person, School classes(grade 10 – 13): 4 Euro per Person.

The zoo got it’s own parking bay and is accessible via the public transport system(Tram 5 or Bus 65, You can first drive to the subway station “Frankenstraße” with the U1/U11 from the main station(“Hauptbahnhof”) and then drive to the Tiergarten with the bus 65 or just take the tram 5 directly). The U1/U11 stops in the underground part of the main train station in nuremberg, whilst the tram 5 departs from the place in front of the main station.

The zoo itself are animal houses and vivariums spread around a huge area. The main attraction in the zoo is the dolphin aquarium, even though it was criticized often in the media. Another attraction is the Manati house and another one the small crocodile house. Apart from that, the park offers a big “Jako-O” playground for children and a free “Adler” mini-train through the park, so you don’t need to walk back to the entrance when you’re at the eastern end of it(There is only one entrance). A new attraction in the year 2011 will be the “dolphin lagoon”. You may also view the only surviving species of the wild horse, the Przewalski horse.

The aquapark at the north-eastern corner of the “Tiergarten” lets you view penguins, sea lions, otters and polar bears. The last one known especially for a accident in the year 2000, when 4 bears had to be shot as they were released from their vivarium by a visitor of the park and couldn’t be dazed. Later, in the year 2007, the female contra-part of “Knut”, a polar bear born in the year 2006 was born in the Nuremberg Tiergarten and named “Flocke (=snowflake)”. After entering the park, you can head straight out passing the monkey and parrot houses/vivariums to later either head left for the manati’s, birds and the aquapark, continue straight out with the dolphin aquarium and the other aquariums and later the african animals or take a right to drive with the “Adler”, the small park train, to the other end of the park.

Summary

When the dolphin lagoon opens in 2011, I’m sure that the park will win alot of prestige as the previous dolphin aquarium was criticized too often, so you can’t really visit it without a “bad conscience”. If you’re more the calm type of human, I’d suggest spending a few minutes in the current manati house and just relax, or if you’re visiting the park with children, you might want to head to the playground on the end of the day, let the children play and later drive back with the park train. One-in-all the park is a good location to visit, even though it’s generally a bit overpriced.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/28338455

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/12890991

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/12413965

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/17365358

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/36131926

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21741792

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Australia Zoo Tour with Steve Irwin

Posted on June 18, 2010 by admin

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Chester Zoo, England

Posted on May 9, 2010 by admin

Chester Zoo in Chester, England is known for its wide variety of animals; 400 species and over 7,000 animals live here. The zoo is located about 4.5 kilometres (2.9 miles) north-east from Chester Town Square.

General Information

Opening Hours:
Summer-Autumn weekends (17th July – 22nd October): 10.00 am – 6.00 pm; Summer-Autumn weekdays (2nd September – 22nd October): 10.00 am – 5.00 pm; Autumn/Fall school half-term (23rd October – 31st October): 10.00 am – 4:30 pm; Winter (1st November – 31st December excl. Christmas day and boxing day): 10.00 am – 4.00 pm.

Ticket Prices:
July 17th – September 05th (High Season): Adult (£16.90); Senior citizens, Students, Disabled (£15.25); Children aged 3-15 years (£12.45); Infants aged 2 years or younger (FREE); Family tickets of two adults and two children (£55.55).

September 6th – October 31st (Mid Season): Adult (£15.95); Senior Citizens, Students, Disabled (£14.15); Children aged 3-15 years (£10.95); Infants aged 2 years or younger (FREE); Family tickets of two adults and two children (£49.50).

November 1st – December 31st (Low Season): Adults (£13.60); Senior Citizens, Students, Disabled (£12.05); Children aged 3-15 years (£9.90); Infants aged 2 years or younger (FREE); Family tickets of two adults and two children (£41.50).

The zoo owns its own car parking area just outside the main entrance on its own grounds. All car and coach parking is free of charge.

The zoo runs its own free shuttle bus from the Chester Railway Station. There are also cycle and walking paths leading to Chester Zoo from Chester.

About the zoo:

Chester Zoo is set in 110 acres of land. The most amazing part of this zoo is the fact that it has over  7000 animals from 400 species. The zoo has many different parts to it, each covering a different aspect of animal life. A few of the areas the zoo covers are: the asian plains, the fruit bat forest, the tsavo black rhino experience, the tropical realm and the islands in danger. When you’re not viewing the wide variety of animals the zoo holds, you can browse the gift store, get a bite-to-eat at the restaurant or let your children play at one of the four play areas, labelled mini golf, funark, little acorns and apearound. The zoo has lots of things to do which is fun for all the family.

However, the zoo does not only have play areas and animals for you to visit. There are gardens in the zoo which are a part of Chesire’s Gardens of Distinction. Arcitects have made the zoo’s gardens look very glorious, with one area even covering the Andes culture. The zoo is home to the notorious bridge which was designed by the zoo’s own horticultural team.

Summary

Chester Zoo is a great zoo with fun for all the family. Despite it being slightly overpriced in the summer, it’s made up for by the wide variety of things to do in the zoo. The zoo has a lot of intersting animals and is much suited to children and also students in school or college. The zoo not only has great outdoor facilities for animals, but if the weather is bad the zoo hosts great activities and animals to view for you whilst you’re indoors. Overall, I would say that the zoo is a great place to go for a day out in the summer, with it having so many things to do for everyone.

For more information, please visit their official website: www.chesterzoo.org

Our Rating: In the end, we would give Chester Zoo 4/5 stars. The zoo is huge and has plenty of things to do for all walks of people; the facilities are great and for what you get, the value for money isn’t too bad either. – Writer: Sam Nogalski, Bolton, UK.

Posted in England | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments