Burgers’ Zoo

Updated June 11, 2025

Burgers’ Zoo (Arnhem) – Visitor Information & Reviews

## Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem: Immersive Ecosystems, Not Just Enclosures

Burgers’ Zoo (Royal Burgers’ Zoo) in Arnhem is one of the Netherlands’ most distinctive wildlife parks: instead of classic cages and paddocks, it’s built around ecodisplays—huge, carefully engineered ecosystems that you walk through as a guest. The park covers around 45 hectares and is divided into seven themed areas: Bush, Desert, Ocean, Mangrove, Safari, Rimba and Park.

It’s a full-day destination, especially good for children and anyone who prefers seeing animals in large, naturalistic habitats rather than small pens. Below is a practical, fact-based guide to what you’ll actually experience on the ground.

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## Where Is Burgers’ Zoo and How Do You Get There?

Location

– Address: Antoon van Hooffplein 1, 6816 SH Arnhem, Netherlands
– The zoo lies in Arnhem-Noord, on the edge of the Veluwe region, a major nature area in the eastern Netherlands.

By public transport

Recent journey-planning data shows:

– From Arnhem city centre / Arnhem Centraal Station, bus line 3 (Breng) runs directly to the stop “Arnhem, Burgers’ Zoo”.
– Buses depart roughly every 20 minutes and the ride takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on where you board in Arnhem.

Always re-check times and platforms in an up-to-date planner such as 9292 or the Breng website, as timetables can change.

By car

– The zoo is signposted from the A12 / A50 motorways as “Burgers’ Zoo / Openluchtmuseum”. Openluchtmuseum
– It is located next to the Dutch Open Air Museum, so the same road signs and exits apply.

Parking arrangements and prices are managed directly by the zoo; check the official website for current details.

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## The Concept: Ecodisplays Instead of Traditional Enclosures

Burgers’ Zoo is known for its immersive habitats (“ecodisplays”) that aim to replicate whole ecosystems—plants, climate, and animal communities—rather than just individual species.

You don’t simply walk past animals; you move through their environment, which changes how you experience both the zoo and the animals’ behaviour. This approach started with Burgers’ Bush in the 1980s and has since expanded across the park.

Key ecodisplays today include:

– Bush – an enormous indoor tropical rainforest
– Desert – a covered North American desert landscape
– Ocean – a multi-level aquarium with large reef and open-ocean tanks
– Safari – wide, open savannah-style plains
– Rimba – Southeast Asian rainforest with tigers and other species
– Mangrove – the world’s largest covered mangrove hall, inspired by Belize
– Park – more traditional, green zoo grounds with a variety of species

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## Highlight #1: Burgers’ Bush – One of the World’s Largest Indoor Rainforests

Burgers’ Bush is often the section visitors remember most. It’s an indoor rainforest on a massive scale, recognised as one of the largest of its kind globally.

What to expect:

– Climate: Warm and humid, with dense vegetation, streams and ponds.
– Animals: A mix of mammals, reptiles, birds and fish that roam or fly relatively freely through the forest.
– Experience: Paths weave through different layers of forest, including raised walkways giving perspectives similar to a canopy-level trail.

Practical tip: For visitors who are sensitive to humidity or heat, it’s worth knowing that this hall can feel steamy, especially on warm days. An alternative is to alternate indoor and outdoor zones to cool down.

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## Highlight #2: Burgers’ Desert – North American Canyon Country Under Glass

The Desert hall recreates a North American desert landscape, complete with rocky canyons, dry riverbeds, cacti and desert shrubs, all under a vast glass roof.

Inside you’ll find:

– Dry, warm air and strong light (even on cloudy days, the roof maximises daylight).
– Species adapted to arid habitats, such as peccaries and other desert animals.

The design means you can comfortably experience a desert climate even in the Dutch winter—useful context for families visiting outside peak season.

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## Highlight #3: Burgers’ Ocean – A Serious Aquarium Inside a Zoo

Burgers’ Ocean is a large aquarium complex with multiple levels and impressive viewing windows, including a curved acrylic window that was, at the time of construction, among the most notable of its kind.

Based on museum and visitor information, you can expect to see:

– Sharks and large reef fish in big tanks.
– Tropical reef systems with colourful species and coral structures.

It’s one of the reasons Burgers’ Zoo ranks highly not just as a zoo, but also among Dutch aquariums and nature museums.

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## Highlight #4: Burgers’ Mangrove – Belize in Arnhem

Opened in 2017, Burgers’ Mangrove is a 3,000 m² eco-display inspired by the mangrove forests of Belize. It sits under a steel dome about 60 metres across, with the highest point 16 metres above the ground to allow for tree growth.

Key facts:

– Designed as the world’s largest covered mangrove at the time of opening.
– Features a freshwater basin and saltwater mudflats with ebb-and-flow effects, creating a realistic mangrove environment.
– Home to species such as Caribbean manatees and butterflies; the manatee basin holds about 1 million litres of water, with a 12-metre-wide curved viewing window.

For visitors, this hall is particularly interesting if you’re curious about coastal ecosystems and climate-change-sensitive habitats.

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## Safari, Rimba and Park: Outdoor Worlds with Space to Roam

Outside the domes and halls, Burgers’ Zoo continues with large, open-air areas:

### Safari

– Landscape: Open savannah-like plains.
– Species: Zebras, antelopes (such as impalas), rhinos, ostriches, lions and other African fauna.

The layout is designed so you often look across the plains rather than down into small enclosures, reinforcing the feeling of a nature reserve rather than a traditional city zoo.

### Rimba

– Theme: Southeast Asian rainforest.
– Known for: Tiger enclosures and other Asian species in a lush, wooded setting.

### Park

– Character: More classic zoo and parkland, with trees, older enclosures that have been updated over time, and a variety of mammals and birds.

These areas give you a break from the more intense indoor climates while still offering strong viewing opportunities.

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## Educational Focus and Conservation Messaging

Across the park, Burgers’ Zoo invests heavily in education and conservation messaging:

– The eco-display concept itself is used to explain ecosystem-level conservation rather than just individual animal stories.
– Signage and exhibits emphasise topics such as habitat loss (especially mangroves and rainforests) and sustainable resource use.

For travelling families and school-age children, this gives you ready-made talking points around biodiversity, climate, water management and responsible tourism.

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## Accessibility, Facilities and Practicalities

Accessibility

– Recent ticketing and tour information describes Burgers’ Zoo as wheelchair accessible, and the eco-displays are designed with broad paths and gradual slopes rather than stairs where possible. Abroad Guide
– That said, indoor areas like the Bush and Mangrove have naturalistic terrain; some paths can be slightly uneven or humid. Visitors with mobility or sensory sensitivities may want to plan shorter loops in these zones rather than doing every path.

On-site services

From the official website and visitor guides you can expect:

– Dining options and kiosks scattered across the park.
– Shops for souvenirs and educational items.
– Family facilities such as toilets, baby changing areas and play spaces are present, though exact layouts and offerings can change.

Because the park covers around 45 hectares, plan on most of a full day if you want to experience all seven themed zones without rushing. Abroad Guide

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## Combining Burgers’ Zoo with Other Arnhem Highlights

Burgers’ Zoo pairs naturally with nearby cultural attractions:

– The Dutch Open Air Museum (Nederlands Openluchtmuseum) is located very close by in Arnhem-Noord and is specifically signposted on the same roads. Openluchtmuseum
– In Oosterbeek, about 13 km from the zoo, you’ll find the Airborne Museum “Hartenstein”, focused on the Battle of Arnhem during World War II.

If you’re staying in Arnhem or the Veluwe for several days, one day at Burgers’ Zoo and one day split between the Open Air Museum and Airborne Museum gives a balanced mix of nature, wildlife and history.

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## Planning Your Visit: What You Should Double-Check

To keep things factually tight and avoid relying on data that dates quickly:

– Opening hours, seasonal schedules, and ticket prices change regularly. Always confirm the latest information directly on the official website: www.burgerszoo.nl. Abroad Guide
– Bus timetables and fares for line 3 and any connecting services can also shift; verify times in an official journey planner (e.g., 9292 or Breng) before you set out.

By cross-checking these details shortly before your visit, you avoid the only real risks of “outdated data” and can focus on what Burgers’ Zoo does best: giving you a day where rainforest, desert, mangrove and savannah all sit within a short walk of each other in the forests north of Arnhem.

Key Highlights

Burgers’ Zoo

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Places to Stay Near Burgers' Zoo"There are lots of animals to see and lots of things to do for children."

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