Top 5 Zoos in Denmark (Funen and Jutland)

My personal favorite of all the zoos in Denmark has to be the Odense Zoo. Here you can walk along side of kangaroos as they hop about or climb the steps to a lockout shelter overseeing lions. The abundance of trees and beautiful river that cuts the straight through the center of the zoo offer a nice calming feeling of retreat to the hustle and bustle of daily life. You really feel a part of nature here. Enjoy an animal-themed meal in one of their food stations or pack your lunch to enjoy a picnic outside in one of their many shelters which are often near many terrific playgrounds. In my opinion, the playgrounds at the Odense Zoo are some of the most amazing and fun structures in any park or zoo in Denmark. My children especially liked playing on the large, wooden lion. During October, the zoo is decorated with lots of pumpkins and they even have a zombie path for the braver visitors when the sun goes down.

Givskud is located in the heart of Jutland and proves to be a real “diamond in the rough”. An amazing family experience that Givskud Zoo offers is the safari. Families can drive through a fenced-in structure to see lions, giraffes, zebras and more, and the best part about this “safari” is that the animals have free roaming. The kids will oohhh and aahhh as a group of giraffes cross the path right in front of your car. This zoo also has very entertaining “feeding shows” where you can watch a cheetah chase a piece of meat strapped to a zip line or a lion devour part of a freshly slaughtered cow or horse, a sight one must get used to when visiting zoos in Denmark. Don’t forget to stop by the dinosaur section and see all the neat dinosaur statues that they have. It makes you feel that you have stepped back in time. Givskud also has multiple options for parking and a great “break” area with restaurant options, ice cream, petting zoo, picnic areas, and a very large playground. This is a “must-do” before you leave the zoo.

Ree Park Animal Safari is a great space for adventure and perfect for large groups. Not only can your group rent a picnic area or shelter, it can also stay in a tent for the night. This makes Ree Park perfect for scout groups and school classes. Adding to the spirit of adventure, you can explore the park on foot or see it up-close-and-personal with either a safari jeep ride or train ride. Both are well-worth the experience and extra cost. The buildings and props throughout the park make you feel that you are really in Africa about to go on a real safari or in the northwestern part of North America as you board the train to see wolves, bears and more. Being from the US, I have to say that I am a bit biased when it comes to animals from North America. I love the fact that those in Denmark don’t have to go far to see bison and moose. The park has some great options for food, but I would recommend bringing a picnic lunch, since there are plenty of tee-pee shelters equipped with roaming peacocks that offer up enough of a show to entertain even the smallest of visitors.

Another great place to see animals would be at the Aalborg Zoo! This place is located next to a place where you can do some tree climbing and obstacles, which is already a bonus for the big kids or adults who want to experience a little adventure. The zoo has lots of interesting animals, who are housed in very unique structures, which really help the zoo to stand out from the rest. You can get up-close-and-personal with farm animals, see the behind-the-scenes view of lions and tigers, visit a giant, round stable for zebras or the huts of the hippopotamuses. Take a break at one of the many playgrounds or see a show in the pavilion. Whatever suits your animal fancy, this zoo has to offer. We especially love the walking on the swinging footbridge or feeding the giraffes. On a nice day, we might even take a ride on the zoo train!

Probably one of the most impressive structures I have seen, Randers Regnskov (or Rander’s Rainforest) may not be a typical zoo, but it allows you to feel more a part of nature than any zoo I’ve experienced. This zoo is actually made up of three domes that house animals from different areas of the globe, and instead of having all the animals in cages, many walk among the visitors. You might have to duck down because of a passing bird or watch your step for a crossing mongoose. The decor of this place is also excellent, since visitors can climb cliffs and walk across bridges. The plants, waterfalls and rock formations really make you feel that you are in some type of tropical jungle seeing the animals in their natural habitats. This was one of the first trips we took after moving to Denmark, and it didn’t disappoint. Randers Regnskov truly offers a very memorable experience. The structures are connected, so there is no need to walk outside to get from one place to another, but during the warmer months, guests can also spend some time with farm animals that live near the rear of the grounds. There is also a large outdoor playground with plenty of room for a picnic! (See a detailed post on Randers Regnskov here.)