Dierenpark Emmen

Dierenpark Emmen is a zoo in Emmen, Netherlands that includes three themed landscapes recreating different parts of the world. Pathways lead through forests, savannas and polar regions where visitors see animals in settings resembling their natural habitats.

The park opened in 1935 as a traditional animal garden and changed fundamentally when it introduced a new concept with naturalistic landscapes. This transformation happened about a decade ago and moved the location into the center of Emmen.

The Dutch name emphasizes the wilderness concept, and visitors can spend several hours walking through recreated ecosystems. School groups frequently use the facility, and many families come for the chance to observe animals in more open enclosures.

The site sits at Raadhuisplein and stays open year-round, though winter weather sometimes leads to closed outdoor sections. Visitors should bring comfortable shoes, as the pathways between themed areas can extend several kilometers.

A covered tropical section houses a river where Asian elephants swim and dive, which visitors can watch from glass walls. This underwater view allows seeing the behavior of the animals in a way not possible at most other European zoos.