Animals and one good play stop
Start at Rittergut Kondee, continue through Ream Nationalpark, Outback Reservat and Madagaskar, then choose one play area and Schienenreich. Leave the more time-consuming rides for another visit if children are tiring.
IllustrationCome to Grimpinger Hof for a day that moves easily between watching animals, building castles and playing in a Western town.
Come to Grimpinger Hof for a day that moves easily between watching animals, building castles and playing in a Western town. On the former Gut Eversum site in Olfen, the animal enclosures share space with small rides, playgrounds and a remarkable model railway. It suits families who enjoy lingering over a few animals and then letting the children set the pace.
Start by finding Rittergut Kondee on the park map. Meerkats and burrowing owls give you an animal-watching stop close to the play barn, while the separate sand-play area is designed for children under three. Farther into the grounds, the themed Ream Nationalpark, Outback Reservat and Madagaskar areas bring different encounters: otters around a Cambodian-style fishing hut, lorikeets in walk-through aviaries and ring-tailed lemurs viewed through a bus's windows. These are zoo settings with animals in human care; the overseas place names describe the themes. Take the ultimate field guide with you: use the Snappit app to identify birds, plants, and animals on your trip.
Grimpinger Hof opened in 2025 on the former Gut Eversum site, following a closure of about two years. Jeanette Heindorf and Markus Köchling developed the new park with volunteer help. One much older attraction survived the change: Wilhelm Wendler began building the Schienenreich model railway in 1928, making its tracks, buildings and figures by hand. Its purpose-built exhibition hall here dates from the 1970s.
Make your first outing through the animal areas, keeping time for a second look if an enclosure seems quiet. At Ream Nationalpark, watch the otters around both the water and the fishing-hut setting, then try the climbing and sliding playground. Continue to Outback Reservat for lorikeets and the less conspicuous Parma wallabies, and to Madagaskar for the lemur-viewing bus and excavation play station.
After a food break, give Virginia City its own stretch of time. The Rusty Wagon ride, Canyon Rafting, trampolines and Goldberg petting area make this the energetic part of the visit. Ask staff about current ride operation, restrictions and any charges. Finish with Schienenreich, or save its indoor miniature landscapes for a shower. Use the park map and signs to find your way between the areas.
Opening days vary with holidays and the season, and autumn closing time is earlier. Confirm the date and closing time directly before setting out. The park continues to develop, so check which attractions are operating if one is the main reason for your trip.
Most paths are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and an accessible toilet is available. Ask the team about access to individual attractions, especially the lemur-viewing bus. The ranger-led animal experiences are advertised as not barrier-free; discuss your needs before booking.
Pause at the fishing-hut enclosure in Ream Nationalpark, then let children climb and slide nearby.
Madagaskar pairs ring-tailed lemur watching through bus windows with an excavation play station.
Walk-through lorikeet aviaries and a patient search for Parma wallabies reward a slower visit.
Explore the historic 1:45-scale model railway, with miniature bridges, stations and buildings based on real German landmarks.
Start at Rittergut Kondee, continue through Ream Nationalpark, Outback Reservat and Madagaskar, then choose one play area and Schienenreich. Leave the more time-consuming rides for another visit if children are tiring.
Use the morning for animals, stop at the Speisekammer for lunch, then spend the afternoon between Virginia City and the play barn. Return to a favourite enclosure before finishing with the model railway. Fit this plan to the confirmed closing time.
In the play barn, make a castle from the large blocks. Later, see which tiny buildings in Schienenreich have the most recognisable details. Children can choose a favourite window, roof or bridge.
Watch through the bus windows for the lemurs climbing or resting. Look for a raised, ringed tail as animals move around the enclosure.
Give the water and the land around the fishing hut equal attention. An otter that disappears below the surface may reappear elsewhere.
In the walk-through aviaries, look above you as well as ahead. Pause to watch how the lorikeets move between branches.
The Parma wallabies can be shy. Stop quietly at the enclosure and give your eyes time to separate an animal from its surroundings.
Before taking a photograph, watch the whole group: can you spot an upright lookout while another animal is digging?
Start your search low down. These long-legged owls use the ground, so searching only the higher perches can miss them.
Pause by the prairie-dog enclosure and watch for heads appearing above the burrow openings. Their underground world leaves only part of the story visible.
Take a slow look at a tortoise from the public viewing area. Can you make out the prominent spurs on its hind legs?
Look for the porcupines beside the otter area. If they are tucked away resting, return later instead of trying to draw them out.
Watch the alpacas alongside the sheep and goats. Let the animals decide how close to come, and give any resting animal space.
Ask where to find the bearded-dragon display in Rittergut Kondee. Look closely at the spiny outline around its throat without tapping the enclosure.
Schienenreich includes models of the Rendsburg high bridge and the Malbergbahn in Bad Ems. Wilhelm Wendler made around 2,000 figures for the railway. Look for the small human scenes as well as the trains.
The 2025 reopening followed almost five months of work by the founders and 65 volunteers. The redevelopment is continuing, so an old Gut Eversum description may no longer match the park you visit.
The park map marks ordinary toilets near the entrance and an accessible toilet in Virginia City. Seating areas are marked around the grounds. A qualifying German disability pass with B, H, aG or Bl allows one accompanying person free entry; check the ticket conditions before travelling.
For the Bürgerbus, telephone 02595 3856729 at least one hour before travel and confirm availability for both directions. The published service runs Monday to Friday, 08:00–18:00; telephone booking hours are narrower. It is not a weekend shuttle. Ask for stop 55, Freizeitpark Eversum.
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Arrival
Use Eversumer Straße 77, 59399 Olfen. Parking is in front of the entrance building.
Without a car
The Olfen Bürgerbus lists stop 55, Freizeitpark Eversum. It runs on weekdays by telephone booking; arrange your return too.
Animal food
Never give animals food from home. Use only park-supplied feed where feeding is permitted, following the signs and staff instructions.
Dogs
Keep dogs on a lead. They cannot enter the petting zoo or aviaries, so plan those stops before bringing one.
Lunch
The Speisekammer serves dishes such as currywurst, chips and schnitzel. Check food-service times when you arrive.
Wet weather
Bring waterproof clothing; the play barn and model railway give you indoor breaks between outdoor stops.
Extra experiences
Reserve ranger-led animal encounters separately and check age and participation requirements before booking.
Puzzle option
Ask at the ticket desk for the sheet for Das verschwundene Protokoll, the park-wide outdoor escape game.
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
North Carolina, US
You might spot American Robin and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
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Florida, US
You might spot Anhinga, American Alligator, and Wood Duck.
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New Mexico, US
You might spot Wood Duck, Duck, and Canada Goose.
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Michigan, US
You might spot African Lion, Komodo Dragon, and Brown Bear.
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Take the discovery with you
Identify the wildlife you spot, learn as you go, and keep a collection of the adventure.