Tierpark Nordhorn

A wooden nature path beside the old Vechte river bend, with interpretation about the water and surrounding woodland. Include it as a quiet link with the historic farm area.

Two of three access points are step-free. Ask staff for the suitable approach; the treehouse is an optional play feature.

Begin with the North America area, continue to a chosen feeding and the central animals, then take a substantial play-and-lunch break. Spend the afternoon around the Geierfelsen and the Vechtewelt, adding the boardwalk when everyone still has energy. Reverse parts of this suggested order to suit the day’s feeding programme.

In the Vechtewelt, look for the spotted Bunte Bentheimer pigs and compare the different sheep breeds. Ask children to pick one visible feature, such as coat pattern or horn shape, and describe it before reading the label.

The roughly 200-square-metre indoor play space has three levels and can be heated. It is a useful rainy-day break beside the central zoo catering area, especially when the children need movement after slower animal watching.

Look above you among the climbing branches before deciding the sloths are out of sight. A long pause suits these slow-moving animals. In the warm season, scan the outdoor ground separately for their Hermann's tortoise neighbours.

Watch the ground as well as the lookout spots: digging and searching for food can be as absorbing as an upright pose. Compare the meerkats with the yellow mongooses sharing their enclosure.

These are harbour seals. Watch how a turn of the body changes their direction underwater, then compare that with their movement at the surface. A keeper feeding can offer a livelier view; use the current programme for timing.

Use the sheltered viewing places inside the rocky aviary. Look for the bald head, curved bill and shaggy neck feathers to separate an ibis from its much larger vulture neighbours. Let the birds choose their distance.

Look for a pale muzzle and long nose at the coati enclosure near the entrance. Try following one animal with your eyes as it investigates its surroundings.

Look through the upper branches for the monkeys, then compare what is happening at ground level, where the agoutis live. Their shared enclosure is a good place for children to notice how different animals use the same space.

Try the barn windows and the outdoor garden view. The exhibit is arranged around a washhouse-and-garden setting with climbing places and water. Watch the paws at work if an animal is active; the displays also explain invasive species.

In spring and summer, look up for free-flying storks from the ordinary visitor paths. These wild birds are separate from the injured, flightless storks cared for on zoo meadows. Keep clear of nests and do not feed either group.

Pause quietly beside the water and watch for a low, fast blue flash. Wild kingfishers hunt here, though a sighting needs some luck. Stay on the boardwalk instead of following a bird along the bank.

Some of the zoo’s Bentheimer sheep graze conservation areas outside the park. Their grazing connects rare-breed conservation with care for local landscapes.

Make the outdoor animal areas and boardwalk the centre of a mild-weather visit. In cold or wet conditions, use shorter outdoor stretches between food, indoor play and sheltered viewing stops.

Food options include the central cafeteria, De MalleJan and the market bistro. Wheelchairs and rollators should be requested in advance; a valid identity document is needed for the loan. The adult-changing toilet beside the bistro can be opened with a Euro key or by asking at the bistro.

The public entrance is Heseper Weg 110. Heseper Weg 140 is the postal address. From Nordhorn railway station, city bus 32 provides the zoo connection; use a current journey planner for the departure and return times.

The climbing-treehouse connection is optional. Choose the boardwalk’s accessible approaches if your group needs to avoid climbing.