Can we enter every enclosure?

No. Use only explicitly marked walk-through areas and follow staff instructions. The private meerkat visit is a separate booked experience.

Will all the animals be there when we visit?

Some animals are taken on walks and may be away from their enclosures. Leave time to return to a favourite stop.

Illustration

ZooNordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

KALISTO Tierpark & Café

Come to KALISTO for close-up animal watching with plenty of room in the day for play.

Official website

About

Come to KALISTO for close-up animal watching with plenty of room in the day for play. This small family-focused tierpark sits at the southern end of Kamp-Lintfort’s Zechenpark, where the Friedrich Heinrich mine once worked. Start by asking about the day’s feeding sessions, then let the children choose an animal to revisit later.

Meerkats share the visit with alpacas, donkeys, ponies, sheep and smaller domestic animals. The covered walk-through aviary changes the pace: stop and listen to the parakeets instead of hurrying through. At Wasserwelten, opened in summer 2026, a large koi pond, guinea-pig enclosure and water playground bring another reason to linger. These are animals in human care; enter only enclosures marked for visitors and leave their retreat spaces alone. Turn your visit into a safari! Use the Snappit app to scan and log wildlife sightings here.

KALISTO was part of the 2020 Landesgartenschau on the former colliery site and became independent in 2021. It occupies the area by the old Tor 3 entrance. The walk-through aviary followed in 2023, and Wasserwelten opened in June 2026.

What to do here

Build your visit around the meerkats, aviary and Wasserwelten, with the walk-through alpaca enclosure as another stop. Switch things around for a feeding or a tired child. At the aviary, choose one bird and follow its movements between perches. Beside the koi pond, compare colours from the visitor areas while keeping children close. Finish with the mining-themed adventure playground outside the entrance, or take a break there and return to the animals. Ask about re-entry before leaving.

Seasonal info

The park opens daily, with shorter winter hours. Water play suits warmer weather; bring a change of clothes. Check the official homepage before setting off, as severe weather can shorten opening or close the park. Dress for outdoor paths between stops.

Accessibility

An accessible toilet and baby-changing room are provided. Regional tourism describes the park as partially accessible. Ask ahead about the particular enclosures, gates and surfaces you need to use, especially the newer Wasserwelten area; do not assume every animal encounter or play feature has the same access.

Don't miss

Meerkats

Watch the group and ask the keepers questions at the advertised afternoon feed.

Covered aviary

Walk among the parakeets and pause to watch their feeding and flight.

Wasserwelten

Combine koi watching and guinea pigs with a water-play break.

Animals and mining history

Visit the alpacas, then explore the mining-themed playground outside.

Walks and routes

Keep it short

Choose meerkats, the aviary and one play stop; revisit one favourite animal before leaving.

A longer afternoon

Arrive before the first feeding, visit Wasserwelten between animal stops, then finish with the café or outside playground.

Things to try

A small observation challenge

Choose a bird, a mammal and a fish. Notice how each moves, then compare your favourites over a café snack.

For passing showers

Use the covered aviary and café for breaks, but expect outdoor stretches. In severe weather, check whether the park is open before travelling.

Wildlife and habitats

Watch from the public viewing area; the 15:00 keeper feed offers a chance to ask questions.

The redesigned enclosure reopened for walk-through visits in March 2026. Follow the marked visitor areas.

Look for the guinea pigs at Wasserwelten and give them space to approach or retreat.

Compare the fish’s colour patterns from the designated visitor areas; keep hands out of the water.

Ask about the advertised 14:00 feed rather than waiting at an empty view.

The 14:30 keeper feed brings an opportunity to watch the runner ducks alongside the chickens.

Compare how the chickens move and eat with the ducks at the shared feeding session.

Find the donkeys among the domestic animals; check with staff if they are out on a walk.

The park’s ponies are domestic horses. Watch quietly and follow the enclosure’s contact rules.

Let the rabbits come towards you; the park’s rules forbid chasing or holding animals.

Stories and discoveries

Two different 600 m² spaces

The covered aviary and the Wasserwelten pond each measure about 600 m². They offer very different things to watch: flight above you and fish below.

Getting there and practical advice

A reserved waterside break

The seating platforms called Vogelnester can be hired separately. They are places to sit and rest; climbing and bouncing are prohibited.

Sources and useful links

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Meerkat

Alpaca

Guinea Pig

Koi

Ferret

Domestic Chicken

Donkey

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

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Good to know before you go

Drive to the free Zechenpark car park at Friedrich-Heinrich-Allee 90, 47475 Kamp-Lintfort, then follow signs to KALISTO. The park gives about three minutes for the walk. Its own address is Ringstraße 200.

For public transport, the city lists Neues Casino for buses 2 and SB10 as an approach to Zechenpark. Check your current connection and the onward walk to KALISTO at the park’s southern end.

The animal park charges admission; children under four enter free. Check current tickets and get re-entry instructions if you want to use the playground outside.

Use only KALISTO-provided feed, only for the animals and locations staff identify. Never bring food for the animals, chase them or reach into their retreat spaces.

The private meerkat encounter must be booked separately, is for ages 16 and over, and takes no more than two participants. Younger children can watch from the public viewing area.

Pet dogs cannot enter the animal park, although they are welcome in the café. If you rely on an assistance dog, arrange your visit with the team beforehand.

The café can be visited independently and serves hot snacks. Toilets are in the café and rear beach area; the latter open at weekends, on public holidays and during school holidays.

The park permits private photography. Its rules require prior written permission for publication or commercial use, so check before posting or uploading your pictures.

Frequently asked questions

: No. Use only explicitly marked walk-through areas and follow staff instructions. The private meerkat visit is a separate booked experience.
: Some animals are taken on walks and may be away from their enclosures. Leave time to return to a favourite stop.