Is this a good rainy-day visit?

The tropical house provides an indoor stop, but you still need outdoor clothing. In particularly poor weather, confirm opening before travelling.

Will every animal be visible?

No. Animals may be resting or out of sight, and care, maintenance or bird-protection measures can alter viewing. Ask ahead if one species is the main reason for your trip.

Illustration

ZooNordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Tierpark Fauna Solingen

Come to Fauna for a manageable animal outing with otters, small monkeys and a tropical house that rewards a careful look.

Official website

About

Come to Fauna for a manageable animal outing with otters, small monkeys and a tropical house that rewards a careful look. Start near the entrance at the small-clawed otters: their enclosure has a pool and a little stream worth watching.

Llamas and alpacas share the collection with meerkats, Bennett’s wallabies and common marmosets. Indoors, search the Tropenhaus terrariums for frogs and reptiles. Birds add another reason to linger, from pink-and-grey galahs to hoopoes. These are animals in human care, best observed quietly.

Café Flora at the entrance offers drinks and snacks. The renewed toddler playground opened in July 2026. A separate, larger playground rebuild is expected to begin in late autumn 2026; check the project updates before promising a particular play session. Be ready to snap and learn! Get the Snappit app to identify any nature species you find here.

Fauna grew from a local ornamental-poultry club’s ambition to create an animal park in the Gräfrather Heide. It closed during the Second World War in 1942; Wilhelm Eisenbart helped revive the association and rebuild the park, which reopened at Pentecost in 1951. The bird collection remains a good connection to that early story.

What to do here

After the otters, choose a few outdoor favourites before visiting the tropical house. Make a comparison game: watch a wallaby’s movements, then a marmoset’s; compare a llama with an alpaca. Return to one favourite enclosure later and leave time for a café or toddler-playground break.

For more explanation, arrange a 45-minute guided tour in advance; tours suit adults and children aged six and over. The Tierparkschule’s lessons are for school classes.

Seasonal info

Winter visits need an earlier start. The tropical house offers an indoor pause, but bring outdoor clothing. Check current notices for playground works and changes to bird viewing.

Accessibility

The park describes its grounds as suitable for wheelchairs and walking frames, and provides an accessible toilet and a baby-changing room. If particular gradients, doorway widths or indoor access matter to your visit, discuss your needs with the park on 0212 591256 beforehand.

Don't miss

Otters near the entrance

Watch the pool and stream in the exhibit that welcomed otters in 2024.

Tropical house

Search patiently for frogs and reptiles among the terrarium furnishings.

Colourful birds

Look for hoopoes and galahs, then compare their shapes and colours.

A toddler-sized break

Pause at the renewed little-children’s playground between animal stops.

Things to try

One minute, three observations

Choose an animal and stand quietly for a minute. Each person describes three things it actually did. Compare your answers before reading the sign together.

Wildlife and habitats

Watch both water and banks. Give hidden animals time to reappear.

Watch what different group members are doing without calling for attention.

Look for white ear tufts, then watch how the animal uses its enclosure.

Look for the long tail and compare a still moment with the next movement.

Compare the face and ears with the llamas, checking both enclosure labels.

Try a side-on photograph if the animal offers one; follow the feeding signs.

Look for the long bill and head crest without trying to provoke a display.

Look for pink and grey plumage. Stay on the visitor path.

Scan the terrarium slowly and confirm the snake on its label. No flash.

Search patiently and check the terrarium label. Leave the glass untouched; no flash.

Getting there and practical advice

Approaching from Wuppertal

The park also suggests routes 621 or 683 to Roßkamper Straße, followed by about 20 minutes on foot, or route 631 to Dasnöckel, followed by about 15 minutes. Check live connections and the walking approach before leaving.

Sources and useful links

Wildlife you might spot

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

Meerkat

Alpaca

Llama

Hoopoe

Corn Snake

Golden Poison Frog

Snap map for this place

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

Loading map…

Good to know before you go

Getting there

Use Lützowstraße 347, 42653 Solingen. The park recommends bus 695 to Eugen-Maurer-Haus, then about ten minutes on foot; check the current timetable.

Tickets

Check the admission tariff and concessions, and keep your ticket with you.

Feed only where signed

Use only the park’s dispenser food at permitted enclosures. Never offer your own food, leaves or twigs; feeding ends when the daily supply runs out.

Photography

No flash in animal houses. Before publishing online, including on Snappit, get permission and credit “Tierpark Fauna e.V. Solingen”.

Playground plans

Check the larger playground’s autumn 2026 rebuilding schedule separately from the completed toddler playground.

Dogs

Peaceful dogs are welcome on a short lead and enter free of charge.

Leave scooters outside

Bikes, scooters and similar wheeled play equipment are not allowed inside.

Plan before leaving

A day ticket stops being valid once you leave the grounds.

Frequently asked questions

: The tropical house provides an indoor stop, but you still need outdoor clothing. In particularly poor weather, confirm opening before travelling.
: No. Animals may be resting or out of sight, and care, maintenance or bird-protection measures can alter viewing. Ask ahead if one species is the main reason for your trip.