IllustrationCome to Eckenhagen for a family day that brings monkey watching and walk-through bird aviaries together with plenty of time to play.
Come to Eckenhagen for a family day that brings monkey watching and walk-through bird aviaries together with plenty of time to play. The eight-hectare park spreads over a hillside, with gardens and enclosures along an approximately 3 km circuit. On arrival, check the monkey-enclosure opening windows before choosing your way round; an early start can begin with birds or the farm animals while the monkeys’ visitor entrances are still closed.
The two monkey areas have different casts. Bolivian squirrel monkeys share the Totenkopfaffenwald with sika deer, while the Berberaffental holds Barbary macaques, fallow deer and Canada geese. These are managed zoo enclosures. Enter quietly, listen to the staff briefing and give the animals room to choose their own distance. Watching how they move, pause and interact is more rewarding than trying to attract their attention.
The gardens make good changes of pace. Look for the little round-doored house in Hobbingen, then compare it with the planted courtyard of the Maurischer Garten. At the Bauerngarten, stay outside the growing area and see what you recognise among the crops. Children who need a longer break can climb and splash at Bullerbü, explore the pirate playground or follow the wooden marble runs beside the Bergbahn. The indoor play hall is beside the entrance, so it is easy to save for the end of the visit. Planning to visit? Download the Snappit app to identify the wildlife you spot in real-time.
One small link to the park’s beginnings lives in the Maurischer Garten: Mäxchen, the sulphur-crested cockatoo, was already part of the animal collection when the park was founded.
Choose one monkey visit and a handful of bird stops as your priorities, then let the rest of the day unfold around them. In the Sittich-Freiflughalle, compare budgerigars with cockatiels; in the Eulenburg, slow down for tawny and barn owls. Both aviaries close in winter. Use the enclosure signs to connect each animal with its natural home, and let each child pick one to sketch without trying to make it move.
For a longer visit, add the petting farm, the gardens and a proper play break. The 2,200 m² Indoor-Erlebnishalle offers climbing structures, trampolines and a bouldering wall when everyone wants a change from walking. Groups can also request a themed monkey, bird or conservation tour: these last about 45–60 minutes and must be booked at least 14 days ahead.
Winter changes the visit substantially. From 9 November 2026, opening is Friday–Sunday and daily during the winter school holidays, with closure on 24 and 25 December. Several walk-through bird aviaries shut for winter; outdoor areas close at dusk and may be restricted by snow or storms. Outdoor catering and toilets also close for winter, while the entrance toilets and indoor restaurant remain available on opening days. Recheck the official calendar before travelling.
The circuit, aviaries and monkey areas can be passed with a wheelchair or pushchair, but the park is built on a slope and some sections are very steep. The small Bergbahn helps with an uphill or downhill section; it does not replace the whole walk. Confirm that it is operating if you will rely on it. Accessible toilets are at the entrance and before the Barbary enclosure, with outdoor facilities subject to winter closure. Ask the park about your particular chair and support needs.
Visit the Totenkopfaffenwald and Berberaffental during their staffed opening windows, with close observation and clear rules on personal space.
Share an aviary with budgerigars and cockatiels, or make a quiet stop at the Eulenburg; these bird areas are seasonal.
An approximately 3 km round walk links small themed gardens and animal areas; allow for steep sections and use the Bergbahn when needed.
Combine Bullerbü’s outdoor climbing and water play with the entrance-side indoor hall for a comfortable half-day or longer family visit.
Follow the park’s circuit between gardens, walk-through exhibits and the two monkey areas. Fit the monkey entries around that day’s opening windows and take a play break at Bullerbü. Use the park map to choose your direction; the Bergbahn can help with one sloping section.
Stay with the farm, the nearby garden and aviary area, and the indoor hall. This makes a manageable selection when children have limited walking energy or the weather is unsettled. Decide at Bullerbü whether to continue towards the monkey areas or begin your return.
Make the indoor hall your base, then choose a short outdoor outing only where paths and enclosures are open. Use the entrance toilets and restaurant. A winter visit works best when play is a main interest, since several bird aviaries and outdoor services close.
After visiting both monkey areas, ask each child to name one difference in size, movement or how the animals spend their time. They can draw their favourite moment later, outside the enclosures.
Find a round door in Hobbingen, a familiar crop in the Bauerngarten and a white flower in the Weißer Garten when it is in bloom. Keep the search on visitor paths and leave plants untouched.
Choose a section of the wooden marble runs alongside the Bergbahn and predict where the ball will change speed. Suitable wooden balls are sold from the park’s machines and can be used again.
Watch from the visitor path in the monkey forest, where this species shares its enclosure with sika deer. Let the monkeys approach or move away freely.
Allow a quiet pause after the staff briefing. Look for different members of the group and compare what they are doing without touching them or offering food by hand.
While looking for squirrel monkeys, also scan the ground-level parts of the shared enclosure for sika deer. Give both animals room on the visitor route.
The Barbary enclosure also houses fallow deer. Make a second, slower look across the enclosure after watching the monkeys so that you notice its other residents.
Pause in the walk-through aviary and let the birds settle around you. Compare their size and shape with the cockatiels in the same space; visit during the main season.
Use the enclosure signs to distinguish these birds from the budgerigars, then try a quick sketch of one perched bird. The aviary closes for winter.
Take your time in the Eulenburg and use the signs to identify the tawny owls. Quiet observation suits this stop; the walk-through hall is closed in winter.
Look for barn owls during your Eulenburg visit and compare their faces with the tawny owls. Do not call out or try to wake resting birds.
Find the flamingo aviary during the main season and spend a moment watching the group rather than looking only for a photograph. This walk-through area shuts for winter.
At the witch-themed garden, look for the ravens as well as the little house and herb beds. The animal enclosure is part of the garden setting.
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Arrive at the right entrance
Use Am Bromberg 6, 51580 Reichshof. Parking is free and tickets are sold at the gate without advance reservation. Children under 16 need an accompanying adult.
Plan the journey home too
The park suggests RB25 to Gummersbach, then bus 303 to Reichshof Kurpark and about 15 minutes on foot. Rural connections can be awkward; check your outward and return timetable before setting off.
Follow the animal rules
Never give animals your own food. Use park feed only where permitted; squirrel-monkey feeding is staff-supervised with staff-issued food. Do not touch or hand-feed Barbary macaques, and keep food and drinks out of both monkey enclosures.
Budget for rides
Many rides cost extra and need coins, even though the sales points accept cards. Read the individual age, height and weight limits before promising a ride; some also need an operator to be present.
Pack for outdoor play
Bring a change of clothes for Bullerbü’s water play and shoes with a good grip for the hillside. Leave bicycles, scooters and balance bikes behind; they are not allowed in the park.
Make lunch flexible
You can bring a picnic and use tables inside or outdoors. The main restaurant is in the indoor hall; the garden café and pirate kiosk have variable opening. Barbecue huts need advance reservation.
Know the family facilities
Changing facilities are at the entrance, Bullerbü and the Barbary-enclosure entrance. Hire wagons are for belongings, not children, and require an identity document or similar deposit. Outdoor toilets close in winter.
Think carefully about a dog
Leashed dogs may enter the park, but cannot go into the indoor hall or walk-through enclosures with direct animal contact. That excludes several of the main reasons to visit together.
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.
