IllustrationCome to Tierpark Gettorf for close views of lemurs, a good variety of primates and tropical houses that reward a slow look.
Come to Tierpark Gettorf for close views of lemurs, a good variety of primates and tropical houses that reward a slow look. Flowerbeds and planted grounds soften the spaces between enclosures, while play areas give children a change of pace. Start by checking the feeding board and choosing one session to build your visit around.
The Affenhaus brings together ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs and small South American monkeys, but keep looking beyond the primates: armadillos and two-toed sloths live here too. In the Tropenhalle, watch squirrel monkeys climbing in their enclosure, then search the planted free-flight area for birds on the ground as well as in the foliage. Victoria crowned pigeons can walk across the visitor path.
Outside, the South America enclosure introduces lowland tapirs and rheas. On a warm day, look towards the tapirs' bathing pool; their indoor accommodation is in the Paradieshalle, alongside the meerkats' indoor area and tropical birds. The petting zoo opposite the South America enclosure offers a very different encounter with domestic dwarf goats. Enter without animal feed in your hands or pockets so the goats are less likely to crowd you. Explore the grounds like a pro—download the Snappit app to instantly identify animals and plants.
The zoo began as Karl-Heinz Bumann's private animal collection in a former gravel pit and opened regularly to visitors in May 1968. Converting the old pheasant house into a monkey house helped establish its primate focus. The Tropenhalle followed in the 1970s and the Paradieshalle in the early 1980s. It remains a family-run zoo.
Choose a lemur session, a chimpanzee feeding or the meerkats as an anchor, then use the park plan to fit other animals around it. Combine the Affenhaus and Tropenhalle with an outdoor stop at the tapirs, a goat visit and some playground time. Keep a few minutes for a second look at an animal that was resting earlier. Older children who enjoy puzzles can add the separately charged Escape on Tour game. The upside-down Verrückte Haus is another optional extra during its opening season, with furniture overhead and deliberately sloping floors.
From 2 November to the end of January, regular opening is 10:00–16:00; February has a later winter finish. The feeding timetable also changes on 2 November. The Verrückte Haus is advertised as open daily through 1 November 2026. For an October visit, the autumn puzzle rally runs 10–25 October and Halloween activities take place on 24–25 October. Check event arrangements separately from normal opening hours.
The zoo describes its grounds as largely barrier-free, with small slopes that can be bypassed or managed with assistance. Several accessible toilets and designated parking spaces near the entrance are provided. Paths can still have roots or displaced paving slabs, so allow time with a wheelchair, walking aid or pushchair. Call 04346 4160-0 to discuss the easiest approaches to your chosen animal houses and any individual access needs. The tilted Verrückte Haus needs a separate access check; do not assume it shares the zoo's accessibility.
Watch a scheduled session with ring-tailed or red ruffed lemurs; participation depends on the animals and the day’s arrangements.
Find squirrel monkeys and crowned pigeons in the Tropenhalle, then look for sloths in the Affenhaus.
Spend time at the South America enclosure and compare these very different animals sharing the space.
Mix animal stops with playgrounds, the dwarf-goat petting zoo or the optional upside-down house.
Pick a few animals that matter most to your family, one indoor house and a generous play stop. Add the goat enclosure only while everyone is still comfortable around animals. A feeding can shape the visit, but skip it if waiting would use up the children’s energy.
Make time for all three main animal houses, the tapirs and primates outdoors, then lunch and play. Choose one extra, such as the puzzle game or seasonal Verrückte Haus. Let the day’s feeding board and open paths determine the order.
Ask at the ticket office for Escape on Tour. The outdoor puzzle trail comes in three difficulty levels, with a box of materials and smartphone help if you get stuck. It carries a separate game charge and a refundable box deposit. Allow time to stop for animals along the way; the clues do not require entering animal enclosures.
In the Tropenhalle, each person can choose a different place to look: ground, low foliage or branches. Compare what you noticed without trying to make the birds move. The free-flight setting makes patient observation especially rewarding.
Look for lemurs and sloths in the Affenhaus, birds and squirrel monkeys in the Tropenhalle, and the tapirs’ or meerkats’ indoor areas in the Paradieshalle. Choose the open houses that suit your group and leave the outdoor puzzle game for a more comfortable day.
Watch the striped tail as a lemur moves through the group. On a bright day, look for an animal sitting upright towards the sun; keep any encounter on the keeper’s terms.
At a keeper feeding, spend a little time watching hands, faces and interactions between animals. Stay behind the barrier and let the keeper do the feeding.
Pause by the squirrel-monkey enclosure and follow one animal as it climbs. These are social monkeys, so watching how individuals move around one another is often more revealing than a quick photograph.
Find the Schopfmakaken label and look for the crest on the head. A scheduled feeding is a useful chance to watch the group while hearing from staff.
Look for an upright lookout, then see what the rest of the group is doing. If the outdoor area seems quiet, include the indoor viewing area in the Paradieshalle.
Search the branches for a resting outline instead of waiting for movement. These sloths are mainly active at night, so a quiet daytime view is a worthwhile result.
Scan the ground as well as the branches. If a crowned pigeon approaches the visitor path, give it room and enjoy a close look without following it.
Use the Balistar label to locate this bird and spend a moment listening as well as looking. Its calls range from chattering sounds to strong whistles.
Compare the two humps and broad feet from the public viewing area. The animals here are domestic Bactrian camels.
Enter without feed in your hands or pockets and let a goat approach you. Follow the petting-area rules, give retreating animals space and wash hands afterwards.
These suggestions describe captive zoo residents, including domestic goats and camels. They are not records of wild animals around Gettorf. Animals may use indoor accommodation or retreat from view; follow the current enclosure signs.
The lowland tapirs may look a little pig-like, but they belong to the odd-toed hoofed mammals alongside horses and rhinoceroses. Look at the animal as a whole, then ask children which features made them think of a different relative.
The two-toed sloth’s fur parts along the belly, helping rain run off when the animal hangs beneath branches. It is a small detail to think about while studying the sloths’ resting position in the Affenhaus.
Accessible toilets, a café with terraces, seasonal snack sales and several play areas support a longer family visit. The water play area is a reason to pack a change of clothes. Check any special equipment or changing-facility needs with the zoo before travelling.
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Arrive at the right place
The entrance address is Süderstraße 33, 24214 Gettorf. Free visitor parking is directly outside, including designated accessible spaces. Ordinary parking is limited to the zoo visit and must be cleared by 19:00; ask about arrangements for evening events.
Take the train
RE72 and RB73 serve Gettorf from Kiel and Eckernförde. From the station, the walk through town is about 1.2 km, marked with yellow tapir footprints; allow roughly 15–20 minutes, longer with small children. Some RE72 trains are cancelled on 14 October 2026 with replacement buses arranged. Check nordbahn’s live notices and your return journey.
Check tickets before paying
Tickets are sold at the gate and online, but discounted winter tickets are available only at the gate. Major cards are accepted at the ticket office, café and zoo shop. Bring everything you need inside: a day ticket loses its validity when you leave.
Keep a feeding flexible
Keepers supply suitable food for scheduled sessions. The lemur encounter may move indoors, and either ring-tailed or red ruffed lemurs may take part. Follow staff instructions and accept it if the animals do not want contact.
Pack for play
Bring suitable outdoor clothing and spare clothes if children want to use the water play area. There is also a low-ropes course and a climbing area above the zoo shop. Bicycles, scooters and tricycles cannot come into the zoo.
Pause for lunch
The café has indoor seating and terraces, with a children’s menu. The zoo shop beside the Paradieshalle sells drinks and snacks in season. Check food-service hours if you are visiting late or in winter.
Follow the feeding signs
Never give animals food brought from home. Outside keeper sessions, use only the zoo’s designated feed where signs permit it. Go into the goat enclosure without feed and respect the animals’ retreat areas.
Leave pets at home
Pet dogs and other pets are not admitted. Fully trained assistance or guide dogs require advance registration, proof and clear identification; they cannot enter animal houses or enclosures.
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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.
