ZOOS NORTH BRABANT

Zoo De Oliemeulen is an animal park in Tilburg in the Netherlands that has grown over three decades from its origins as a reptile house into a full-featured zoo with more than 150 different animal species. The park prides itself on offering unusually close animal encounters, including the opportunity for visitors to hold snakes and observe primates, meerkats, caracals, and many other species up close. This hands-on approach has earned it a reputation as one of the most distinctive animal parks in the Netherlands. Families with children are particularly well served through party bookings, school group programmes, and animal adoption and sponsorship opportunities. The park is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with adjusted hours during very hot summer days. Located conveniently in central Tilburg, De Oliemeulen offers an entertaining and memorable wildlife experience for visitors of all ages.

Dierenrijk, also known as Eindhoven Zoo, is a dynamic wildlife park located in Mierlo near Eindhoven in the Netherlands. The park is home to more than 60 impressive animal species spread across five themed areas, where visitors encounter rhinoceroses, cheetahs, chimpanzees, tigers, and many more remarkable creatures. A renovated splash park positioned alongside tiger enclosures, multiple playgrounds, and immersive guided tours create an engaging atmosphere for families and school groups. The zoo offers affordable annual passes and day tickets, along with birthday party packages and tailored school trip programs. With its blend of exciting animal encounters, educational content, and family-friendly facilities, Dierenrijk invites visitors of all ages to enjoy, experience, and discover the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Reptile House Earth, known in Dutch as Reptielenhuis De Aarde, is a leading reptile attraction located in Breda, Netherlands. Billing itself as the most beautiful reptile house in the country, the facility offers visitors an engaging encounter with a diverse collection of reptiles, presented through at least nine daily interactive sessions in which knowledgeable animal caretakers share fascinating insights about the creatures. A highlight for many visitors is the opportunity to hold a live snake during their visit. Beyond general admission, the house offers children's birthday parties, educational guided tours aligned with school curricula, and rental spaces for meetings and receptions. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Reptile House Earth is a distinctive and educational destination for reptile enthusiasts and curious families in the Breda region.

Zoo Veldhoven is a diverse zoo located near Eindhoven in the Netherlands, originally founded as a parrot sanctuary before expanding into a full zoo in 2013. Today the park houses more than 150 animal species, with a particular strength in parrots, raptors, cranes, and owls alongside mammals such as zebras, ring-tailed lemurs, and alpacas. Visitors can enjoy animal encounters, interactive experiences, and children's birthday parties during the park's operating season from March through October. The zoo also provides volunteering and internship opportunities for students in animal care, and runs sponsorship and rehabilitation programs supporting exotic birds. Its origins in bird conservation continue to shape its mission, making Zoo Veldhoven a meaningful destination for bird enthusiasts and families alike.

Zooparc Overloon is an adventurous and immersive zoo located in Overloon, North Brabant, inviting visitors on a wildlife expedition through lush, shaded pathways and themed zones. The park is home to more than 80 unique animal species, including okapis, lions, sloths, drills, cheetahs, tigers, pygmy hippos, and ring-tailed lemurs. The new Ngyuwe expedition zone features tropical indoor spaces perfect for exploring on rainy days. Animal feeding sessions and spacious playgrounds add to the family appeal, while flexible ticketing options and generous annual memberships make the zoo accessible for both day visitors and frequent guests. School trips, group outings, and children's birthday parties are all catered for. Zooparc Overloon combines conservation education with genuine adventure, making it one of the most exciting zoo destinations in the southern Netherlands.

Beekse Bergen is one of the Netherlands' most celebrated safari parks, located in Hilvarenbeek in the province of North Brabant. The park is home to more than 100 animal species, including the iconic Big Five, which visitors can encounter through a variety of immersive safari experiences: self-drive routes through open landscapes, guided boat safaris on the lake, and walking tours through natural habitats. Family highlights include the Speelland outdoor playground with climbing and racing activities, as well as seasonal events and ranger walks. For those wishing to extend their stay, the park offers overnight accommodations ranging from luxury hotel rooms to nature camping among the wildlife. Beekse Bergen also functions as an events venue and is committed to conservation and wildlife education.

BestZOO is a compact but richly stocked zoo located in Best in the North Brabant province of the Netherlands. The collection features a fascinating range of animals from South America, Asia, and beyond, with notable rare species including jaguars, fossas, tamanduas, wombats, and wallaroos housed in thoughtfully designed enclosures. A large outdoor playground, a petting farm, and an indoor play area make BestZOO an excellent destination for families with young children, while the on-site restaurant and gift shop round out the visitor experience. The zoo offers annual memberships, birthday party arrangements, and school trips, and is known for its cozy Brabant hospitality. Seasonal opening hours run year-round, ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable outing for animal lovers in the Eindhoven region.

Dierenpark Zie-ZOO is a distinctive animal park located in Volkel in the North Brabant province of the Netherlands, featuring a rich variety of habitats including water, sand, grassland, forest, and mountain environments that support a diverse range of wildlife. The park is particularly noted for its maned wolf breeding program and its pioneering role as the first care zoo in the Netherlands, offering day programs specifically designed for individuals with autism. The ZOOXperience program allows visitors to step into the role of an animal keeper for a day, providing hands-on educational encounters. Family-friendly amenities include free parking, flexible pricing with annual membership options, and extended summer hours. Zie-ZOO combines conservation, inclusive care, and community engagement to create a meaningful and welcoming destination for all visitors.