Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, Drenthe Province, The Netherlands

5haris 5:00 PM Aug 7, 2021

Best zoo I've ever been to (and I've been to the Masai Mah goddammit!)
We arrived in Emmen on a Sunday from Germany (had folks in Germany bit we live in London). We were hoping shops would be open on Sunday, but alas nearly everything was closed So my partner suggested the zoo, she had heard there was one, but wasn't sure. We looked online, took a chance and paid the very expensive entrance fee. 20 euros pp.. By the end I can honestly say that was the best zoo I've been to, and I've been to the hell that is Disneyworld Florida and I've been to the Kenyan Masai Mah safari (where you're lucky to find any animal). We were there for 4 hours. There were plenty of mini playground spots for my 4 year old to keep busy, and the different worlds were brilliantly organised. The safari jeep ride was great (the queue was long though so be prepared) and you got to see lions, giraffe, rhinos, impalas up front and clear. we saw hippos under water, a terrific little aquarium, seals and penguins, a farm animal feeding zone. There was so much space, and each area was really creatively designed (the indian buses overhanging the safari range was superb) We eschewed the rollercoaster due to time and went straight to the jungle world, not knowing there was a boat ride. A fantastic little rainforest ride, and then to top it off there was a great little treetop walk, where you could see the elephants so close. We were exhausted by the end of it but thoroughly entertained. The only blemish was there was no rent-a-buggy for those who forgot theirs, and the mad guy outside the gift shop insisted everyone in our party pick up a basket, when we only needed one?! Oh and some annoying bint in the safari queue who told us to keep our distance, as she was traveling in 5 days time even though she was not wearing a mask and it was a crowded queue. Anyway, a great great zoo, put it this way, if London Zoo was a football team, it would be Accrington Stanley to Emmen Zoo's prime 2011 Barcelona team.

4KarenZwSA 5:00 PM Aug 22, 2022

Fun day out
We had a great day out at Wildlands. But with us were a lot of other people - the cues were very long at most attractions. The animals seem well cared for and have space to roam. The price of food and drink is quite on the steep side considering what you pay to get inside, but the attractions are included. If you want a few coffees during the day it pays off to get the free refilling cup. I like that some food is only offered in certain areas which corresponds with the area you are in - like fish in the ocean area.