ZOO Planckendael, Flanders, Belgium
4.5 (1.119 reviews) Spent Ranking #9 in Antwerp Province Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos • Parks
Animals kept in spacious conditions
I have not been to Planckendael since it was closed for Covid but I have been there many times previously. The Zoo is set in an extensive rural setting and the animals are divided by "continents". They are kept in spacious enclosures and there is quite a lot of variety. Parking is good and the restaurants are acceptable. I am obliged to choose "September 2020" as the date of my visit but clearly this was not the case as the zoo was closed to the public for Covid measures. My last of many visits was November 2019.
Address
Leuvensesteenweg 582, Mechelen 2812 Belgium
Mobile
Website
http://www.zooplanckendael.be/
Current local date and time now
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 14:41
User Ratings
4.5 based on (1.119 reviews)
Reviews
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5Tunes79 5:00 PM Aug 31, 2019
Bigger & Better Than Expected - Brilliant for Kids
A brilliant range of animals, wonderful habitats, and great all-round fun made this a perfect family day out before flying back home. With elephants, lions, cheetahs and more, all living in well-maintained habitats and with enough space not to feel as though they are penned in - the elephants in particular seem to have a vast home - there is much to see and it could easily fill a whole day, and more. The paths are perfect for pushing a toddler around in his pram. There are stairs on some routes, but always alternatives, while they can see most of the animals very easily without having to get out. There are playgrounds located at regular intervals, meaning the kids are well catered for when they want a break from looking at the animals. They have different themes and layouts and are they perfect for children from as young as 6 months up for playing in the sand, with more advanced playground equipment for older children. Ours loved the two we stopped at. There are also lots of toilet stops and bins, which was good to see, with separate recycling facilities next to every waste bin, backing up environmental credentials. Food served in the various cafes and food huts is what you would expect from any such attraction, without costing the Earth. Sandwiches, snacks, drinks & more can be found at regular intervals. It’s only 25 minutes from Brussels Airport as well, so perfect for a last-day stop prior to a flight.
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5Greet J 5:00 PM Aug 23, 2021
Excellent example of how zoos should be.
I have been a member of Planckendael and Antwerp Zoo for many years since childhood but now living abroad I’ve not had a yearly visit or 2 or 3 like I used to. I have visited in august 2021 and for the first time as an active wheelchair user. I must say I am very impressed with the quality of the enclosures and the way it is now laid out. My son and partner enjoyed the walk through the trees and we all loved seeing the freedom of roaming for the animals as well as the diversity of animals looked after in this zoo with information presented about them. I would thoroughly recommend visiting and appreciating this Zoo as a high standard of animal conservation. Also for accessibility this zoo was really very good; I only needed one or two little bits of assistance but able to access all that I wanted.
