Parco Natura Viva — Attraction in Bussolengo

Second time visiting this zoo, and this visit wasn't impressive. After seeing the very long line for the safari, we decided to first go to the zoo. It turns out the safari closes at 16.30, two hours before the zoo, which we didn't know and didn't get to go. So check the opening times online before going. We weren't even greeted at the entrance, the lady that checked our tickets just said 'You can go in'. Most animals (understandably) hiding from the August heat. During our 6-hour walk we saw only several animals, the rest of the time was spent climbing up steep paths under the glaring sun amongst hundreds of other people. Long lines at refreshment points, they are understaffed. Playgrounds are right in the sun, no shade whatsoever. Some tables and benches near playgrounds have shade. At the Simba restaurant there is no description of dishes for the visitors, so after I asked for a portion of vegetables for my daughter, the server then proceeded to give me the same vegetables as a side dish for my chicken, although I wanted the chicken without any sides. He just shrugged and said it's 'standard'. Ok, in that case tell me, so that I don't end up with two portions of the same thing. We went to two bathrooms and both were dirty and out of toilet paper. The cherry on top was the gate that failed to work as we were leaving the parking. You have to use a QR code and pay online, then you use the code they send you in an email to exit. Why not just install a machine? Overall an experience I would not recommend during...

Parco Natura Viva – An Unforgettable Experience by Lake Garda

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Parco Natura Viva is a fantastic wildlife park located near the beautiful Lake Garda, offering an experience for the whole family. Founded in 1969, the park has developed into an important center for the conservation of endangered species and education about biodiversity. It’s not just a zoo, but a place where animals live in large, natural environments that mimic their habitats.

The park is divided into two main areas: Safari Park and Fauna Park. In the Safari Park, you can drive through a large enclosure and see animals up close from the safety of your car – giraffes, lions, and rhinos roam freely in their open spaces. The Fauna Park is perfect for exploring on foot, where you can observe both exotic and endangered species from around the world, with plenty of educational signs that make the experience both informative and engaging.

Family-friendliness is a priority at Parco Natura Viva. There are several playgrounds, picnic areas, and even educational activities where children can learn about nature in a fun way. The park is well-maintained, with wide paths that make it easy to navigate with strollers, and there are plenty of shaded spots for breaks on a hot day.

Another great aspect of the park is its commitment to conservation and the protection of endangered species. Many of the animals you encounter are part of international breeding programs to ensure their survival, and the park actively participates in wildlife conservation projects.

If you're looking for an exciting, family-friendly, and educational outing near Lake Garda, Parco Natura Viva is a must. You’ll experience a day filled with fun, learning, and the chance to get close to some of the world’s most fascinating animals. The park is easily accessible and just a short drive from many of the popular holiday spots around the lake.

Parco Natura Viva – En Uforglemmelig Oplevelse ved Lago di Garda

Parco Natura Viva er en fantastisk dyrepark beliggende tæt på den smukke Lago di Garda, og det er en oplevelse for hele familien. Parken blev grundlagt i 1969 og har gennem årene udviklet sig til et vigtigt center for bevaring af truede dyrearter og uddannelse om biodiversitet. Det er ikke bare en zoo, men et sted hvor dyr lever i store, naturlige områder, der efterligner deres naturlige habitat.

Parken er opdelt i to hovedområder: Safari Park og Fauna Park. I Safari Park kan du køre gennem en stor indhegning og opleve dyrene tæt på fra sikkerheden af din bil – giraffer, løver og næsehorn kan ses i deres åbne omgivelser. Fauna Park er perfekt til at udforske til fods. Her kan du komme tæt på både eksotiske og truede dyrearter fra hele verden, og der er mange informationsskilte, der gør det både lærerigt og interessant.

Børnevenlighed er i højsædet i Parco Natura Viva. Der er adskillige legepladser, picnicområder og endda pædagogiske aktiviteter, hvor børn kan lære om naturen på en sjov måde. Parken er godt vedligeholdt, med brede stier, der gør den let at navigere med barnevogne, og der er masser af skyggefulde områder til en pause på en varm dag.

En anden stor fordel ved parken er deres engagement i bevarelse og beskyttelse af truede arter. Mange af de dyr, du møder i parken, er en del af internationale avlsprogrammer for at sikre deres overlevelse, og parken arbejder også aktivt med projekter i naturen.

Hvis du leder efter en spændende, børnevenlig og lærerigt udflugtsmål nær Lago di Garda, er Parco Natura Viva et must. Du vil opleve en dag fuld af sjov, læring og mulighed for at komme tæt på nogle af verdens mest fascinerende dyr. Parken er let tilgængelig og ligger kun en kort køretur fra mange af de populære feriebyer omkring...

We spent a happy 5 hours here (allow at least 4 hours for the animal park alone) with our two children, aged 6 and 4. They loved the animals and there were good viewing areas for the enclosures. Sometimes I feel sad about the sizes of the cages, but didn't so much here.

It is quite hilly and VERY steep in places, so a real work out if pushing a buggy (I imagine it'd be really tough with a wheelchair). Flip flops weren't the best choice of shoe.

We wished we'd toured the safari first, as last entry is 1600, whereas the park is open until 1800. Our 6 year old was very anxious that we wouldn't get there in time; he therefore didn't want to spend too long looking at each enclosure in the park and rushed us a little, not even wanting to spend long in the play area.

Having been to Longleat (UK), we were a little disappointed by the safari section, as many of the animals weren't free to wander up to the car. However, the giraffes were and we loved seeing them up close.

Parking is €2 per car, payable when driving out of the car park.

I've given it 4* not 5, as my son was desperate to see the barn owl (!?), but when we got to it (very near the end), the door was locked and we couldn't...