As a proud resident of Kristiansand, I am truly grateful to live in such a remarkable city. The qualities that make Kristiansand a popular tourist destination also make it an exceptional place to reside. Every day, I am reminded of the countless reasons why this city holds a special place in my heart.
One of the aspects that make Kristiansand so appealing is its natural beauty. Living here means being surrounded by picturesque landscapes, from the stunning coastline to the lush green forests that envelop the city. The proximity to the sea offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as swimming, sailing, and fishing. Whether it's taking a leisurely walk along the beaches or exploring the nearby hiking trails, the natural wonders of Kristiansand are always within reach.
The community spirit in Kristiansand is truly remarkable. The locals here are known for their warm and welcoming nature. It's a tight-knit community where people genuinely care for one another. I've had the pleasure of getting involved in various local events and festivals, and the sense of unity and pride is truly inspiring. The city's rich history and culture are celebrated through these gatherings, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that fosters a strong sense of belonging.
Kristiansand also boasts excellent infrastructure and amenities. The city is well-planned, offering a wide range of facilities, including schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and recreational spaces. The efficient public transportation system makes commuting a breeze, and the city's commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives is commendable.
Another highlight of living in Kristiansand is the diverse range of cultural and entertainment options available. The city hosts numerous festivals, concerts, and art exhibitions throughout the year, catering to a wide range of interests. From exploring the exhibits at the Kristiansand Museum to enjoying live performances at the Kilden Performing Arts Center, there is always something exciting happening in the city.
In conclusion, as a resident, I couldn't be happier to call Kristiansand my home. Its natural beauty, welcoming community, excellent infrastructure, and vibrant cultural scene make it an extraordinary place to live. Kristiansand truly captures the essence of Norway's charm and is a city that never fails to inspire...
Read moreThis is a very large and beautiful zoo in Kristiansand where a large number of animals are kept in mostly large residence areas. The animals originate from many parts of the world, some of which are even rare (like red panda’s). There are outside fields, inside dorms and habitats.
The staff is very hard working and keeping the animals continuously well maintained. The Park is clean and neat. The staff is also very friendly and entertaining to the kids. There are special planned feeding times which are very entertaining and when you get to see special moments with the animals. Keep track of those times! Especially feeding the deers is very interesting to the kids since they get the opportunity to feed the deers themselves! Most spoken information the staff gives during the feeding times are in Norwegian. @Staff: it would be great if this information is shared (also) in English.
Besides animals, there are also rollercoasters water slides and other similar attractions which are only open in the high season.
Within the park, there is a little mini village built, called Kardemomme, where little buildings are placed in a cozy style. There is a fantastic bakery (Bakeren) selling warm (sweet) bread; Cinnamon bread was just awesome!!! 😉 they also have many type of beverages. There are many food booths around the park.
There is enough room for paid parking. The parking ticket needs to be purchased separately.
Please not: the Park is very large and you’ll be mostly on foot. A day should be enough to see all the animals. It depends on how active and moving you want to be, but you’ll probably walk a long time. Our total day distance in the Park was a bit more than 15 kilometers and we visited some parts more than once.
Our visit was lovely and very amusing. Our kids loved it!
They also have a Water Park right next to the zoo which we did not visit. You need a separate...
Read moreWe just arrived home from a visit to the park. So I have it quite fresh memory of the experience with the whole family. There are a few good and not so good aspects about this park. I will try to be short. Let me start by the good one: It is clean, safe (from the car park to the rides), it has plenty of room, not too long waiting for the attractions and the staff is friendly and engaging. I was however disappointed with the park layout - i could see any logic in it, the distances between the attractions, the area with the animals from the nordic countries had 6-7 animals only and I could only see 3 species. The park lacks good capacity for serving food: both places, seating area and personnel. Today at lunch i bought a dish that was sold out, I was only told after waiting 15 minutes, I had to be in line again to get a replacement dish: a total disaster. I am also puzzled with the placement of the souvenirs shops, really far away from the entrances. I could not see how somebody is buying huge toys like in the farming theme area, to carry them all the way around and to their car. I wonder who comes up with this ridiculous concept. I think this park has a lot of good themes that goes well beyond being a ZOO as the name seems to imply, it is well connected with the Norwegian traditions, but it seems a bit too amateur. Specially for a country like Norway that has such a great buying power. Hopefully it will keep improving and who knows in a few years it will become more coherent and...
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