Heidelberg Zoo

Heidelberg Zoo (Zoo Heidelberg) is a family-oriented zoological garden at Tiergartenstraße 3 in the Neuenheimer Feld district, on the north bank of the Neckar in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in the 1930s, it is set in a green park of old trees and ponds and houses several hundred animals from many parts of the world. Visitors follow paths through themed areas that include a savannah-style zone with giraffes and other African species, an enclosure for big cats, houses for primates, a section for reptiles and amphibians, and a children's zoo where younger visitors can see smaller animals up close. Feeding sessions and keeper talks are held at set times during the day and are a good way to learn about the animals, though schedules change by season. The zoo also takes part in European breeding programmes for threatened species, and signs explain conservation work. Playgrounds and picnic areas are spread across the grounds, and cafes and kiosks provide food and drinks. A full visit takes three to four hours, and families with young children often stay longer. Admission is higher in the main season from March to October and lower in the winter season, with reduced prices for students and children and a free tier for the youngest, while the zoo is open 365 days a year with shorter hours in winter and closing at 13:00 on 24 and 31 December. The best time to visit is in the morning at opening, before feeding times and school groups arrive. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest, especially on warm days, and midweek visits are calmer. Photographers do best in the morning when animals are most active and the light is softer. The zoo is reached by tram or bus from the centre to the Zoo stop in Neuenheimer Feld, and it sits close to the Botanical Garden, so the two can be combined in one outing.