Cologne Zoological Garden, Cologne

Cologne Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in the country. It has a diverse collection of over 10,000 animals, making it one of the most diverse zoos in all of Europe. The zoo's motto is "Enthusiastic about animals," reflecting the staff's commitment to providing an engaging and educational experience for visitors.

One of the main attractions of Cologne Zoo is the Elephant Park, which opened in 2004. It is the largest elephant park north of the Alps and provides a spacious and naturalistic environment for the elephants. Another popular exhibit is the Hippodom, completed in 2010 to celebrate the zoo's 150th anniversary. This exhibit features an African river landscape and is home to various species, including hippos, Nile crocodiles, and sitatunga antelopes.

The Clemenshof, which opened in 2014, is a replica of a small farm typical of the region and includes a petting zoo for children. It provides a home for rare native species and is a popular attraction for families. The Rainforest House, built in the mid-1980s, showcases animals and plants from the endangered rainforests of Southeast Asia. The exhibit is designed to allow visitors to observe the primates up close without disturbing them.

Cologne Zoo also has historic animal houses, including the Monkey Rock from 1914, the Moorish-style Elephant House built in 1863, and the "South America House" from 1899, which is modeled on a Russian Orthodox church. The combination of old buildings and modern exhibits, along with the park landscapes designed by the zoo's horticulturists, gives the zoo a unique charm and a high level of attractiveness.

In addition to the animal exhibits, Cologne Zoo offers daily feeding shows for sea lions, meerkats, raccoons, and other animals. The air show featuring rare birds of prey is also a popular attraction. Visitors can also enjoy the zoo's large playground area and grab a snack at the new zoo gastronomy.