Burgers' Safari

Burgers' Safari is part of the Burgers' Zoo complex in Arnhem, in the province of Gelderland, and it is one of the best-known animal attractions in the Netherlands. The zoo was founded by Johan Burgers in the early twentieth century and has stayed in the family for generations, which explains the personal name on the gate. Over the decades it grew from a small collection into a large park with several themed areas, each recreating a different habitat.

The Safari area is the place to see African savanna species in wide, open enclosures. Opened in 1968, it was among the first parks on the European mainland to let visitors observe lions in a large outdoor setting rather than behind bars. Today the enclosures hold animals such as lions, zebras and giraffes, and the layout lets groups roam and mix as they would on grassland. The approach is to give visitors a sense of distance and scale, with the animals behaving more naturally than in a traditional zoo cage.

The wider zoo is worth building into the same visit. Burgers' Zoo is known for large indoor habitats that recreate tropical environments, including a mangrove, a desert hall, a tropical rainforest area and an ocean tank. These sections run in a sequence, so a full day can take in the Safari together with the other zones. Zoo staff run conservation and breeding programmes, and information boards explain why endangered species need protection.

Practical planning helps. The park is large, so comfortable shoes and a schedule matter, especially with children. Feeding times and talks run through the day, and checking the timetable at the entrance lets you plan around them. In wet weather, the covered habitats are a good fallback, and in summer the shaded areas help. Opening hours and ticket prices change by season, so check the zoo's current information before travelling.

Burgers' Safari suits families, wildlife photographers and anyone interested in conservation. Arnhem is also home to the Dutch Open Air Museum and the Liberation Route linked to the battle of 1944, so a trip to the city can combine nature with history. The zoo sits at the northern edge of the town, near the woods of the Veluwe, and is easy to reach by bus or car.