Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig)
The Basics
Visitors can enjoy full access to the zoo’s six themed areas: the Founder’s House, where highlights include the aquarium, terrarium, and koala house; Pongoland, home to chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans; Gondwanaland, where you can spot over 500 plant and animal species in a tropical rain forest; and zones devoted to Asian, South American, and African animals.
Regular zookeeper talks and animal-feeding demonstrations take place throughout the day, while additional activities include a safari train, camel rides, boat cruise, and gold panning.
Things to Know Before You Go
Plan at least 3–4 hours to visit all the zoo exhibitions, but you could easily spend the whole day there.
Lines can be long, especially in peak season, so it’s best to book your tickets in advance.
On-site facilities include numerous cafés, restaurants, and gift shops, as well as lockers, children’s play areas, and parking.
The zoo is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
Leipzig Zoo is located just north of downtown Leipzig, about a 10-minute walk (or 5-minute taxi ride) from the main train station, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. From downtown, the zoo is about a 15- to 20-minute walk, and tram 12 stops right outside.
When to Get There
The zoo is open daily, and closing times vary throughout the year. It’s worth planning your visit to coincide with the daily zookeeper talks and feeding times, typically late morning and early afternoon. The busiest times to visit are during the peak summer season (July and August) and school holidays, so if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for a midweek visit outside of these times. Prices are reduced in winter, so budget travelers might prefer an off-season visit.
Animal Sightings at Leipzig Zoo
Highlights of Leipzig Zoo include one of the world’s largest ape enclosures, the Siberian tiger savannah, the chance to watch elephants swimming from the underwater-viewing area, one of the largest sloth-breeding programs in Europe, and rare and endangered animals such as black rhinoceros, Przewalski wild horses, and orangutans.