ZOO Planckendael
ZOO Planckendael
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,119 reviews
Excellent
528
Very good
450
Average
81
Poor
33
Terrible
27
Greet J
16 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
I have been a member of Planckendael and Antwerp Zoo for many years since childhood but now living abroad I’ve not had a yearly visit or 2 or 3 like I used to. I have visited in august 2021 and for the first time as an active wheelchair user. I must say I am very impressed with the quality of the enclosures and the way it is now laid out. My son and partner enjoyed the walk through the trees and we all loved seeing the freedom of roaming for the animals as well as the diversity of animals looked after in this zoo with information presented about them. I would thoroughly recommend visiting and appreciating this Zoo as a high standard of animal conservation. Also for accessibility this zoo was really very good; I only needed one or two little bits of assistance but able to access all that I wanted.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eugene L
Steenhuffel, Belgium30 contributions
Sep 2020
I have not been to Planckendael since it was closed for Covid but I have been there many times previously. The Zoo is set in an extensive rural setting and the animals are divided by "continents". They are kept in spacious enclosures and there is quite a lot of variety. Parking is good and the restaurants are acceptable. I am obliged to choose "September 2020" as the date of my visit but clearly this was not the case as the zoo was closed to the public for Covid measures. My last of many visits was November 2019.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tunes79
Barrow-in-Furness, UK365 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
A brilliant range of animals, wonderful habitats, and great all-round fun made this a perfect family day out before flying back home.
With elephants, lions, cheetahs and more, all living in well-maintained habitats and with enough space not to feel as though they are penned in - the elephants in particular seem to have a vast home - there is much to see and it could easily fill a whole day, and more.
The paths are perfect for pushing a toddler around in his pram. There are stairs on some routes, but always alternatives, while they can see most of the animals very easily without having to get out.
There are playgrounds located at regular intervals, meaning the kids are well catered for when they want a break from looking at the animals. They have different themes and layouts and are they perfect for children from as young as 6 months up for playing in the sand, with more advanced playground equipment for older children. Ours loved the two we stopped at.
There are also lots of toilet stops and bins, which was good to see, with separate recycling facilities next to every waste bin, backing up environmental credentials.
Food served in the various cafes and food huts is what you would expect from any such attraction, without costing the Earth. Sandwiches, snacks, drinks & more can be found at regular intervals.
It’s only 25 minutes from Brussels Airport as well, so perfect for a last-day stop prior to a flight.
With elephants, lions, cheetahs and more, all living in well-maintained habitats and with enough space not to feel as though they are penned in - the elephants in particular seem to have a vast home - there is much to see and it could easily fill a whole day, and more.
The paths are perfect for pushing a toddler around in his pram. There are stairs on some routes, but always alternatives, while they can see most of the animals very easily without having to get out.
There are playgrounds located at regular intervals, meaning the kids are well catered for when they want a break from looking at the animals. They have different themes and layouts and are they perfect for children from as young as 6 months up for playing in the sand, with more advanced playground equipment for older children. Ours loved the two we stopped at.
There are also lots of toilet stops and bins, which was good to see, with separate recycling facilities next to every waste bin, backing up environmental credentials.
Food served in the various cafes and food huts is what you would expect from any such attraction, without costing the Earth. Sandwiches, snacks, drinks & more can be found at regular intervals.
It’s only 25 minutes from Brussels Airport as well, so perfect for a last-day stop prior to a flight.
Written September 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Caco-Marko
Belgium65 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
I visited Planckendael on Sunday afternoon. To reach it from Brussels is easy, parking facility is available (daily ticket is 8 EUR). Entrance to the Zoo is well organised. Tickets for adults cost around 25 EUR and for kids few EUR less. Apparently, there are various options for frequent visitors to pay less. Anyway, value for money is not there because the Zoo itself is not well organized. Signs, maps, description of animals and their habitats... totally confusing, absolutely amateur approach. You can learn very little and you will lose time while finding your way around. They need to improve it. I stayed approximately 4 h at the Zoo and I saw none of the staff there to be at customer disposal for questions, directions etc. The animals... well, I agree, better living conditions necessary, security aspects also needs re-evaluation. LEGO figures kids searched for are nice but I prefer my child to be excited because of a real fox with some educational material available, rather then LEGO fox. It is a bit bizarre to place it in a Zoo. Commercial facilities are few, nothing to highlight. All in all, not worthy of your time if you came there for education.
Written July 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Savvas2013
Thessaloniki, Greece51 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
I have to say I personally disagree with the idea of keeping animals in places like a zoo. So I will try to be as objective as I can be.
The place is more than half an hour by car from Brussels and is divided in continent areas, eg Europe, Africa, etc. There are a lot of animals, like elephants, tigers, rats, monkeys, etc, so you need more than 3 hours to visit it all. Also, you have to have good weather, since almost all the facilities are external. Usually every 30 min staff is publicly feeding animals, as a show.
There are vending machines (more) and cafe/restaurants (less) to satisfy your thirst or hunger, and lots of resting chairs. In the entrance a nice shop with memorabilia.
But after a while, everything seems to be the same: the animals are away from the fences, either sleeping or just lying down, do action at all. Most of the times you cannot see any details.
And finally the prices: 24,00 € for adults, 17.50 € for a child between 3-16 and 7.00 € for car parking, in the middle of nowhere! At least, I suggest you book in advance, you will earn 2.00 € / per person. That's something...
The place is more than half an hour by car from Brussels and is divided in continent areas, eg Europe, Africa, etc. There are a lot of animals, like elephants, tigers, rats, monkeys, etc, so you need more than 3 hours to visit it all. Also, you have to have good weather, since almost all the facilities are external. Usually every 30 min staff is publicly feeding animals, as a show.
There are vending machines (more) and cafe/restaurants (less) to satisfy your thirst or hunger, and lots of resting chairs. In the entrance a nice shop with memorabilia.
But after a while, everything seems to be the same: the animals are away from the fences, either sleeping or just lying down, do action at all. Most of the times you cannot see any details.
And finally the prices: 24,00 € for adults, 17.50 € for a child between 3-16 and 7.00 € for car parking, in the middle of nowhere! At least, I suggest you book in advance, you will earn 2.00 € / per person. That's something...
Written November 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VPowFam
35 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
There are soooooo many playgrounds. The children love this place. All in all, is a great little zoo and park... and it has good food. We have passes and choose to go often.
Written June 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teresa C
Brussels, Belgium48 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Lot of space for the animals so kids do not see them in cages. Wide variety of animals. Wonderful park. We'll organized. Perfect for a day activity with kids.
Written August 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Virrvarr
Brussels, Belgium80 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
A nice zoo with many interesting animals in a nice setting.
A short drive from brussels and great for an afternoon.
A short drive from brussels and great for an afternoon.
Written July 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daniel19721972
Leuven, Belgium806 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Our last visit was at the beginning of july with friends and children.
Planckendael zoo has now a free paper plan at the entrance to see the different area with looping one part. It is rather big, so may be heavy for small children.
They really do efforts for the well being of the animals.
A lot of small playing area's for the children.
At the end we had to do a detour due to building activities, but this will be temporary.
Lunch and snacks are good and same level of prices as in other parcs or animation parcs.
For prices and opening hours, look on their internet side, sometimes you also can buy discount tickets on the internet.
Please pay attention that some of the reviews on Planckendael have been done for the wrong cause to attire attention and are not at all objectif.
Planckendael zoo has now a free paper plan at the entrance to see the different area with looping one part. It is rather big, so may be heavy for small children.
They really do efforts for the well being of the animals.
A lot of small playing area's for the children.
At the end we had to do a detour due to building activities, but this will be temporary.
Lunch and snacks are good and same level of prices as in other parcs or animation parcs.
For prices and opening hours, look on their internet side, sometimes you also can buy discount tickets on the internet.
Please pay attention that some of the reviews on Planckendael have been done for the wrong cause to attire attention and are not at all objectif.
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bart S
Vilvoorde, Belgium43 contributions
May 2018 • Family
The restaurants sell plenty of meat. How can you be animal friendly then? Money is the only thing that counts over here.
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Combien de temps dure le tour?
Hoelang duurt het rit?
How long is the tour?
monique c
Brussels, Belgium253 contributions
2h c'est parfait. 3h encore mieux
La Bridgette S
Clarksville, TN1 contribution
Can I bring my 7lb Yorkie?
pgb2pgb
Brussels, Belgium234 contributions
Sorry not sure?
Leigh J
Crewe, UK24 contributions
Hi, I was just reading reviews of Planckendael and have not come across many that mention its accessibility for people in wheel chairs or on crutches with limited mobility. Would you say this zoo is "disabled friendly" for someone who is slow on their feet and doesnt deal with steps well? I use crutches all the time and need my husband with me as my carer I'm an avid zoo goer in the UK but will be visiting Belgium and Germany for the first time this year and I am keen to visit several zoos.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Leigh
ps can you tell me if this zoo offers a discount for disabled visitors and their carers, as many zoos in the UK do.
Simona M
Brussels, Belgium210 contributions
Hello. Yes, the park is accessible by wheel chair, not so sure if it offers a discount for disable visitors. If you visit Belgium, you might consider also Pairi Daiza, it is a better zoo than Plackendael, which is very crowded during week-ends and holidays.
ZOO Planckendael (Mechelen) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about ZOO Planckendael
- Hotels near ZOO Planckendael:
- (0.22 mi) Malcot Hotel
- (2.16 mi) Porta Superia Boutique B&B
- (0.54 mi) Aquarand
- (2.31 mi) VixX Hotel
- (0.76 mi) Lithium Bed, Zen & Breakfast
- Restaurants near ZOO Planckendael:
- (1.01 mi) Spiga d'Oro
- (2.00 mi) La Vigna
- (2.45 mi) DE WITTEN VOS
- (1.94 mi) M-Eatery
- (0.66 mi) De Ridder Van Musena