Oostvaardersplassen
Oostvaardersplassen
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
420 reviews
Excellent
187
Very good
169
Average
28
Poor
7
Terrible
29
Anita J
13 contributions
Apr 2022
Taco was our guide. He provided us with explicit directions to this preserve, met us at the train stop, provided a spotting scope , transportation via personal car to over 5 local habitats & could bird by sight and ear. Easily understood and spoke English.
We quickly were able to see chiffchaffs ,tits, even a Bluethroat & Ouzel. Both my sister and I marveled at the abundance of species presented on this lovely clear day. I think even Taco relished his time birding. His email of sightings identified over 60 birds from grasslands, wetlands and trees from these "low land" countrysides.
I personally am a beginner to birding, but was thrilled at our good luck weather, the bird activity and the challenge to my abilities. My sister marveled at the experience during our first time in the Netherlands. These 4.5 hrs. were a highlight of our 10 day stay . We were saddened to say "goodbye" to this delightful guide and extended an invitation to visit Va. Bch, Va. or/& Tucson, Az.
We quickly were able to see chiffchaffs ,tits, even a Bluethroat & Ouzel. Both my sister and I marveled at the abundance of species presented on this lovely clear day. I think even Taco relished his time birding. His email of sightings identified over 60 birds from grasslands, wetlands and trees from these "low land" countrysides.
I personally am a beginner to birding, but was thrilled at our good luck weather, the bird activity and the challenge to my abilities. My sister marveled at the experience during our first time in the Netherlands. These 4.5 hrs. were a highlight of our 10 day stay . We were saddened to say "goodbye" to this delightful guide and extended an invitation to visit Va. Bch, Va. or/& Tucson, Az.
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FJLakes
Utrecht, The Netherlands5 contributions
Jan 2015
Hi all,
I am planning a day visit to the area for a walk, animal watching and some pictures taking. I am getting in Oostvaarders train station, does anyone know the best way to get in the area from the station. Any suggestions are welcome as routes etc
Cheers
I am planning a day visit to the area for a walk, animal watching and some pictures taking. I am getting in Oostvaarders train station, does anyone know the best way to get in the area from the station. Any suggestions are welcome as routes etc
Cheers
Written January 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald_jelle
The Hague, The Netherlands2,635 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
The Oostvaardersplassen can be entered from two sides, either from Lelystad or from Almere.
On both sides you can walk in some parts and if your lucky you can see quite a few species of birds (depending on the time of year there are more than 50 different species of birds.. even eagles) and some of the other wild animals such as wild horses, deer and other animals.
There are special tours for bird watching and on the Almere side you have a great view from the Oostvaarders centre (there you can also have a drink and eat something) inside you can use binoculars on the third floor of the building (for free) where you can see a large part of this flat swamp.
For those who love nature this is one of the few places in the Netherlands, even in Europe where you can actually see animals run free in a swamp like environment.
Really worth a visit, but do some checking on the websites so you are prepared when it is the best time to visit.
There is no admittance fee and you can walk for hours and have some great views.
On both sides you can walk in some parts and if your lucky you can see quite a few species of birds (depending on the time of year there are more than 50 different species of birds.. even eagles) and some of the other wild animals such as wild horses, deer and other animals.
There are special tours for bird watching and on the Almere side you have a great view from the Oostvaarders centre (there you can also have a drink and eat something) inside you can use binoculars on the third floor of the building (for free) where you can see a large part of this flat swamp.
For those who love nature this is one of the few places in the Netherlands, even in Europe where you can actually see animals run free in a swamp like environment.
Really worth a visit, but do some checking on the websites so you are prepared when it is the best time to visit.
There is no admittance fee and you can walk for hours and have some great views.
Written December 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arua1999
Lancaster20 contributions
Feb 2018
It's a large mud pool with dead trees and thousands of starving animals. Apparently they're not supposed to be fed because they're "wild", but an actual wild animal would be able to migrate to somewhere with grass... like the lush green fields right next door! It's animal abuse, plain and simple.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HarTeeuw
Amsterdam, The Netherlands335 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
After all the discussion about this biggest ‘Nature’ area in the Netherlands I wanted to see it for myself.... I actually did a few times... it’s nice to walk there and you do have some nice views very true. The number of animals walking around however is frightening.... way way too many on such a small strip of land ( even though in the Netherlands we consider it being big...) During winter time it must be a nightmare for the animals when food is about zero...birds can migrate to other areas in the Netherlands or even Europe... the poor horses, deer and cows have nowhere to go but to stare over the fence where the grass is greener... it’s now February 2018.... 700 (!!!!!!) animals had to be shot in this zoo to prevent a horrific death...If you go there to see for yourself (like I did) have a good look...
Written February 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikelin
Moss, Norway282 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
I went to the park with no big expectations one way or the other and found it quite beautiful. When we met a group of horses however, I noticed that a lot of them looked very thin and underfed. After reading up on this park I learned that the animals were not there from the start, but placed there by humans. They are all herbivores however and the lack of natural enemies have caused the numbers to grow. As a result there is not enough food left for all the animals and several individuals starve to death. Please do not support this park.
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NigelFR
South West France10 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
TL:DR Not much wildlife to be seen.
The OVP made the headlines in the Winter of 2017/8 because of the protests against the killing of so many deer, horses and cattle. As we were in the area, we decided to see for ourselves.
We arrived at a time when the visitors' center was closed so we decided to just wander around as there are some well maintained paths. Near the beginning of the path there is a sort of map that gives a bit of an overview of the area. It shows a wood which the path leads you through. We were shocked at the state of this wood: it looks like it has been bombed with the dead trees pointing their bareebranches to the sky and lying tumbled on the ground. Here and there were a number of newly planted saplings covered with mesh to protect them from the animals.
We met a couple of locals who pointed us in the direction of a viewing hut that overlooks a lake for water birds. Inside there are some charts which show the two hundred or more species that could be viewed... at least when the hut was built. To our disappointment,the lake was practically empty of birds, although a swallow did come into the hut to tend to its nest.
It was only after we had left the hut that we noticed how bereft of animal life the area was. Normally one would expect to see insects buzzing around or crawling about and hear and see birds. There was nothing but silence as we walked along a path amongst the reeds.
Once we had left the reeds, we headed towards a viewing hut that gives an outlook over the plain where the cattle, horses and deer make their home. Upstairs there is a viewing room with a mounted binoculars so that you can view the animals. With the aid of this we were able to see the deer and cattle far in the distance.
After leaving the hut our return path took us close to a group of twenty or more of the Konik horses. They seemed in reasonable enough condition, although many had scars from wounds. We were surprised to see that the group was mainly stallions with only one or two mares.
There was a light breeze blowing all the time that we were there and although it was a sunny day, we actually started to fell a bit chilled by the time we had completed our tour which took about two hours or so. It was then that we realised that there is hardly any protection from the wind: no hedges or thickets, no clumps of trees, just an open plain. The local people that we had met early had told us how bad the conditions had been last winter, but we had thought that they were exagerating. However, by the end of our walk we could imagine just how desperate the conditions must have been for the animals trapped there.
The OVP made the headlines in the Winter of 2017/8 because of the protests against the killing of so many deer, horses and cattle. As we were in the area, we decided to see for ourselves.
We arrived at a time when the visitors' center was closed so we decided to just wander around as there are some well maintained paths. Near the beginning of the path there is a sort of map that gives a bit of an overview of the area. It shows a wood which the path leads you through. We were shocked at the state of this wood: it looks like it has been bombed with the dead trees pointing their bareebranches to the sky and lying tumbled on the ground. Here and there were a number of newly planted saplings covered with mesh to protect them from the animals.
We met a couple of locals who pointed us in the direction of a viewing hut that overlooks a lake for water birds. Inside there are some charts which show the two hundred or more species that could be viewed... at least when the hut was built. To our disappointment,the lake was practically empty of birds, although a swallow did come into the hut to tend to its nest.
It was only after we had left the hut that we noticed how bereft of animal life the area was. Normally one would expect to see insects buzzing around or crawling about and hear and see birds. There was nothing but silence as we walked along a path amongst the reeds.
Once we had left the reeds, we headed towards a viewing hut that gives an outlook over the plain where the cattle, horses and deer make their home. Upstairs there is a viewing room with a mounted binoculars so that you can view the animals. With the aid of this we were able to see the deer and cattle far in the distance.
After leaving the hut our return path took us close to a group of twenty or more of the Konik horses. They seemed in reasonable enough condition, although many had scars from wounds. We were surprised to see that the group was mainly stallions with only one or two mares.
There was a light breeze blowing all the time that we were there and although it was a sunny day, we actually started to fell a bit chilled by the time we had completed our tour which took about two hours or so. It was then that we realised that there is hardly any protection from the wind: no hedges or thickets, no clumps of trees, just an open plain. The local people that we had met early had told us how bad the conditions had been last winter, but we had thought that they were exagerating. However, by the end of our walk we could imagine just how desperate the conditions must have been for the animals trapped there.
Written December 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahpa62
Brighton, UK21 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
sick and starving animals everywhere - DISGUSTING - do not visit - why isn't somebody doing something about it??
Written May 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
USDutchie
The Hague, The Netherlands159 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Wyoming and Montana .....that's nature for Elk Deer, Horses and cows. It is totally ridiculous to have tried to IMITATE a piece of nature that belonged once in Western Europe/Holland in the Middle Ages!! Government .....come to your sences and get rid of ALL these large animals. They do not belong anymore in this culture. Make it a bird sanctuary ........ OR build more homes which Holland desperately needs!
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swedenmariao
Jönköping, Sweden1 contribution
Jul 2018 • Family
Animals walking around like skeletons. Its the most awful place. Its just death! Dont go to this place!
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SandraNuesser
Beverwijk, The Netherlands
Waarom wordt mijn beoordeling niet geplaatst, ik ben hier meerdere keren geweest om met eigen ogen te zien hoe de grote grazers daar wegkwijnen. Heel raar dat negatieve reacties niet geplaatst worden. Ik hou het netjes en ik hou mij aan de richtlijnen dus waarom is dit?
Al met al kan ik hier ook mijn beoordeling plaatsen! De Oostvaardersplassen krijgt van mij een 0!
Uit de hand gelopen project waar duizenden dieren omkomen van de honger tijdens de winter. En zomers is het niet veel beter, giftige planten, geen gras en bij hitte geen schoon drinkwater en geen beschutting.
Janine
1 contribution
Ik kan het haast niet opschrijven ,ben te boos en te verdrietig over het HORRORBELEID van de OVP.
Heel veel verschrikkelijke erbarmelijk toestanden gezien daar .
En nog steeds.
Al twee jaar ben ik er ziek van en slaap heel slecht .
En ik snap niet ,dat de overheid ,dierenorganisaties ,etc.zich zo laten beïnvloeden door SBB.,die alsmaar roept ""niets aan de hand""
En ondertussen stierven ( en sterven )er elk jaar duizenden dieren de hongerdood in die steenkoude winters.
Ongelooflijk dat niet meer mensen in opstand zijn gekomen.
Echt je kan niet meer slapen als je daar in de winter gaat kijken.
En nu is er nog steeds niets verbeterd .
SBB blijft maar roepen dat het goed gaat.
Maar ondertussen ,sterven er nog steeds jonge dieren .
Plus wordt er op een afschuwelijke manier aan de lopende band hindes en bambies afgeknald.
Ze schieten gewoon in de groepen, echt waar ,dan zijn die dieren helemaal gestresst en vliegen alle kanten op .en ze blijven maar schieten.
Ook veulentjes ,die bij de geboorte niet sterk genoeg zijn ,knallen ze af waar de moeder bij staat.( terwijl de boswachter , alleen maar even een paar weken bij hoeft te voeden.)
Maar ze hebben helemaal geen zin om de dieren daar te verzorgen.
U zou eens moeten gaan kijken.
De paarden lopen met kapotte hoeven.levensgevaarlijk voor hun verdere gezondheid.
Ontstoken tanden ,van het schrapen aan de boomstam.
Ze kunnen er nu amper gras mee uit de grond trekken.
Dit allemaal omdat er niets te eten was, in de winter .
Ook zitten ze in de wintermaanden onder de kleverige klissen,zo erg dat ze hun staart en hoofdharen niet meer kunnen gebruiken.
En die krengen vallen pas laat in het voorjaar uit .
Er is nog steeds geen fatsoenlijk beschuttingen voor de grazers .
Dat beloofde SBB al jaren .
Wat is dat toch ,waarom wordt er zo slecht voor die grazers gezorgd .
Waarom noemen ze die grazers
"" wilde dieren""
Er staan overal hekken omheen.
De herten,hindes ,paarden ,en heckrunderen ,gaan in de winter dood van de honger ,ze kunnen er niet overheen springen om voedsel te zoeken.
En dat maakt mij zo boos .
Als je een dier opsluit ,hoe kan hij of zij dan voor zichzelf zorgen als er in het afgesloten gebied geen eten meer is ,als alleen kale bomen,giftige jakobskruiskruid,kleverige klissen en nog andere giftige planten .
De grazers kunnen niet anders ,dan hiervan eten .
En daarna zijn ze doodziek en dan worden ze afgeknald .
Want zegt SBZb dan ,"" zieke dieren schieten wij af.
Maar wees nu eerlijk ze maken ze eerst zelf toch ziek ,doordat ze de dieren geen eten geven .
Ik hoop toch zo dat ,hier meer mensen zijn die nu tegen het beleid van de OVP zijn .
En natuurlijk reageren er nu weer mensen die gaan beweren dat het niet zo is.
Die zijn vast bevriend met mensen van de OVP.
Dank u dat we hier onze frustratie hebben mogen opschrijven.
VR groet
Janine
anjanebbeling
Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
Ik ben gisteren gefeliciteerd door Tripadvisor met de plaatsing v mijn beoordeling.Vandaag is deze verwijderd. Het was een negatieve beoordeling. Geschreven op basis v verschillende persoonlijke ervaringen want ik bezoek dit gebied met regelmaat. Door wie is mijn beoordeling verwijderd? Is Tripadvisor niet onafhankelijk? Waarom mag je geen negatieve beoordeling plaatsen? Wat is dan het doel v deze site? De lezers krijgen zo geen objectief beeld van alle misstanden die ik,en anderen met mij hebben aangetroffen. Wil Staatsbosbeheer bezoekers misleiden door alleen positieve berichten te plaatsen? Heb ik geen recht op vrijheid van meningsuiting? Ik verneem graag van Tripadvisor en Staatsbosbeheer waarom zij de plaatsingen manipuleren.
Bij mij hetzelfde. Ben ook diverse malen geweest en heb er twee "prachtige" foto's bijgeleverd. Vraag is nu of Tripadvisor onafhankelijk is.
LenyZa
Vlaardingen, The Netherlands
Waar is mijn recensie gebleven? Wil TripAdvisor geen negatieve mening horen van iemand die daar meerdere malen is geweest? Willen jullie ook de horror foto's?😫
DieGisela
Hengelo, The Netherlands
Waarom is mijn beoordeling geplaatst en vervolgens weer verwijdert? Ik zag 36 slechte beoordelingen staan gisteren. Waarom staan die er nu niet meer?
AandH0728
Almelo, The Netherlands55 contributions
Staatsbosbeheer Oostvaardersplassen wil geen negatieve kritiek. Ze hebben daarom deze beoordelingssite stopgezet.
verdiep u in de ovp help die lieve dieren
ze sterven een horrordood..geef ze te eten ..verzorg ze en niet afschieten.
wilt u dit aub doen ?
Monique v
Nieuw-Bergen, The Netherlands
De arme dieren hebben honger, wanneer wordt er eindelijk voldoende gevoerd!!!?
Wanneer komt er een einde aan dit dodingskamp voor dieren waar dieren sterven van de honger.
Wanneer gaat deze walgelijke dierentuin sluiten?
AandH0728
Almelo, The Netherlands55 contributions
Kan mij niet snel genoeg zijn, paarden naar een andere plaats waar ze goed verzorgd worden, runderen uitplaatsen, zijn genoeg mensen die zo'n prachtig heckrund over willen nemen en er goed voor willen zorgen, herten anticonceptie en die verdwijnen dan door natuurlijk verloop en het gebied kan weer worden waar het voor bedoeld is: vogelreservaat. Dan nog SBB ontslaan van beheer van dit gebied en klaar is kees.
wlow2017
Singapore, Singapore2 contributions
Is the visitor center closer to Lelystad Centrum or the Almere Oostvaarders station? How long does it take to walk from the station to the visitor center? Thank you.
Chitra28
Almere, The Netherlands975 contributions
Hi, The Almere Oostvaarders station is definitely closer to the park, but it is not walkable... I would say take a taxi or rent a car.
I hope this helped.
alisonka
Ramsbottom, UK470 contributions
Is there a map available showing bird hides, walking routes and car parks please
AandH0728
Almelo, The Netherlands55 contributions
There are hardly any birds anymore.........big grasers are in poor condition. Not a nice park to visit. Better visit the zoo, much nicer, animals in good condition.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Oostvaardersplassen
- Hotels near Oostvaardersplassen:
- (4.42 mi) Van Der Valk Hotel Almere
- (9.82 mi) Van Der Valk Hotel Lelystad
- (1.82 mi) Holiday Inn Express - Almere
- (4.81 mi) Leonardo Hotel Almere City Center
- (7.71 mi) Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Nautisch Kwartier
- Restaurants near Oostvaardersplassen:
- (0.89 mi) Taj Taste of India
- (6.69 mi) Restaurant Bakboord
- (6.49 mi) Afrikaans Restaurant Seni
- (4.62 mi) Brasserij de Bergerrie
- (0.92 mi) Thais Restaurant Mallika
- Attractions near Oostvaardersplassen:
- (0.75 mi) Indoor Mountainbike
- (8.84 mi) Amsterdam City Tours
- (1.84 mi) Immersive Experiences
- (9.70 mi) Experiencewaterland
- (5.74 mi) Thermen La Mer
Oostvaardersplassen Information
Excellent Reviews | 187 |
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Very Good Reviews | 169 |
Oostvaardersplassen Photos | 230 |