Netherlands' Premier Safari Experience

Largest Wildlife Park in Benelux Safaripark Beekse Bergen offers the ultimate African safari experience in the heart of the Netherlands. As the largest wildlife park in the Benelux region, it houses over 1,250 animals representing 150+ species across 280 hectares of authentic savanna, forest, and wetland habitats. Since opening in 1968 as the Netherlands' first safari park, Beekse Bergen has pioneered the drive-through safari concept and established itself as Europe's premier wildlife destination.

Revolutionary Safari Concept

Multiple safari options - Car, bus, boat, and walking safaris
1,250+ animals from 150+ species in naturalistic habitats
280 hectares of diverse African-inspired landscapes
Big Five encounters - Lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo
Authentic safari feeling - Experience Africa in the Netherlands

Historic Innovation Created by Jimmy Chipperfield, who introduced the drive-through safari concept to Europe in the 1960s, Beekse Bergen was designed to revolutionize how people experience wildlife. The park's innovative approach allows animals to roam freely while visitors observe from the safety of vehicles or guided experiences.

Four Unique Safari Experiences

Car Safari (Drive-Through)

Drive your own vehicle through animal territories
Close encounters with giraffes, zebras, and antelopes
Lions, cheetahs, and rhinos in spacious enclosures
Follow designated route at your own pace
Windows must remain closed for safety

Bus Safari (Guided Educational)

Expert guides provide educational commentary
Strategic stops for optimal animal viewing
Access to areas not available to private vehicles
Educational focus on conservation and animal behavior

Boat Safari (Water Adventure)

Scenic journey across 70-hectare lake system
Unique perspective of animals from water
Seals swimming freely in large lake environment

Drive Among Wild Animals

Ultimate Safari Adventure The signature Beekse Bergen experience where visitors drive their own vehicles through authentic African landscapes while animals roam freely around and approach the cars.

Safari Route Features:

Open savanna landscapes - Vast grasslands with roaming herds
Forest sections - Wooded areas with diverse wildlife
Water features - Lakes and streams with aquatic birds
Multiple animal territories - Different species in appropriate habitats
Scenic viewpoints - Strategic stops for photography and observation

Animal Encounters:

Giraffes - Often approach vehicles and may interact with cars
Plains zebras - Herds grazing and moving across savanna
Various antelopes - Multiple African antelope species
Ostriches - World's largest birds roaming freely
- Desert specialists in appropriate terrain

Encounter Africa's Big Five

Legendary African Wildlife Experience close encounters with Africa's most iconic and powerful animals in spacious, naturalistic habitats designed to showcase their natural behaviors.

Big Five Encounters:

African lions - Pride dynamics and social behaviors in large territory
African elephants - Family herds with calves in expansive habitat
White rhinoceros - Massive prehistoric mammals in grassland setting
African leopards - Elusive spotted cats in forest environment
Cape buffalo - Powerful herds in authentic savanna landscape

Habitat Features:

Large territories - Extensive space for natural movement
Multiple viewing points - Various perspectives of animal behavior
Natural barriers - Moats and barriers maintaining safety
Enrichment features - Environmental elements encouraging natural behaviors
Educational displays - Information about each species and conservation

Conservation Impact: Highlights the importance of protecting Africa's most threatened large mammals and the conservation challenges they face in the wild.

Educational Value: Visitors learn about the ecological roles of each Big Five species and their cultural significance in African conservation.

Safari from the Water

Unique Aquatic Perspective Glide peacefully across the 70-hectare lake system while observing animals from a completely different perspective and watching seals swim freely in their natural aquatic environment.

Boat Safari Features:

Large lake system - 70 hectares of interconnected waterways
Peaceful journey - Quiet glide past animal territories
Unique viewing angles - Animals seen from water perspective
Seal encounters - Free-swimming seals in large lake environment
Bird watching - Diverse waterfowl and shore bird species

Aquatic Wildlife:

Harbor seals - Swimming and playing in natural lake environment
Various waterfowl - Ducks, geese, and other aquatic birds
Shore birds - Herons, egrets, and wading species
Aquatic mammals - Various species adapted to water environments

Experience Highlights:

Scenic route - Beautiful landscapes from water level
Photography opportunities - Unique angles and reflections
Educational commentary - Learn about aquatic ecosystems (Dutch language)
Relaxing pace - Peaceful alternative to vehicle safaris

Conservation Education: Highlights the importance of aquatic habitats and the role of water systems in supporting diverse wildlife communities.

Intimate Wildlife Encounters

Close-Up Animal Experiences Explore designated walking areas where visitors can observe animals at close range, participate in feeding demonstrations, and enjoy interactive educational experiences.

Walking Areas:

Penguin colony - Close encounters with various penguin species
Primate sections - Monkeys and apes in naturalistic habitats
Birds of prey center - Spectacular raptor demonstrations
Children's zoo - Interactive experiences with domestic and small animals
Reptile house - Diverse collection of snakes, lizards, and amphibians

Interactive Experiences:

Animal feeding sessions - Scheduled feeding times with keeper talks
Educational presentations - Daily demonstrations and talks
Play areas - Integrated playgrounds for children
Photo opportunities - Close-up encounters with various species
Hands-on learning - Interactive displays and activities

Educational Focus:

Conservation awareness - Learn about species protection efforts
Animal behavior - Understand natural behaviors and adaptations
Ecosystem education - Role of different species in their habitats
Research programs - Ongoing conservation research at the park

Family-Friendly Features: Designed for visitors of all ages with safe, accessible pathways and age-appropriate educational content.

Spectacular Raptor Encounters

Flying Demonstrations Witness the power and grace of birds of prey during spectacular flying demonstrations and educational presentations featuring various raptor species.

Raptor Collection:

Eagles - Powerful hunters demonstrating aerial prowess
Hawks and falcons - Speed and agility specialists
Owls - Silent nocturnal predators with exceptional hearing
Vultures - Essential scavengers with impressive wingspans
Various raptors - Diverse collection showcasing different hunting strategies

Flying Demonstrations:

Free-flight shows - Birds flying over audience at close range
Hunting behavior - Demonstration of natural predatory skills
Educational talks - Learn about raptor ecology and conservation
Interactive experiences - Meet birds up close with handlers
Photography opportunities - Spectacular action shots of flying raptors

Conservation Message: Highlights the important ecological roles of birds of prey and conservation efforts to protect raptor species worldwide.

Safaripark Beekse Bergen

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Netherlands' Premier Safari Experience

Attractions in Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Car Safari Drive-Through

Drive Among Wild Animals

Big Five Safari Area

Encounter Africa's Big Five

Boat Safari

Safari from the Water

Walking Safari Areas

Intimate Wildlife Encounters

Birds of Prey Safari

Spectacular Raptor Encounters