Complete Guide to visiting Planckendael Zoo Brussels. Whenever we go away we do try to get to a Zoo. It’s always good entertainment value for the whole family and its something the boys ask to do. When I was researching the best things to do in Brussels with kids. Planckendael Zoo popped up.
Complete Guide to visiting Planckendael Zoo Brussels
Where is Planckendael Zoo Brussels
It’s on the outskirts of Brussels around a thirty-minute drive towards Antwerp. As we had the car this wasn’t a problem for us. If you are visiting without a car then I think it’s possible to get there by bus. We visited on the way back towards the Eurotunnel thinking we wouldn’t need it all day. However, we ended up leaving mid-afternoon a little sad that we hadn’t managed to get around the whole zoo.
Complete Guide to visiting Planckendael Zoo Brussels
The five main areas of the zoo – Asia, Oceania, America, Africa and Europe.
We headed straight into Asia aiming for the elephants. The first thing that the boys saw was a rope bridge that went high up into the trees. Of course, instinctively they wanted to climb it, which they did to great amusement. I thought it was a one-off but as we walked around the zoo I realised that all over the zoo there were lots to keep the boys entertained. With things to climb on at every turn. It worked really well as it broke up walking between the enclosures.
The animal exhibits
On our way to the elephants, we ended up walking through a huge greenhouse which included some animals I had not seen before. It was a great place to explore with brightly coloured bird cages all around to keep within the Asia theme. The boys enjoyed running around all the different paths before finding the exit. Which just magically opened up in front of you, a little like Aladdin’s Cave.
From the greenhouse, we continued our search for the elephants via the lions. Around the lions, there was an old train that had been decorated to keep with the Asia theme. It’s the little things that really makes this zoo appeal. Of course, both boys wanted to get inside the train…
Finding the elephants
When we finally got to the elephants the enclosure was amazing. We found a family tree picture that explained all the elephants in the pack. This was a lovely touch as there were a number of younger elephants which we tried to name and spot. I particularly liked this one who had a mop of hair…
Koalas & Giraffes
Realising that it had taken us the best part of two hours to get to this point. Purely because of the number of things for the boys to do. We tried to hurry up a little as there were two other animals we really wanted to see while visiting. The koalas and the giraffes. I have never seen koalas in real life. Despite being lucky enough to visit a large number of zoos. I guess the climate in the UK is probably not very good for koalas. When we arrived at their enclosure all three were sleeping. But they looked exactly how I imagined all soft and cuddly. I could have stayed and watched them for ages, but the boys were more intent on finding play equipment. But how cute is this?
Our next step was to head over to the giraffes as they also had a number of younger ones too. The viewing platform is actually elevated which means that you can get a lot closer to the giraffes. There are a number of feeding boxes suspended around the outside which encourages them to come towards you.
How long do you need at Planckendael Zoo?
Longer than we gave ourselves which was about three hours. You could easily spend all day at the zoo there is so much to see and do.
We quite often travel around Europe by car for one reason or another. Now I know that this place exists I will be making sure we visit again if we are heading into Belgium again. There was still about half of the zoo which we didn’t get to and I know the boys would have liked to spend more time on the play equipment. If you ever find yourself near Brussels then I would definitely recommend adding Planckendael Zoo to your list of must-see places.
Have you ever been to a zoo abroad that really surprised you? I would love to read about it in the comments below.
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40 Responses
This zoo looks great fun and I love the colourful birdcaes in the greenhouse!
This zoo looks amazing. We love to visit the zoo 🍒
Oh wow that looks amazing. I haven’t but everytime I look at planning trips abroad, I do think about going to their zoo’s xx
I went to a zoo in Taiwan, which was surprisely huge. Also really surprised as got the cable car (only operates one day a week) to see the Pandas. When we finally got to the top to see the Panda we were really surprised to find out that the Panda centre on the same day that the cable car operates. There is no other way to get there either!
Missed out the word CLOSES in my comment. The huge award winning Panda centre was CLOSED!
Fab photos. I had never heard of this zoo. Good to know you can get there by bus. Thanks for the post.
Looks like a fantastic day out I love visiting zoos with my children
Fantastic photos! This zoo looks so much fun:)) Our family also likes to visit the zoo, my daughter loves all the animals x
Would love to visit. I love animals!
this zoo looks great-id love to take my nephew max there
We went to an amazing zoo in Normandy, France which took us by surprise! This looks like a brilliant find
Plankendael sounds like a really nice zoo, well thought out both for visitors and animals.
One zoo I can recommend is in Zurich. It’s not very large but is in a lovely location at the top of a hill so the ride up in the tram gives you good views of the city and lake below as well as mountains beyond. One of the things my children especially enjoyed is that some of the animals are not in enclosures but are free to wander around the zoo! That enabled us to get really close to several golden tamarin monkeys, which was fun. They are very small monkeys, so if they had been in a cage we might not have seen them very well, but they were close enough to touch, although of course the zoo has a “no touching” policy.
looks a interesting place to visit
This looks a fabulous zoo to visit, I will definitely go if in the area.
This zoo post has made my day! How cute is the little koalas bear? Awwwwww!!! I really want to visit after seeing this post.
The play area looks fantastic! I imagine your trip there passed so quickly with so many animals to explore.
Man, looks so much fun.. I’ll go there and play with the kids really.
Amazing experience – will be going next time I’m there
what amazing photos! it looks like you had a lot of fun and saw so many animals!
Looks like so much fun!!!! Such cute pictures!
Aw looks a great day out!
Beautiful pictures. Zoo looks amazing
It looks like a really wonderful zoo with a great selection of animals. Very educational.
I love going to the zoo and this one looks so much fun! The zoo is such an educational place to take the kids for sure.
This zoo looks astonishing. is long I visited the zoo, being motivated to do that soon. thanks for sharing
It looks like your boys have had such an adventure here, I’m exhausted just reading it!
this looks like such a nice zoo! i’m glad you enjoyed it haha
I’ve visited Brussels but nit the zoo. It looms like such a fun place to visit! I’m always looking to add family activities on my travels.
I would definitely visit this place with my family! this is a must because of its view.
We don’t usually go to zoo’s, but I would love to take the kids to a nature reserve or a rescue farm at some point:) It looks like you guys had such a fun day!
This place is a must! this will surely be added on my bucket list. thankyou for sharing this
Zoos were one of our favourite placed to take the kids when they were little. This zoo has an amazing backdrop, it would a wonderful place to visit.
Zoos are so much fun. Can’t wait to take my daughter to the zoo next week. Loving your pictures. Your kids looked like they had a fun time.
What a fun zoo! So many exotic animals and beautiful scenery!
Awe!! Zoos are so much fun and I can see you guys had a great day. Beautiful pictures.
It looks great fun
Now that is quite amazing zoo…often when iv gone abroad i dont bother with zoos…i really should, thanks for sharing xx
It’s not a place I have been. Brussels has never appealed to me. The name may not help! Ha. Can’t stand sprouts.
However I must revise this and dig more deeply on Brussels after reading this
This is fantastic! The zoo is a great family day out wherever you are. I made fond memories at the zoo during my childhood and I bet your kids have too. I have never been to a zoo abroad it’s definitely something I’ll be looking into. Take care, Jamie.
Looks a great day out and lots of fun.
This zoo looks amazing!