Visiting a wildlife park means spending several hours in close contact with animals, immersed in nature, and getting to know many species that one hardly has the chance to observe in their natural habitat.
In addition, under Law No. 73 of 2005, all zoos in Italy must ensure the conservation of the biodiversity that characterizes the Italian territory in order to protect wildlife, ensure the welfare of animals born and raised in captivity, and preserve endangered species.
What better reason, then, to spend a family day inside one of the many wildlife parks on Italian territory?
Most of them, moreover, organize interesting educational workshops for families with the aim of bringing children closer to the animal world, and to sensitize them to respect and protect the environment around them.
So let’s get going! Below you will find a list of the most interesting zoos, safari zoos and aquariums in Italy.
Wildlife parks and zoos in Italy
Each wildlife park is structured differently-that is, some allow you to go on an actual safari in your own car, thereby being able to spot larger animals such as giraffes or African felines that live in much larger spaces.
Other wildlife parks, on the other hand, are zoos to be walked on paths that wind through various enclosures of varying size.
Let’s look at them one by one.
Wildlife parks in Italy: zoos, safari zoos, aquariums
Pistoia Zoological Garden
Founded in 1970, the Pistoia Zoological Garden is one of the largest in Italy. In fact, it covers an area of 7 hectares and contains 250 botanical species and more than 550 animals belonging to endangered species.
It is visited by following a pedestrian path that leads to close-up views of giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, zebras, flamingos, penguins, and more. There is also a reptile house where you can observe alligators and a small farm with alpacas, chickens, and goats.
What is special about the Pistoia Zoo is that the entire park is organized in such a way as to intrigue children through curious games and attractions such as Tibetan bridges, giant puzzles, and tunnels where they can squeeze in to get a closer look at the animals. Very nice!
For all visit information – Go to the article.
Natura Viva Park of Bussolengo
Natura Viva Park in Bussolengo is located very close to Lake Garda and consists of the Safari section and the Wildlife section. This means that one part of the park is reserved for the Safari circuit to be traveled with one’s own car (or by booking in advance a 7-seater jeep from the park) and the other part is a footpath of about 5 km that winds among the 5 continents.
Inside the park also is the Extinction Park i.e., an area reserved for extinctions with the history of dinosaurs and large mammals of the past; the House of Giants with crocodiles, Komodo dragon, butterflies etc.; and the Farm where you can feed baby goats.
For all visit information – Go to the article.
Zoo Safari of Pombia
Pombia Safari Park is the largest safari zoo in Piedmont. It covers an area of 450 thousand square meters and is home to 400 animals and 110 different species, three of which are endangered: the Addax Antelope, Somalian Donkey and King Cobra.
The Pombia Zoo Safari is for all intents and purposes a real safari: with your own car, or with the Park’s little train, you drive along a winding road that allows you to observe the animals at close range as they eat or play.
After finishing the circuit by car, you can continue on foot to the other part of the park that is the amusement zone that houses a small aquarium, a reptile house and a variety of rides for children.
For all visit information – Go to the article.
City of Sunday
The City of Sunday is a wildlife and nature amusement park located 2 kilometers from Perugia.
In this park of over 45 hectares, you can find not only the wildlife areas but also many fairy tale installations and mechanical attractions for children.
Enclosures with bison, donkeys, Maremma cattle, baby goats, and storks alternate with reconstructions of buildings connected with fairy tales such as Pinocchio’s house, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ house, Little Red Riding Hood’s house, and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Immediately outside the park entrance, but included in the ticket, there is also a really well maintained reptile house.
For all visit information – Go to the article.
Wildlife parks and Zoos in Italy: Aquarium of Genoa
Let’s go now to Genoa, my city, where the largest aquarium in Italy and the second largest in Europe is located.
At 27,000 square meters, the Genoa Aquarium is home to 10,000 animals living in 43 tanks where 70 different ecosystems have been reconstructed.
The dolphin tank, the one with penguins playing and diving in the water, and the touch tank where you can pet stingrays are my favorites but you can also find jellyfish, sharks, manatees, seahorses, and more.
For all visit information – Go to the article.
Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium
The Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium is located near the amusement park of the same name and consists of 37 tanks housing 5,000 different specimens.
Particularly curious is the shark tank, which, in addition to having a depth of 5 meters and a length of 14 meters, can be crossed thanks to a tunnel with a semi-circular section giving, in this way, an exceptional view.
A visit to Sea Life takes approximately one hour and requires a dedicated entrance ticket. Combination tickets with the Gardaland park are also available.
Parc Animalier of Introd
The Parc animalier d’Introd is located in the Aosta Valley at an altitude of 880 meters above sea level. Here you can observe the main animals of the region such as ibex, chamois, marmot, fox, deer etc.
Most of them come from rescue centers and would no longer be able to support themselves independently. Very nice for the children the feeding time!
For all visit information – Go to the article.
Zoom of Torino
At Zoom in Turin, you go on a discovery tour of African and Asian nature. No cars, you walk around giraffes, zebras, raptors, lemurs, giant tortoises, and much more.
Also very interesting are the talks with biologists who explain many interesting facts about the lives of animals and their habitats. Only in the summer time, you can stay inside the park in Glamping mode.
There are also two swimming pools (which require a separate entrance fee) adjacent to the penguin and hippo pools.
For all the information, you can check out the official website.
Wildlife parks and zoos in Italy: Bioparco di Roma
Rome’s Bioparco is the oldest zoological garden in Italy. It is located inside Villa Borghese, the fifth largest public park in Rome, and is home to about 1,200 animals of 150 different species.
The park was founded in 1911 as a simple zoo and only in 1998 became Bioparco, or a place to preserve endangered animals and promote environmental education activities.
You can visit on foot or you can ride the little train at a cost of €2.00 (free for children up to one year old).
For all information, you can check out the official website.
Le Cornelle
Le Cornelle Wildlife Park is located in the province of Bergamo and is a zoological garden as well as a conservation center for endangered species.
The park is large and well organized: it can be visited on foot, and if you wish, you can take the little train for a scenic ride (although the route does not cover the entire park). There are several picnic areas and food stations, and some rides for children.
There are many animals; in fact, the park is home to about 120 species, including mammals, birds and reptiles, from all over the world. The symbol of the park is the white Bengal tiger, now completely extinct in the wild.
For all information, you can check out the official website.
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