Located in Arnhem, Burgers’ Zoo is much more than just a zoo. It offers an immersive experience through vast recreated ecosystems, called “ecodisplays,” where wildlife, plants, and visitors coexist in a natural and respectful way.
Galerie photos
Henk Monster, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brief history
Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, Burgers’ Zoo established itself as a pioneer of “cageless” presentations and large-scale immersive ecosystems. The goal: to provide animals with coherent habitats and visitors with a credible, educational, and respectful experience of nature.
Iconic ecodisplays
Bush – A lush indoor tropical rainforest where you can feel the warmth, humidity, and teeming life. Birds, fish, and plants thrive in a landscape of walkways and rivers.
Desert – A desert inspired by North America: cacti, rocks, canyons, and species perfectly adapted to aridity.
Ocean – A journey through aquariums leading to the large reef tank: corals, schools of fish, sharks, and rays in a progressive scenography.
Rimba – A Southeast Asian tropical forest with a selection of iconic species from the region in a dense, lush setting.
Mangrove – A unique greenhouse reproducing a coastal ecosystem: mangroves, brackish waters, fish, invertebrates, and butterflies.
Safari – Vast outdoor plains featuring African herbivores and their predators, viewed from elevated lookouts.
Visitor experience
The route is entirely on foot, moving through highly contrasting environments. The transitions are designed so that the discovery feels fluid and surprising. Signage emphasizes ecology, conservation, and the natural behaviors of animals.
Commitment and conservation
The zoo participates in breeding programs for endangered species and supports research and habitat protection projects. The ecodisplays encourage the observation of authentic behaviors and raise public awareness of biodiversity issues.