Park & nature

Planckendael

PlanckendaelLimoWreck · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Planckendael is a unique combination of a zoo and botanical garden located just north of Mechelen. It is home to over 3,000 animals from around the world, including rare and endangered species like the okapi, red panda, and snow leopard. The park is designed with spacious, naturalistic enclosures that mimic the animals' wild habitats. Beyond the animals, Planckendael boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, including a Japanese garden and a butterfly garden. It's a family-friendly destination with plenty of play areas, a petting zoo, and educational programs. The conservation work here is serious, but the atmosphere is joyful and immersive.

Don't miss

  • See the okapi, a rare forest giraffe native to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Walk through the walk-through aviary and butterfly garden.
  • Visit the koalas and red pandas in their specially designed habitats.
  • Let kids enjoy the large playground and the petting zoo.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Planckendael

You can explore Planckendael at your own pace. A tour is worth it mainly for transport, or for pairing it with nearby sights in one day.

Getting there

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