Lake Garda » Information » Parco Natura Viva

The Parco Natura Viva is a zoo that is 42 ha large and fits perfectly into the surrounding nature. The park is located eastern of Lake Garda around 18 km away from Verona and is the home of about 1.300 animals from different species. The park attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year.

The main task of the zoo, together with other European zoological institutions, is the breed of endangered species. Therefore the 3 main reasons are preservation, research and teaching. The park is divided into 2 parts the safari park wich can only be visited by car and the Fauna Park for pedestrians.

 

Safari park

Enjoy Africa in Italy! While going at a crawl through the park the visitor can enjoy the various animals of the African savanna. Discover lions, elephants and giraffes at close range. Leaving the car or opening the windows is forbidden during the safari because the animals live almost like in the wild and might come really close to the cars that pass by. For those who do not have a car can rent one against payment of a fee. But keep in mind that drop-tops are not allowed. 

 

Some information about the animals at the Safari Park

Besides a couple of Ostrich there are some other bird species like the addle-bill stork, a seldom African species, marabous and Egyptian gooses. The beautiful mix of different hoofed animals with different antelope species like the Lech and many more. The spotted hyenas and the cheetahs are only two of the many predators at the park. A special highlight is the white rhino called Benno. He was born in 1981 in the US and is living in the park since October 2012. The other rhino is Toby he lived together with the Sugar. A rhino doe that died in 2012. The red ruffed lemur females and the black-and-white ruffed lemur males are the representative of the primates. The here named animals are just some examples of the various animals that can be seen at the Parco Natura Viva.

Parco Faunistico Fauna Park

After the exciting safari the visitor can go to the botanic garden. Walking in an oak forest where animals from all 5 continents and the palm house with the vivarium and the Extinction Park. A special highlight is the footpath through Africa which was opened in 2009.

„Footpath through Africa“

A Safari by foot! On this way you are separated from the animals only by natural barriers. Without any danger you can watch rhinos, hippos, monkeys and giant turtles at close range. The lemurs, small prosimians from Madagascar, are really funny to look at.

Palm house & Vivarium

This greenhouse contains the tropical rain forest of Southern America. About 130 exotic plants and different kinds of birds and insects like butterflies. The mango, papaya and the banana trees offer enough food for the different animals like colorful birds and small monkeys. There are also reptiles like common caimans, lizards, turtles and snakes like the boa constrictor.

Extinction Park

Back to prehistoric times! Replications of large and small dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals catapults the visitor back in time. The visitor can see the development of life on planet earth. Especially for the small guests it is a highlight!

Fare at the Parco Natura Viva

There are many possibilities to have a rich meal at the park. There are numerous bars and a self-service restaurant as well as some gorgeous picnic spots. In the souvenir shop Natura Shop small souvenirs can be bought.

Opening hours

Monday to Saturday 9 am – 6 pm (depends on the weather)
Sundays and legal holidays
The openings of the safari park differ
Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm (last entry)
Sundays and legal holidays 10 am to 4.30 pm (last entry)
In December the park is only open for the weekends and in January and February it is closed.

Prices

Adult (13 years) € 20
Children from 3-12 years) € 15
Children younger than 3 are free
Car rental € 20
Parking fees are included

Address

Parco Natura Viva - Garda Zoological Park s.r.l.
Loc. Figara 40
I-37012 Bussolengo, Verona (VR)
Tel.: 0039 45 7170113
Fax: 0039 45 6770247

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