Do you know how big the Norwegian moose really is? Or have you ever held a snake or seen a lynx? See them in one of Norway's many animal zoos, parks and aquariums.
We all love animals, and it is super fun to get close to species we can’t keep as pets.
Throughout Norway, you’ll find several kid-friendly destinations, and many of them lie near a zoo, an animal park or an aquarium. And if you wish to observe wild Norwegian animals in their natural habitat, you’re in luck. Many companies arrange wildlife safaris in Norway, from musk ox safaris in the Dovrefjell mountains and whale safaris in Northern Norway to royal encounters with the king of the forest – the moose.
Check out these popular animal parks
Dyreparken Zoo and Amusement Park, Kristiansand
Most Norwegian kids dream of a trip to the Dyreparken Zoo and Amusement Park in Kristiansand in Southern Norway – and for a good reason. This is the biggest zoo in Norway and is home to almost 150 different species, including chimpanzees, lions, and giraffes, but also Norwegian animals like moose, lynx, wolves and wolverines.
Bjørneparken bear park, Flå
In Eastern Norway, you can get close to a variety of animals, from goats and sheep to wolves and reptiles. Drop by the Bjørneparken bear park in Flå to observe wolverines, Siberian tigers, and bears from a safe distance. They also have a crocodile world, Krokodilleland, where you can see Cuban crocodiles, the boa constrictor snake, and a giant tortoise!
Flå
Bear Park
Langedrag Nature Park, Nesbyen
With more than 20 different species, Langedrag Nature Park in Nesbyen is also a great place to visit. Help out with the farm work, pet baby goats, and see lynx and wolves. You can even spend a night or two at the farm here, which gives you plenty of time to explore and observe all the animals.
Nesbyen
Langedrag Nature Park
Hunderfossen Adventure Park, Lillehammer
Another popular destination for families with kids in Eastern Norway is the Hunderfossen Adventure Park in the Lillehammer region – and they also have a separate area with animals called Barnas Gård (the kids’ farm). Here, the little ones can meet deer, fallow deer, emus, and guineafowls.
Oslo Reptile Park
If you like snakes and lizards, head to the Norwegian capital and Oslo Reptile Park. Here you'll also get to see turtles, fish, spiders, frogs, crocodiles, monkeys and several other animals you may not see very often.
Den Lille Dyrehage
Travel a bit further south from Oslo, to Brokelandsheia just outside Risør, to Den Lille Dyrehage (The Little Zoo), where you'll find more than sixty different animal species, including monkeys, meerkats, reptiles and other animals.
The Polar Park, Narvik
The Polar Park in Bardu outside of Narvik in Northern Norway has – as the name would suggest – several Arctic animals.
Bardu
Polar Park
Aquariums
In Norway, lots of peculiar creatures live by or near the ocean as well. Stop by an aquarium and get close to everything from crabs and flatfish to cod, seals, penguins, and cute otters. The two largest aquariums are Atlanterhavsparken in Ålesund and Bergen Aquarium in Bergen, while Polaria in Tromsø is the world's northernmost aquarium.
Regardless of which animal park you visit, make sure to find out when they’re feeding the animals – it’s usually one of the highlights!
Meet this big creature yourself on a moose safari
You can also see the moose in the Dyreparken zoo in Kristiansand, in Bjørneparken bear park in Flå and at Langedrag Nature Park in Nesbyen.
Find zoos, aquariums and safaris
More family fun
Take advantage of top offers
See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
Thon Hotels ASFantastic breakfast included! Experience true comfort and reasonable rates at our 80 hotels in Norway.
StrawberryA different hotel company! Look out for great weekend deals at more than 100 hotels in Norway.
Vy expressDiscover Norway on comfortable express buses that take you between major cities, mountains, and fjords.
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