Animals can bring you joy like nothing else! Perhaps that is why it is possible to visit various zoos, mini zoos and nature parks in Latvia, where you can see and often get to know, and even feed, various animals. Visiting such places does not leave anyone indifferent - neither adults nor children. It is also a great way to find out more about well-known animals, as well as to learn about new, more exotic species. Would you like to include a visit to Zoos and farms in your trip to Latvia, but don't know which one to choose? We have prepared information about some zoos and farms in Latvia; you only have to choose.
Riga ZOO
Riga ZOO is the place where you can see the most animal species in Latvia together. The ZOO is divided into several thematic sectors. Visitors can go, for example, to the 'farmhouse', 'savannah' or 'tropical house' and get to know the animals, birds and other creatures that call these areas their home, even in the open air. Riga ZOO is proud of a family of lions, an Amur tiger, a pair of hippopotamuses, a peacock that often wanders around the territory of the ZOO without any limits, and every creature. In the ZOO, it is also possible to book an excursion, fill in worksheets and explore various interactive informational materials near the enclosures, thus learning as much as possible about each individual animal. In addition, it is also a place with ancient historical roots, as the ZOO first opened its doors in 1912, when it was one of the most modern zoos in the region. Currently, the buildings are gradually being restored, but visitors can see not only animals, but also specific architecture and its historical features.
Riga ZOO Affiliate Cīruļi
Rīgas Zooloģiskais dārzs ir izveidojis arī savu filiāli “Cīruļi”, kur plašajā teritorijā var vērot pasaulē lielāko nebrīves kiangu ganāmpulku, reti sastopamās kokvardes, kā arī citus interesantus savvaļas dzīvniekus un mājdzīvniekus. “Cīruļi” atšķiras no Rīgas Nacionālā zooloģiskā dārza ar plašumu: tie ir 137 hektāri zemes, kur voljēros ir aplūkojami 38 sugu savvaļas dzīvnieki un 12 visdažādāko šķirņu mājdzīvnieki. Filiāles “Cīruļi” lepnums ir neparastās un leģendām apvītās Latvijas zilās šķirnes govis. Apmeklējot “Cīruļus”, ir jārēķinās ar ilgāku pastaigu, tāpēc apmeklētājiem ir ieteicams vilkt ērtus apavus un nesteidzīgi izbaudīt dabas mieru un dzīvnieku klātbūtni.
Kekava Mini Zoo
Kekava Mini Zoo is currently a home to around 40 cute animals of different species. Both wild and captive animals that are in distress or have been freed from illegal conditions end up here. In this Mini Zoo it is possible to see wolves, lynx, monkeys, dingo dogs, donkeys, cows, ponies, rabbits, guanacos, alpacas, various birds and other animals. With your visit, you can support animals in trouble and help those who are still waiting for help.
Safari Park MORE
Safari Park MORE is a place where you can see the most majestic and noble inhabitants of the forest - deer. The park has a 1.5 km long walking trail where you can meet red deer, fallow deer and white deer. In addition, there is an option to feed them from your hand and take pictures with the animals. A visit to the Safari Park MORE can be planned as a longer adventure: a guest house, where you can warm up in the sauna and have a delicious dinner, is also available on the territory of the Park. The Park owners kindly ask that you contact them before your visit to make sure everything you wish to see is available.
Sigulda ZOO
In Vidzeme you can visit Sigulda ZOO, where zebras, llamas, alpacas, camels, wallabies, rabbits, ostriches, peacocks, common marmosets (North Brazilian Callithrix), meerkats, dwarf goats and dwarf sheep, and many other animals live in large enclosures. In the ZOO, you can buy animal food and feed the animals yourself.
Līgatne Nature Trails
The best way to get to know the nature of Latvia and the animals living in it, is by visiting the Līgatne Nature Trails. In the Līgatne Nature Trails area, animals living in Latvia like bears, wolves, wild boars, owls, squirrels and others, live in large enclosures. Walking trails are laid out for about 4-5 km in length, with different degrees of difficulty (both soil and gravel surfaces, as well as sections of wooden stairs) in different terrain conditions. Everyone also has the opportunity to enjoy being in Gauja Valley and observe untouched natural landscapes from the 22-metre high observation tower. An average of 2 to 3 hours is required for visiting the trails.
Goat farm Līcīši
Goat farm Līcīši is one of the first and still the largest goat breeding and goat milk product making companies in Latvia. Every visitor can observe more than 200 goats and bucks, chickens and horses. Besides, a visit to Licisi is also an opportunity to get to know goat milk products and their production processes. Visitors can walk around the goat milk processing plant, taste goat milk, kefir and various cheeses, as well as buy the owners' products.
Zoo “Brieži”
Not far from Riga, it is possible to spend a day in nature - at the Zoo “Brieži”. You will meet many different decorative birds, turkeys, ducks, pheasants, peacocks there, and guinea pigs and rabbits live among them, too. Among the four-legged friends, you can meet Dutch dwarf goats, Heidschnuke sheep, Shetland ponies, a donkey, squirrels, a wallaby and Barney the raccoon boy. A flock of geese and a Peruvian dwarf pig Pigis help to watch over the Zoo. Fallow deer and the oldest deer in the world, the muntjac, also live in the Zoo “Brieži”. After viewing the animals, it is possible to use the picnic areas. On holidays children can ride on a pony or a donkey.
Mini Zoo “Dobuļi”
If you wish to see a koala bear and more than 200 other exotic animals, please make sure to plan a visit to the Mini Zoo “Dobuļi”. Animals and birds from different countries are represented in the Mini Zoo, and the collection is updated every year. Visitors not only have the opportunity to get to know the animals, but also to enjoy a walk along the pond and observe various exotic water birds. The territory of the Mini Zoo also has a recreation area and picnic areas with tables.
Mini Zoo “Buki”
Near Ventspils you can hear guinea fowls, the singing donkey Jancis, see the magnificent tail of a peacock, enjoy the softness of alpaca wool, meet a one-humped camel face to face, and much more at the Mini Zoo “Buki”. In this Mini Zoo, you can not only get closer to the animals, but also enjoy the peace of nature and the power of the sea. “Buki” is located near Jūrtaka, which is one of the most interesting hiking routes in Latvia. Sound like too many activities for one day? It is also possible to spend a night in “Buki”, therefore extending your peaceful holiday.
Right there in Kurzeme, near Talsi, you can visit a cosy and nice Mini Zoo “Rančo”. Various animals can be seen in the Mini Zoo. It's a great place to relax and meet exotic animals and pets. Animals can be fed as well as petted. What animals live there? Dwarf goats, dwarf sheep and dwarf rabbits, as well as a donkey, raccoon, ponies, pigeons, mandarin ducks and other birds.
Exotic animal park in Dundaga
The Exotic animal park in Dundaga was initially the owner's passion for keeping pets. Over time it grew into an interest in animals that are not so common in Latvia. In Dundaga, every visitor can get to know alpacas, llamas, ostriches, chinchillas, dwarf rabbits, minipigs, sheep pigs, camels, mandarin ducks, crested ducks, peacocks, blue cow and many other exotic animals.
Latgale ZOO
In Daugavpils, it is possible to visit a tropical natural oasis, or Latgale ZOO. In the artificially created jungle, live monkeys, iguanas, chameleons, geckos, constrictors, turtles, scorpions, colourful carp, tropical ants, leopard geckos, bird-eating spiders, caimans. And many other inhabitants of tropical and Latvian landscapes are swimming, creeping, crawling, flying and jumping there. What makes this ZOO special is its function - a natural oasis that also acts as a shelter for exotic animals.
Mini Zoo “Rozīte”
Nearby in Latgale, you can visit the Mini Zoo “Rozīte”, where a private collection of 200 animals - exotic birds and dwarf animals - is available. Alpacas, dwarf goats, wallabies, Peruvian dwarf pigs, Egyptian geese, crowned cranes and 22 types of pigeons are just a part of the wide range of animals and birds that can be seen in “Rozīte”.
“Strauss un Kaza” farm
“Strauss un Kaza” is the largest ostrich farm in Latvia, where it is possible to learn about the unpredictable nature of ostrich, to observe the graceful progress of large birds, to see how large eggs they lay and enjoy the small ostrich.
