Bojnice National Zoo

A unique collection of animals from around the world

Bojnice National Zoo presents a unique collection of animals from all over the world in more than 360 species — mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. If you visit, you will experience a trip around the world in a single day. Right opposite Bojnice Castle you will encounter animals of hot Africa, then travel through Asia, Australia, America and on to the cold European tundra. It is the largest collection of any zoo in Slovakia. Around 260 species in this collection are displayed only here — for example African elephants and bongo antelopes.

Current list of animals

African elephants — the stars of Bojnice Zoo

Do not miss the exhibition of the majestic African elephants. Their original pavilion was built in 1984 and now serves educational purposes. The new, modern pavilion is home to two female elephants, Maja and Gula. At the end of 2022 a male, Tembo, joined them.

Lemur Island and other exotic attractions

During your visit, don’t miss the island of lemurs from Madagascar, the marine aquarium with beautifully coloured coral fish, the vivariums with interesting reptiles, the cheeky meerkats — small predators from the deserts of southern Africa, the monkey pavilion with orangutans from Borneo and other interesting primates, greet the jumping kangaroos from our Australian antipodes, admire the frogs from the South American rainforests, and get to know the “golden Chinese treasure” — the golden takin, a rare hoofed animal from distant China (kept in only four zoos in Europe).

Carpathian fauna educational trail

The zoo also includes an educational trail of Carpathian fauna. It features an exhibition set in a forest environment for various animal species, enclosures of wolves, lynxes and smaller predators, aviaries for Eurasian songbirds and gallinaceous birds, enclosures for ibex, deer and others. The bear exhibits, parrot and exotic bird aviaries, enclosures for large water birds (flamingos, cranes, ducks, ibises, spoonbills…), aviaries of birds of prey, owls, vultures and condors are especially popular.

The colourful world of butterflies during the summer season

In the main summer season you will definitely enjoy the butterfly greenhouse and the beautiful colourful butterfly garden, where you can almost touch the butterflies (you can’t touch them, of course — but they can land on you :) ).

A grounds ideal for relaxation and rest

The zoo grounds are sloping, wooded, with open meadows and a natural arrangement of individual exhibits. Its location predestines the Bojnice Zoo for relaxation and rest. The submontane environment near the spa town with the enchanting castle has its own unforgettable atmosphere. The walk is also suitable for prams and leads between wooded areas and the original Carpathian forest. Ornamental landscaping, the view of the castle and some of the newer animal exhibits complete the pleasant overall impression of the zoo. A visitor is bound to relax in this calming environment.

Children’s contact zoo — an experience for the youngest

Children have several options for play and fun, and since 2005 they also have a children’s contact zoo, which none of them will miss. After all — when else do they get to pet sheep, donkeys, ponies and little goats?

The oldest and most visited zoo in Slovakia

Bojnice National Zoo is the oldest and most visited zoological garden in Slovakia. It opened to the public on 1 April 1955. It is the only state-run zoo in Slovakia, and its founder is the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. Within its activities it exhibits live specimens, breeds endangered animal species, educates the public on environmental matters, and operates the national reception centre for seized animals. For many species, zoos are the only hope of survival — thanks to zoos, the European bison, the Przewalski’s horse and the milu deer have been saved.