Weltvogelpark Walsrode

A unique diversity in the world's largest bird park

At the edge of Lüneburger Heide, you can find the world's largest bird park, accommodating more than 4,000 birds from all continents and climate zones. Visitors may expect a kaleidoscope of 675 different bird species, counting both domestic and exotic birds. The 24ha large park contains theme areas, aviaries, and open-air enclosures.  

It's definitely worth coming here, even if you're not particularly a fan of birds. The garden landscape, for instance, is truly stunning, with its rare tree and shrub species as well as numerous flowerbeds with blooming tulips in spring and flourishing roses in summer. This idyllic scenery is complemented by half-timbered houses, historical wells and an old tree population. Children have many possibilities to play, climb and jump around here. There is even a tree house with a little tower allowing a view overlooking the park.

Highlights of a Visit

One of the many highlights on-site is definitely the tropical hall with its waterfall and sea surf. Exotic birds such as the very popular toucan, the landmark of the park, live here and fly above the visitors' heads. Close to the bird park you find an old castle ruin, which owls now have made their home.

At the Australian adventure world 'Toowoomba', visitors can watch a Loro swarm closely without a fence. Since 2012, when the park celebrated its 50th anniversary, a colibri house with an attached breeding centre has been established to help protect the extremely sensitive colibris, the smallest bird species in the world. Feeding time is show time at the park! The penguins eat grains from your hands, while raptorial birds are fed to get them to show their impressive and majestic flying skills.

It's exciting to attend the bird's flight shows as well. All trainers present the special flying skills of their birds. You learns a lot about the birds' origins and habits. The bird baby station, entirely made out of glass, is especially popular among children. Here you can observe young birds hatching. If the weather is bad, visitors may switch to covered halls and compounds and enjoy one of the many indoor shows.

Protection of species

The bird park Walsrode is internationally renowned for its commitment to protect threatened species. With its breeding programme the park enables threatened birds to mate, which actually rarely happens in captivity. In addition, the zoo calls some of the most unique birds in the world their own. They don't exist anywhere but here. Participating in the European conservation breeding programme, bird park Walsrode contributes to the resettlement of a few single bird species, for example, the eagle owl.

Originally, it all started out as a hobby breeding project of pheasants and waterfowls, founded by Fritz Geschke, a businessman from Walsrode. Since 1962, the park has grown rapidly under the direction of his daughter and her husband. The couple Brehm continuously kept extending the park and constructed state-of-the-art buildings, such as the 2,100m² (0.21ha) large paradise hall, a free flight hall and a penguin compound.

On the occasion of the Expo2000 in Hanover, the park was extended by three more features: the tropical forest hall, the medieval style eagle owl castle and the tree house village.

Due to financial difficulties, the Belgium enterprise Floralux joined the park in 2009. In 2010, then, the park's name in German was upgraded to Weltvogelpark Walsrode.

On public transport

The bird park is located 2km (1.25mi) away from the train station in Walsrode. During the season, the bus line 510 operates daily between the train station and the park. Alternatively one may walk here.  

By car

Driving on the A27, exit at Walsrode West or Walsrode Süd to get to Walsrode. The park is signposted.

Coming from the A7, exit at Fallingbostel, following directions to Walsrode.

Directly at the bird park, free parking facilities are provided.