Wildlife Park Ranua

Wildlife Park Ranua is Laplands most popular tourist attraction! Visit the park with your entire family. You get to see a wide range of animals populating the northern polar circle.

Animals in the park

The park is home to approximately 200 animals that can be subdivided into 50 species. While elks and reindeer live in the park, there are other animals that you might not expect to encounter here, such as wolves, foxes and raccoons. And some others again might seem very familiar: deer, owls, martens and beavers. Almost any animal from rodents to livestock and from reptiles to birds can be found here.

Activities in the zoo

The wildlife park does not only offer a wide range of fascinating animals, but some other exciting stuff, too.

Feeding animals

You may watch animals being fed and if you're lucky enough, you might also get a chance to feed some yourself.

In summer, in the period between June 1st and August 31st feeding times are as follows:

The brown and polar bears are fed quarter of an hour between 12.30pm and 12.45pm.

Next in line to be fed are lynxes, wolves and wolverines between 2pm and 2.15pm.

Animals of the petting zoo have their feeding time from 2.30pm to 3pm.

Last but not least, marine otters receive their food between 4.40pm and 5pm.

In winter, feeding times change. In the period between February 15th and March 9th & between March 18th and April 21st marine otters are fed for quarter of an hour from 1pm to 1.15pm. Wild boars, polar bears and other predators get their raw meat between 2pm and 2.30pm.

Watching animals being fed is free of charge of course.

Petting zoo

At the petting zoo, you can actually and literally get in touch with animals. Horses, cows, pigs, goats, hares & rabbits, among many others, just wait to be stroked. And should you feel like riding, why not jump on the horse or one of the two donkeys?

You may ride the donkeys in the period between June 13th and August 10th from 12 noon to 4pm. The horse, on the other hand, is available for a little ride from June 1st to August 31st between 12 noon and 2.30pm.

All your senses are required!

The path leading around the park has a few checkpoints requiring all your senses if you desire to obtain information about the animals living here. Compare your ability to jump with the one of the animals or measure your wingspan. And don't forget to check out the animal models in full life size.

The park's mascot

Kids absolutely love Jonne the polar bear! While other polar bears hang in their compounds, Jonne enjoys himself strolling through the park. In June, Jonne, the unrivalled mascot of the zoo, can be seen daily from 12 noon to 4pm and in July with an additional hour from 12 noon to 5pm. In winter, though, Jonne is placed just in front of the park's entrance. You can meet him here in the time from 2nd to 10th of March and in the period from 29th of March to 20th of April from 11am to 3pm, respectively.

The Fairytale Park

Kids (and some adults too) love the Fairytale Park! There's enough space for children to play and run around. They may, for instance, test their balance on various playground equipment. In case your kids feel tired at some point and refuse walking, there are strollers to rent.

The Stone Park

At the Stone Park, you may learn everything there is about stone variations on Finnish soil. Huge rocks are spread all over the park just waiting to be explored by you.

The Lapland Hut

In 2002 Lapland Hut was opened close to the park's entrance with a capacity for 50 people. One can have dinners here, a cosy get together or use it for school trips. The hut is equipped with a kitchen and a fire pit in its centre.

In summer: Following in Michael Schumacher's footsteps

Do your kids love racing, but aren't old enough to drive a car? Well then, here they get the chance to experience the thrill of driving a motorised vehicle. No worries, only in small versions of cars and under the supervision of their parents. Nursery and school aged children are allowed to race on the so-called “Micro Car Track”. There is a maximum of only three cars allowed on track at the same time. Safety is paramount!

In winter

Snow makes the winter even more exciting! As far as the weather stays cool, numerous ice sculptures and an ice hut are accessible from 10am to 4pm. As Lapland is the home of Santa Claus, sledging with huskies, horses and reindeer must not be missing! A ride with a snowmobile is also possible. Also, there is a snowmobile track for kids provided, just next to the main entrance of the park. Safety comes first here as well. Only two vehicles allowed on track at the same time.

In order to come to see our rather nocturnal animals we recommend a hike through the night.

Services & Facilities

There are guided tours offered in both Finnish and English. You may as well borrow an MP3 player containing audio data about the animals of the park.

The park is prepared for any season and provides you with clothes that you might need for your tour, suiting any weather condition.

If you like to stay longer than a single day, overnight accommodation is provided. In close proximity to the compounds you find buildings similar to hotels and holiday homes. Alternatively, you may opt for staying overnight in a bivouac around the camp fire. So cosy!

The park is equipped with tables and benches for picnics or little breaks. Should you feel like having a proper meal, we recommend the Polar Bear Restaurant to you.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the park. If you own a dog, feel free to take your beloved pet with you. There are four areas where dogs can be left at while you're in the park.

The park isn't only a recreational park, but is also used for business meetings. Apart from a traditional meeting you may book additional services, too, including a guided tour through the park and a visit to the wolves enclosure or getting to know the park by night.

There is a special highlight for children at the park. How about a school trip to the zoo and the camp school for a couple of days? Kids have the chance to learn more about the animals living here and their natural habitats. It's a place to have fun, suitable for canoeing, fishing and for so much more. 

Wildlife Park Ranua was opened in Lapland in 1983 and has since been the northernmost zoo in the world. Each day of the year, you may come and explore the multitude of animals. Special care is taken to ensure all animals are kept under species-appropriate conditions.

Depending on the time of the year, the park offers various activities and services making your stay worthwhile and something to remember. 

Ranua is located northeast of Rovaniemi, Lapland.

By plane

It's recommended to fly directly to Rovaniemi Airport as it's the closest one to Ranua.

By train

Another possibility to get here is by taking the train. Most long-distance trains end in Rovaniemi. From Helsinki your journey takes between 9 to 12 hours, depending on the train connection. Therefore, we recommend taking the night train. Train-wise, it's the most comfortable way to get here.

By car

From Rovaniemi you carry on towards the northeast. You basically need to get onto the federal highway 78 (“Rovaniementie”). After a journey of approximately 78 km (48.5 mi) or an hour drive you finally arrive at Wildlife Park Ranua.