Emmen: Wildlands Adventure Zoo and Rimbula River Boat Ride

At Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, the animals are part of a series of big themed worlds rather than a string of small cages. The best moment may be the Rimbula River boat ride, where elephants can swim close to the boat inside Jungola’s huge indoor jungle. Later, a safari truck takes you near giraffes, rhinos, and zebras.

I like the mix of animal viewing and hands-on fun. Animazia gives younger children a serious place to burn off energy, while Nortica adds polar bears, penguins, seals, and sea lions to the day. The main drawback is simple: this is a full-day attraction, and the $32 admission feels strongest when you plan to stay long enough to see all three zones.

Key points to know before you go

• Rimbula River: A boat ride through Jungola’s indoor rainforest, with elephants, tropical birds, and lemurs along the route.
• Safari truck: A close look at giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses across the Serenga savanna.
• Nortica: Polar bears, penguins, sea lions, and seals, plus the Arctic 1 virtual flight.
• Animazia: A large indoor play area with rope bridges, treehouses, slides, sand, and small boats.
• One-day value: The $32 ticket includes zoo entry, attractions, and the playground, but not meals or shopping.
• Practical planning: The zoo operates rain or shine, and wheelchairs and lockers are available by reservation.

Why Wildlands works as a full-day outing

Wildlands is built around three broad animal worlds: Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica. Each has a different mood and set of activities, which helps the day feel like a series of short adventures instead of one long walk past enclosures.

I would set aside most of the day. The ticket is valid for one day, and the attraction includes enough animal areas, rides, playground space, and indoor exhibits to fill several hours. You can also use the restaurants for a break, with choices that include burgers, salads, pizza, noodles, and poke bowls.

The layout is especially useful in uncertain weather. Much of Jungola and Animazia is indoors, and Nortica offers indoor viewing areas too. Still, the safari truck and some animal viewing are outdoor experiences, so bring clothing for a wet or cool day. The zoo remains open in rain or shine.

Jungola starts with butterflies and tropical color

Jungola is the warm, humid section of the zoo, and the Butterfly Temple sets the tone. Hundreds of exotic butterflies flutter through the indoor space, giving you an immediate change from ordinary zoo paths.

The flowers and planting are a major part of the experience here. Move slowly and look around you, since the point is not just to find one large animal. Tropical birds can be spotted through the rainforest, and the setting gives smaller creatures room to surprise you.

The world’s largest indoor jungle is also the setting for the Rimbula River. That combination matters for families: you get an attraction with a clear start and finish, but you are still surrounded by plants and animal habitats rather than waiting in a bare ride queue.

The Rimbula River boat ride and swimming elephants

The Rimbula River is the signature ride in Jungola. You board a boat and travel through the indoor jungle, with rainforest sounds, tropical birds, and animal viewing along the way.

The most memorable possibility is an elephant taking a refreshing swim near the boat. Seeing an elephant in water from this low angle gives the ride a sense of scale that a standard viewing platform cannot match. The animals are not simply background decoration, and you may need to keep your eyes moving to spot everything along the route.

Look for ring-tailed lemurs and black lemurs as well. They are easy to miss if you focus only on the largest animals. This is one place where I would resist rushing through. The plants, sounds, birds, and smaller primates make the boat ride more than a quick transport link.

The ride is also a good choice when the weather turns poor. Because it takes place inside Jungola, you can keep exploring without giving up one of the most distinctive parts of the zoo.

Jungle Trail and Animazia give children room to move

After the boat ride, the Jungle Trail offers a different kind of encounter. Children can climb and scramble through the treetops using bridges and play structures inspired by the movement of jungle animals.

This area is useful because younger children often reach their limit before adults do. Instead of asking them to walk quietly from enclosure to enclosure, you can give them time to move, climb, and play. That makes the whole day easier for families.

Animazia extends the same idea indoors. It includes rope bridges, treehouses, slides, a sandbox, and small boats that children can pull across the play area. You will also find tropical fish, sea turtles, and naked mole rats nearby, so the stop combines play with more animal viewing.

Animazia is included with admission. For families with energetic children, that inclusion adds real value to the $32 ticket. For adults without children, it is mainly a useful place to know about rather than a central reason to visit.

Serenga puts you near the savanna animals

Serenga changes the setting from dense rainforest to open savanna. The safari truck is the main attraction here, giving you a raised view across the green plains and bringing you close to several large animals.

Giraffes, zebras, and rhinos are the stars. The truck helps you see them from a different position than you get along a normal walking path, and the open setting makes their size and movement easier to appreciate.

The giraffes can come especially close to the truck. That creates one of the day’s best photo opportunities, but keep your attention on the whole area rather than waiting for one perfect pose. The appeal of Serenga is seeing several species share a broad setting.

The safari ride also has an educational side. You can learn about the animals and the way they live across the plains. Since the experience takes place outdoors, this is the section most affected by weather. On a sunny day, it can be the highlight of the visit. On a wet day, keep your jacket handy and use the indoor zones as part of your plan.

Nortica brings polar animals into the day

Nortica is Wildlands’ polar region, and its cooler theme makes a sharp contrast with Jungola. Here you can see polar bears and penguins, including underwater views of the penguins as they swim.

Sea lions and seals appear at Nortica Hafen. Their swimming ability is a major part of the viewing, so spend time watching the water rather than taking only a quick look at the animals on land.

Nortica also includes Arctic 1, a virtual test flight over the ice caps. That attraction adds movement and scale to the polar section. You are not only looking at animals, you are also given a sense of the wide, cold environment they inhabit.

For many families, the polar bear is a must-see animal. It also gives the day a strong finish if you visit Nortica later, after the jungle and savanna. If you prefer to start with the headline animals, visit it earlier and then work through the other zones.

Daily presentations add useful context

Animal caretakers give daily presentations about different species, including elephants and baboons. These talks are a good chance to pause, hear more about the animals, and ask questions directly.

Check the presentation times when you arrive, since the information provided does not give a fixed schedule. If a talk fits your route, it can add substance to the visit without requiring an extra fee.

I especially like this part of a zoo day because it turns animal viewing into a chance to understand behavior and care. The presentations are also a sensible rest stop. You can sit for a while, learn something, and then continue without feeling that every minute must be spent walking.

Food, breaks, and the practical side of the visit

You can buy food and drinks inside Wildlands, but they are not included in the ticket. Restaurants offer burgers, salads, fresh pizza, noodles, and poke bowls, so you are not limited to one type of meal.

That range helps if your group cannot agree on lunch. A family can choose different dishes without leaving the attraction, which protects valuable time on a one-day ticket. Food prices are not provided, so budget separately for meals.

Retail purchases are also extra. The admission covers the zoo, attractions, and playground, not souvenirs.

Smoking is not allowed, and pets are not permitted. Assistance dogs are allowed. Wheelchairs and lockers are available by reservation, so arrange those before arrival if you need them.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. Since the attraction is spread across several themed zones, it is still sensible to plan a comfortable pace and allow extra time for moving between areas.

What the $32 price really buys you

At $32 per person, this is not a cheap quick stop. It becomes better value when you treat it as a full-day outing rather than a short animal visit.

Your admission includes:

• Entry to Wildlands Adventure Zoo
• The Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica areas
• The Rimbula River boat ride
• The safari truck attraction
• Arctic 1 and other included attractions
• Animazia and the playground

The combination is the key value. You are paying for animal habitats, rides, indoor attractions, and a substantial play space in one ticket. A family that uses only the animal areas may find the price less appealing than a family that also uses Animazia and the rides.

A 4.9 rating from 88 ratings is a strong sign that the attraction is meeting expectations, especially for family groups. The details that matter most are the close giraffe encounters, the safari ride, the indoor jungle, the boat ride, and the range of things to do beyond traditional animal viewing.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. The ticket is valid for one day, with availability and starting times shown during booking.

Who will enjoy Wildlands most

I would recommend Wildlands most strongly to families who want variety. Children can watch elephants, climb through the Jungle Trail, play in Animazia, ride the safari truck, and see polar animals without spending the whole day walking from one enclosure to another.

It also suits adults who enjoy themed animal habitats and indoor attractions. Jungola is the strongest section for atmosphere, while Serenga offers the clearest large-animal encounters. Nortica provides a good change of pace and useful indoor viewing.

You may want to choose another activity if you want a small, quiet zoo that can be covered in a couple of hours. Wildlands is designed as a broad day out, and its scale is part of the appeal. The same variety that keeps families busy can feel like too much if you prefer a short visit with no rides or play areas.

My advice for planning your day

Start by checking the day’s animal presentation times. Then decide whether you want to begin in Jungola, head straight to the safari truck, or visit Nortica first.

I would give Jungola enough time for both the Butterfly Temple and Rimbula River. Do not rush the boat ride, since the smaller animals and tropical birds reward careful looking.

Plan a proper break around Animazia if you are with children. It is not just a quick playground stop, and the indoor setting makes it useful in poor weather.

Save time for Serenga when the weather is comfortable, then visit Nortica for the polar animals and Arctic 1. If rain arrives, reverse the order and focus on the indoor sections until conditions improve.

Should you book Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen?

Book it if you want a full day of animal viewing with rides, indoor play, and varied settings. The close giraffes, swimming elephants, polar bears, and large indoor jungle give the visit several clear highlights, while Animazia helps families keep the day enjoyable for younger children.

The $32 price is fair when you use the attractions and stay for much of the day. It is less convincing for a short visit, or if you are mainly interested in one animal area. For families, the combination of the safari truck, Rimbula River, Nortica, and Animazia makes Wildlands a practical choice, especially when changeable weather calls for both indoor and outdoor options.

FAQ

Where is Wildlands Adventure Zoo located?

Wildlands Adventure Zoo is in Emmen, in the Dutch province of Drenthe.

How long is the Wildlands ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day.

What is included in the admission?

Admission includes entry to the zoo, the attractions, and the playground. Food, drinks, and retail purchases are not included.

Is the Rimbula River boat ride included?

Yes. The Rimbula River boat ride is included with zoo admission.

What animals can I see on the safari truck?

The safari truck takes you near giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses in the Serenga savanna area.

Can I see elephants during the boat ride?

You may see elephants swimming near the boat on the Rimbula River.

What is Animazia?

Animazia is a large indoor play area with rope bridges, treehouses, slides, a sandbox, and small boats. Tropical fish, sea turtles, and naked mole rats are also nearby.

Is Wildlands wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available by reservation.

Are lockers available?

Yes, lockers are available by reservation.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.