The biggest attraction of the Wrocław zoo is the Africanarium. Africarium was created from the combination of two words: Africa and Akwarium. It is a building that combines the best of both places. Since 2012, it has been one of the greatest tourist attractions of Wrocław and Lower Silesia. It is noteworthy that the Africarium is such a unique place that there is no other similar facility in Europe. When visiting Wrocław for the weekend, this place is a must see.
Africarium is one of the objects of the Zoo in Wrocław, it is impossible to visit the Africanarium without entering the Zoo. It is to ZOO Wrocław that you should buy tickets to visit the Africanarium. Visiting this unique object takes from 1 to 3 hours. However, there is no specific limit to the time we can spend in Africa. When visiting this place, you should be well prepared, the temperature in some rooms reaches even 40 degrees, due to exotic animals that need such a warm environment to function. It is good to bring a bottle of water with you.
- Children 0-3 years old - PLN 0
- Seniors 75+ years - PLN 0
- Normal - PLN 55
- Reduced - PLN 45
- Student - PLN 45
- Family of 2 adults, 3 children - PLN 170
As part of the ZOO to rescue, ticket prices have a donation of PLN 1 added to protect endangered animal species. The donation surcharge is voluntary, however, with the default ticket selection, it is automatically added.
It is worth noting that when visiting the Wrocław Zoo, you have the option of purchasing a group ticket. Group tickets are available for groups of at least 15 adults for adults or 10 persons for children. If you wish to visit the Africarium with a guide who will talk about the functioning of the Wrocław Zoo or present interesting facts about the life of animals, this is also possible. The cost of such a tour is an additional ticket to the ticket in the amount of PLN 5 / person in Polish or PLN 20 / person in English
The Wrocław Zoo offers its visitors a package of permanent promotions. Spending a few days in Wrocław, you can plan your visit in such a way that you can take advantage of them. Here are the most interesting promotions:
Family Monday – on Mondays a family ticket (2 + 3) is available for PLN 145
Student Wednesday – on Wednesdays a student ticket is available for PLN 35
Sick Thursday – Retirees and pensioners can buy a reduced ticket for PLN 25
The author of the idea to create such a unique place was Radosław Ratajszczak, president of the ZOO Wrocław company. Its main idea was to present the aquatic ecosystems functioning in the vicinity of the black land. It started with a simple idea and the results are great. However, the project was not without complications – it is the only attraction of this type in Europe.
How was Africarium built?
In 2008, an architectural competition was announced to create a design for this unique place, which is the Africarium. As many as 14 projects were submitted to the competition. There was a lot of competition, but the design by the Wrocław-based ArC2 Design Factory was ultimately won. Construction started and lasted 4 years. Many unconventional architectural solutions were used. It turned out to be particularly difficult to create a special room thermoregulation system. Due to the special living conditions of some species. In some rooms, the temperature reaches 40 degrees. And some animal species need lower temperatures of several degrees.
Finally, after 4 years of construction, the africa board was completed. In 2012, the first tourists were admitted, and this extraordinary place won the hearts of not only Wrocław residents.
What can you see?
The exhibition is divided into several thematic parts. Each part presents the functioning of a different, different ecosystem, and different species of animals live there. Visiting Africa you can feel completely like on the black land. The most-viewed exhibitions include:
- Morze Czerwone
- Afryka Wschodnia
- Kanał Mozambicki
- Wybrzeże Szkieletów
- Dżungla nad rzeką Kongo
Exhibition in africarium
Each exhibit is distinguished by different unique animal species. One can observe how different the ecosystems on this continent can be. Depending on the part of the continent we visit, we can admire different species of animals living in completely different conditions. Such a large number of contrasts can better realize how diverse Africa is. And at the same time how surprising it is.
Red Sea
The Red Sea is an aquarium with a capacity of more than a million liters, artificially created coral reef there. Thanks to the efforts made to create the right conditions for colorful fish inhabiting warm waters. You can meet there as many as 60 different species. The most interesting of them include moray eels and piranhas. Admiring this part of the exhibition you can feel like on vacation in Egypt.
East Africa
The exhibition depicting East Africa deserves special attention. You can meet here some unusual species such as Nile hippos. Huge ants, or picturesque butterflies. An interesting tourist attraction is the colony of pigeons, unusual rodents. Also worth seeing aquariums with fish from the great African trenches, or drying up lakes. Some species of fish are no longer found in their natural environment.
Mozambique Channel
Mozambique Channel, or 18-meter glass tunnel running along the bottom of the pool allows us to see in a natural environment swimming turtles, stingrays, sharks and other species of fish. Admiring the marine world from the perspective of the ocean floor is a great attraction.
Skeleton Coast
After a walk on the ocean floor, visit the Skeleton Coast, a place where seals and penguins bask on the rocky beach. Looking a little deeper you can spot colorful species of jellyfish, and scary predators such as moray eels.
Congo jungle
Walking along the coast we go straight into the jungle. The exhibition depicting the Congo jungle attracts the attention of all visitors. You can meet there herbivorous mammals called mermaids. They look like dolphins. Predatory crocodiles and numerous species of birds. Attention also attracts a small exhibition of carnivorous plants.
Universalism, Exoticism and Elegance in Africarium
In addition, the complex is adapted for the organization of various events. They are located there;
conference room for 160 people
Educational room, suitable for organizing school trips
Business room for 30 people
Restaurant
Gift store
When visiting the Afrykarium you need to prepare a suitable reserve of time, you can spend here from 1 to 3 hours, and yet it is only one part of the Wrocław zoo. When coming to Wroclaw, don’t forget to make a reservation for accommodation.
