Africarium - number 1 attraction in Europe
The biggest attraction of the Wroclaw zoo is the Africarium. Africarium was created from the combination of two words Africa and Aquarium. It is a building that combines the best of both places. Since 2012, it has been one of the biggest 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 Wroclaw for the weekend, you must see this place.
Africarium is one of the facilities of the ZOO in Wroclaw, you cannot visit the Africarium without entering the ZOO. It is to the ZOO Wrocław that you should buy tickets to visit the African zoo. Visiting this amazing facility lasts from 1 to 3 hours. However, there is no set time limit that we can spend in the Africarium. Visiting this place should be well prepared, the temperature in some rooms reaches up to 40 degrees, because of the exotic animals that need such a warm environment to function. It is good to take a bottle of water with you.
- Children 0-3 years - 0 PLN
- Seniors 75+ years - PLN 0
- Normal - 55 PLN
- Discount - 45 PLN
- Student - 45 PLN
- Family of 2 adults and 3 children - 170 PLN
As part of the ZOO rescue campaign, ticket prices have an additional PLN 1 donation to protect endangered animal species. The payment of the donation is voluntary, however, with the default ticket selection it is automatically added.
It is worth noting that when visiting the ZOO Wrocław you have the option of buying a group ticket. Group tickets are available for groups of a minimum of 15 people for adults, or 10 people 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 from the life of animals, this is also a possibility. The cost of such tours is an additional ticket to the ticket in the amount of PLN 5 / person in Polish or PLN 20 / person in English
The ZOO Wrocław offers visitors a permanent promotion package. Spending a few days in Wroclaw, you can plan your sightseeing in such a way as to use them. Here are the most interesting of the promotions:
Family Monday – on Monday a family ticket (2 + 3) is available for PLN 145
Student Wednesday – on Wednesday student ticket is available for 35 PLN
Sick Thursday – Pensioners have the option of buying a reduced-price ticket for PLN 25
Author of the idea
The author of the idea of creating such a unique place was Radosław Ratajszczak, president of the ZOO Wrocław company. His main idea was to present aquatic ecosystems operating in the Blackland area. It started with a simple idea and the effects are great. However, there were some complications during the implementation of the project – it is the only such attraction in Europe.
How was the Africarium built?
In 2008, an architectural competition was announced to create a design for this unique place, which is an African zoo. As many as 14 projects were submitted to the competition. There was a lot of competition, but eventually won the project by Wroclaw Design Factory ArC2. Construction began and lasted for 4 years. Many unconventional architectural solutions were used. Creating a special room thermoregulation system proved to be particularly difficult. Due to the special living conditions of some species. In some rooms, the temperature reaches 40 degrees. And some species of animals need lower temperatures of several degrees.
Finally, after 4 years of construction, the Africarium was completed. In 2012, the first tourists were admitted, and this unusual place won the hearts of not only Wrocław residents.
What can you see?
Wystawa podzielona jest na kilka części tematycznych. Każda część przedstawia funkcjonowanie innego, odmiennego ekosystemu, a za razem mieszkają tam inne gatunki zwierząt. Zwiedzając afrykarium można poczuć się zupełnie jak na czarnym lądzie. Do najchętniej oglądanych wystaw należą:
- Red Sea
- East Africa
- Mozambique Channel
- Skeleton Coast
- Jungle on the Congo River
Exhibitions in Africarium
Each of these exhibitions distinguishes other unique animal species. You can see how different ecosystems can be on this continent. 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 make us better aware of how diverse Africa is. And how surprising it is.
Red Sea
The Red Sea is an aquarium with a capacity of over a million liters, an artificial coral reef was created there. Thanks to the efforts made, we managed to create the right conditions for colorful fish living in warm waters. There are as many as 60 different species there. The most interesting of them include moraines and piranhas. Admiring this part of the exhibition you can feel like during a vacation in Egypt.
East Africa
The exhibition depicting East Africa deserves special attention. Here you can find several unusual species such as Nile hippos. Huge ants or picturesque butterflies. An interesting tourist attraction is the colony of golems, unusual rodents. It is also worth seeing aquariums with fish from the great African ditches, i.e. drying lakes. Some fish species are no longer found in the wild.
Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel, i.e. an 18-meter glass tunnel running along the bottom of the pool, allows us to see turtles, rays, sharks and other species of fish in the natural environment. Admiring the sea world from the ocean floor perspective is a great attraction.
Skeleton Coast
After a walk along the bottom of the ocean, it is worth visiting the coast of skeletons, i.e. a place where seals and penguins bask on a rocky beach. Looking a little deeper, you can see colorful species of jellyfish, and terrible predators such as moray eels.
Congo jungle
Congo jungle
Walking along the coast we get straight to the jungle. The exhibition depicting the Congo jungle attracts the attention of all visitors. There are herbivorous mammals called mermaids. They look like dolphins. Predatory crocodiles and many species of birds. The small exhibition of carnivorous plants also attracts attention.
Universalism, Exoticism and Elegance
In addition, the complex is adapted to organize various events. There are;
- Conference room for 160 people
- educational room adapted for the organization of school trips
- Business room for 30 people
- Restaurant
- Gift shop
Visiting the african school you need to prepare an adequate reserve of time, you can spend here 1 to 3 hours, and yet it is only one part of the Wroclaw zoo. Arriving in Wroclaw, don’t forget to book your accommodation.
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