GIVSKUD ZOO – ZOOTOPIA

Safari landscapes in the heart of Jutland

GIVSKUD ZOO – ZOOTOPIA spreads out over open countryside just outside the small town of Give, transforming rural Jutland into a patchwork of savannah-style enclosures and forested paddocks. Instead of watching animals from behind distant railings, you roll directly into a drive-through safari, sharing the road with giraffes, zebras, antelopes and even lions that wander across the track. It feels surprisingly immersive, with wide views, grassland and woodland, and herds moving around you rather than being staged in a single frame. This safari experience is flexible: you can follow the marked loop in your own car or opt for one of the park’s safari buses, which add commentary and relieve you from driving. Dedicated zones ensure safety, particularly in the lion area where you remain inside the vehicle, while other sections invite frequent stops at lay-bys where you can get out and continue on foot along signed paths. The result is a day that alternates between slow cruising and active exploration in the fresh Danish air.

Walking routes, rare species and close encounters

Once you park, a network of trails leads deeper into the zoo side of the park. Here the focus shifts from broad herds to individual species and carefully designed habitats. GIVSKUD ZOO is the only place in Denmark where you can see gorillas, spectacled bears and giant otters, and their enclosures are arranged to show off both the animals’ power and their more subtle behaviours. Elevated platforms, underwater viewing windows and glass-fronted shelters bring you eye to eye with residents that are usually glimpsed from afar. Elsewhere you find elephants, rhinos, primates and a wide range of birds and smaller mammals. Interpretive signs explain origins, behaviour and conservation status without overwhelming you with text, striking a balance between learning and simple enjoyment. At certain times of day, keepers offer talks or feeding sessions that reveal how much planning goes into caring for large, demanding animals in a northern climate. For families, these moments often become the most vivid memories of the visit.

Denmark’s largest dinosaur park

One of GIVSKUD’s most distinctive zones leaves the modern animal kingdom entirely and steps back into prehistory. The dinosaur park, the largest of its kind in Denmark, is a landscaped trail dotted with more than 50 life-sized dinosaur models set among trees, rocks and ponds. You wander past a towering Argentinosaurus, said to stretch around 40 metres, stare up at a roaring Tyrannosaurus rex, and notice smaller species guarding clutches of eggs or tending hatchlings. The models are designed to be both impressive and educational, paired with panels on how these creatures lived, moved and possibly sounded. Children tend to dart between them, testing their own size against enormous footprints, while adults often linger over the reconstructions of ancient ecosystems. It is a gentle way to absorb complex scientific ideas, wrapping them in spectacle and a sense of discovery along the path.

Playgrounds, pauses and practical comforts

Between animal sections and the dinosaur trail, GIVSKUD ZOO offers numerous places to simply pause. Large playgrounds are scattered around the park, from climbing frames and slides to themed activity zones that echo the safari and dinosaur themes. Picnic lawns, sheltered tables and quieter corners make it straightforward to unpack your own food, while several eateries and kiosks serve hot meals, snacks, ice creams and drinks throughout the day. Families with babies and toddlers are well catered for through a dedicated baby service centre, fitted out for changing, feeding and short rests away from the bustle of the main paths. Restrooms, drinking water points and seating are never far away, which makes the size of the park feel manageable even for mixed‑age groups. The layout encourages a relaxed rhythm: explore a section, let the children run off steam, then move on.

Conservation themes and thoughtful storytelling

Beyond entertainment, GIVSKUD ZOO weaves in stories about conservation and global environmental challenges. Themed exhibitions such as Plastic Planet, Death’s Cabin and a Global Goals-inspired area highlight issues ranging from waste and pollution to biodiversity loss and climate change. These are presented through installations, displays and sometimes interactive elements, inviting visitors to reflect on how everyday choices connect to the lives of animals both here and in the wild. The park also participates in breeding programmes for endangered species and supports a nature foundation that channels funds to international conservation projects. Information boards explain how ticket purchases and specific initiatives contribute to habitats far beyond Denmark. Combined with seeing charismatic animals up close, this emphasis on responsibility gives the experience more depth, encouraging curiosity about what it takes to protect wildlife in a changing world.

Seasonal rhythms and a full-day experience

GIVSKUD ZOO typically operates from spring through autumn, with long opening hours in the height of summer and slightly shorter days at the shoulders of the season. The open-air nature of both the safari and dinosaur park means that light, temperature and weather significantly shape your visit. Sunny days highlight the savannah feel and invite leisurely picnics, while cooler or overcast days can bring more active animals and quieter paths. Most visitors find that a full day passes quickly between slow drives, multiple walking loops, meal breaks and repeat visits to favourite enclosures. The park’s location in central Jutland, within easy reach of Billund and Vejle, also makes it a natural anchor for a wider holiday in the region. Whether you arrive for the animals, the dinosaurs or simply a spacious day outdoors, GIVSKUD ZOO – ZOOTOPIA offers a varied mix of experiences built around space, proximity and storytelling.