Knuthenborg Safaripark

An island safari on Lolland’s historic estate

Knuthenborg Safaripark spreads across the grounds of an old manor estate just outside the town of Maribo on Lolland, transforming traditional farmland and parkland into a wildlife landscape. Here, broad avenues of old trees frame wide enclosures where animals roam in large herds, and the original estate setting gives the park a distinctly Danish backdrop to its global cast of species. The heart of the experience is the self-drive safari. You follow looping roads through themed zones such as the savannah, forest and Asia areas, where species are grouped by habitat. Giraffes stretch over vehicles for a better view, zebras share the grass with antelopes, and in other sections bison, llamas and other hardy grazers move across open fields in the island’s coastal light.

Close encounters with big predators and gentle giants

Separate fenced sectors are home to the more imposing residents. In Tiger Forest and the wolf area you stay inside your vehicle while scanning the wooded terrain for movement, watching for striped coats and pale eyes between the trees. The carnivore zones are designed with rolling ground and dense planting, creating a sense of real forest rather than a simple paddock. One of the park’s most distinctive areas is the elephant facility built for former circus elephants. Large grassy paddocks, pools and sandy stretches give the animals space to wander and bathe, while an indoor stable lets you glimpse their routines under cover. This focus on space and more natural behavior runs throughout the park’s animal sections and is reinforced in keeper talks and feeding demonstrations held on selected days.

Dinosaur Forest and the story of life on Earth

Beyond the living wildlife, Knuthenborg adds another layer with its Dinosaur Forest and the Museum of Evolution. Forest paths wind among towering, animated dinosaur figures that move and roar between the trees, combining spectacle with educational panels that explain when and how these giants lived. At the Museum of Evolution, fossils, casts and full-size skeletons chart the development of life from the ancient seas through the age of dinosaurs to the rise of mammals. A highlight is the chance to stand beneath large skeletons and reconstructed creatures in atmospheric, staged galleries that use light and sound to bring deep time into focus.

Limpopoland thrills and playground energy

In the middle of the park, Limpopoland functions as a compact amusement area and playground hub. Here you find water rides such as Congo Splash and the long Kampala Express slide, along with climbing structures, obstacle courses and trampolines that turn excess energy into shrieks and laughter. Surfaces and equipment are designed for a broad range of ages, from small children to older kids who want more challenging climbing frames and fast slides. Between activities there are kiosks, casual eateries and shaded seating, making it an easy base for families to pause between animal sections of the park.

Slow moments, picnics and overnight safari camps

Scattered through the grounds are picnic lawns, simple shelters and viewpoints where you can slow the pace and simply watch animals graze under the wide Lolland sky. Benches near lakes and small forest glades add quieter corners away from the busiest tracks. For an extended stay, safari-style accommodation lets guests sleep in tents or cabins facing animal enclosures, waking to silhouettes of giraffes or the sound of roaring lions. Evening access to selected areas, including the elephant house, dinosaur forest or specific viewing platforms, turns the park into a more contemplative landscape once the day visitors have gone, rounding out Knuthenborg as both a high-energy family attraction and a place for unhurried observation of wildlife.