Natur- und Tierpark Brüggen

Natur- und Tierpark Brüggen is a family-run animal and leisure park in the town of Brüggen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, roughly two kilometers north of the town center, next to the B221 federal road and only about four kilometers from the Dutch border. It combines a small zoo with an extensive play area, making it a popular full-day destination for families and animal lovers alike from across the Lower Rhine region.

How did the park start?

The park was founded by Wilhelm Kerren, owner of a machinery factory, who opened it on May 1, 1958. It began modestly, as an enclosure for fallow deer and ponies. After selling his Kerma factory, Kerren expanded the grounds and filled them with imaginative play equipment that he built himself in his own metalworking shop. He died in 1979, but the park has remained a family business ever since — since 2008 it has been run by his grandson Stephan Kerren together with his wife Helga. That continuity across generations means the park has now been welcoming visitors for nearly seven decades.

How large is the park and what animals live there?

The park covers around 14 hectares, much of it wooded, with spacious enclosures spread throughout the grounds. More than 250 animals live here, representing about 50 species split roughly evenly between mammals, birds, and various snakes. The collection is organized by continent: emus and Bennett's wallabies from Australia; axis deer, blackbuck, and Bactrian camels from Asia; meerkats, Watusi cattle, and Dahomey dwarf cattle from Africa; and guanacos, Patagonian maras, rheas, squirrel monkeys, and blue-fronted amazons from South America. Feed for many of the animals can be bought on site, so visitors can hand-feed several species directly.

What else is there to do besides watching animals?

A large part of the park is dedicated to play areas, which are expanded almost every year. A "termite mound" playground was added in 2022, a pedal-tractor track followed in 2023, and a wooden ball-run tower was built in 2024. Because of this steady investment in play equipment, the park works well as a destination for an entire day out with children, mixing nature education with active outdoor play.

When is the park open?

Natur- und Tierpark Brüggen is located at Brachter Straße 98, 41379 Brüggen. It is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, with the 2026 season running from March 28 to November 1.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors feed the animals? Yes, special feed can be purchased on site for many of the enclosures, allowing direct hand-feeding.

How many animals live in the park? More than 250 animals across roughly 50 species, mainly mammals, birds, and snakes.

Is it more of a zoo or a playground? Both — the park pairs its animal enclosures with a continuously expanded play area for children.

How close is it to the Dutch border? The park sits about four kilometers from the Netherlands, in the Lower Rhine (Niederrhein) region.