The park utilizes a climate-controlled rainforest hall that maintains tropical conditions for its inhabitants throughout the year.
The Alaska zone features a specialized filtration system for its aquatic habitats that maintains water clarity for underwater observation.
Visitors can observe animals from a circular path that eliminates traditional 'front-facing' viewing constraints by using water moats and elevation changes.
The zoo features a boat trip attraction, the 'African Queen,' which allows guests to view the savannah from the water.
The site uses a geothermal heat pump system to help regulate the temperatures of its large indoor animal enclosures.
ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen is a zoo designed as a landscape-based zoo divided into three distinct geographical zones: Alaska, Africa, and Asia. The park spans 30 hectares and features over 900 animals representing more than 100 species in enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats. The Alaska zone includes a deep-water viewing tunnel for polar bears and an underwater viewing area for sea lions. The Africa zone is centered around a large lake and features giraffes, rhinos, and hippos in expansive savannah-style paddocks. The Asia zone contains a complex for orangutans and a rainforest hall. Unlike traditional zoos with cage-based exhibits, this facility focuses on immersive pathways that wind through recreated ecosystems. The park underwent a major transformation from the former Ruhr-Zoo, which officially closed in 2005 before reopening as the current Erlebniswelt concept. It integrates naturalistic topography, such as artificial rocky cliffs and dense vegetation, to separate visitors from the animals.
The glass underwater viewing tunnel in the Alaska section for close-up shots of swimming polar bears.
Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes as the park covers a large area with significant natural incline changes.
Check the daily keeper talk schedule at the entrance to align your visit with active animal feeding times.
Bring binoculars for better views of the expansive savannah and Asia zone enclosures where animals may be at a distance.
Attempting to see all three zones in under three hours, which leads to rushing past the largest habitats; avoid visiting during extreme heatwaves when animals are least active.
Open daily throughout the year; extended hours apply during the summer season, while winter hours are reduced due to daylight constraints.
Do not feed the animals, refrain from tapping on glass enclosures, and keep voices low in quiet-zone areas near the great apes.
