Emmen: Wildlands Adventure Zoo and Rimbula River Boat Ride

Jungle boats and giraffes make this zoo memorable. Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen takes you through three very different animal worlds: Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica. I like the Rimbula River boat ride, where elephants may swim beside your boat, and I like the safari truck, which brings you close to giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses. The main drawback is simple: this is a large, full-day attraction, so younger children or adults who prefer a quiet zoo may find the amount of walking and activity tiring.

At $32 per person, you get a full day of zoo access, attractions, and the indoor Animazia playground. I also like that the plan works in poor weather, since much of the jungle and play area is indoors. Food, drinks, shopping, lockers, and reserved wheelchairs cost extra or require advance arrangements, so plan for those details before you arrive.

Key things to know before visiting

• The Rimbula River boat ride passes through an indoor jungle, with tropical birds, lemurs, plants, and the chance to see elephants swimming nearby.
• The safari truck is the best way to reach the savanna animals, including giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses.
• Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica feel like three separate adventures, rather than one standard zoo path.
• Animazia gives children a proper indoor play break, with rope bridges, treehouses, slides, boats, and sand play.
• Nortica adds polar bears, penguins, seals, sea lions, and a virtual Arctic flight, giving the day a colder change of mood.
• The zoo stays open for a full day in rain or sunshine, and daily animal presentations add useful context to the exhibits.

What your $32 ticket includes

Wildlands is not just a collection of animal enclosures. It is built as a series of themed worlds, each with its own setting and activities. Your ticket covers admission to the zoo, the attractions, and the playground, so you can move between animal viewing and hands-on entertainment without paying separately for each major stop.

That matters if you are visiting with children. A conventional zoo can lose their attention after several hours, but Wildlands gives you a boat trip, a safari truck, a virtual flight, climbing areas, and an indoor play center to break up the animal exhibits.

The $32 price is reasonable if you use most of the day. It is less attractive if you plan to stay only a few hours or mainly want a traditional zoo with short walking distances. I would treat this as a full-day outing, not a quick stop between other sights in Drenthe.

Food and drinks are not included. You can choose from hamburgers, salads, fresh pizza, noodles, and poke bowls, so the eating options cover both simple family food and lighter meals. A clean restaurant and a broad menu make it easier to stay on site, though a family of seven will need to budget separately for lunch and drinks.

Jungola starts with butterflies and tropical heat

Jungola is the warm, green heart of Wildlands. Begin in the indoor Butterfly Temple, where hundreds of exotic butterflies move through the air around you. This is a gentle opening to the zoo, and it gives you a chance to slow down before the larger attractions.

The plants and flowers are part of the experience here, not just decoration. The rainforest section is especially attractive when flowers are in bloom, and the warm indoor setting makes Jungola a useful refuge on a wet or cold day in the Netherlands.

From the butterfly area, the route leads into the indoor jungle. Wildlands describes it as the world’s largest indoor jungle, and the scale gives the boat trip room to feel like a real journey rather than a short amusement ride. You will hear rainforest sounds, watch tropical birds move through the foliage, and need to look carefully for animals among the plants.

Ring-tailed lemurs and black lemurs may appear in the jungle area. They are easy to miss if you hurry, so I would give yourself time to scan the branches and surrounding spaces. The appeal here is not only seeing a large animal immediately. It is the small discoveries that reward patience.

The Rimbula River boat ride and swimming elephants

The Rimbula River boat ride is the signature attraction in Jungola. You travel by boat through the indoor rainforest, with tropical vegetation close to the water and animal habitats along the route.

The most memorable possibility is seeing elephants take a swim near the boat. An elephant appearing beside the water gives the ride a sense of surprise that a standard enclosure cannot match. You may not get the same view every time, since animals move on their own schedule, but the chance of seeing them refresh themselves is a major reason to make this ride a priority.

The boat ride also gives you a break from walking. That is useful for families, older adults, and anyone who wants to enjoy the jungle without rushing from one exhibit to the next. It is still an attraction inside a zoo, so keep your expectations realistic: the experience is about atmosphere and animal viewing, not a long river expedition.

After the boat trip, the Jungle Trail lets children climb and scramble through the treetops. It adds movement to the area and echoes the way lemurs use their habitat. If your children enjoy bridges and climbing routes, this can become one of the day’s favorite parts.

Animazia turns a zoo visit into a family day out

Animazia is the large indoor playground in Jungola. It includes rope bridges, treehouses, slides, a sandbox, and boats that children can pull across the play area.

This is more than a small corner with a few toys. It gives young children a proper change of pace after the butterfly temple, jungle paths, and boat ride. Parents can use it as a rest stop while children burn off energy indoors.

The play area also contains tropical fish, sea turtles, and naked mole rats. That combination is typical of Wildlands: even the break from the main animal route still includes living creatures to see.

Animazia is a strong reason to choose Wildlands for a family with younger children. The only caution is that it can be hard to persuade excited children to leave. If you want to see all three zoo worlds, set expectations before entering the playground.

Serenga brings the safari truck close to the savanna

Serenga changes the mood completely. The humid jungle gives way to open savanna, where giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses live in a broad outdoor setting.

The safari truck is the key attraction. Instead of viewing the animals only from a distant path, you ride into their area and get a closer look at the animals on the plains. Giraffes may come particularly close to the vehicle, creating good views for both adults and children.

The truck ride gives you a helpful sense of scale. A giraffe’s height, a rhinoceros’s bulk, and the movement of zebras are easier to appreciate when you are near them. You also learn about how the different animals use the open savanna.

Animal behavior controls the quality of the ride. Sometimes a giraffe may approach the truck, and at other times the animals may remain farther away. That unpredictability is part of a real animal setting, but you should not expect a guaranteed close encounter with every species.

Serenga is also a good place to take a pause outdoors. After the enclosed heat of Jungola, the open air feels refreshing. If rain is forecast, bring suitable clothing because the visit continues in wet weather, and the safari section is not presented as an indoor-only attraction.

Nortica brings polar bears, penguins, and seals

Nortica is Wildlands’ polar region. The colder setting gives the day a useful contrast, especially after the tropical heat of Jungola and the open savanna of Serenga.

You can see polar bears and penguins, including penguins moving underwater. Watching animals below the surface often gives you a better view of their swimming than watching them on land. Sea lions and seals can also be seen at Nortica Hafen, where their swimming skills are a major part of the display.

The Arctic 1 adds a virtual test flight over the ice caps. It is not a substitute for seeing the animals, but it gives the polar section another activity and helps younger visitors picture the scale of the frozen regions.

Nortica may appeal most to visitors who enjoy unusual animal behavior. The penguins, seals, and sea lions provide constant movement, while polar bears bring the larger, more imposing presence. I would place this section later in the day if you want to build from jungle to savanna to polar region, but you can also visit it earlier to avoid leaving a popular area until closing time.

Daily presentations add more than a quick photo

Animal caretakers give daily presentations about species such as elephants and baboons. These talks are worth fitting into your route if you want more than a walk past enclosures.

The value comes from hearing how the animals behave and what makes them different. You can also ask questions, which helps turn a short viewing stop into a more useful part of the day.

Check the presentation times when you arrive. The available times are not specified here, and the zoo experience is valid for one day, so you will need to plan around the schedule rather than assume every talk runs whenever you pass by.

Food, facilities, and comfort during a full day

Wildlands provides several restaurants, with choices ranging from hamburgers and fresh pizza to salads, noodles, and poke bowls. This variety is useful for mixed groups, especially when one person wants a filling meal and another prefers something lighter.

Food and drinks are not part of the $32 admission price. If you are visiting with a large family, restaurant costs can add up quickly, so include lunch and drinks in your day’s budget.

The zoo is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs and lockers are available by reservation, which means you should arrange them in advance rather than rely on finding one at the entrance. The attraction operates rain or shine, so dress for the forecast even though Jungola and Animazia offer indoor shelter.

Smoking is not allowed, and pets cannot enter. Assistance dogs are allowed. These rules are straightforward, but they matter if you are planning a long family visit with a service animal or hoping to bring a household pet.

Who will enjoy Wildlands most?

Wildlands is a strong choice for families who want animal exhibits mixed with active attractions. Children can move between the Jungle Trail, Animazia, the safari truck, and the polar displays instead of spending the whole day walking from one enclosure to another.

It also suits adults who enjoy zoo design and animal habitats with a sense of place. The contrast between tropical Jungola, open Serenga, and cold Nortica gives the visit a clear structure.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, compact zoo. The size and number of attractions can feel like a lot, especially for anyone who dislikes indoor play areas or amusement-style additions. The roller coaster is available for visitors who want another thrill, but you can skip it and still have plenty to do.

The attraction is also best for anyone able to spend most of the day there. Since the ticket is valid for one day and includes several major areas, a short visit will not show the value as well.

How to plan your day at Wildlands

Start by checking the available entry times and the schedule for animal presentations. Since the boat ride, safari truck, and presentations each shape your day, a little planning will help you avoid crossing the zoo repeatedly.

A practical order is:

• Begin in Jungola with the Butterfly Temple.
• Take the Rimbula River boat ride while your group is still fresh.
• See the tropical animals, then give children time at the Jungle Trail or Animazia.
• Continue to Serenga for the safari truck and savanna animals.
• Visit Nortica for polar bears, penguins, seals, and the Arctic 1 virtual flight.
• Fit in a meal and any caretaker presentations between major attractions.

You do not have to follow that order. If your children are most excited about the safari truck or polar bears, go there first. The important point is to leave enough time for the three animal worlds instead of spending the entire visit in the first indoor jungle.

Is Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen worth booking?

I would book Wildlands if you want a full-day family attraction with animals, rides, play areas, and indoor options. The Rimbula River boat ride and the close giraffe encounters give the visit its strongest moments, while Animazia helps keep younger children happy when they need a break from animal viewing.

At $32 per person, the ticket offers solid value when you use the whole day. I would skip it if you only have a short window, dislike large themed attractions, or want admission to include food and drinks.

For most families visiting Drenthe, Wildlands is an easy recommendation. Reserve a wheelchair or locker ahead of time if needed, check the day’s presentation schedule, and plan for lunch costs. Then give yourself enough hours to enjoy the zoo at a calm pace rather than racing between the jungle, savanna, and polar region.

FAQ

Where is Wildlands Adventure Zoo located?

Wildlands Adventure Zoo is in Emmen, in the Dutch province of Drenthe.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is $32 per person.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day.

What is included in the ticket?

Admission to the zoo, the attractions, and the playground is included.

Is the Rimbula River boat ride included?

Yes. The attractions are included with zoo admission, and the Rimbula River boat ride is one of the main attractions in Jungola.

Can I see elephants during the boat ride?

You can see elephants near the Rimbula River, and they may swim beside the boat.

What animals can I see from the safari truck?

The safari truck takes you through the savanna area, where you can see giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses.

What is available in the Nortica area?

Nortica includes polar bears, penguins, sea lions, and seals. It also has the Arctic 1 virtual flight over the ice caps.

Is Wildlands wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the attraction is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available upon reservation.

Can I bring a pet?

Pets are not allowed, but assistance dogs are permitted. Smoking is also not allowed.