Israel is a small country, but it has a wide range of zoos and aquariums that offer visitors a chance to see various animals up close. Here are the top 10 best zoos and aquariums in Israel:
The Biblical Zoo, Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is one of the most popular in Israel and is home to various animals from the Middle East and beyond. The zoo is divided into different regions, each featuring animals native to those regions. For example, the African Savannah section is home to lions, cheetahs, zebras, and giraffes, while the South American section features llamas, capybaras, and sloths.
One of the unique features of the Biblical Zoo is its Noah’s Ark exhibit. This exhibit features life-size replicas of animals that are mentioned in the story of Noah’s Ark in the Bible, including elephants, lions, and kangaroos.
Hai Bar Biblical Wildlife Preserve and Safari, Eilat
Visitors can see various animals, including ibex, gazelles, wolves, and hyenas. The park is designed to resemble the natural habitats of these animals, with open spaces and rocky terrain. Visitors to Yotveta Hai-Bar can also take guided tours, which provide a deeper understanding of the animals and their behaviors. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides who share information about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the animals that call it home.
Ramat Gan Safari, Ramat Gan
Ramat Gan Safari, located in the city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, is one of the largest and most famous safari parks in the Middle East. The park covers an area of about 250 acres and is home to over 1,600 animals from 200 different species, including many rare and endangered animals.
The safari park is designed to provide visitors with an authentic safari experience. Visitors can drive their vehicles or take a guided bus tour through the park to see the animals up close in their natural habitats. The park is divided into several areas, each featuring different animals worldwide.
One of the most popular sections of the park is the African Savannah, which features giraffes, zebras, lions, and other animals native to the savannahs of Africa. Visitors can also see a variety of primates, including chimpanzees, orangutans, and lemurs, in the Monkey Forest section.
The Jerusalem Aquarium
The Jerusalem Aquarium, located in the heart of Jerusalem, is a fascinating and educational attraction for visitors of all ages. The aquarium is dedicated to showcasing the marine life found in the waters of Israel and the Mediterranean with informative and engaging exhibits.
The aquarium is divided into several sections, each featuring different types of marine life. Visitors can see a variety of fish, sharks, sea turtles, and other sea creatures up close and learn about their habits and behaviors. The aquarium also has interactive exhibits, such as touch tanks, where visitors can touch and feel some marine animals.
One of the most popular exhibits at the Jerusalem Aquarium is the tunnel, which takes visitors through a glass tunnel that runs through a large tank filled with sharks, rays, and other fish. The tunnel offers a unique perspective on marine life, allowing visitors to see the animals from below and feel like they are part of their underwater world.
Monkey Forest Yodfat
The Monkey Forest Yodfat is a unique and fascinating attraction in the village of Yodfat in northern Israel. The park is home to many monkeys, including several species native to Israel. Visitors to the Monkey Forest Yodfat can explore the park’s many walking trails and observe the monkeys in their natural habitats.
The park’s staff works hard to create a safe and comfortable environment for the monkeys, and visitors are asked to respect the animals’ space and refrain from feeding them. One of the park’s highlights is the monkey nursery, where visitors can see baby monkeys and learn about their care and upbringing. The park’s staff is dedicated to conserving and protecting these animals, and the nursery is an essential part of their breeding program.
In addition to its monkey population, the Monkey Forest Yodfat is home to various other animals, including deer, rabbits, and peacocks. Visitors can observe these animals and learn about their habitats and behaviors.
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Eilat
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park, located in the city of Eilat, is a unique and fascinating attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life of the Red Sea. The park is divided into several sections, each featuring different types of marine life and interactive exhibits.
One of the most popular attractions at the Underwater Observatory Marine Park is the underwater observatory, which takes visitors below the surface of the Red Sea to view the marine life up close. The observatory features a large glass window that provides a panoramic view of the underwater world, allowing visitors to see a variety of fish, corals, and other sea creatures in their natural habitats.
The Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, Haifa
The Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, located in Haifa, is a unique and fascinating attraction that allows visitors to observe various endangered and extinct animals in their natural habitats.
The reserve is home to several species native to the region, including the Persian fallow deer, the roe deer, and the mountain gazelle. One of the reserve’s highlights is the breeding and reintroduction program for endangered species. The reserve’s staff works tirelessly to breed animals threatened with extinction and reintroduce them into the wild.
Visitors can observe these animals up close and learn about the conservation efforts that are being made to protect them. The reserve is also home to various bird species, including the griffon vulture and the eagle owl. Visitors can observe these birds in their natural habitats and learn about their behaviors and habitats.
The Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve offers several walking trails, which allow visitors to explore the reserve’s many habitats and observe the animals in their natural surroundings. The reserve’s staff also offers guided tours, which provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the animals and their habitats.
Haifa Educational Zoo
The Haifa Educational Zoo is a unique and fascinating attraction in the beautiful city of Haifa, Israel. The zoo is dedicated to providing visitors with an educational and interactive experience showcasing various animal species worldwide.
The Haifa Educational Zoo allows visitors to observe and learn about various animals, including big cats, primates, birds, and reptiles. The zoo is home to over 100 species, and visitors can see these animals up close in their natural habitats.
One of the zoo’s highlights is the “Safari Experience,” where visitors can take a guided tour and observe the animals from a closer perspective. During the visit, visitors can feed some animals, learn about their behaviors and habits, and interact with them in a safe and controlled environment.
Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and educational activity for the family, the Haifa Educational Zoo will surely delight and inspire you.
Gan Garoo, Kibbutz Nir David
Gan Garoo, located on Kibbutz Nir David in the Jezreel Valley, is a unique Australian-themed park and zoo that offers visitors the opportunity to interact with and learn about various animals native to Australia. One of the highlights of Gan Garoo is the kangaroo and wallaby park, where visitors can enter the enclosure and get up close with the animals.
Visitors can also feed the kangaroos and wallabies, making it a memorable experience. In addition to kangaroos and wallabies, the park is home to various other Australian animals, including koalas, emus, wombats, and echidnas. Visitors can observe these animals in their natural habitats and learn about their behaviors and habits.
The Biblical Museum of Natural History
The Biblical Museum of Natural History is a one-of-a-kind museum located in Beit Shemesh, Israel, dedicated to showcasing the natural history of the Bible through a collection of live animals and exhibits. The museum allows visitors to see and learn about various animals mentioned in the Bible, including snakes, scorpions, eagles, and many others. Here is a link to their website!
Visitors can observe these animals up close in their natural habitats and learn about their behaviors, habitats, and roles in biblical stories. In addition, to live animal exhibits, the museum features a variety of interactive exhibits, including replicas of ancient biblical artifacts, multimedia displays, and educational materials that provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the natural world as described in the Bible.
Overall, Israel offers a diverse range of zoos and aquariums worth visiting. Whether you are interested in seeing African wildlife, marine life, or unique animals from Down Under, there is something for everyone.
