Emmen: Wildlands Adventure Zoo and Rimbula River Boat Ride

The most unusual part of WILDLANDS is the Rimbula River boat ride, which carries you through the world’s largest indoor jungle. Elephants may swim beside the boat, while tropical birds, butterflies, and lemurs make the ride feel more like a nature expedition than a standard zoo visit.

I especially like the mix of quiet animal watching and active attractions. The close giraffe encounters from the safari truck are a highlight, and Animazia gives children a proper place to burn off energy. The main drawback is simple: the park is large, and fitting Jungola, Serenga, Nortica, the boat ride, and the play areas into one day requires some planning.

Key points to know before you go

• Rimbula River boat ride: Cruise through Jungola’s indoor rainforest, with a chance to see elephants swimming beside the boat.
• Three very different zones: Move from tropical Jungola to the sunny Serenga savanna and the cold polar world of Nortica.
• Safari truck views: Get close to giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses across the open savanna area.
• Strong family facilities: Animazia includes rope bridges, treehouses, slides, boats, and animal exhibits.
• All-weather outing: WILDLANDS operates rain or shine, with major indoor areas for wet or cold days.
• Good one-day value: A $32 ticket includes zoo entry, attractions, and the playground, but not food, drinks, or shopping.

Why WILDLANDS feels different from a standard zoo

WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen is arranged as a set of large animal worlds rather than a simple row of enclosures. You walk through Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica, each with its own climate, scenery, animals, and activities.

That layout gives the day a useful rhythm. You can watch animals quietly for a while, then switch to a boat trip, safari truck, playground, or roller coaster. I like this approach for families because not everyone needs the same kind of entertainment at the same time.

The park also gives you a sense of moving through different parts of the world without requiring separate day trips. In one visit, you can see tropical butterflies, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, polar bears, penguins, seals, and sea lions.

The tradeoff is that this is not a small city zoo you can casually cover in two hours. You need a full day to make good use of the ticket, especially if children want time in Animazia or on the roller coaster.

Jungola begins with butterflies and rainforest sounds

Start in Jungola, the tropical zone. The Butterfly Temple is an immediate change of pace, with hundreds of exotic butterflies moving around you. This is a good first stop because it slows you down before the larger attractions begin.

Look carefully among the plants and paths. The tropical setting may reveal ring-tailed lemurs and black lemurs, while dozens of tropical birds add sound and movement overhead. The setting is designed for observation, so I would not rush through it.

The rainforest section is also one of the most visually appealing parts of the park. The flowers and tropical planting give the indoor area a warm, damp-world feel, which can be especially welcome on a cold day in Drenthe.

Keep your camera ready, but remember that animal sightings are never guaranteed. The pleasure here comes from watching patiently rather than ticking off every species.

The Rimbula River boat ride is Jungola’s centerpiece

The Rimbula River is the attraction that gives Jungola its identity. You board a boat and travel through the indoor jungle, surrounded by rainforest sounds and tropical planting.

The possible elephant encounter is the main reason to ride. Elephants can enter the water near the route, so you may see one swimming or cooling off close to the boat. That is a memorable view, especially for children, because the animal feels enormous from water level.

The ride also offers chances to spot birds and smaller animals along the route. It is not a fast thrill ride, and that is part of its appeal. You get a calm break from walking while still moving through an animal habitat.

I would make this one of your first priorities in Jungola. If the ride is busy, check its availability early and plan the rest of the zone around it. The supplied information does not give a fixed ride schedule, so you should check current times when you arrive.

Jungle Trail and Animazia add needed movement

After the boat ride and animal areas, the Jungle Trail lets children copy the climbing and scrambling style of the animals. Rope features and treetop-style routes make this a hands-on part of Jungola rather than another viewing area.

Animazia takes that idea much further. It is a large indoor play paradise with rope bridges, treehouses, slides, a sandbox, and boats that children can pull across. This is more than a small corner beside the exhibits, so allow real time for it.

The play area is particularly useful if the weather turns wet. Since the park operates rain or shine, indoor attractions can protect the day from becoming a march between soaked adults and restless children.

Animazia also includes tropical fish, sea turtles, and naked mole rats. Those exhibits give parents something to see while children play, though the main attraction here is clearly the activity space.

If you are visiting without children, you can spend less time in this section. If you have young adventurers with you, do not make the mistake of treating Animazia as a quick stop. It may become one of the longest pauses of the day.

Serenga puts you close to giraffes and rhinos

Serenga is the savanna zone, where the mood changes from enclosed rainforest to open grassland. The safari truck is the key attraction here and gives you a better view than walking past distant animals.

From the truck, you can see giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses across the green savanna. The close giraffe encounters are a particular strength. A giraffe approaching the truck gives you a much more personal view than one standing far behind a fence.

The truck ride also helps explain how savanna animals share the same broad space. Instead of seeing one species in isolation, you can watch how different animals move and feed across the area.

There is a practical benefit, too. The ride gives your feet a rest midway through a busy day. For families, it offers a shared attraction that works for several age groups.

The experience depends on animal behavior, weather, and timing. You may get an excellent close view, or you may see animals farther away. I would enjoy the ride for the setting and chance of proximity, not treat it as a guaranteed photo stop.

Nortica brings polar bears, penguins, and sea lions

Nortica offers a sharp contrast with Serenga. Here, you meet animals associated with cold polar regions, including polar bears and penguins.

The underwater views are especially useful. Penguins can be difficult to appreciate when they are simply standing on land, but watching them move underwater reveals their speed and control. The same goes for the seals and sea lions at Nortica Hafen, where their swimming skills become the focus.

You can also board Arctic 1 for a virtual test flight over the ice caps. This adds a technology-based attraction to the animal displays and gives children another way to think about polar environments.

Nortica works well as a cooling break after Serenga, though the change is more than a temperature trick. It completes the park’s three-part journey: tropical forest, African-style savanna, and polar regions.

If polar animals are your priority, give yourself enough time here. Penguins, seals, and sea lions are active in different ways, and a quick pass may miss the best underwater movement.

Daily animal presentations make the visit more useful

Animal caretakers give daily presentations about species such as elephants and baboons. These talks are worth fitting into your day if you want more than photographs and scenery.

The useful part is the chance to hear directly about the animals and ask questions. Since presentation times can affect your route, check the daily schedule after entering and build your day around one or two talks that interest you.

I would not try to attend every presentation unless you are especially focused on animal care. WILDLANDS has enough rides and zones that an overly rigid schedule can make the visit feel hurried.

Instead, choose the talks that match your interests, then leave room for wandering. Jungola in particular rewards a slower pace, since small animals can be easy to miss.

Food and breaks at WILDLANDS

Food and drinks are not included in the $32 admission price, so budget for them separately. The park has several restaurants with a broad selection, including hamburgers, salads, pizza, noodles, and poke bowls.

That range is helpful for a family group with different tastes. You can choose something filling and familiar, or go for a lighter meal instead of relying on snacks all day.

A particularly useful detail is the cleanliness and quality of the restaurant experience. The food is described as delicious, and the facilities are kept clean, which matters when you are spending a full day with children.

I would plan at least one proper meal rather than trying to run on small treats. A full day across three zones, plus the safari truck and play areas, takes energy.

Retail purchases are also separate from admission. If you are keeping to a budget, decide in advance how much room you want to leave for souvenirs.

Is $32 a fair price for one day?

At $32 per person, the ticket is strongest when you use WILDLANDS as a full-day outing. Entry includes the zoo, attractions, and playground, so you are not paying extra for the Rimbula River ride, safari truck, or Animazia.

The value is less convincing if you plan to arrive late and see only a few exhibits. The park’s size and mix of activities are designed for a longer visit.

For a family, the included attractions make the price easier to justify. You are getting animal habitats, two major rides, indoor play space, a roller coaster, and outdoor areas in one admission.

You still need to add food, drinks, and retail spending. That makes it sensible to set a total family budget before you arrive, especially if children will want both restaurant food and a souvenir.

The ticket is valid for one day. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your plans around Drenthe are still changing.

Planning a comfortable full day

Because the ticket covers one day and the park operates in all weather, your best plan is flexible but not careless. Start by checking the day’s animal presentation times and the availability of the Rimbula River ride.

I would begin with Jungola, then move to Serenga for the safari truck, and finish in Nortica, but you can reverse that order if the park schedule suggests it. Save Animazia for a deliberate break rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Wear comfortable shoes. Even with the boat and truck rides, you will be moving between distinct zones and attractions.

Bring weather protection because outdoor sections remain part of the visit in rain. The indoor jungle, Butterfly Temple, Nortica displays, and Animazia provide shelter, but the whole park is not indoors.

Wheelchairs and lockers are available by reservation. The park is wheelchair accessible, so arrange those services ahead of time if you need them. Smoking is not allowed, and pets are not permitted, although assistance dogs are allowed.

Who will enjoy WILDLANDS most?

Families with children are the clearest match. The park combines animals with climbing, slides, boats, a roller coaster, and indoor play, so children do not need to spend the entire day walking from exhibit to exhibit.

It also suits adults who enjoy animal habitats and themed settings. The Rimbula River, polar displays, and savanna truck offer more variety than a basic zoo route.

The experience may be less suitable if you want a quiet, tightly focused wildlife visit. The play areas and rides are a major part of WILDLANDS, and the park’s scale can feel like a lot if you prefer a short, slow museum-style outing.

I would also recommend it for a rainy-day plan in Drenthe. You cannot count on perfect weather, but the indoor areas mean the day does not depend entirely on sunshine.

Should you book WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen?

Book it if you want a full day that mixes animal viewing with rides and family activities. The strongest reasons are the Rimbula River boat ride, the chance to see elephants in the water, and the close safari truck views of giraffes, zebras, and rhinos.

The $32 price makes sense when you use the included attractions and stay long enough to cover all three zones. Plan for separate food and shopping costs, and reserve wheelchairs or lockers ahead of time if needed.

Skip it only if you want a small, quick zoo visit or a strictly wildlife-focused day. For everyone else, WILDLANDS offers enough variety to keep different ages interested, even when the weather refuses to cooperate.

FAQ

Where is WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo located?

WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo is in Emmen, in the Drenthe region of the Netherlands.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. Check availability for the current starting times.

What is included in the admission price?

Admission includes entry to the zoo, the attractions, and the playground.

Is the Rimbula River boat ride included?

Yes. The Rimbula River boat ride is one of the attractions included with zoo admission.

Can I see elephants during the boat ride?

You may see elephants swimming or cooling off beside the boat in Jungola. Animal sightings and behavior are not guaranteed.

What animals can I see from the safari truck?

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

Is WILDLANDS suitable in rainy weather?

Yes. The activity takes place rain or shine, and the park includes substantial indoor areas such as the jungle, Butterfly Temple, Nortica exhibits, and Animazia.

Is the park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, WILDLANDS is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available by reservation.

Are food, drinks, and shopping included?

No. Food, drinks, and retail purchases are not included in the admission price. Several restaurants serve hamburgers, salads, pizza, noodles, and poke bowls.