Parc Natura Viva (Wildlife Park)
This is a safari park and zoo located in Bussolengo, province of Verona, near Lake Garda (an hour’s drive away).
The park has a total area of over 40 hectares. It is home to about 1,500 animals belonging to more than 250 wild species. The park covers an area of almost 240,000 m² and your route is 7 km long.
The park, originally called “Parco Zoo del Garda”, was opened to the public on 25 June 1969. This event took place thanks to the initiative of its founder, Verona architect Alberto Avesani and his wife Giorgia. The park is divided into two main areas: the safari park, in which the visitor drives his or her vehicle, and the zoo, which is for pedestrians only. The journey in the safari zone takes about half an hour in duration. But it is possible to stop the vehicle away from the road and watch the animals for longer. It is possible to hire a jeep with a capacity of 5 to 9 seats. For this, you need to bring your driving licence and inform the time of your visit in advance.
After the car trip, it is possible to visit the zoo area, which is pedestrianised. Fauna Park is not like classic zoos. The territory here is large and hilly. To overcome it, you will have to walk about 4 kilometres on gravel paths. It is recommended to use comfortable shoes for walking around the zoo. Many secluded places are created for the animals, so it will be quite problematic to see them up close.
The territory of the zoo is divided into 4 macro-regions associated with the five continents: Africa, Oceania, Asia, America, Europe. This is where about 90 per cent of the animals of the Natura Viva Park reside. There is also an area with models of extinct ancient animals. Guests can get acquainted with the life of hippos, rhinos, antelopes, admire through giant glass windows behind the lions, see chimpanzees, Berber monkeys, meerkats, lemurs.
The infrastructure of the zoo provides a comfortable stay for all categories of visitors. There are restaurants, snack bars, playgrounds, toilets. The whole territory of Fauna Park is covered in greenery, so even on the hottest summer days it is pleasant to walk here.
A special children’s zone with piglets, goats, guinea pigs and other animals has been created for young visitors. Peacocks walk around the park, parrots and other exotic birds fly around. The Fauna area of the park features a greenhouse pavilion with tropical butterflies and exotic plants. There is an area of bats in their natural habitat.
Open all days except 24, 25 December
