Opel-Zoo – An animal amusement
Dog-tired and hungover, we took advantage of one of the last beautiful autumn days to make our way from Frankfurt to Kronberg im Taunus. The Opel-Zoo was on the agenda. Founded by Georg von Opel, it is one of the animal highlights in the Rhine-Main area together with the Frankfurt Zoo. With over 1700 animals and 200 species (not counting the visitors), the Opel-Zoo offers a nice opportunity for young and old to learn and be amazed.
Opel-Zoo: Meerkat
The 17.00 EUR entrance fee is well invested in this also scientifically driven zoological garden. Parking is available free of charge, even if you have to search a bit for a free space. But you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Therefore, the one or other round in the parking lot can be forgiven. We were really lucky and were able to find a parking space on this very busy Sunday. Already from the outside the visitor gets a great view – of the skyline of Frankfurt thanks to the hillside location in the Taunus. However, this time we were less interested in the concrete jungle than in the inhabitants of the real jungle.
Opel-Zoo: Monkey
Give the monkey some sugar
We wanted to put the cart before the horse and used the overview map for our route. After entering, the first highlight awaits the visitor directly with the African savannah and the giraffes, zebras and impalas. Basically, the animals are very lamb-like and therefore easy to examine and also to photograph. Goose bumps were felt when we went to see the penguins. Not only because of the freshness on this November day, but due to the fact that we have already seen the penguins live on our South Africa trip and could even observe them.
Opel-Zoo: Elephant
We continued in single file (especially easy when marching in pairs). Through a snake path past meerkats, hyenas and monkeys. The red pandas, the secret stars of the zoo, were a real eye-catcher. Not necessarily nimble as weasels, the pandas know exactly how the hare runs and present themselves casually to the countless camera lenses. Of course, we couldn’t miss the flamingos – the epitome of vacation (not only because of our stay in Miami).
Opel-Zoo: Flamingo
The heart of the matter
With so much variety, it’s easy for visitors to get ravenously hungry. We discovered the die-hard vegetarian in us, stayed strong and visited the elephants next. With bacon you catch mice and with carrots elephants. Impressive to experience the thick skins so close. The colossi move at a snail’s pace and stomp to the next best food opportunity. We made the fly and went to the ostrich. We had almost made it through the lion’s share of the 27-acre site by this time.
Opel-Zoo: Red Panda
The sika deer were prancing around in their adequate enclosure while the monkeys were like a pigeon coop. In the bird corner, as if everyone had been stung by a tarantula, there was a cat fight show We slowly returned to the starting point. We said goodbye to the camels, dromedaries and the Bactrian camels and were just lucky to be able to spend and enjoy this Sunday in the Opel Zoo.
Skyline Frankfurt
Fancy Germany? Then take a look at our trip through Germany here and see what else there is to discover and experience in the land of diversity.
