Emmen: Wildlands Adventure Zoo and Rimbula River Boat Ride

The best part of Wildlands Adventure Zoo is how quickly the setting changes. One minute you are sailing through a warm indoor jungle beside swimming elephants; later, you are on a safari truck near giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. It feels more like a series of small adventures than a single walk around animal enclosures.

I especially like the Rimbula River boat ride and the close safari views. The indoor trail, flowers, tropical birds, and butterflies give you plenty to see even in poor weather. The main drawback is simple: this is a large, full-day outing, so younger children may tire before you reach every area.

I also like that your ticket includes the play areas and attractions, not just the animal exhibits. Food and shopping cost extra, and wheelchairs or lockers should be reserved ahead, so plan those details before arrival.

Key points to know before you go

• Rimbula River boat ride: Sail through the indoor Jungola jungle, with a chance to see elephants swimming close to the boat.
• Serenga safari truck: Get near giraffes, zebras, and rhinos without walking the entire savanna area.
• Three very different worlds: Jungola is tropical, Serenga is open and grassy, and Nortica brings polar bears, penguins, seals, and sea lions.
• Strong family value: Animazia, the Jungle Trail, and the roller coaster give children a break from animal viewing.
• Good rainy-day choice: Much of Jungola and several attractions are indoors, though the full visit takes place rain or shine.
• Useful price point: At $32 per person for one day, the admission offers more than a standard zoo visit, especially for families who use the rides and play areas.

Jungola begins with butterflies and a boat

Start in Jungola, the tropical part of Wildlands. The Butterfly Temple sets the mood right away, with hundreds of exotic butterflies moving through the warm indoor space. I would slow down here instead of rushing toward the boat. The butterflies can be easy to miss if you focus only on the larger animals.

From there, you enter the indoor jungle and follow the route toward the Rimbula River. The attraction is described as the world’s largest indoor jungle, and its scale matters on a wet or cold day in the Netherlands. You get a tropical setting without relying on good weather, though the warm, humid air may feel intense if you are dressed for winter.

The boat ride is the star of this area. As you move along the river, look toward the water and the banks. Elephants may swim near the boat, which turns a familiar zoo animal into a much more striking sight. That possibility is part of the fun, but it also means the exact moment cannot be guaranteed.

You may also spot tropical birds, ring-tailed lemurs, and black lemurs. The best approach is to keep your eyes moving. The jungle is not just a backdrop for the boat ride. Plants, water, birds, and climbing animals all compete for your attention.

The boat ride is included in admission, which helps the $32 price feel more reasonable. It gives you a distinct experience instead of another viewing area with a plaque and a fence. Still, if you strongly dislike boat rides or have limited mobility, ask about current access arrangements before setting your day around it.

The Jungle Trail gives children their own adventure

The Jungle Trail lets children climb and scramble through the treetops. It is a useful change of pace after the calmer boat ride and animal viewing. I like attractions like this because children can use their bodies while adults continue to enjoy the setting around them.

Animazia takes that idea indoors and makes it much larger. This play area includes rope bridges, treehouses, slides, a sandbox, and small boats that children can pull across. It is not an optional extra at the gate. The playground is part of the admission, so families can use it as a planned stop rather than a costly add-on.

Animazia also includes tropical fish, sea turtles, and naked mole rats. That combination is a little odd, but it keeps the area connected to the animal theme. Children may remember the slides best, while adults get a few more animal displays to enjoy.

For a family with young children, I would not treat Animazia as a quick backup plan. It can absorb a good part of the day. If you try to see every exhibit without allowing time for play, you may end up with tired children and a rushed final visit to Nortica.

Serenga puts you close to the big animals

Serenga is the savanna area, and the safari truck is its main attraction. You ride through the area and see how the animals use the open green space. The truck saves your legs and gives you a higher viewing position, which can help when animals are farther away.

The major draw is the chance to get close to giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. Giraffes may approach the truck, creating the kind of encounter that is hard to match from a normal path. I would keep your camera ready, but I would also leave room to simply watch the animals move and feed.

A safari truck ride is not the same as a wild game drive. You are still in a managed zoo setting, and animal positions change. That is worth keeping in mind if you expect constant close views. The appeal is the variety and the sense of moving through the animals’ space, not a guarantee that every species will appear beside your seat.

The truck also makes Serenga easier for anyone who cannot comfortably walk long distances. It does not remove all walking from the day, since Wildlands includes several areas and attractions, but it adds a welcome rest while still keeping you involved in the action.

Nortica brings polar bears, penguins, and sea lions

After the heat of Jungola and the open feel of Serenga, Nortica gives you a colder setting. This polar region focuses on animals suited to icy conditions, including polar bears and penguins. You can watch the penguins underwater, where their fast movements are often more entertaining than their waddling on land.

Nortica also features seals and sea lions at Nortica Hâfen. Their swimming skills make this one of the more active animal areas. If you have children with you, this is a good place to pause and watch for repeated passes through the water rather than moving on after a quick glance.

The Arctic 1 offers a virtual test flight over the ice caps. It adds a ride-style element to the polar section and helps connect the animals with the wider frozen world they inhabit. I would see it as a short attraction rather than the main reason to visit Nortica.

The polar bear is an important highlight for many families, but remember that live animals choose where to spend their time. The area gives you a chance to see one, not a promise of an immediate close-up. Even so, the mix of polar bears, penguins, seals, and sea lions makes Nortica feel different from the jungle and savanna sections.

Animal presentations add context to the exhibits

Animal caretakers give daily presentations about species such as elephants and baboons. These talks can make a big difference to the visit. Instead of only looking at an animal, you get a chance to learn more and ask questions directly.

I would check the presentation times when you arrive and shape your route around one or two that interest you. The timing matters because Wildlands is spread across several themed areas. Without a plan, you can easily spend too long in Jungola and miss a talk in another section.

The presentations also give the day a useful rhythm. A boat ride, a walk, a talk, and a play stop create a better pattern than trying to inspect every enclosure in one long push. You do not need to see everything to have a satisfying visit.

Food breaks are part of the full-day plan

Wildlands has several restaurants with hamburgers, salads, pizza, noodles, and poke bowls. That range is helpful for a mixed group. One person can choose a familiar meal while another picks something lighter or different.

Food and drinks are not included in the $32 admission, so include them in your budget. A family of seven, for example, can turn a good-value entrance ticket into a much more expensive day once meals and snacks are added. The restaurant food has been praised for being delicious and clean, which makes an on-site meal a reasonable choice when you need a proper break.

I would plan lunch around your route rather than waiting until everyone is hungry. Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica each offer a different kind of experience, and backtracking can waste time. You can also use a meal as a reset before the final area or a playground session.

Retail purchases are extra as well. You do not need them to enjoy the zoo, but children may ask after the rides and play areas, so set expectations before entering.

How much time should you allow?

Your ticket is valid for one day, and that is the right way to think about this visit. Wildlands is not a quick two-hour animal stop if you want the boat ride, safari truck, Nortica, presentations, play areas, and attractions.

I would allow most of the day. Families with small children may spend longer in Animazia and need more rest stops. Adults focused mainly on animals could move faster, but the three themed areas still cover a lot of ground.

The attraction is open in all weather. That is a real advantage in Drenthe, especially when rain would spoil an outdoor-only plan. Jungola provides a strong indoor section, and several attractions are also indoors. Still, you should bring clothing suitable for walking outside between areas because the whole visit is not under cover.

Wheelchairs are available by reservation, and lockers are also available by reservation. If either matters to your day, arrange it before you go instead of assuming one will be ready at arrival. The experience is wheelchair accessible, but the practical details are worth settling early.

Smoking is not allowed, and pets are not permitted. Assistance dogs are allowed.

Is $32 good value?

At $32 per person, I consider this a fair price for a full day, especially if you use the included attractions. The admission covers the zoo, Rimbula River ride, safari truck, playground, Jungle Trail, and other attractions. You are paying for a full program rather than entry to animal exhibits alone.

The value is strongest for families. Animazia gives children a serious play break, and the roller coaster adds another option when they need something different. Adults who mainly want quiet animal viewing may use fewer of the included attractions, so the price will feel less attractive if you skip the rides and playground.

The three-zone design also helps justify the cost. Jungola, Serenga, and Nortica do not feel like small variations on the same exhibit. The boat ride, truck ride, and polar region each give the visit a different shape.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still changing. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but I would still check the available date and starting information before making plans around a particular day.

Who will enjoy Wildlands most?

I would recommend Wildlands most strongly to families who want animals plus active attractions. Children can move from butterflies to a boat, then from giraffes to a rope bridge, and later to slides or a roller coaster. That variety helps prevent the day from feeling like one long march between exhibits.

It also works well for anyone looking for a rain-friendly day in Drenthe. The indoor jungle, butterfly temple, boat ride, and indoor playground give you plenty to do when the weather turns wet.

People who prefer a small, quiet zoo may find the scale tiring. You need time and energy to make the most of the three areas. If your main goal is a specialist wildlife reserve or a very intimate animal encounter, this may not be the right match.

The experience suits mixed-age groups particularly well. Older children can handle the trail and rides, younger children have Animazia, and adults get the safari truck, boat ride, animal talks, and varied exhibits.

Should you book Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen?

I would book it if you want a full-day family outing with animals, rides, and indoor options. The close giraffe encounters, Rimbula River boat ride, flowers and butterflies in Jungola, and polar animals in Nortica give you enough variety to make the $32 admission worthwhile.

I would skip it only if you want a short visit or have little interest in play areas and attractions. For everyone else, plan a full day, reserve a wheelchair or locker if needed, check presentation times, and leave room for a proper meal. Wildlands works best when you treat it as three small journeys joined together, not as a quick walk through a zoo.

FAQ

How long is the Wildlands Adventure Zoo ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. Check availability for the starting information connected with your chosen date.

What is included in the admission price?

Admission includes entry to Wildlands Adventure Zoo, the attractions, and the playground. The Rimbula River boat ride and safari truck are part of the included experience.

Is the Rimbula River boat ride included?

Yes. The boat ride is included with zoo admission and takes you through the indoor Jungola jungle.

Can I see elephants during the boat ride?

You may see elephants swimming near the boat. Animal positions can change, so a close view is possible but not guaranteed.

Is Wildlands wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available by reservation.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the admission price. Wildlands has restaurants serving hamburgers, salads, pizza, noodles, and poke bowls.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.