I am yet to visit many towns in Hungary, but this is one of my Favorites so far! I am a little biased as I visit at least once a month as this is where my partners family live. But it is for sure a diamond in the rough and I believe properly not well known by most foreigners. It’s more suburban feeling can be a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of city life.
There are many things surrounding this small city to do and most recently I visited the Zoo!
The zoo currently has a feeling of being confused as to what decade it is from. There are many communist era building mixed in with very modern glass and steel constructed buildings. In a way it is a very nostalgic place, that has an air of austerity of a more simpler time. These building are slowly being replaced for the more modern equivalent. Which is a little sad as I feel the Zoo may loose some of its charm.
However this is obviously great for the Animals. The modernization is giving them a more natural habitat feel rather than concrete and metal bars. All the animals seemed very happy and well looked after. There was still a lot of renovation going on when I visited last weekend, but I am sure they will have this finished by high season. I will indeed return at some point to see the finished article.
The zoo takes you through many parts of the world as you wonder around.
The green pyramid-A tropical wonderland of exotic plants, fury surprises and scaly creatures which look like they are from the dinosaur age.
Oceanarium- Some of the strangest and funny looking fish you will ever see up close and personal.
Polar region- I think this was my favourite part of the zoo, polar bears, sea lions and penguins. It was obviously to early in the morning for this guy as he was still sleeping!
Tarzana trail-Enter the world of Africa. Elephants, monkeys, rhinos, zebra Giraffe. You name it and it is more than likely in this part of the zoo.
Carpathian Basin- Very interesting part of the zoo in terms or animals that originate from this area. There is a traditional Hungarian farm, and a small exhibition of old tools that were used way back when.
America-A mixture of north and south American native animals. Its not just bison and pumas. Therese also a large selection of Hugh native plants for those interested in botany.
Australia-The smallest of all the continent sections it is populated by red-necked wallabies and emus.
The funny bits!
There are a quite a few chickens that run wild in the zoo, watch out for them because they literally are every where. We found them nesting in the hay stack of the Giraffes, clucking round the wallaby’s and general annoying the entire animal population of the zoo.
You will mos likely find the giraffes over the back of their pen, leaning over the fence eating these leaves from tress on the other side.
The Turkey, we weren’t quite sure if some had escape, but 2 of them were trying to fight through a fence. I wished I’d made video because it doesn’t sound so funny in writing,
A tortoise head butting another so that it could get to the water bowl rather than just walking around it.
This chicken-a bad hair day?
High lights & must sees
The sea Lions-From the end of April until Sept, they run a show which is meant to be very entertaining for adults and children alike.
The glass corridor in the oceanarium is certainly something to be hold. To have sharks and sting ray swim over your head is quite something. Although I’m not sure I would like to be in there during high season.
The white tigers-so majestic yet very playful. They were so beautiful to look at, but I would say they are more cream than white. Who knows maybe they need a wash. 🙂
The African Grey Parrots- These guys are supper funny. Although they do not speak, they make some rather strange sounds. We were playing sounds of r2d2 to them and the majority of the time they did repeat the noises.
Here is the link for the Zoo for anyone that wants more details- http://www.sostozoo.hu/
All in all it’s a great day out for Children and Adults. I personally can’t wait for my next visit!
A Brit Girl living in Budapest 