Tierparkmuseum Hofgeismar

About the museum

The Tierparkmuseum occupies a roughly 400-year-old half-timbered building in the Sababurg wildlife park near Hofgeismar and describes itself as the first and only wildlife park museum in Germany. The modern exhibition is aimed at all age groups and relies on hands-on, touch and listening stations.

The second and third floors are devoted to the history of the wildlife park and its present-day features. They explain why the grounds were long used for horse breeding, what contribution the park makes to protecting endangered species, introduce the people working behind the scenes and show how a food cycle works. On the fourth floor, a fairy tale room invites visitors to get to know selected Brothers Grimm fairy tales and their animals, such as the wolf, donkey, goats, ravens, chicken and dove.

The background goes back a long way: in 1571 Landgrave Wilhelm IV laid out a game park below his hunting lodge Sababurg; its five-kilometer wall still stands. After phases as a horse pasture and grazing land, the wildlife park reopened in 1973 and is today regarded as one of the oldest zoological facilities in Europe. The grounds also include an arboretum with the trees of the year since 1989.

Highlights

• First and only wildlife park museum in Germany
• Half-timbered building, around 400 years old
• Hands-on, touch and listening stations
• Fairy tale room with animals from the Grimm tales
• Arboretum with the trees of the year since 1989

Permanent exhibitions

• Geschichte des Tierparks und Tierpark heute – The second and third floors show the history of the oldest wildlife park, its former horse breeding, species protection and the work of the animal keepers.
• Märchenraum – On the fourth floor, selected Grimm fairy tales are told with animals such as the wolf, donkey, goats, ravens and chicken.

Operated by

Jugend- und Freizeiteinrichtungen Kreis Kassel (Eigenbetrieb des Landkreises Kassel)

Admission & discounts

The prices are the admission prices of the wildlife park in which the museum is located. Day tickets are also available online. Dogs enter free but must stay on a leash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

In the park, the main avenue is paved and the other paths are gravel and suitable for wheelchairs; some paths have slight gradients. Wheelchair-accessible toilets and a Tierpark-Express are available. An electric scooter (no rental fee) or an electric wheelchair (€30 deposit) can be borrowed after registering at +49 561 997979-800.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The exhibition is interactive and designed for all age groups. The wildlife park has playgrounds, a children’s zoo and petting enclosures, educational programs, downloadable rally trails and children’s birthday parties. Bollerwagen (handcarts) can be rented for €4 plus a €30 deposit.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Sababurg 1, 34369 Hofgeismar. At the entrance there are bicycle racks and lockable compartments with charging for e-bikes; bicycles may not be taken into the park.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Restaurant "Zum Thiergarten" (80 seats indoors, 120 on the terrace), snack bar at the information center, kiosk at the children’s zoo (weekends and school holidays, March–October) and "Kaffee-Stuga" in the upper park area (weekends and public holidays). Barbecue areas can be booked.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Elch-Lodge, with a view across the park to Sababurg Castle, is suitable for weddings and celebrations; enquiries at +49 561 997979-800.

Plan your visit