Independent visitor portal · Safaripark Beekse Bergen, Hilvarenbeek

Safaripark Beekse Bergen · Since 1968

Africa within a stone’s throw of home.

More than 1 500 animals across 110+ species roam the open plains and woodland of one of Europe’s largest safari parks — an hour’s drive south of Amsterdam, in the wooded heart of Brabant.

Opening hours
Daily, 09:30 – 18:00 (summer)
Address
Beekse Bergen 31, Hilvarenbeek
Park area
120 hectares of safari habitat
Information line
+31 (0) 900 233 5732

The park in numbers

A small slice of Africa in southern Holland

Beekse Bergen has been on the same wooded site near Hilvarenbeek since 1968. Over almost six decades the park has grown from a roadside zoo to a 120-hectare reserve where most species share large open paddocks the way they would on the savanna.

1 500+
Animals
110+
Species
120 ha
Safari area
1968
Founded
4
Safari modes

Animals

Iconic residents of the savanna

The park is best known for its large herding herbivores and big cats, but is also a haven for less famous Africans — from antelope species you have probably never heard of to wading birds and reptiles.

Big cat

African Lion

A small pride lives on a fenced-off section of the savanna where you can watch them from the safari vehicles. The matriarchal social structure of lions makes them one of the most-photographed residents of the park.

  • Origin Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Park status Permanent
  • Best viewed Morning & late afternoon
Megaherbivore

African Elephant

The matriarch-led elephant herd is the heart of Beekse Bergen. The park participates in the European breeding programme (EEP) and several calves have been born here.

  • Origin East/southern Africa
  • Park status EEP programme
  • Daily ritual Morning bath in the pond
Tall & graceful

Rothschild Giraffe

A subspecies of giraffe that is endangered in the wild. Beekse Bergen contributes to its conservation through coordinated European breeding.

  • Origin Uganda, Kenya
  • Status Endangered
  • Best viewed Auto-safari open plain
Critically endangered

White Rhinoceros

A small group of white rhino is part of an international conservation programme. Despite their size they are surprisingly gentle browsers.

  • Origin Southern Africa
  • Status Near threatened
  • Diet Grass & shrubs
Sprinter

Cheetah

The fastest land animal lives in a wide enclosure adjacent to the savanna plain. The cheetahs are part of the European Breeding Programme for the African subspecies.

  • Origin East/Southern Africa
  • Top speed 110 km/h
  • Status Vulnerable
Herd species

Plains Zebra

A small herd shares the open savanna with antelope and giraffe. Each zebra’s stripe pattern is unique, like a fingerprint.

  • Origin East/Southern Africa
  • Herd size 10–15 animals
  • Best viewed Open savanna plain

Full animal directory

Four ways to safari

Discover the park your way

Beekse Bergen is unusual in offering four distinct safari experiences on the same site. Each gives a different perspective on the animals — from the privacy of your own car to a slow walking trail.

Self-drive

Auto-safari

Drive through 7 kilometres of safari road in your own car. Stay in the vehicle, keep windows closed in the predator zones, and take your time — there is no fixed route or speed.

~60–90 min · All weather

Guided

Bus-safari

Open-window safari coach with a guide who explains the species and current goings-on in the park. The bus enters parts of the savanna that the auto-route doesn’t reach.

~45 min · Daily departures

On foot

Walking safari

A 3-kilometre marked walking trail through the smaller-animal section: monkeys, lemurs, birds, reptiles and a few smaller hoofstock species you cannot see from the auto-route.

~1–2 hours · Step-free

By boat

Boat-safari

A slow boat trip across the park lake past the gibbon and pelican islands. Children especially love this one — calm water and birds at eye level.

~25 min · Seasonal

Overnight

Safari Resort & lodges

Adjacent to the park, the Safari Resort offers safari lodges, tented camps and a Karibu hotel for visitors who want to stay overnight surrounded by the sounds of the savanna.

Overnight · Year-round

Year-round

Keeper talks & feeds

Several feeding sessions and keeper talks happen every day across the park — lions, elephants, giraffes, lemurs and birds of prey. Times are posted at the main entrance.

Multiple daily · Free with entry

Conservation

More than a day out

Beekse Bergen is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and participates in over twenty European breeding programmes for threatened species, from the African elephant to the white rhinoceros and the rare Rothschild giraffe.

African focus

  • African elephant EEP
  • Rothschild giraffe
  • White rhinoceros
  • Cheetah breeding
  • Pygmy hippopotamus

Wider mission

  • Field-research support
  • Veterinary training
  • Public education
  • Habitat-restoration funding
  • School programmes

Recent breeding

  • Elephant calf, 2024
  • Cheetah cubs, 2023
  • Giraffe calf, 2023
  • Lion cubs, 2022
  • Lemur babies, annually

Open the visitor handbook before you come

Best times to visit, what to pack for the auto-safari, route advice, accessibility notes and where to park.

Plan your visit
Editorial note. This is an independent visitor guide compiled from publicly available material. No reservations or bookings are processed here. All institutional names and copyrights remain with their respective rights-holders.