If you want to feel like you’ve stepped straight into South America without straying from Norfolk, Amazona Zoo is the place to be! It’s one our favoured day trips, we really love it.

Tucked away in Cromer, on the North Norfolk coast, this wonderful attraction has over 200 beautiful tropical animals to gaze in awe at, as well as a fantastic children’s play area, all combining to make a unique and fun day out! It really is very different from other zoos in the area.  Amazona Zoo is the ideal place to plan a trip to this summer – there’s something for every age to enjoy!

THE ANIMALS

Amazona Zoo has a great variety of interesting and unusual animals, so there’s bound to be some fascinating creatures you’ve never come face to face with before plus some old favourites. Explore the Feline Forest and learn more about jaguars, pumas and ocelots, see spider monkeys play, visit the parrots and macaws, and don’t miss the beautiful flamingos – they’re quite a sight! The Spider Enclosure is likely to challenge those for whom spiders aren’t their favourite animals, but the species are bound to fascinate any visitor, as will the amazing Tapirs – if you don’t know what one of these are, you will after you’ve visited!

There are plenty of other surprises along the way too – check out the map of the park here. Amazona Zoo also has at least four ‘feed the animals’ events each day, which are well worth attending if you can!

Fallen in love with any of the resident animals (and this is quite likely, we should point out!)? There’s also the option to adopt an animal (or, alternatively, your favourite tree!) for £25; you’ll have your own plaque to signify this this. It would make a great gift for someone, and the money all goes into their Conservation fund so you’ll know that you’re making a real difference.

JUNGLE TUMBLES

Kids will love the zoo’s brilliant play area. Indoor (for under 12’s) there’s Jungle Tumbles, with lots of space and fun things to play on (think slides, tunnels, climbing nets and other fun apparatus!) Alternatively head outside for their spacious Rainforest Springs play area, which has plenty of fun apparatus to swing, climb and play on. Plus, the amazing Jumping Pillows! These are pretty much what they sound like: huge, springy pillows which you can bounce on to your heart’s delight. Adults will definitely want a go too – just try to resist!

THE YURT

To learn more about South America and its animal inhabitants, head over to The Yurt. It’s a great educational centre which has lots of interesting history on the area as well as facts about the animals who live in this part of the world; it’s a fab way to sneak some learning into a fun day.

SCHOOLS, GROUPS AND BIRTHDAYS

If you’ve got a big group to entertain then make Amazona Zoo your first port of call; there’s plenty of educational information, a new stamper trail and colourful displays to keep kids informed whilst they’re entertained, and they offer group discounts too. Children’s birthday parties are also a great option in The Yurt with birthday packs – visit the website www.amazonazoo.co.uk or call 01263 510741 to find out more.

THE AMAZON EXPERIENCE

This is a unique and unusual zoo and, as well as all of the above, simply being there is a great experience; marvel at the beautiful garden space in the grounds and, because it really does look like a tropical paradise, if you visit on a rainy day you’ll may actually feel like you’re in the Amazon rainforest! (See, there are positives to a rainy day after all!) But one of the highlight is the wonderful wooden structured café with large outdoor terrace which overlooks the flamingo pool (it’s worth going there just for that, in our opinion!); it’s open daily from 10.30am and serves up tasty hot and cold snacks.

For a fantastic day out in Norfolk without straying too far from Norwich, Amazona Zoo is a great choice! Have fun, learn something new, and most importantly: do not forget your camera!

Opening times

Jungle Tumbles, the cafe and the shop are open daily from 10am – 5.00pm, last entries 4pm

Prices

Admission costs: £11.50 for adults, £10.00 for seniors and £8.50 for children (aged 4-16).

Family ticket: £35.00.   Season tickets: Adults £27, children £20, senior citizens £22.

Where is Amazona Zoo?

Amazona Zoo is located on the north Norfolk coast at Cromer and is just a few minutes’ drive from Cromer town centre.

Address: Amazona Zoo, Hall Lane, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9JG

Disclosure – this is a collaborative post. Images supplied by Amazona