8 great destinations in Belgium for seeing animals. For more day trips in Belgium, switch to one of the other categories.
NL: [8 interessante uitstapjes in België voor dierenliefhebbers. Verander van categorie om nog meer interessante dagtrips en activiteiten te ontdekken in België en omstreken. Alle inhoud is voorlopig in het Engels. Binnenkort zal de website ook in het Nederlands beschikbaar zijn.]

1. De zonnegloed - vleteren

'De zonnegloed' is an animal sanctuary located in Vleteren, West-Vlaanderen. They shelter a large range of animals:
- Monkeys, donkeys, alpacas, bears, camels, zebras, lynxes, capybaras, reindeer, lamas, maras, my favourite highland cattles;
- small predators like different kinds of foxes, raccoons,..;
- birds of prey and owls, reptiles, and so on...;

Soon you can even find big cats there.
Definitely worth a visit!
​
More information can be found on the official website. 

2. Pairi Daiza

In finally went to Paira Daiza in July 2020. The experience was probably different during the corona pandemic than it would be normally. Many paths and places were closed, still I had a wonderful time. Pairi daiza has a large range of animals, almost any animal that you would expect in a zoo. Since a few years, it has been elected as the best animal park in Europe. And I think I know why. Next to the incredible amount of animals, the setting and decoration is incredible. There are many temples and even a terrace rice field plantation. 

Paira Daiza is located in Cambron-Casteau. I had never heard of the town before, but it's located in Hainaut [Henegouwen].

3. seals in Ostend

Since a few years, more seals can be seen at the Belgian coast. Even in Ostend alone, people spot seals almost every day. Take your time and have a walk around the port and nearby beaches, since the chance to spot seals is bigger there. When you're lucky you can spot one or multiple seals. Don't forget to keep a distance, even though it is tempting to get closer for a sharp picture. These animals need their rest and privacy. Wouldn't you?
Seal at the beach in Ostend - Zeehond op het strand te Oostende - Traveltower
Seals at the beach in Ostend - Traveltower

4. HET ZWIN

'Het Zwin' was oficially the first Nature reserve in Belgium. It is located in Knokke-Heist, at the North Sea and the border with the Netherlands. The size of the reserve is about 770 hectares, including a part located in the Netherlands. The landscape is very open and consists of dunes, waterways and grass. It's a very important place for birds and therefore many birds can be found, such as:

- Storks [Ooievaars]
- Spoonbills [Lepelaars]
- White fronted geese
- Shelducks
- Many other water and oceanbirds

For practical information, check out the official website here.

5. DonkEy ride in THE FLEMISH ARDENNES

​I've put this activity on the list especially for families with kids. There are several places around the flemish ardennes, where you can literally rent a donkey for your walk. You can use the donkey to carry your backpack or you can place your kid on the back of the donkey for an adventurous ride.

One of these renting locations is 'De Ijsmolenhoeve' close to Ronse, you can find more details on their website.
Another place is called donkey farm 'Gitaene', located in Maarkedal.

The flemish ardennes are located in the province 'Oost-Vlaanderen'. There are also a lot of walking trails in that area. Check out the 'Nature page' since there is a topic about the Flemish Ardennes.

6. BEEKSE BERGEN [THE NETHERLANDS]

'De Beekse Bergen' is a safari park just a few kilometers over the border with the Netherlands. In surface, it is the biggest animal park in the Benelux. The park has more than 150 different kinds of animals. The difference with other animal parks, and the reason why I've put this park on my list, is because the park has a car safari. You can literally drive your own car through the park. That's really incredible. 

Sadly, the car safari is also one of the reasons there were multiple incidents in the past. Some stupid people walked out of their cars, which caused ​potentially serious consequences. In 2012,  a young boy got bitten by a leopard.

7. BIZONs

Bizons are incredible animals and are very hard to find in Belgium, especially outside of a zoo, but actually it is possible. The most known place to find bizons in Belgium, is the Bizon Ranch in Orchimont, which is located in Wallonia. It's actually a small cowboy village, with a saloon and shop. You can also eat or buy Bison meat. You can view the bisons from closeby during a 'wagon trail'.  
For more information about the 'Bison Ranch', visit the official website.

Also in the province of East-Flanders, bizons can be found in a remote field. I'm planning to go there soon, to know the correct location and take some shots and to mark out a hike in the surrounding area.

In a few weeks you'll find the result on my website.

8. Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is a nature reserve in Ghent. The surface of the reserve is 230 hectares and therefore it's a green lung close to the city center of Ghent. The vegatation includes mainly grassland interpersed with ditches en canals  and because of that, it's an important place for birds. 

Some cool animals you can spot there (if you're lucky)

- Ducks and geese: shoveler [slobeend], barnacle goose [Brandgans],..
- Birds: the bluethroat [blauwborst], kingfisher [ijsvogel], cormorant [aalscholver], tanny owl [bosuil], woodpecker [specht], hawks [haviken],..
- Insects: dragonflies [libellen],...
- Amphibians: smooth, alpine newts [watersalamanders], toads and frogs [padden en kikkers],..
- Land mammals: rabbits [konijnen], hares [hazen], shrews [spitsmuizen],..
- Predator animals: Pole cat [bunzing], stoats [hermelijn], red foxes [rode vos], weasels [kleine marters],..
I don't have a lot of footage for this animal category page yet. And therefore I'll ad some more of my animal portrait photos from other locations in Belgium down here.
Day trips in Belgium. Leuke uitstapjes in België - © Traveltower 2020