Knuthenborg Safari Park on Lolland is Northern Europe’s largest safari park, home to around 500 free-roaming animals across 400 hectares. Here’s what to know before you go, from ticket prices and the new Museum of Evolution to staying overnight with giraffes outside your tent.
Why Knuthenborg Safari Park Belongs on Every Expat’s Danish Bucket List
I have lived in Denmark long enough to grow suspicious of the word “safari.” It gets used loosely here, often for anything involving a fence and a goat. Knuthenborg Safari Park is the exception that actually earns the word.
You drive your own car through 400 hectares of open landscape on the island of Lolland. Giraffes pass within metres of your windshield. Rhinos graze beside zebras, and the whole thing feels closer to Kenya than to the Danish countryside.
A Real Alternative to a Day in the Capital
Most expats default to Copenhagen’s usual attractions on weekends. Knuthenborg is the antidote to that pattern. It is roughly a 90-minute drive south of the capital and feels like a different country.
The park welcomes more than 300,000 visitors a year, according to Wikipedia. That makes it one of Lolland’s economic lifelines, in a region that has struggled financially. Lolland’s recent budget troubles make the park’s role even more visible.
The History Behind Knuthenborg Safari Park
The estate did not start as a safari park. It started as an aristocratic manor called Årsmarke, owned by the Knuth family for centuries. In 1714, the property was elevated into the county of Knuthenborg.
From Manor House to Safari Park
The transformation toward a park began in 1867 under Eggert Christoffer Knuth. He commissioned a 7.4-kilometre stone wall around the grounds. That wall still defines the park’s perimeter today, which I find quietly extraordinary.
The modern drive-through safari format developed in the twentieth century as European car ownership boomed. The estate remains privately owned by Count Christoffer Knuth and Countess Charlotte Knuth. That continuity shapes the park’s identity in ways state-run zoos cannot replicate.
The Animals at Knuthenborg Safari Park
The park houses around 500 wild animals across enclosures themed by continent. That is fewer than the inflated figures floating around online, but the experience feels larger because the space is enormous. The official website confirms the number, and the difference matters.
Elefantsletten and the Last Circus Elephants
The standout enclosure is Elefantsletten, the Elephant Plain. It is home to several African elephants, including Denmark’s last circus elephants. They were retired here after Denmark banned wild animals in circuses.
As reported by Eurogroup for Animals, the elephants now share their habitat with zebras. They can dust-bathe, forage, and form natural social bonds. In April 2026, the park announced the euthanasia of the elephant Lara following a prolonged stomach illness, as reported by The Copenhagen Post.
Giraffes, Rhinos, and the Savannah
The main savannah is the closest thing Denmark has to East Africa. White rhinos, giraffes, blue wildebeest, sable antelope, and common eland share the open enclosure. You drive slowly through it, windows up, and animals frequently cross right in front of you.
The giraffes are the headline act. They are tall enough to peer down at adult humans, and they often do.
Lemurskoven and the Walking Zones
Not everything happens from the car. Lemurskoven, the Lemur Forest, is a walk-through zone where lemurs leap across paths and tree branches above your head. It is the closest most visitors will ever get to a primate without a barrier.
There are also contact areas with goats, donkeys, and Shetland ponies. These zones rescue the day if you have small children who lose patience inside a car. The variety is part of why the park works for mixed age groups.
The Bile Bear Sanctuary
Knuthenborg has announced plans to take in a small group of former bile bears. These are bears rescued from bile farms, mostly in Asia, where they are kept in tiny cages for traditional medicine. A new, large habitat is being prepared for them.
It is the kind of project that genuinely sets Knuthenborg apart in Europe. The park is positioning itself as a sanctuary, not just a zoo. That is a meaningful distinction, and visitors notice it.
The Museum of Evolution: Knuthenborg’s Biggest New Attraction
The Museum of Evolution opened inside the park as its largest investment ever. It walks visitors through 300 million years of animal life, using real fossils rather than replicas. The collection is reportedly worth hundreds of millions of kroner.
Meet Big Joe and Europe’s Best Dinosaur Collection
The centrepiece is an allosaurus skeleton nicknamed Big Joe. The museum claims to host Europe’s best dinosaur collection, according to the Museum of Evolution’s website. Entry is included with your safari ticket, which is rare in Denmark.
For families who like a mix of museums and outdoor time, this combination is hard to beat. You see living elephants and an extinct allosaur in the same afternoon. It is a strong day out for an expat with curious kids.
Knuthenborg Safari Park Tickets and Prices 2026
Tickets are not cheap, and that is the most common complaint in online reviews. A day ticket for the 2026 season costs 269 DKK per person at the gate. Booking online tends to be a few kroner cheaper.
Ticket Options at a Glance
- Day ticket 2026: 269 DKK per person
- Flex Ticket: 319 DKK, valid on a date of your choice
- Season pass 2026: 499 DKK, worth it after two visits
- Children under 3: Free entry
A family of four can easily spend over 1,000 DKK on entry alone. Add petrol, food, and a souvenir, and you are looking at a real expense. The season pass pays for itself fast if you live anywhere south of Copenhagen.
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
The park is open daily from 28 March to 18 October in 2026, according to the official site. Additional weekend openings run through November and into December. Standard hours are 10:00 to 17:00.
When to Avoid the Crowds
Peak season runs from late June through August, lining up with Danish school holidays. Expect queues at the elephant feedings and at Mombasa for lunch. The savannah drive still feels spacious, even on busy days.
I recommend the shoulder weeks of May, early June, or September. The animals are more active in cooler weather, and the park feels almost private. Late autumn weekends are charming if you don’t mind dressing for Danish weather.
How to Get to Knuthenborg Safari Park from Copenhagen
The park sits 5 km north of Maribo, near Bandholm on Lolland. The GPS address is Knuthenborg Allé 7, 4930 Maribo. From central Copenhagen, the drive takes around 90 minutes via the E55 motorway.
Public Transport: Doable but Awkward
You can take the train from Copenhagen to Maribo Station in about two hours. From Maribo, local bus 781 runs to the park entrance, but service is limited. Honestly, this park is built for cars, and the drive-through safari only works with one.
If you don’t own a car, rent one for the day. Trying to do Knuthenborg by public transport from Copenhagen is more stress than it is worth. The park even offers free on-site parking.
Glamping at Knuthenborg Safari Park
The park’s overnight stays are its most underrated offering. You can book a safari tent, a cabin for up to six people, or one of the historic estate houses. Some tents at Camp Masai Mara look directly onto the giraffe enclosure.
Wake Up with Giraffes Outside Your Tent
I have stayed in plenty of Danish summer cabins. None of them came with a giraffe at breakfast. Tents and cabins are spread across Elefantsletten, Abeskov, and the Masai Mara area.
The historic houses, including Smålandshuset and Planteurhusene, are over 150 years old. They have been renovated for guests who want heritage rather than canvas. Booking.com guests give the property a company review score of 9 out of 10.
Limpopoland and Family-Friendly Extras
Limpopoland is the activity zone for kids who need to burn energy. It includes Denmark’s tallest water slide, Congo Splash, at 16 metres. Bring swimsuits and towels in summer.
Where to Eat Inside the Park
Mombasa, inside Limpopoland, is the main restaurant. Expect burgers, pizza, fries, and the usual park-priced kroner. Flintehuset serves more organic and locally sourced options for adults.
You are welcome to bring a picnic. There are designated areas, and frankly, that is what most Danish families do. Just don’t feed the animals, ever.
My Honest Take on Knuthenborg Safari Park
I have been to Ree Park Safari in Ebeltoft and several smaller Danish zoos. Knuthenborg feels different because the scale changes the experience entirely. You are not walking past enclosures, you are driving through ecosystems.
The park is not cheap, and the elephant Lara’s death is a reminder that captive animal care is complicated. But the welfare commitments here are more than marketing copy. As an expat, I would put it on a short list of must-do Danish day trips.
What Could Be Better
The marketing language sometimes overpromises. Several overnight guests have complained that “having the park to yourself” is not literally true. Maintenance vehicles and other guests are still around after closing.
Food prices inside the park sting, even by Danish standards. Pack lunch if you can. And know that the park is genuinely huge, so plan to spend at least four to six hours.
Knuthenborg Safari Park FAQs
How much does Knuthenborg Safari Park cost in 2026?
A standard day ticket costs 269 DKK per person in 2026. A Flex Ticket costs 319 DKK and a season pass costs 499 DKK. Children under three enter free, and booking online sometimes brings small discounts.
How long should I spend at Knuthenborg Safari Park?
Plan for at least four to six hours to see the park properly. Families with kids often stay the whole day. If you visit the Museum of Evolution and Limpopoland, you will easily fill seven hours.
Is Knuthenborg Safari Park worth visiting from Copenhagen?
Yes, especially if you have a car and want a break from the city. The drive is around 90 minutes south via the E55. The drive-through safari and the new Museum of Evolution justify the trip even for adults without kids.
What animals can you see at Knuthenborg Safari Park?
You will see African elephants, white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelope, and lemurs. The park houses around 500 wild animals across continent-themed enclosures. Former circus elephants and, soon, rescued bile bears are part of the conservation story.
Can you stay overnight at Knuthenborg Safari Park?
Yes. The park offers safari tents, cabins for up to six people, and historic estate houses. Some accommodations at Camp Masai Mara overlook the giraffe enclosure directly.
When is Knuthenborg Safari Park open in 2026?
The park is open daily from 28 March to 18 October 2026. There are additional weekend openings in autumn and pre-Christmas weeks. Daily opening hours run from 10:00 to 17:00.
Is Knuthenborg Safari Park good for small children?
Yes, but pace yourself. Limpopoland has playgrounds and Denmark’s tallest water slide, Congo Splash. Walk-through areas with lemurs, goats, and ponies break up the time spent in the car.
Are pets allowed at Knuthenborg Safari Park?
No. Dogs and other pets are not allowed inside the park for animal safety reasons. There are no kennel facilities at the entrance, so leave pets at home.
Can I bring my own food into Knuthenborg Safari Park?
Yes, you can bring a picnic and use designated picnic areas. Feeding the park’s animals is strictly forbidden. Mombasa and Flintehuset serve hot meals if you prefer not to pack.
How does Knuthenborg compare to Ree Park Safari?
Knuthenborg is significantly larger and built around a drive-through format. Ree Park Safari in Jutland is more walking-based and easier to reach without a car. Knuthenborg feels closer to a real safari experience, in my opinion.
