ZOO and botanical gardens Leštiny

ZOO Kontakt Liptovský Mikuláš is a place where visitors can experience direct contact with various animal species. It is located on the outskirts of Liptovský Mikuláš, right next to the popular Tatralandia aquapark, near the Liptovská Mara reservoir. The animals are happy to meet visitors 365 days a year.

The zoo is home to more than 400 animals belonging to nearly 120 species. These are individuals that cannot live in the wild and require human assistance. You will find domestic animals here such as sheep or donkeys, native Slovak wild species like ground squirrels and marmots, as well as exotic predators such as pumas and tigers. Both children and adults will be enchanted by the birds; you can spend time in an aviary with tame parrots, and the staff will demonstrate the free flight of birds of prey.

To the delight of children, the zoo also features kangaroos and monkeys, and a unique attraction is the exhibition of tame foxes, where you can see not only our native red fox, but also species like the Arctic fox. Many animals can be fed or photographed with, and touched in the presence of a guide. ZOO Kontakt likewise offers regular guided talks at individual animal enclosures.

Part of the zoo is the Butterfly Garden, which also serves as an oasis of flowers. Here you will see 3,000 exotic butterflies fluttering around. In the butterfly nursery, you can watch these beautiful insects hatch from their chrysalises or take their first flight. If you do not suffer from phobias, the terrariums with lizards and snakes will also catch your interest.

The admission price to ZOO Kontakt also includes entry to Tatrapolis, a park of metal miniatures featuring the world's most famous structures. If that is still not enough, children can enjoy a wave swinger carousel, horse and pony rides, a train ride, or a mirror maze.

If your goal is close contact with nature, ZOO Kontakt Liptovský Mikuláš will be the right place for you. If you also want to combine it with exploring the Tatry mountains, relaxing in the Tatralandia water world, or skiing in the popular resort of Jasná, stay in the Liptov region longer. The rich offer of accommodation in this region, which you can browse on our website, will surely convince you to take such a step. Not only will you find modern apartments and affordable hotels or guesthouses, but this area can also offer you many low-cost cabins or traditional wooden cottages for more demanding guests.

Ekocentrum Zázrivá, located next to Záchranná stanica Zázrivá, is designated for the rescue of wild animals and abandoned offspring. This eco-center is located right in the village of Zázrivá, in the Dolný Kubín district. A reason why you should head straight to Orava.

Ekocentrum Zázrivá as such is an educational venue that provides information about nature conservation, animal rescue, teaching natural science subjects for schools, and more. Directly in this village, the eco-center focuses on rescuing injured, incapacitated, or weak individuals, predominantly birds. These are brought here from all over Slovakia. Specializations include Golden eagle.

The eco-center is interesting for younger age groups, but students and organized public groups will also find something to enjoy here. It consists of three parts, which include its premises directly, an eco-garden, and also a nature trail. You will be captivated by a classroom full of exhibits, promotional materials, and presentation equipment. In the eco-garden section, you can view various species of plants, trees, and other elements where you will be in touch with nature. Water has a calming effect on both human and animal organisms, which is why there is a pond here. Its purpose is to create a living space for amphibians and their mating. To improve living conditions for birds, birdhouses are available, while specially created areas are provided for insects and reptiles.

You can dedicate an hour of your life, specifically 2 km of walking at a slow pace, to a walk along the nature trail. Many topics are described on its eight boards. You will learn not only about the Ekocentrum and Záchranná stanica along with its animals, but also information directly about the village, Národný park Malá Fatra, or tourism.

The eco-center as such was built in 2009 as part of the Animal Rescue project of Nadácia Ekopolis. Since the establishment of this eco-center, many people from Slovakia and foreign countries have stopped by. After all, who wouldn't want to know how to behave if you find an injured or otherwise afflicted animal? If you want to broaden your horizons, head directly here.

A visit to the eco-center must always be planned in advance. You need to make a reservation by phone, agree on a date, and arrive. To make your trip more special, we recommend booking accommodation near Ekocentrum Zázrivá. This way, you can catch a walk through Jánošíkove diery, try ZipLine Kubínska, or simply play a casual game of Adventure golf. Of course, it all depends on whether you are in Zázrivá as a school trip or if you were looking for group accommodation. We are convinced that you will choose great accommodation in Zázrivá.