Apenheul
Apenheul
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Apenheul has been the best day out with free-roaming monkeys for 50 years! Enjoy a unique experience amidst over 300 monkeys in our beautiful green park in the Veluwe. A day of monkey watching is more than just fun; it is educational and can sometimes even feel familiar. After all, monkeys are closely related to us human beings. Learn more about the monkeys and yourself during your visit. Are you clever like an orangutan? Are you as energetic as a squirrel monkey? Recognise yourself in one of the more than 35 monkey species at Apenheul!
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,299 reviews
Excellent
627
Very good
489
Average
120
Poor
37
Terrible
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Ultimate Family Travels
Deurne, The Netherlands275 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
The care for the animals is the best you will ever see in a zoo, but due to the situation the care for people, lack of info and lack of attention to rules is shocking.
The place is actually a nice 20 minutes from the parking, but ok,it say something similar on the website.
Respect for distancing, covid prevention,family and kids care is totaly absent. Matter of fact people are massed up together and staff isn't caring a bit about it, if you want to be smart and careful forget it.
Park was absolutely too full for covid emergency and the info on the website ( quiet day and not too full) it's a lie, the place was absolutely over its limit.
The place is actually a nice 20 minutes from the parking, but ok,it say something similar on the website.
Respect for distancing, covid prevention,family and kids care is totaly absent. Matter of fact people are massed up together and staff isn't caring a bit about it, if you want to be smart and careful forget it.
Park was absolutely too full for covid emergency and the info on the website ( quiet day and not too full) it's a lie, the place was absolutely over its limit.
Written 3 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek06307235003
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Friends
We visited Apenheul half an hour before closing time. We asked the lady at the desk if it was still worth seeing the monkeys on the loose. She indicated that part of the park was already closed but that if we walked to a certain spot, we would still see monkeys running free. We walked all over the park as fast as we could and did NOT see a single monkey. In the park we met an employee and we asked him where we could still see the monkeys. Then she indicated that they were bringing the monkeys inside to eat. This was around 4:40. Once back at the box office we reported this problem and they said it is a rainy day and that the monkeys would probably rather be inside. If she had indicated this before we went in and asked if it was still worth it then we certainly would not have paid €40 to go in. We came specifically for the monkeys on the loose and did not encounter any while the employees indicated that they could see them. Again the situation indicated on mail and money back asked but nothing got back. Fat frader this park! They say they can see monkeys then you pay to see nothing at all.
Automatically translated
Written 4 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thea v
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
Went to Apenheul for a day with my girlfriend and 2 granddaughters, aged almost 8 and 6.
We had a great day, pleasantly busy, no parking problems, beautiful weather.
We were able to spot all the monkeys with the tracking map, it was great fun.
Monkeys roam freely a lot, but it is also very good that there are employees on hand to point out that they are wild animals and you should not lie on top of them with a camera.
The coffee was delicious, employees very friendly and helpful. Children and adults can enjoy the animals and all kinds of facts, I can highly recommend this outing!
We had a great day, pleasantly busy, no parking problems, beautiful weather.
We were able to spot all the monkeys with the tracking map, it was great fun.
Monkeys roam freely a lot, but it is also very good that there are employees on hand to point out that they are wild animals and you should not lie on top of them with a camera.
The coffee was delicious, employees very friendly and helpful. Children and adults can enjoy the animals and all kinds of facts, I can highly recommend this outing!
Written 30 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel M
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Despite the bad weather forecast, we had a wonderful day in Apenheul and can 100% recommend it. We were there with four children of different ages and really enjoyed the time (we were there for almost six hours, the time literally flew by :-) ). It's great fun to be able to observe the different species of monkeys up close, to spend time in the great natural playgrounds and picnic areas or to be able to watch the gorillas being fed. The information boards are in Dutch, English and German - understandable for everyone and the staff are very friendly and caring when dealing with the animals. A buggy or handcart is recommended for small and older children ;-) , as the park is extensive and there is a lot to discover, so that at the end the kids all fell asleep in the car, satisfied and exhausted. We will definitely be back and next time we will bring our godchild and grandparents. Absolutely brilliant!
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goodfoodlovers11
Nijmegen, The Netherlands683 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
I've always wanted to come here. It's nice to see the monkeys on the loose. However, it was particularly cold so most monkeys preferred to stay indoors so a lot of them were not visible to the public. Understandable but unfortunate.
The signage is not always clear so we walked 1 piece twice but that was actually the most fun part.
Food is fine.
Excellent recommendation but keep in mind that they are closed in winter.
The signage is not always clear so we walked 1 piece twice but that was actually the most fun part.
Food is fine.
Excellent recommendation but keep in mind that they are closed in winter.
Automatically translated
Written 10 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Very nice zoo, so it's open and it's good to be amongst monkeys roaming around freely.
Please take you own food though. It is horrible there! We paid 7 euros for a small sandwich that tastes horribly.
Please take you own food though. It is horrible there! We paid 7 euros for a small sandwich that tastes horribly.
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lanneke
Waalre, The Netherlands78 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
It is a nice park, especially for the children, lots to learn and read, nice playgrounds where they can let off steam
1 tip: don't pee immediately upon entering (before the 10-minute walk to the entrance)!
People dare to charge €1 per person for this and they simply say that they do not know whether the toilets in the park are manned.
In the park they are simply clean and free!
That's sad
1 tip: don't pee immediately upon entering (before the 10-minute walk to the entrance)!
People dare to charge €1 per person for this and they simply say that they do not know whether the toilets in the park are manned.
In the park they are simply clean and free!
That's sad
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennis E
Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands235 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The park itself is worth a visit, even without the monkeys. It's very well maintained with lots and lots of green. The 'enclosures' are mostly gigantic and the animals mostly have lots of natural looking space to move around. The smaller animals roam freely in some areas which is awesome as you can have a close encounter with a lemur or a dwarf ape. Lots of playground areas and some food areas as well. If you follow the numbered signs you will walk through the whole park in around 4 hours. The park is located in a much larger park which offers some cool walking routes and has a picnic field and a zipline park for children and families. Apeldoorn itself is lovely too and has some nice forest areas. Definitely worth a visit for a day or two.
Written 4 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reza A
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Terrible experience!
I recently visited Apenheul Park with my wife and our four-year-old son, and what should have been a delightful family day out turned into a distressing experience. While walking through the park, my son was enjoying his ice cream when, out of nowhere, a staff member approached us in a very rude and aggressive manner. She told my son that he couldn't have his ice cream there and that we needed to go back. We were unaware of any such rule and would have gladly complied if we had been politely informed.
When I asked where we could dispose of the ice cream, I was curtly told to go back, again in a very unpleasant tone. As we were trying to follow their instructions, another staff member aggressively followed us, further scaring my son, who started crying uncontrollably. Despite my polite requests to be left alone, he continued to follow us, adding to my son's distress.
We tried to move past this upsetting situation and headed to the restaurant area to finish the ice cream. However, as we attempted to leave the park using the same route, the same female staff member confronted us again, this time accusing me of being moody and insisting that I needed to speak more politely to her colleague. This was unnecessary and unprofessional, especially as my son was once again traumatized by the interaction.
What was meant to be a joyful family outing turned into an emotionally damaging experience for my son. I am extremely disappointed with the behavior of the park staff, who seemed to lack basic courtesy and empathy, especially when dealing with young children.
I do not recommend Apenheul Park to families with young children. The staff's aggressive and unkind behavior completely ruined our day and left my son emotionally scarred.
I recently visited Apenheul Park with my wife and our four-year-old son, and what should have been a delightful family day out turned into a distressing experience. While walking through the park, my son was enjoying his ice cream when, out of nowhere, a staff member approached us in a very rude and aggressive manner. She told my son that he couldn't have his ice cream there and that we needed to go back. We were unaware of any such rule and would have gladly complied if we had been politely informed.
When I asked where we could dispose of the ice cream, I was curtly told to go back, again in a very unpleasant tone. As we were trying to follow their instructions, another staff member aggressively followed us, further scaring my son, who started crying uncontrollably. Despite my polite requests to be left alone, he continued to follow us, adding to my son's distress.
We tried to move past this upsetting situation and headed to the restaurant area to finish the ice cream. However, as we attempted to leave the park using the same route, the same female staff member confronted us again, this time accusing me of being moody and insisting that I needed to speak more politely to her colleague. This was unnecessary and unprofessional, especially as my son was once again traumatized by the interaction.
What was meant to be a joyful family outing turned into an emotionally damaging experience for my son. I am extremely disappointed with the behavior of the park staff, who seemed to lack basic courtesy and empathy, especially when dealing with young children.
I do not recommend Apenheul Park to families with young children. The staff's aggressive and unkind behavior completely ruined our day and left my son emotionally scarred.
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sofie0987
Leiden, The Netherlands97 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Very nice green park. Many monkeys are allowed to roam freely. This gives them a lot of room to move, nice to see! Nice playgrounds for children.
Not 5 stars, because before that the food and drinks were really expensive for the quality you get (7 euros for a sandwich, 4 euros for 4 chicken nuggets that really tasted).
Not 5 stars, because before that the food and drinks were really expensive for the quality you get (7 euros for a sandwich, 4 euros for 4 chicken nuggets that really tasted).
Written 11 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi all – just wondering if anyone can advise how close the monkeys get to you? Specifically, do they tend to try to climb/jump on on you etc? My kids love looking at animals but I think this would be a bit too much for them. Thanks so much for any advice.
Written 1 February 2024
Where do you buy your tickets from. Found discounted tickets on the actievandedag and vakantieveilingen websites. Are these sites reliable?
Written 18 July 2023
They are, as long as they're cheaper than the regular price.
Written 19 July 2023
Are the monkeys roaming free everywhere or are there some places where you can see animals through enclosures without the free monkeys? My mom is very afraid of animals but she is OK when she can look at them through a fence. Just wondering if she will be able to join us or not. Thanks!
Written 26 March 2019
What's the food in the restaurants like?
Written 26 March 2019
Depends on what you're looking for. If you want healthy food you’ll have a hard time finding it. Their menu has salad and home made soup, but when we were there they were out of both. So only unhealthy choices were left. Unhealthy but tasteful. But I hope you’re going for the animals and not the food 😊
Written 26 March 2019
Hi. Is it possible to visite the parc with a wheelchair? Or is it too difficult?
Written 9 July 2016
hello!
it is possible to visit Apenheul with a wheelchair. there are some pathway (more for the children) that aren't accessible for a wheelchair. there is a so called apenboompad, were you walk up in the trees to meet the monkeys on there one level, with isn't accessible for wheelchair.
this parc is a visit worthy. I'll hope you still go!
Written 9 August 2017
How much time would you recommend we spend at Apenheul?
Written 10 March 2016
You can easily spend a good 4 to 5 hours there if you take your time and spend some more time at the area where the monkeys walk around freely and see the shows. Enjoy your stay!
Written 11 March 2016
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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