Belfast Zoo Reviews

Unexpected beauty, the uniqueness that seems truly extraordinary, how long can I explore all of this even if only through a dream?

Great zoo. Always have a good time here with my family

Get ready for lots of walking, uphill walking! Even from the bus to zoo is quite a walk. The zoo itself is lovely, enclosures are big, shame some of the hedges block animals (you physically can't see the tapirs), massive play area and good prices gift shop!

Excellent day out with beautiful scenery and lots of well cared for animals
Brilliant staff and facilities. Good food and coffee facilities

The animals are magnificent in or out of a zoo - at least one of the shop staff is ignorant and rude and shouldn't be near the public...brought to the mangers attention for what it's worth.

Had a lovely day out with family at the zoo. Lots to do and and see. It was uphill walking but plenty of seats to relax if required. My highlights were meerkats and penguins. Some very interesting species of animal. Would recommend as a good day out.

We had an excellent family day out here over the summer. Young and old alike had a lovely time. We were able to see most of the animals, the park was super, picnic areas were lovely. Hills weren't great with a pram but it didn't spoil our fun

Love seeing the animals, staff were friendly. A bit hilly but, sure, the views are worth it and you can say you've walked up the Cave Hill

I thought it was old looking could do with update animals looked depressed food was not great in cafe i dont think i wouldn't go back to the zoo until it was sorted or update

Good day out not the best place if you have prams or a wheelchair as it's all hills but all in all the kids had a good time would go back

It's a #must when you're in Belfast! Nothing as I've seen before. A little price, but worth every penny!

I counted 13 empty enclosures last time I was here. Only big cats left are lions

Quite a walk, all uphill. It was difficult for our little dude to see much from his pushchair.

I've been there lots of times and it's great (particularly the sun bears)!

Its a very sad place, we went on the anniversary day and there was almost no animals the ones that were out wanted to go inside, they simply didnt look happy at all

Very hilly zoo so for less abled may be an issue. Elephants did not look overly happy in their enclosure.

Could do with some updating, parts looking very shabby.

Not great for the exhorborate prices they charge. I can understand the welfare of the animals is at stake here!! But even the stuff sold in the shop is really expensive for poor quality goods.

The new one way system is very well done and the place was very clean. The face mask rule isn't enforced but highly recommended inside.

We were told that the chimp and gorilla enclosures were closed but people were still entering making us believe that they were not. We were still unsure if they were open or closed.

The wasps are still a problem which makes this a three star more than anything. They have tried to stem the tide of the beasts with wasp traps but they still circle everywhere.

Overall it is still a good experience and a fantastic walk/workout but I would find it a lot more enjoyable without having to run from wasps every few metres

Love this zoo. Very hilly but a very enjoyable day out. Plenty of different animals and very informative about endangered species. Good petting zoo for kids. A good day out. Very nice cafe at the very top.

Lovely to see the local Zoo get re-vamped. Great parking, plenty of toilets (although these could do with being cleaned more regularly). Plenty of food with the introduction of a new cafe The Lion's Den (although for a business marketed at Children it would be wise to look at your allergy options and make the information a bit clearer for customers) highlight had to be the new park!! And talks with the zoo keepers.

Went for a great family day out today good variety but deffinantly missing animals such as rhinos and hippos a play park which is extremely modern and they have a bouncy castle - the pyotographer at the entrance/exit is pretty annoying. Very hilly - feet sore at the end - bring your walking shoes. With 2 prams it was hard enough but with children upto 8 in them it was hard up and down hills - reasonably priced and nice staff. Wkuld go again anytime.

Doing their best after covid closed them down so long. Didn't get informed when booking online that the animal houses were all closes as well as the rainforest part. Apart from that it was great for me and my family.

I marked it 3 star because there's a lot of hill walking ?.

Excellent day out, lots of walking but fun for adults and kids alike

Great for the kids a bit hilly
Good park and facilities

Great zoo, lots of hills so good exercise walking about.

Most of animals are located not where leaflets shows.pure dosplay techniques .

I really enjoyed the zoo. Large enclosures and great work being done on research and conservation.

If u are a animal lover then it's a heaven. For u. You can spend time with your family over here , the animals are cared nicely by the staff over there.

Just had a nice visit (Aug 2020), plenty of animals to see and lovely views of the sea from the zoo. This zoo may be a bit too hilly for some, it was a struggle pushing an empty pram up some of the hills. RE Covid measures there is Plenty of hand sanitizer around and small indoor areas have been closed off to aid social distancing but overall the time allowance to get around the zoo (2:30 pm to 6pm slot) is perfect and the Covid measures don't impact the visit negatively. One thing I would say to the zoo is that I had to pick my toddler up a lot to see into enclosures, there are waist height hedges etc at a lot of the enclosures that she couldn't see over. Otherwise great zoo

Wonderful zoo and the enclosures were fantastic and perfect for the animals living in them. Loads of different birds which I was very excited about, and the staff we come across were very friendly and helpful. All around a wonderful day, and quite hilly so got a good workout!

Not a great zoo, to be fair it is all up a very steep hill so if you are a wheel chair user you will probably struggle or with very young children.

Great zoo for a family day out. They have a good restaurant and a nice gift shop. Wearing good foot wear is a must. It is quite steep in places some people may find it hard going getting up the hills.

Lovely walk and plenty of animals well signposted will go back again

Wonderful, I'm not a lover of zoos but this struck me in a positive way with very neat animals and large rooms both indoors to keep them warm on cold days and outdoors and no cages

The Belfast Zoo. What not to expect. It s fun and a good family day out. Favourite animals are the penguins. Too cute! Must go if you are a tourist if not just go for the fun and the walk.

Belfast zoo is easy to get to, and you seem to be closer to the animal than in Dublin Zoo, we as a family really enjoyed Belfast zoo

The best Zoo I've visited!

All the different animals are so happy looking and very friendly (but obviously - wild)! All enclosures are very spacious and exceptionally clean. The zoo is clearly catering very well for all the various animals.

The zookeepers are very friendly and informative.

The zoo is situated on a mountain, so be prepared for a good hike. However, there is no shortage of rest stops with picnic benches and shelter.

If you're a lover of animals, this is a must place to visit.

Not all animals seem to b at the zoo now could do with updating. Liked what there was. Top cafe not open but other one was it was fine

Season ticket is worth it if you have kids. They love going and they have a good play area.

Very hilly. The transport assistance was unavailable on our visit

I am only giving three stars because I'm on my way home with two distraught children because the Zoos gift shop was closed early. It was a trip out for my daughters 11th birthday tomorrow. We enjoyed seeing all the animals that we could see and loved the fact that it was a one way system. We were able to see without people pushing in front.

The closing of the shop was the only downfall as my kids couldnt get anything with birthday money or pocket money.

Great zoo, plenty to see with animals in nice sized and managed enclosures. Only criticism being that is all on a hill so we good shoes and be prepared for a good walk. Friendly staff to boot.

Great day out for all the family, just very expensive.

I am being generous with a 3 only because today we travelled with granny in a scooter. We had a spare battery but even that was not enough for the hills. Facilities are good with lots of toilets. DISABLED AND SCOOTERS BEWARE.

Absolutely love the zoo, but not today. Unfortunately the hedges are too high for any view of the lions. Yes someone was cutting hedges today but for children under a metre tall cannot see. The first hedge was around the lions. All children More

A beautiful green zoo ever I saw. We had a lovely day with great family pic at Belfast zoo. My kid really enjoyed it. Staff is nice and helpful. Adventure park really well maintained by them. We had good exercise too due to hilltop structure;) All spots are wheelchair accessible so we never had problem with our stroller. 4 star only because though Zoo is smoking free still there are people who smokes inside the zoo which I personally feel not good for kids and zoo animals too.zoo staff do not have any control on it. And another thing is there should be some more sign boards for directions while coming to zoo as well as inside zoo. We had a problem to find the entrance as there was only one small sign board. Otherwise big thumbs up.

Not a big zoo.. not worth the money. Go there if you haven't seen any exotic animals in your life.

I was here today with my partner and 3 year old. Be advised if it is raining the experience is greatly restricted. Almost all the animals in poor weather will be indoors and the indoor viewing areas are closed due to COVID-19. Some of the animals are quite obviously mentally damaged. Belfast zoo has replied in other reviews as if they are doing some majestic service by housing these animals but really, I didn't pay to go to Belfast zoo to be witness to some mentally scarred elephants and bears. I regretted this aspect of my visit. A lot of the enclosures are in need of maintenance and the ramshackle 'floral hall' and the tatty posters round it are just an embarrassment. Again, such a majestic service keeping this crumbling eyesore standing in the middle of the zoo...the puddles offered the most enjoyment to the 3yr old and to be honest after the 6th empty enclosure of muddy grass I found splashing in them quite preferable myself.

Can spend 2-3 hrs in a day. Little hiking as well. Not much animals, but kids will enjoy

We came on a misserable freezing raining day in march and practically had the whole park to ourselves. It was larger than I expected with a great veriaty of animals, the majority of which we could thankfully view from indoors. If it had of been warmer and the animals not hiding from the cold it would of been a great day out. Would definitely recommend if your in Belfast for a few days.

Belfast zoo was a great experience to get to see all of the animals

If you like looking at empty enclosures it's a perfect day out. 35 quid to basically take a walk up a hill

It's been years from I went to the zoo and we had a great day, only down fall was the shop I know they have to make money but the price is just to much

Lovely zoo with fab views. The animal enclosures are really big and well kept for the animals and still great for viewing.

Belfast zoo is a great place for the family. It's always moving forward with educational activities and displays. It's on the side of a mountain so be prepared for a steep walk around the zoo.