If you find a luxury villa in Veneto and are exploring the region, you'll have endless options of things to see and do from visiting the stunning and famous cities of Verona and Venice to spending days enjoying the outdoor pursuits of Lake Garda, and much more besides. However, many people do not realise that the region is also home to an incredible safari park and zoo where many different endangered species of flora and fauna are given a good home. If you are an animal lover and you are planning a trip to this part of Italy, then be sure to set aside some time to visit the wonderful Parco Natura Viva.
Located in Bussolengo in the Province of Verona, the Parco Natura Viva was founded back in the 1960s by Veronese architect Alberto Avesani and his wife Giorgia, who transformed their land from agricultural use into a wildlife area. They began by gathering local fauna to be bred and by protecting and preserving the biodiversity of the area with the idea of eventually opening the park to the public. This came to pass in June 1969 and the park was initially opened as the Parco Zoo del Garda, stretching over ten hectares that would later become the current so-called Fauna Trail.
Located in Bussolengo in the Province of Verona, the Parco Natura Viva was founded back in the 1960s by Veronese architect Alberto Avesani and his wife Giorgia, who transformed their land from agricultural use into a wildlife area. They began by gathering local fauna to be bred and by protecting and preserving the biodiversity of the area with the idea of eventually opening the park to the public. This came to pass in June 1969 and the park was initially opened as the Parco Zoo del Garda, stretching over ten hectares that would later become the current so-called Fauna Trail.
The first expansion came when Pippo, a hippopotamus that was discarded by a passing circus, found himself in need of a home. The Mayor of Bussolengo at the time asked Avesani to house the animal and as they had plenty of space, they gladly built a shelter and new home for Pippo. Then, in 1973, an area for African mammals and birds that visitors would drive through in their own cars called Safari was added. This was further expanded with the addition of the Acquaterrarium, the Tropical Greenhouse, and the Parco delle Extinczioni area with its life-size models of prehistoric creatures in 1978. Since 1985, even more redevelopment has continuously been under way and various areas, amenities, and species have been added to the park over time, with the likes of the Australian Outback route opening in 2012 and the transformation of the Tropical Greenhouse into the Serra dei Giganti in 2018.
Today, the park is home to several sectors, each occupied by different animals. The original Safari park is now an area of plain, hilly landscape and an area of African carnivores and is home to solely African species of fauna including the Alkine antelope, Roan antelope, Ox of the Watussi, Cheetah, Rothschild's giraffe, Striped wildebeest, Spotted hyena, Lion, red lemur, black lemur, white lemur, Egyptian goose, Cameroon sheep, White rhinoceros, South African ostrich, and Grèvy's Zebra. These animals can be variously spotted from vehicles as you drive through or from different viewing points. One of the largest areas in the entire park is the Trails of Africa, which opened in 2010 and won the Parksmania Award for the best new attraction that year. Made up of pedestrian paths with natural barriers to allow the safe observation of some the most exotic and famous African species, it is the only example in the world of an enclosure where hippos, rhinos, and nyala all live together in the same habitat. Other animals in this part of the park include chimpanzees, meerkats, crowned cranes, and Giant African tortoise. In the Madagascar area, the focus is on the endemic fauna of Madagascar and species such as the mute swan, ring-tailed lemur, red-bellied lemur, bamboo lemur, and radiata tortoise live in this area.
Today, the park is home to several sectors, each occupied by different animals. The original Safari park is now an area of plain, hilly landscape and an area of African carnivores and is home to solely African species of fauna including the Alkine antelope, Roan antelope, Ox of the Watussi, Cheetah, Rothschild's giraffe, Striped wildebeest, Spotted hyena, Lion, red lemur, black lemur, white lemur, Egyptian goose, Cameroon sheep, White rhinoceros, South African ostrich, and Grèvy's Zebra. These animals can be variously spotted from vehicles as you drive through or from different viewing points. One of the largest areas in the entire park is the Trails of Africa, which opened in 2010 and won the Parksmania Award for the best new attraction that year. Made up of pedestrian paths with natural barriers to allow the safe observation of some the most exotic and famous African species, it is the only example in the world of an enclosure where hippos, rhinos, and nyala all live together in the same habitat. Other animals in this part of the park include chimpanzees, meerkats, crowned cranes, and Giant African tortoise. In the Madagascar area, the focus is on the endemic fauna of Madagascar and species such as the mute swan, ring-tailed lemur, red-bellied lemur, bamboo lemur, and radiata tortoise live in this area.
Then, in the Oceania section (formerly known as the Australian Outback), one of the smaller parts of the park and located in the middle of the Paths of Africa route, you will find emus, Eastern gray kangaroos, Red-necked wallabies, Antigone cranes, and Black Swans. The Asia area is one of the largest and conserves Eurasian species in danger of extinction. The animals here are visible from various panels but are left to maintain some privacy and include the Bactrian camel, Przewalski's horse,
Manchurian crane, Red panda, Siberian tiger, Snow leopard, Bearded vulture, Royal Indian vulture,
Koi carp, Bali Starling, Royal python, Egyptian flower beetle, and Tomato frog. The fascinating Serra House of Giants, meanwhile, is a massive greenhouse that is home to species organised according to the theme of gigantism and dwarfism in nature. It features fascinating animals such as Komodo dragons, giant otters, anacondas, giant butterflies, dwarf crocodiles, anacondas, Giant African snails, Goliath tarantulas, and more.
As well as all of these species, the park is also home to American animals such as the green-winged,
Greater hairy armadillo, Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Maned wolf, Cuban flamingo, Ocelot, Spectacled Bear, Monk parakeet, and South American Tapir; European animals including the Barn Owl, European bison, Mouflon, Fallow deer of Mesopotamia, Siberian eagle owl, Reindeer, Snow goose; and a farm featuring the Alpaca, Tibetan goat, Vietnamese piglet, European pond turtle, Greek tortoise, and more. The aforementioned Extinction Park, inaugurated back in 1979, displays life-size recreations of animals that have died out, both recently and in the distant past, to highlight the importance of protecting our biodiversity. Winding through a wooded area that is traversed on foot, it includes dinosaurs, birds, and other animals.
So, if you are an animal lover, you have found a vacation rental in Veneto or a villa in Lake Garda, and are planning on spending time in this beautiful part of Italy, then be sure to set aside some time to visit the incredible Parco Natura Viva.
Parco Natura Viva
Località Quercia, 37012 Bussolengo VR, Italy
+39 045 717 0113
Manchurian crane, Red panda, Siberian tiger, Snow leopard, Bearded vulture, Royal Indian vulture,
Koi carp, Bali Starling, Royal python, Egyptian flower beetle, and Tomato frog. The fascinating Serra House of Giants, meanwhile, is a massive greenhouse that is home to species organised according to the theme of gigantism and dwarfism in nature. It features fascinating animals such as Komodo dragons, giant otters, anacondas, giant butterflies, dwarf crocodiles, anacondas, Giant African snails, Goliath tarantulas, and more.
As well as all of these species, the park is also home to American animals such as the green-winged,
Greater hairy armadillo, Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Maned wolf, Cuban flamingo, Ocelot, Spectacled Bear, Monk parakeet, and South American Tapir; European animals including the Barn Owl, European bison, Mouflon, Fallow deer of Mesopotamia, Siberian eagle owl, Reindeer, Snow goose; and a farm featuring the Alpaca, Tibetan goat, Vietnamese piglet, European pond turtle, Greek tortoise, and more. The aforementioned Extinction Park, inaugurated back in 1979, displays life-size recreations of animals that have died out, both recently and in the distant past, to highlight the importance of protecting our biodiversity. Winding through a wooded area that is traversed on foot, it includes dinosaurs, birds, and other animals.
So, if you are an animal lover, you have found a vacation rental in Veneto or a villa in Lake Garda, and are planning on spending time in this beautiful part of Italy, then be sure to set aside some time to visit the incredible Parco Natura Viva.
Parco Natura Viva
Località Quercia, 37012 Bussolengo VR, Italy
+39 045 717 0113
Photo credits:
Picture 1: Roberto Ferrari / CC BY-SA 2.0;
Picture 2: Massimiliano Piazza / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Domenico Salvagnin / CC BY 2.0
Picture 1: Roberto Ferrari / CC BY-SA 2.0;
Picture 2: Massimiliano Piazza / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Domenico Salvagnin / CC BY 2.0