You don’t need to go to Namibia to see hippos, monkeys, and other typical savanna animals running, eating, and dozing in the sun: just drive a couple of hours toward Bussolengo to find yourself immersed in the largest wildlife park in northern Italy. Located on the morainic hills of Lake Garda, it is a 42-hectare zoo that is home to about 1,500 animals representing over 200 different species, many of which are endangered. Here, visitors can choose to explore on foot or by car on a journey through the ecosystems of the five continents: from Africa to Asia, passing through the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, among giraffes, hippos, birds of prey, macaques, lemurs, and many other inhabitants of the wild.
Founded in the 1960s thanks to the vision of architect Alberto Avesani, who transformed part of his farm into a wildlife area open to the public, its mission today is to conserve biodiversity through three pillars: research (non-invasive, observation-based), in situ and ex situ conservation, and environmental education aimed at schools, families, and visitors of all ages.
Walking safari or car safari?
The main attraction at Parco Natura Viva is the wildlife trail, known as the “Walking Safari”—a stroll where visitors virtually traverse the five continents as they walk through the animal enclosures, with 90% of the species visible from this section. The tour takes 4 to 5 hours, featuring forest trails, refreshment stands, picnic areas, and educational panels that share interesting facts, conservation projects, and stories about each species housed there.
To truly experience the full essence of a safari, there’s the “Safari in Your Own Car”: a separate circuit to be driven in your own vehicle, which winds through the habitat of animals typical of the African continent. Here, you’ll drive among zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, ostriches, and large carnivores, observing them up close in complete safety without ever leaving your vehicle. The tour lasts approximately forty minutes ( depending on the day’s crowd) and feels like a real photo safari, with the thrill of seeing “the savanna” roll by right outside your window.
🕰️Hours: The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. Specific hours for each day can be found here.
🎟️Tickets: Walking + Safari Combo: €30.00 / Walking Wildlife Park Only: €25.00 / Safari Only (by car): €25.00. Children (ages 0–2) are free. Tickets can be purchased on the website.
Other experiences within the park
House of Dragon
The House of Dragon is the most “fantastical” part of Parco Natura Viva. It’s a modern pavilion dedicated to the giants of the animal world, where biological reality and fantasy merge. Here you can observe incredible species up close, such as Komodo dragons, Seychelles tortoises, green anacondas, and African pygmy crocodiles, in spectacular settings that blur the boundaries between visitors and their habitats.
Jurassic Adventure
The Jurassic Adventure experience takes you back millions of years, among dinosaurs and extinct animals reconstructed life-size in the heart of the forest. The trail is populated by Tyrannosaurus rex, spinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers, dodos, indricotheres, and many other giants of the past, offering a true journey through realistic models and panels that chronicle the evolution of species.
Nature by Night
Through September 13, 2026, the park remains open until 10 p.m. and transforms into a grand stage under the stars where animals, lights, and stories from biologists take center stage. With options ranging from a “Safari by Night” at sunset to the illuminated “Jurassic Adventure,” nighttime talks, and a dinner experience surrounded by nature, visitors will be able to observe some animals at their most active—when the sun sets and nature comes alive. Tickets are available here.
