Norway's largest collection of Nordic animals
Good moments happen when animals and people meet, and there are many such moments at Namsskogan Familiepark.
The park is a separate universe with animals, activities and experiences.
We have a large collection of exciting and exotic animals from all over the world, but what can be experienced as most exciting are the four large Norwegian carnivores; wolf, bear, lynx and wolverine. Join our daily presentation of our predators and experience the species up close.
In addition to the four large predators, we have moose, reindeer, deer, fallow deer, roe deer, brown llama, peacock, turkey, arctic fox, silver fox, wild boar, miniature pig, ferret, deer, goat and much more.
In Barnas Lille Dyrepark, children can meet sheep, chickens, porcupines and other familiar and unfamiliar farm animals.
The zoo has over 30 different species. In total, there are over 200 animals, large and small. Birds from outside think this is a nice place. There are lots of ducks. They live here more than in other neighborhoods. They are allowed to. They think it's safe to live here.
We aim to ensure the well-being of all our own special animals. That's why they have a very large area and large enclosures to move around in. And hide when they need to. So if you don't see all of them all the time, they might just want some peace and quiet.
A lot of visitors daily will probably result in fewer animals entering the fence/enclosure. Fortunately, we are not a zoo with small cages for our animals. We let our animals live as they were created to. We either take in animals that are suffering due to lack of territory, lack of parents, or let them grow up from childhood. We do not have the right or opportunity to take animals out of their natural element. We try our best to ensure that our animals are happy with us. We think we're good at it ourselves. To be allowed to have contact and work with animals is to understand them and be good loving friends with them. Only then are they safe. This can be a challenge for the animals with many visitors on a busy summer visitor day and a lot of noise. Then they will often go and hide.
Experiencing the animals here is a very big and exciting experience, and if you follow the presentations and feeding of various animals by our skilled animal keepers, you are guaranteed to meet the animals right by the enclosure!
See info about all our animals in the Family Park by going down this page. See the yellow links and a click for self-learning for more information about different animals.
meet Odin and the other animals
Among the many animals you get to meet the brown bear Odin (born 1994), who weighs more than 300 kg when he lies down in the fall, making him one of Norway's largest bears, both in zoos and in the wild! His offspring Bjørn and Søs (born 2005) enjoy swimming and climbing, and maybe you'll get to see them enjoying specially made "bear ice cream"?
On the way up the walkway or over the Bear Bridge, and above the bears are several of our wolves lying in wait.
Maybe you'll see them among the trees? At feeding time, they probably all come out. There are several of them! This is possibly the fiercest, fastest, strongest and very short predator experience you'll get here when this species feeds!
This goes fast and pay attention! The wolf is special. They have a hierarchy. The whole pack watches as the alpha/boss wolf gets the food first. Then the others in the pack are fed. What an amazing animal!
In winter, they can howl at the moon and the night sky. Very special!
Then the bears sleep safely in their dens.
Try our predator camp in the winter season! Check our opportunity for it.
A magical experience!
Pet sitter for a day
Great moments in the meeting between children and animals. In an exclusive program, children get to participate in the care of our various, but well-known animals that are in Barnas Dyrepark. All animals need food, water and cuddles. Give your hopeful a memory for life! For children between 6 - 13 years. Max 5 participants per group.
Here you walk around known and unknown farm animals. A ticket to be in the park outside of this special activity and the rest of the day, including all the other fun we have, will be added.
Price: NOK 745,- per person, including your own zookeeper shirt from our souvenir shop. The newly appointed zookeeper must have a shirt to be included for the important task that follows. Can be picked up before. Show ticket.
When: High season 22.06. - 04.08., 11:00 and 14:00, duration 2 hours.
Meet at the ticket office by the entrance. See sign and wait in the Park entrance to be picked up by our own employee Park pet sitter. Attendance minimum 20 minutes before.
animal representations
Every day throughout the summer, you can follow zookeepers to take a closer look at the animals in the park, and learn more about them and their wild relatives in nature.
These guided tours can be experienced daily in the period June 1 - August 23.
No registration required. Free guiding in the day ticket. Attendance at the various animals is during the mentioned times:
11.30 Presentation of small carnivores. Meeting at otters
12.30 pm Presentation of large carnivores. Meeting at Wolverine
14.00 Presentation of hoofed animals. Meeting at Reindeer
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Kl. 16.30 Presentation of porcupine in Barnas Dyrepark.
Time: June 22 - Aug 5.
Notes. The days from June 1 to June 21, - and from August 5 to August 23 are in low seasons and then it starts earlier, and already at 15.30.
Come to us and experience our different animals up close!
You are very welcome to join us in the the park!
Meet the Arctic fox
Join us in a special encounter with Norway's most critically endangered species, the Mountain Fox. This small fox lives in the high mountains above the tree line and is extremely well adapted to a life with cold temperatures and little food. Birk (8 years old) and Bjarne (12 years old) live with us and have helped to increase the population of mountain foxes through the breeding project of the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). You'll get to help feed our arctic foxes, while the zookeeper tells you more about the species and its challenges for survival. Kr. 100,- of the ticket price will be donated to NINA's work to preserve the Arctic fox.
- By the way, did you know that the Arctic fox's fur is browner in summer than in winter? Why do you think that is? Ask the zookeeper if you have any questions. See info about Arctic fox
Every day during the summer season at exactly 13:45. Only 4 people per group!
Price: NOK 349,- per person. Can be booked online and in advance at least 1 hour before arrival.
Meeting point is at the Fjellrev fence at the bottom of the park area above Fjellstukafèen. See overview map.
Ps. Meeting at the fence is 10 min before.
Please note that the walking distance from the entrance area takes approx. 20 minutes up to the Fjellrev fence. Ps. The time of the meeting MUST be kept.
Lynx meeting
You can join us in our Lynx-house for an exclusive insight into how we train and communicate with lynx/Lynx, and learn more about this amazing species up close with our zookeeper. Tuesday and Thursday only until August 23.
Duration 30 min. Max 4 pers. Time: 14.30 pm. Price: NOK 449,-
Meeting point: Gaupehuset, at the very top of the park. 1 km walk after a nice road inside. Note that the road up to the fence is somewhat steeper. See overview map.
Ps. Meeting 10 min before.
(NB. walking distance from the entrance takes approx. 20 minutes up to Gaupehuset)
Ps. The time of the meeting MUST be kept.
