Kolmårdens Djurpark, Östergötland | Exploring Sweden

Kolmården Wildlife Park, or Kolmårdens Djurpark, is one of Northern Europe’s largest wildlife parks. The park is located in the expansive Kolmården forest in the province of Östergötland and is a part of Norrköping Municipality. It is situated approximately 30 kilometers northeast of the city of Norrköping. The park covers an area of 1.75 square kilometers and is known for its large, naturalistic enclosures that house a wide variety of animal species from around the world. Its setting within the dense, rocky, and hilly forest is a defining characteristic of the visitor experience.

Today, Kolmården is a destination that combines a wildlife park with family entertainment and accommodation. In addition to the main park’s extensive animal collection, the complex features the independently-operated Tropicarium, a large dolphinarium, a unique safari cable car, several amusement park rides, and the children’s themed area, Bamses Värld. The park’s operation is focused on animal care, conservation, and education, alongside providing a comprehensive entertainment experience. The adjacent Vildmarkshotellet allows for multi-day stays, making the park a major tourist destination in Sweden.

Please note that this guide is independently written and is not a paid partnership with Kolmården Wildlife Park.

History of Kolmårdens Djurpark

The history of Kolmården Wildlife Park is one of continuous evolution, from its origins as a public zoo to its current status as a multi-faceted destination resort. The park was founded with the vision of showcasing animals in large, natural enclosures, a departure from the city-based zoos of the time. Over the decades, it expanded significantly, adding new and ambitious attractions that cemented its reputation. The most recent chapter in its history has seen the park embrace the theme park model, adding high-profile rides to complement its animal exhibits.

Foundation and Early Years

The idea for a large wildlife park in the Kolmården forest was conceived and driven by Ulf Svensson. The park was officially opened to the public on May 27, 1965. Its initial purpose was to provide a new home for animals from the city zoo in Norrköping and to display primarily Nordic animals in a spacious and natural forest environment. The park was an immediate success, attracting a large number of visitors in its first year. The early years saw the gradual expansion of the park and the introduction of more exotic species.

The Dolphinarium and Major Expansions

A pivotal moment in the park’s history was the opening of the Dolphinarium in 1969, the first of its kind in Scandinavia. A few years later, in 1972, the Tropicarium opened as a separate facility next to the park’s entrance, adding a new dimension with its focus on exotic reptiles and aquatic life. During this same era of major expansion, the park also opened its first drive-through safari park, where visitors could drive their own cars through large enclosures. This period also saw the arrival of other popular animals, including tigers and great apes, which established Kolmården as a major zoo.

The Modern Era: Safari Gondola and Rides

The 21st century has been a period of significant transformation for Kolmården. In 2011, the old drive-through safari was replaced by the Safari, a unique cable car gondola system that transports visitors silently over the large savanna and forest enclosures. This innovation provided a new and safer way to view the animals. The park also began a major investment in amusement park rides, opening the large children’s themed area Bamses Värld in 2015, based on the beloved Swedish cartoon character. This was followed by the opening of Wildfire in 2016, a world-class wooden roller coaster.

Sights at Kolmårdens Djurpark

Kolmården Wildlife Park is designed as a complete family destination, where the sights are the numerous themed worlds, major animal enclosures, and high-profile attractions. The entire park is geared towards a family audience, with a wide range of experiences that appeal to all ages, from toddlers to teenagers and adults. A visit involves exploring these different areas, each with its own unique focus, spread across a vast and hilly forest landscape.

The attractions provide a blend of passive observation, active learning, and thrilling entertainment. This includes the unique Safari gondola for viewing animals from above, educational shows at the Dolphinarium, dedicated children’s areas, and world-class roller coasters. Many of the animal enclosures are designed to be immersive, providing a sense of the animals’ natural habitats. The combination of animals, rides, and dedicated play areas makes for an engaging and full-day experience for the entire family.

The Safari Cable Car

The Safari is one of Kolmården’s signature attractions. It is a cable car gondola that takes visitors on a 30-minute journey high above the park’s largest enclosures. From the gondola, you can see a wide variety of animals, including lions, bears, giraffes, zebras, and moose, living in a vast, naturalistic environment. The ride provides a unique and peaceful perspective that is impossible to get from the ground, and an audio guide in each gondola provides information about the different species.

Marine World

The Marine World section is home to the park’s aquatic animals. The main attraction here is the Dolphinarium, which hosts the popular dolphin show, “Hope.” This show combines entertainment with an educational message about ocean conservation. The Marine World area also includes the Penguin and Seal enclosures, where visitors can watch the Humboldt penguins and harbor seals during their daily feeding and training sessions. This part of the park is focused on marine life and the challenges facing the world’s oceans.

Bamses Värld

Bamses Värld is a large themed area dedicated to the famous Swedish cartoon character, Bamse, the world’s strongest bear. This part of the park is designed specifically for younger children. It features several small amusement park rides, such as a kiddie roller coaster and carousels, all themed around the characters and locations from the Bamse stories. There are also playgrounds and a small theater where children can meet and watch the costumed Bamse characters perform. It is a complete fantasy world for the park’s youngest visitors.

Wildfire

Wildfire is a world-renowned wooden roller coaster that opened in 2016. The ride is famous for its dramatic setting on a cliff overlooking the Bråviken bay. It features a spectacular 49-meter drop, a top speed of 113 km/h, and three inversions, which is very rare for a wooden coaster. Wildfire is the park’s premier thrill ride and attracts roller coaster enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Tiger World

Tiger World is the dedicated enclosure for the park’s Siberian tigers. This large and naturalistic habitat is designed to mimic the tigers’ native environment. The area provides visitors with excellent viewing opportunities from multiple angles, including from above on a large wooden bridge. The park is part of a European breeding program for this endangered species. The daily tiger feeding sessions are a popular event where keepers provide information about the animals and conservation efforts.

The Ape House

The Ape House is home to Kolmården’s great apes. The main attraction is the large family of Western lowland gorillas, which can be observed in their extensive indoor and outdoor enclosures. The house also has an enclosure for the park’s chimpanzees. The daily gorilla feeding is an educational and popular event for visitors. The Ape House provides a close-up look at these intelligent and fascinating primates and highlights the conservation work being done to protect them.

Barnens Lantgård

The Petting Farm is a classic zoo experience aimed at younger children. This area is designed to look like a traditional Swedish farm. Here, children can get up close to and interact with domestic animals like goats, sheep, and pigs. There are opportunities for children to pet and feed the animals under the supervision of park staff. The Petting Farm provides a fun, hands-on experience that allows children to learn about common farm animals.

Delfinexpressen

Delfinexpressen is another of the park’s major roller coasters, located in the Marine World section. This family-friendly steel coaster reaches a height of 20 meters and a speed of 65 km/h. It offers a fast-paced ride with several twists and turns that provide a view over the park. While not as intense as Wildfire, it is a very popular attraction for older children and adults. It serves as a perfect intermediate-level roller coaster for the whole family.

Tropicarium

The Tropicarium is a large indoor exhibit located just outside the main entrance to Kolmården Wildlife Park. It is a separate facility with its own admission fee, but it is considered an integral part of the Kolmården experience. The building houses a variety of exotic animals in simulated tropical environments. Visitors can walk through a rainforest setting, see one of Scandinavia’s largest shark aquariums, and view a wide range of reptiles and nocturnal animals. It offers a different experience from the main park and is a popular attraction year-round.

Vildmarkshotellet

The Vildmarkshotellet (The Wilderness Hotel) is the park’s official on-site hotel and can be considered an attraction in itself. Located on a cliff with a spectacular view over the Bråviken bay, the hotel offers accommodation for visitors who wish to spend more than one day at the park. It features a spa, multiple restaurants, and its own water park, making it a complete resort destination. The hotel is connected to the park, and many of its rooms have balconies with views of the water or the park’s savanna enclosure.

Annual Events at Kolmårdens Djurpark

While the main season for Kolmården is the summer, the park has expanded its calendar to include several popular annual events. As of late September, the park is typically transitioning from its summer schedule to preparations for its popular Halloween event. These seasonal celebrations have become major attractions in their own right, extending the park’s operational year from early spring to late autumn and into the winter, each offering a different experience from a standard summer visit.

Easter Celebrations

The Easter holiday typically marks the grand opening of the park for the new season. During the Easter break, the park is decorated with festive themes. Special activities for children are often organized, such as egg hunts and craft workshops. The dolphin show may get a special Easter theme, and many of the animals are particularly active in the cool spring weather. This event is a popular way for families to celebrate the holiday and to be among the first to visit the park for the year.

Halloween at Kolmården

Halloween has become one of Kolmården’s largest and most popular events, typically beginning in early October. The park undergoes a massive transformation with thousands of pumpkins, scarecrows, and spooky decorations. The event is designed for all ages, with fun and friendly pumpkin carving and themed areas in Bamses Värld for younger children. For older guests seeking more thrills, the park creates several dedicated scare zones and haunted houses with live actors. The entire park takes on a unique atmosphere during the Halloween season.

Magical Christmas (Sagojul)

During the weekends leading up to Christmas, Kolmården hosts its Sagojul or “Magical Christmas” event. The park is decorated with enchanting Christmas lights, and a traditional Christmas market is set up. Visitors can meet Santa Claus, see the reindeer, and enjoy festive foods and drinks. The Dolphinarium presents a special Christmas-themed show, and Bamses Värld is decorated for the holidays. Seeing the park and some of the animals in a winter setting provides a completely different and magical experience for visitors.

How to Get to Kolmårdens Djurpark?

Reaching Kolmården Wildlife Park is most convenient by car, but it is also accessible by public transport during the main season. The park is located in a rural forest setting, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Norrköping and 40 kilometers southwest of Nyköping. Its location is just a short drive from the E4 motorway, the main highway in Sweden. During the summer, special bus services often run directly to the park entrance from nearby towns and train stations.

The most common approach for visitors is to travel to either Norrköping or the nearby village of Krokek and then take a bus for the final leg of the journey. Norrköping is the main regional transport hub with excellent train and long-distance bus connections. The closest train station to the park is in Krokek. The park is well-signposted from all major roads in the area, making it an easy destination to find for those who are driving.

Driving to Kolmården by Car

The easiest way to get to Kolmården is by car. The park is located about a 10-minute drive from the E4 motorway. Travelers should take exit 126 (Norrköping Norra) and follow the signs for “Kolmården” on road 55, and then road 892. The route is clearly marked with the park’s distinctive animal symbol. There are large paid parking areas located directly at the park entrance. A car provides the most flexibility, especially for families.

Reaching Kolmården by Train

The closest train station to the park is Krokek station, located about 8 kilometers away. Krokek is a stop on the Östgötapendeln commuter train line, which connects Norrköping and Linköping. From Krokek station, visitors would need to take a local bus or a taxi to the park entrance. A more common option for long-distance travelers is to take a high-speed SJ train to Norrköping Central Station, from where there are better bus connections to the park.

Traveling by Bus

During the main season (summer), Östgötatrafiken often operates a dedicated bus line, the Kolmården Line, directly from Norrköping Central Station to the park’s main entrance. This is the most convenient public transport option. There are also regular local bus routes that stop near the park, but these may require a longer walk. It is essential to check the current timetable on the Östgötatrafiken website, as services are often seasonal.

Nearby Airports

The closest major airport to Kolmården is Norrköping Airport (NRK), located about 35 kilometers away. However, this airport has very limited connections. A more practical option for most travelers is Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) in Nyköping, which is about 45 kilometers away and is a hub for low-cost airlines. The largest international airport, Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), is approximately a two-hour drive from the park. From any of these airports, a rental car is the most convenient option for the final part of the journey.

Driving Distances

The driving distance from 20 regional cities, according to Google Maps:

• Norrköping, Sweden – 30 kilometers (0 h 30 min)
• Nyköping, Sweden – 42 kilometers (0 h 40 min)
• Linköping, Sweden – 75 kilometers (1 h 0 min)
• Eskilstuna, Sweden – 95 kilometers (1 h 25 min)
• Södertälje, Sweden – 100 kilometers (1 h 10 min)
• Stockholm, Sweden – 134 kilometers (1 h 40 min)
• Örebro, Sweden – 157 kilometers (2 h 0 min)
• Västerås, Sweden – 174 kilometers (2 h 15 min)
• Jönköping, Sweden – 195 kilometers (2 h 10 min)
• Uppsala, Sweden – 203 kilometers (2 h 25 min)
• Kalmar, Sweden – 258 kilometers (3 h 10 min)
• Växjö, Sweden – 262 kilometers (3 h 0 min)
• Karlstad, Sweden – 284 kilometers (3 h 20 min)
• Gothenburg, Sweden – 329 kilometers (3 h 35 min)
• Gävle, Sweden – 346 kilometers (3 h 40 min)
• Oslo, Norway – 403 kilometers (4 h 45 min)
• Helsingborg, Sweden – 422 kilometers (4 h 20 min)
• Malmö, Sweden – 452 kilometers (4 h 40 min)
• Copenhagen, Denmark – 494 kilometers (5 h 20 min)
• Sundsvall, Sweden – 561 kilometers (5 h 35 min)

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