I am sometimes trying to deny how much I like zoos. You know, this is the place where people exhibit animals and these animals are in captivity when they should be in the wild, free, bla-bla! All these thoughts are just right however animals do have characters and from what I have seen, they have overtaken the human zoo long time ago.
Especially the one in Sofia, Bulgaria. It’s at the far edge of the galaxy called capital of this country and I spent like, 30-40 minutes on a bus ride to get there from my neighborhood (wanted to use underground but it would have pretty much been same and too much effort). On arrival, my childhood memories were refreshed. Also got modernized, actually. Back in the days, people used to receive one of those funny tickets, looking just like the local transportation prints or the old theater tickets for slavs country. Now you’re getting a fresh, colorful and bar-coded ticket which every visitor can beep at the entrance. My flatmate told me she had one with zebra just a few weeks before our visit, so I would consider telling you that their pictures may vary.
What impressed me is that the entrance is wheelchair friendly, help and cashier service is extremely polite, easy and mind that it will be best to pay cash. Entrance fee is low … like low-low. Paid 4lv adult admission. Kiddos under 3 are not charged just like at the Disney parks. Under 18s can visit at 2lv and for elders, it’s just 1lv. Cheaper than the local one way bus transfer, isn’t it? There are annual passes, etc.
The animal adventure for everyone begins right after beeping that same ticket! It’s quite a kingdom and us, humans only have the right to visit. Animal noises can be heard all over the place, during the spring, summer and early autumn days. Winter is not the best time to visit this zoo in particular! Bulgaria has awful weather conditions at that time.
As a spring-summer visitor I almost always grab a cone of ice-cream and take the left turn into the unknown. Food stands can be found pretty much everywhere around this zoo which is allowing a constant access to food and beverages. Non-alcoholic drinks only! Unless you’d prefer fermented juice. It’s almost impossible to get one here but key phrase is ‘almost impossible’. In my case, ice-cream was life saving that day.
What you should know is that these foods should not be given to the animals in this zoo. You’ll see the signs saying it, save the food for you because … you’re the only animals who should be fed with a hot dog! This park has two entrances - main entrance - which is lively and to open for me and west entrance which I would rather recommend because it’s quiet, close to proper bus stops and offering better look at the zoo.
Marching to the first and strange looking concrete construction, right behind the food stand you’ll get the feeling of being small. Building’s just large. Looks almost like an alien building. Although, aren’t all the socialism buildings looking like that? If you’re wondering what am I referring to, please feel free to check the Buzludzha Monument and National Palace of Culture buildings. Welcome to Mars, a?
Now that you are aware of the level of strange, let’s continue to the inhabitants. It’s the bear lodge, in fact. The black one has funny long furred ears which actually reminded me of little girl’s tales. This little fella looks cute and he or she … Not sure, however, that fella is really friendly. I will never be sure if it was too hot or that creature was smiling at me …
Seemingly looking like a steak to that animal, I just walked to the next bear. The typical brown one with fluffy ears and dark eyes. Sweet reminder of the latitude I live in. What really impressed me were the information plates you can find during a visit. With quick clarification - place where relevant species can be found, diet, habits and curious facts. I enjoyed the fact it’s both in Bulgarian and English. Each information board has a QR code which you can scan and check the online clarifications as well. The ones I have tried took me to Sofia Zoo website, so it’s a safe link for sure.
There’s one more cool fact which I am still trying to understand - the extra information boards entirely in Bulgarian. Yes, the information is interesting. No, I don’t think it should be only in Bulgarian. Hopefully, this will change in future. In the meantime, I had fun with the ’ What to do when we meet a bear’ … (in the wild) The brown bear was a bit hesitated that day and poor thing was circling around. Hope next time I visit it will change the course.
If you are hoping to see polar bears, well, you’ll be disappointed. Bulgarian zoo can hardly provide proper conditions for them … except during winter and even then the poor creature would freeze to death, for sure. It’s same with the penguin situation. But let’s get back to the animals you can actually see.
Further, I saw wolves, turtles, badgers, hyena … yes, they were at the same section and no, they had separate displays. What I enjoyed were the minks. Literally a bunch of young gangsters throwing leaves at each other and playing in the water. Loads of fun and their noises were like ridiculously cute. Passed a few more cells with other animals and later got to the meerkat section. Man, we are talking about a whole gang of adventurers here. The little ones were running, fighting, playing and observing the visitors (not sure if they know that they are the attraction, not the opposite).
They even pranked a few children by doing the peek-a-boo surprise. Their enclosure has an in-building section as well. In that building people can see reptiles and … well, wild cats like lions, tigers and leopards as well but that’s how it works here, I guess. That terrarium had loads of smaller animals along with the creepy pythons, anaconda, chameleons, varans, etc. Some of the non-reptile favorites (for me) at that exposition are mice - chinchilla and Mongolian gerbil (which I initially read ‘debil’ - in Bulgarian that word is used for an extremely stupid person. That made my flatmate laugh and led to many jokes later). You’ll see a lot more but yeah, I am not a reptile person! Snails looked gross because of the amount in just a single display. That was … ugh! It’s not the zoo, it’s just the snails. Considering the space they had, zoo keepers did a fish section as well, which I enjoyed a lot more. The small fishes were striking around their aquariums and bigger ones took the space and time to … look a pretty as possible, I guess. Don’t be surprised by the younger children running around and yelling ‘I saw Nemo and Dori, mum!’ because there are clown fishes and blue tangs at the same tank indeed. Due unforeseen circumstances - like dead battery, I couldn’t take my camera and cellphone does not provide as clear image as I want for these species, so guys, you will have to visit in order to see Nemo and Dori at the same tank, I guess ?
The aquarium section is big enough for a fountain with more fishes and a carriage (wild decorating solution but still interesting for visitors), where you can throw a coin for luck, wishes to return marriage, divorce or whatever pagan believe you have. It will come true in this or another universe. It somehow worked for me with the corn meal wish later that day.
That made me ask one of the leopards if they saw or ate Bilbo and Frodo. In case you wonder - I didn’t get an answer.
If you could continue your walk, you’ll get to the birds section with all the pigeons, pelicans (traditional pink pelicans can be seen here), wild ducks owls, parrots - they don’t speak, peacocks and pheasants can be found here. Don’t panic if you see some of them wondering around. They are released intentionally. Just appreciate them and don’t feed no matter how cute that black swan looks at your ice cream! It’s not their food.
Down the section you will see another alien-like structure with fence and heights. Don’t worry, no alien has been displayed here except the eagles and vultures. They look a bit scary but if you arrive late afternoon at this section you will be amazed by the size of their wings. The zookeeper was feeding them at that time, so a vulture flew from the top of the cliff decoration and landed nearby over the meat they got left.
Speaking of large, the next building with open grounds on the outside was the Hall of Giants. There’s only 3 species of these at that place but they do take space. I am talking about the elephant, rhino and hippo. Wanted to see them at the open space section of their building but unfortunately, it was feeding time for them as well, so they had to go inside. Where they literally looked massive. I see what people mean saying that one should never tease an elephant. Another section of the zoo is the mammals grounds with kangaroos … no koalas, unfortunately but you’ll also see zodiac signs like capricorns (muflones, but wanted to sound more magical), regular goats (they make a lot of human like sounds which shocked me for a moment), camels, zebra, llamas, Bambies (or so the little children around called deer), rabbits and more. Some of the ostriches were there as well. I believe they are due to be moved, considering the difference in information boards at their display.
My childhood memories kept monkeys and gorillas building however, during this visit I could not see any of them. It’s because their building is under refurbishment and by refurbishment, I do mean it! So I had to keep that for another visit. If it happens that any of your visit is ahead of mine or any of you has photos of this place before refurbishment, I would be glad to refresh my memories. Feel free to share ?
Finding yourself the end of this route, you will most probably feel exhausted. It’s a long walk and a lot to see after all. Considering the flying time, you can be pack lunch and eat at the picnic areas and benches around the place, just like everybody else around. Here’s where I can share all these fun tips as well. Certain areas are adapted like the Serika Center garden - some companies and people fund animals and park grounds which is why it will be no surprise to see certain names within the grounds. Some of the areas are also eco-displays every once in a while. There’s a recycled caps mosaic images alley at the moment. Wonder what will follow and can’t wait for it.
I have also noticed certain comments online saying that you cannot practice sports at this zoo. Well, I have never seen football tournament and baseball grounds in any zoo, so yes, sorry not sorry on that. You are here for a walk, not running. Despite having multiple food stands, it will be best if you pay cash and if you have decided to wear high heels - take them off and switch to the good old sneakers. Also, one more thing, there are maps everywhere. You can check the Sofia Zoo website for a download too.
It’s now time for the traditional travel information regarding buses and underground. There’s no nearby underground yet, tho. Buses arriving and departing from/to Sofia Zoo are:
Main Entrance: buses 102 and 67. Stop is called ’ z.k. Dianabad’
West Entrance: buses 120, 122, 93, 88, 83, 64 and 65. I would consider lines 65, 83, 88 and 120 and the returning stop is just ahead (going out of the zoo you need to turn right and go ahead. You’ll see a stop and light board as you walk), not where you have left off on arrival. Stop is called 'Sofia Zoo’or just ‘The Zoo’.
Everyone who has already been here, please feel free to share experience and impressions from this small animal kingdom in Sofia. Everyone else, can ask questions, discuss or check random facts about this place. I am curious what would they be. ?
it s your sense of humour 