Knies Kinderzoo

Knies Kinderzoo is the children’s zoo of Rapperswil, run by the Knie family, the owners of Switzerland’s national circus. Circus Knie, one of the oldest circuses in Europe, has its winter quarters in Rapperswil, and the zoo opened in the 1960s as a place where the circus animals could be seen and where children could meet animals at close range. That family connection gives the zoo a character quite different from a standard city zoo: it grew out of a tradition of living and working with animals, and it keeps the intimate scale of a place designed for young visitors.

The zoo lies a short walk from the railway station and the lake, and the animals include a wide range of species: monkeys, camels, ponies, sea lions, rhinoceroses, giraffes and elephants. Many enclosures are designed for close contact, and in some places visitors can feed or pet animals under supervision. Pony rides and a terrace for watching the giraffes are among the hands-on experiences, and keepers give talks and demonstrations at set times of day. The zoo’s elephants are Asian elephants, an endangered species, and the Himmapan elephant park, a large modern enclosure with indoor and outdoor areas, was built to give them more space and a more natural setting; interactive viewing points allow visitors to watch them at close quarters.

Alongside the animals, the zoo is built as a family day out. There is a large adventure playground with climbing frames and an artificial whale to clamber on, a pirate ship, a small railway and rides, and a restaurant with a lakeside setting, as well as picnic areas. The layout is flat and mostly easy for prams, so it works well with younger children. In warm weather the shade and water features help, and in the cooler months some areas reduce their activity.

Practical details change with the season. Opening hours are usually longer in summer and shorter in autumn and winter, with a seasonal break, and ticket prices differ for adults, children and groups, so check the zoo’s website for current information before you go. Arriving early in the day is a good idea for avoiding queues and seeing the animals when they are most active. The zoo sits close to other sights in Rapperswil-Jona, such as the lake promenade and the old town, so it can be combined with a walk along the shore.

It suits families with children from toddlers to early teens, grandparents and anyone with an affection for animals. Allow three to four hours for a relaxed visit, more if you plan to use the playgrounds and rides.