Visiting Safari Park Dvůr Králové: safari, seasons and tickets

• Location: Štefánikova 1029 in Dvůr Králové nad Labem; a large car park beside the park is free of charge.
• Layout: The traditional zoo area, walk-through safari with large open enclosures, and a safari route by vehicle are three distinct parts of a visit.
• Regular opening hours: During the winter season, from October to April, the park is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, including public holidays.
• Safari season: Regular drives through the African Safari and Lion Safari are seasonal and weather-dependent; in October 2026, a special weekend service will also be available.
• Winter admission, as of October 11, 2026: Adults pay 265 Kč, children aged 3 to 15 pay 175 Kč, and admission is free for children under three.
• Time to allow: Half a day is a reasonable estimate for the walking areas and one safari drive; with breaks and longer walks, your visit may take more time.

The park is more than just a drive among the animals. Alongside the traditional zoo area, there is a walk-through safari with large open enclosures and a motorised safari route. The areas complement each other: on foot, you can go at your own pace and explore the enclosures one after another; in a safari vehicle, you can experience animals in expansive landscapes. So it’s helpful to treat the drive as a fixed part of your day and leave time for the walking areas before or after it.

The Josefa Vágnera African Safari and the Lion Safari together form a route about 5.5 kilometres long. The open areas are home to animals including eland, scimitar-horned oryx, waterbuck, zebras, wildebeest, Ankole-Watusi cattle and giraffes; pelicans can also be seen by the water. In the Lion Safari, the route passes through the Barbary lion habitat. You can’t plan specific animal sightings in advance: the animals move around their extensive enclosures, and what you see depends on the moment.

For families, the right choice depends on walking distance, children’s ages and whether you want to take a ride. The guide to family trips in Czechia can help you compare several destinations. The park also has traditional and walk-through areas to enjoy without taking a vehicle ride.

During the regular summer season, you have three options. In your own car, you can drive through the African Safari and Lion Safari at your own pace; the vehicle ticket costs 490 Kč according to the price list and is available online only. Each passenger also needs a standard admission ticket. Your selected entry time is binding. Animals are not allowed in the car.

The Africa Truck also travels through both safari areas. The guided drive takes about 50 minutes and costs 180 Kč per person; the safari bus costs 70 Kč, takes about 20 minutes and goes only through the African Safari, not the Lion Safari. Commentary in the vehicles is in Czech. When booking the truck online, you choose a time slot; any remaining tickets may be available on site. The safari bus is the shorter option if you want to see the open route without driving yourself.

The regular vehicle safari operates only during the summer season, approximately from late April to early October, and is weather-dependent. So by October 11, 2026, the regular safari season will have ended. A time-limited exception has been announced: in October, Africa Trucks will run through the Lion Safari every weekend, and daily from October 28 to November 1, between 10 am and 4 pm. The ticket costs 90 Kč per person and is available only at the special ticket office at the departure point. In good weather, capacity may sell out; if you want to take this drive, ask about tickets there as soon as you arrive. The rest of the park continues to follow its normal opening hours.

According to the price list in effect since February 1, 2026, winter admission costs 265 Kč for adults and 175 Kč for children aged 3 to 15. Students aged 16 to 26 and seniors born in 1963 or earlier also pay 175 Kč with valid ID. A family ticket for two adults and one to nine children costs 470 Kč plus 155 Kč per child; for two adults and one child, the total is 625 Kč. Admission is free for children under three. Regular admission includes the car park and entry to the Zdeněk Burian Gallery; safari rides are charged separately.

Start by checking the season and time slot. In October 2026, the regular circuit is closed; the announced Africa Truck exception applies only on the specified dates. In summer, choose a time for your car or truck ride and plan the walking areas around it. The official price list with opening hours and safari fares shows seasonal prices; times booked online are binding.

Allow around 20 minutes for the safari bus and about 50 minutes for the Africa Truck; the drive takes a variable amount of time in your own car. Allow extra time for walking and watching the animals. Half a day is a good estimate for visiting several areas. If you’re visiting with children or planning longer breaks, allow more time rather than scheduling tight connections.

By car, head to Štefánikova 1029; the large car park next to the park is free. Dvůr Králové nad Labem railway station is about four kilometres away on foot, and the central bus station is around two kilometres away. The operator lists local bus services to the Zoo stop from both stations. Since departures depend on the day of the week and travel date, check the current timetable for the last leg of your journey rather than relying on a particular frequency.

If you’re travelling without a car, the local bus is a convenient option for the last part of the journey; services depend on the day of the week. For a stay close to the destination, see accommodation in Dvůr Králové nad Labem. If you’re extending your trip with days of hiking, compare the bases in the Krkonoše Mountains by location and access.

On a separate trip to Moravia, you can combine a zoo visit with a castle: Zlín-Lešná Zoo and its seasonal castle offer a different kind of day out. It’s too far to combine with a single-day visit to Dvůr Králové.

Is the safari open in October?

The regular African Safari and Lion Safari are normally closed in October, outside the summer season. However, Africa Truck rides through the Lion Safari have been announced for every weekend in October 2026, as well as daily from October 28 to November 1, between 10 am and 4 pm. The special ticket costs 90 Kč and is sold only at the ticket office at the departure point.

Is it worth driving through in your own car?

In summer, this option gives you the most flexibility and takes you through both safari areas. The ticket costs 490 Kč per car, is valid only when every passenger has an admission ticket, and must be booked online for a time slot. In October, this regular drive is closed for the season; the announced special drive is offered by truck.

How do I get to the entrance without a car?

The railway station is about four kilometres away, and the central bus station is around two kilometres away. According to the operator, local buses run to the Zoo stop. Check that your outward and return journeys fit your visit day.