Olomouc Zoo

Exciting safari on the hill

Olomouc Zoo is located on the forested slopes of Svatý Kopeček Hill, approximately 8 kilometers (~ 5 miles) from the center of Olomouc. It is one of the largest and most highly regarded zoos in the Czech Republic. The animal enclosures are set within a natural woodland environment, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The hilly landscape provides picturesque walking trails and diverse habitats for the animals.

The idea of establishing the zoo emerged in the 1950s. It was inspired by the small animal corner in Olomouc’s Smetana Gardens, which had become exceptionally popular with visitors. The planners ultimately chose the current location because the hilly, forested terrain of Svatý Kopeček was ideal for creating naturalistic animal enclosures. A large number of volunteers also participated in the construction. The zoo officially opened to the public on June 3, 1956. At that time, its collection was much smaller than it is today and consisted mainly of native European wildlife.

The zoo quickly became a popular destination, leading to a major expansion during the 1970s. Many of the landmark structures that visitors still see today were built during this period, including the observation tower, the large aviaries, the predator exhibits, and the African animal enclosures. In the 1990s, the zoo joined international conservation and breeding programs. This enabled it to acquire numerous rare species through the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and shifted its focus from simply displaying animals to conservation and scientifically managed breeding. In 2026, the zoo celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Among the zoo’s main attractions are the observation tower, extensive African exhibits, monkey and great ape habitats, predator exhibits, aquariums and terrariums, and a children’s area. Nature conservation plays a central role in the zoo’s mission, as Olomouc Zoo participates in numerous European breeding programs for endangered species. Its primary areas of focus include breeding endangered animals, supporting wildlife conservation projects, conducting scientific research, and providing environmental education for schools and visitors.

The zoo’s most popular attraction is the “Safari at Olomouc Zoo.” Visitors can only enter this area aboard the Safari Train, as it does not follow the regular visitor paths. Instead, it travels directly through several large enclosures, allowing passengers to observe the animals from close range. These enclosures are organized into themed zoogeographical zones representing Africa, Australia, the Arctic, Eurasia, and North America.

The observation tower

The observation tower is another unforgettable experience, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city of Olomouc, the Basilica at Svatý Kopeček, the Haná Plain, and the Jeseníky Mountains. The tower is a triangular steel lattice structure designed by architect Jan Navrátil and built between 1972 and 1974. Its structural framework consists of welded steel trusses, beams, and cross-bracing. The staircase is a freestanding steel spiral staircase with 128 steps leading to the observation deck. The platforms are steel-framed with metal flooring. The entire steel structure is protected with an anti-corrosion coating and painted in its distinctive blue and yellow colors. The tower stands 32 meters (~105 feet) above ground level, while the observation deck is located at a height of 29.3 meters (~96 feet).

For me, climbing the observation tower was an enormous personal challenge because I have acrophobia—a fear of heights. This condition can cause intense anxiety, a racing heartbeat, trembling, dizziness, sweating, and shortness of breath. Despite that, I decided to make the climb. One thing worth mentioning is that with this type of steel structure, you can actually feel the tower swaying ever so slightly as other people walk on it, and perhaps also because of the strong wind. For anyone who already has a fear of heights, that subtle movement only makes the experience even more intimidating. The first quarter of the climb felt relatively easy, although I had already started trembling simply from thinking about how high I still had to go. Even so, I was determined to reach the top. By the halfway point, I was sweating and becoming increasingly anxious. I had a powerful urge to stop climbing. A little voice inside my head kept saying, “I’m not going any higher. I’m turning back.” But I ignored it and continued.

By the time I had completed about three-quarters of the climb, my heart was pounding violently, and my anxiety had become almost unbearable. At that point, I stopped on one of the staircase landings and spent about five minutes doing breathing exercises to calm myself down. Knowing that I was completely safe wasn’t enough—these are physical reactions that I simply can’t control. Once I had regained some composure, I continued the final stretch. And I made it! I was standing on the observation deck, where I could truly appreciate the breathtaking panorama stretching across the surrounding landscape. I stayed there for about five minutes before I began to feel dizzy again, so I decided it was best to head back down. It was one of the biggest personal challenges I’ve faced, but I’m genuinely glad that I pushed through my fears and accomplished it despite every instinct telling me not to!