Even the most active fans of beach holidays prefer to diversify it. It is always interesting to see the sights, go on a tour, especially when tourists find themselves in a previously unfamiliar country.
Tunisia is increasingly attracting the attention of Russian tourists. And not only because here you can comfortably relax on the well-kept beaches. In this country there are many interesting and unusual places for a European where you can fully appreciate the national flavor. Today, many of our compatriots have visited Tunisia (Hammamet). The Phrygia Zoo, as a rule, is included in the excursion program of each tour. We offer you to make a small virtual trip to this wonderful world.
Where is the park located?
To imagine where the Phrygia Zoo (Tunisia) is located, on the map below, find Hammamet, a wonderful resort town. It is located on the North African coast between the Mediterranean and the Sahara desert, near the capital of the country (about an hour away by car). The city is famous for its ancient streets, well-groomed beaches, mineral baths, first-class hotels - all that is inherent in the popular resort.
But there is one attraction in this city that has glorified it far beyond the borders of the country. This is the Phrygia Zoo. Tunisia has many magnificent parks, reserves, zoos. But this one is special, and then you will find out why.
Zoo "Phrygia" (Tunisia): description
This theme park, covering an area of more than thirty-six hectares, is located between Sousse and Hammamet. Its territory has become the home of more than fifty species of African animals. The park was created in 2000. It is made in the national style, like many African reserves: with huge open spaces and the absence of iron cells.
The Phrygia Zoo (Tunisia) was created in close collaboration with South African and European experts. They took part in an international program to save endangered species of animals. The park has an unusual architecture. The entrance, decorated with futuristic towers and arches, painted with colorful drawings in the national style, immediately attracts attention.
Zoo Features
The Phrygia Zoo (Tunisia) can hardly be called classical in the usual sense of the word. It does not apply to safari parks. Despite the fact that animals do not live in tight enclosures or cages and can move around the territory, their freedom is limited. Visitors observe the predatory inhabitants of the zoo from special flooring, and peaceful herbivores can be reached at arm's length.
Four hundred and twelve species of animals, birds and marine inhabitants live constantly in the park. Among them:
- Lions
- tigers
- cheetahs;
- funny lemurs;
- sea lions;
- Giraffes
- buffalos;
- Guinean baboons;
- kangaroo;
- antelopes;
- zebras;
- fallow deer;
- elephants;
- turtles;
- storks;
- pink flamingos;
- swans
- dolphins.
Meerkats are of great interest to tourists from Russia, because we are familiar with these animals only by special television programs. In the wild, they are very fast, brisk, rise on their hind legs and stand in columns, peeping from the grass. And in the zoo these animals are well-fed, slightly lazy, thick. Most often they sit, leaning back against the stones and hanging their solid tummies. All visitors try to treat them with something tasty, so they stand up in a column only to solicit the next good.
In the territory where the birds live, ostriches attract the general attention. Probably not everyone has ever seen them close, but here a low hedge separates them from them. These are very powerful flightless birds: very tall, with incredibly strong legs. And their faces are funny, even cute.
It's hard to describe the impressions of seeing pink flamingos. These birds of unearthly beauty live in a zoo in a huge aviary, on the territory of which there is an artificial lake and a lot of greenery.
Predators and herbivores are kept in different territories, in excellent, close to natural conditions. This distinguishes the Phrygia Zoo from many, including European, analogues.
Features
First of all, its design is impressive at the zoo, then, having walked around the territory, you understand that the animals here lead a completely natural way of life. This is due to the fact that they do not live in traditional cells, but in very spacious enclosures. Some inhabitants can be approached, stroked or treated. True, you have to pay for this pleasure. If you want to feed, for example, an elephant, stroke an ostrich or ride a camel, you will have to part with four dollars.
Well, with such formidable predators as leopards and tigers, no one will allow you to get to know each other better. For this, special platforms have been built in the park. These cats in the park are always so fed that they spend most of their time half asleep. They show the greatest activity before the next meal.
Dolphinarium
Two zones: the zoo itself and the dolphinarium - this is how the Phrygia zoo in Tunisia is divided. They have the same working time. It depends on the season: from October 1 to March 31, you can see animals from 09:00 to 16:30; From April 1 to September 30, the operating mode is extended to 19:30.
In the dolphinarium twice a day (at 11:00 and 16:00), there are bright and memorable shows of dolphins and sea lions. Experienced tourists recommend getting to the morning performance, because in the afternoon in the ethnic restaurant during dinner you can see incendiary Zulus dancing, accompanied by the sounds of tom-toms.
If you didn’t get to the morning performance, don’t be upset - you can watch the life of sea lions and dolphins through the glass walls of the pool. And those who wish can even swim with dolphins.
Leisure and fun in the park
We assure you that you will not be bored if you visit the Phrygia Zoo (Tunisia). Guest reviews indicate that the park management pays great attention to the rest of the guests. The park has many themed restaurants and cafes where you can taste traditional Tunisian dishes, as well as original treats of European cuisine.
The park administration also took care of picnic lovers. They have excellent viewing spots. In just two dinars, your children can ride on camels or cute donkeys. And in the evening do not miss the amazing show in the Shaka restaurant, which will introduce you to the world of the Zulus. Zulu evenings (Zulu evening) is very popular among visitors. Zulus (true, fake) arrange totem dances, sing, play national musical instruments. The spectacle is just fantastic!
Services
The organizers of the wonderful zoo, in which many animals live comfortably, do not forget about the convenience of their guests. They are offered the following services:
- riding a donkey, pony or camel;
- paid excursions;
- free access to herbivores;
- feeding a giraffe (products that can be purchased from staff serving the aviary);
- photo taken by an employee of the zoo unnoticed.
Frigia Zoo (Tunisia): how to get there?
There are two ways to get to the famous park.
By taxi
From the city of Monastir, the road will take a little more than an hour. From Sousse - less than forty minutes. The cost of the trip is about 40 dinars (specify the dinar rate before purchasing the tour), which by Tunisian standards cannot be called too cheap a trip (as of October 2016 it is about 1100 rubles). From Hammamet, a taxi ride is justified, as it is affordable.
By taxi
To use the services of this transport, you will have to search the station for “minibuses” in the city, which is called “louage station” here. Then choose a minibus, next in the direction of Phrygia Park. He stops having to take a little walk, not more than five minutes.
Ticket price
If you happen to be in this country, be sure to visit the Phrygia Zoo (Tunisia). The price of entrance tickets is low - for an adult visitor eleven dinars (about 300 rubles), and for children - six dinars (170 rubles).
The zoo has an original system of discounts. If you arrived by train to the park, then you only need to present a train ticket and you will be given a discount on entry.
Reviews
Tourists who have visited Tunisia always bring a lot of vivid impressions. Enthusiastic reviews about the wonderful park near Hammamet. In addition to the many animals seen in the zoo, travelers note the possibility of a good rest on its territory. They are delighted with the colorful design of the territory, close communication with previously unseen animals.
Many kind words are addressed to the organizers of the sparkling Zulus. The vast majority of vacationers believe that this is a great place that will diversify your beach holiday.