Anapa is a wonderful Black Sea resort and a very cute town with a population of only about 70 thousand people. It’s amazing how a relatively small area could accommodate so many zoos, of which there are as many as half a dozen. Which one should you choose to visit, since there is not much time at the resort, where people come mainly for the sea? What zoo in Anapa is so interesting that a trip there will be remembered for a lifetime? To decide, let's take a short excursion to each of them.
"Balu"
This zoo was called a safari park and named after Baloo Bear, one of everyone’s favorite Disney cartoon characters. Here, as is customary in safari parks, the animals are kept without cages. The Balu Zoo in Anapa has an unusual design. The usual iron bars are replaced with glass here, that is, essentially the same cages, only in a new way. On the one hand, this is quite good, because you can get a better look at all the representatives of the fauna and even “touch” with your hand a formidable tiger, lion or bear, if it suddenly occurs to them to lie down next to the glass. With such an innovation, this is the only zoo in Anapa. The photos here, if there is no bright sun and stand at the right angle, turn out unique. In addition to glass cages, “Balu” has several open enclosures for large animals and ponds with small islands in the center, where water lovers live. Entrance to the safari park costs 300 rubles for everyone, without exception, who is already 5 years old. This wonderful place is located near Lake Chemburk on Pionersky Avenue, 20A. You can get here on foot or by minibuses 128, 114 or 134. Get off at the Dolphinarium stop. There is a parking space nearby. There is no trade in anything on the territory of the zoo.
Exhibition at the Balu Safari Park
Everyone who has visited this zoo notes its clean, well-groomed territory and well-fed, healthy, happy animals. At first glance, it is clear that they are looked after here like family. Touching and feeding animals (those not behind glass) is strictly prohibited. This zoo in Anapa boasts a white blue-eyed tiger - a rarity even in the largest zoos in the world, a leopard, lions, llamas, wonderful cute ponies, reindeer, brown and Himalayan bears, a porcupine, a large collection of primates and birds. The reservoirs are inhabited by nutria, turtles, fur seals, and crocodiles. There is also a special corner on the territory called the night world. Here live animals that like darkness. The main disadvantage of this zoo is its compact size. Even if you walk along it slowly, 30 minutes is enough to see all the animals.
"Animal world"
This zoo in Anapa is called a contact zoo, because here, in contrast to the “Bal”, all the animals can not only be touched, but also fed. To ensure that the feeding does not conflict with the usual menu for zoo guests, food for each of them is sold at the entrance. Animals here are kept in ordinary cages, clean and spacious, or in well-equipped enclosures. The price of a ticket to Animal World is also pleasantly surprising and is only 200 rubles for adults and 150 for young visitors, and children under 3 years old are admitted free. Among other advantages, this petting zoo in Anapa is very conveniently located. The address of the establishment is 30th Anniversary of Victory Park. It is in the very center of the city, near the Pobeda cinema. There are many minibuses going there. You need to get off at the “Pochta” or “Second School” stop. Entrance to the zoo from Gorky Street.
Water park in Golubitskaya
Very close to the sea is the Amazon water park. The water park in Golubitskaya is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. Tickets are 700 rubles and 400 rubles for children. For children under 3 years old admission is free. Whether you need to buy a ticket to the water park as an adult or as a child depends not on the age of the child, but on his height. Above 120 cm – that’s it, adult! Our daughter, at 7 years old, was already quite an adult, judging by this gradation. There is also a hotel in the water park. If you rent a room there, visits to the water park are free for you. The room costs from 2500 rubles per night.
Inhabitants of the Animal World
This zoo in Anapa is one of the smallest. It’s called mini, but despite its rather modest territory, it leaves a good impression on adults and delights kids. There are not very many animals here, but not a few either. Among them are a family of kangaroos with the rarest albino in this species, worldly pigs, monkeys, raccoons, goats, sheep, lambs, a tame ostrich, which was born here from a brought egg, peacocks, toucans, talking parrots, a lot of other birds, they have their own small terrarium and aquarium with fish. Reviews from those who have been here are only rave. Although they are written by adults, in this wonderful corner of nature, where you can communicate live with our little brothers, for a while they seem to become children again.
How to get there
Temryuk - Golubitskaya
The easiest option is to get to Golubitskaya from the largest regional center of the Taman Peninsula - the city of Temryuk. Minibuses run between Temryuk and Golubitskaya almost every 15 minutes.
But you can get to Temryuk from different cities of the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea by bus ( schedule here ):
- from Anapa.
- from Novorossiysk,
- from Yalta.
From Anapa, Novorossiysk, etc.
The easiest and not so tiring thing is to get to Anapa, Novorossiysk (or Tonnelnaya station) and order a transfer by car directly to Golubitskaya.
Crocodile farm
This place can hardly be called a farm as such. Most likely, this is another petting zoo in Anapa, only here you have to pet and feed not cute fluffy bunnies and guinea pigs, but toothy crocodiles and insidious pythons. This fantastic corner is located on Grebenskaya Street, 4. It is not so far from Pionersky Prospekt, but it is more convenient to get there by taxi or your own car. Nearby are the Golden Beach water park and the Spartak stadium. The farm area is wonderfully decorated, there is a lot of greenery, there are funny animal figures where many visitors take pictures of kids, there is also an ice cream pavilion, and next to the farm there is a cafe where you can have a snack. Suspended and classic bridges are built over ponds with crocodiles to make it easier to see the toothy animals. Prices here vary widely. Thus, adults pay 600 rubles for entry, children over 3 years old - 500 rubles, feeding a crocodile with a fishing rod costs 200 rubles, and feeding other animals - 100 rubles. You can also pet reptiles in this zoo, but only with the permission of the instructor. And here you can take a photo with the most dangerous predator in your hands.
Lost island near the village of Golubitskaya
Geographically, Lost Island is located in Temryuk, but it’s very close to Golubitskaya. This is a completely unique and amazing place! Just imagine - the Kuban River flows into the Sea of Azov, and over many years the water has washed over a huge island on the border between the river and the sea. The views and landscapes there are simply extraordinary! This is a must see. Although the island is called “lost”, the service there is excellent - a beautiful huge beach, water activities, sun loungers, quad biking around the island, wonderful fishing, plus a barbecue yard with Caucasian cuisine, a buffet with Kuban cuisine.
You will be taken to the island by speedboat. A walk through the Kuban to the Sea of Azov is a wonderful entertainment in itself.
More information about prices for the Lost Island, as well as information about vacations can be found on the website www.island-lost.ru
Residents of the crocodile farm
Here you can see a lot of crocodiles of different breeds, both adults and kids. In addition to them, there are other reptiles on the farm, such as anaconda, python, predatory and peaceful turtles (kids enjoy riding on the latter and taking pictures, they are so huge). Children and adults will undoubtedly enjoy the pavilions with birds and animals, where you can see monkeys, rabbits, and goats painted in different colors. In addition, the farm has a butterfly pavilion, where beautiful creatures from all corners of the Earth are collected. In addition to contemplating the guests, they are allowed to feed. Meat is bought right here on the farm, fishing rods are provided. During the day, useful and interesting information about the animals living in this amazing place can be obtained from instructors, and in the evening, visitors can watch an extreme show.
"DoDo"
This zoo in Anapa could be called differently, for example, “Animal Paradise”, everything is so wonderful here! The DoDo Zoo is located not in Anapa, but in the village of Natukhaevskaya, which is 23 kilometers from the city. More precisely, on the outskirts of the village, so there is plenty of space for animals there. But getting here is not entirely convenient. By car you need to take the A290 highway. At the right turn there is a large zoo banner. You need to take a taxi or take a minibus or regular bus in Anapa going to the village, and then either walk or take a taxi. Ticket prices here are as follows: children under 3 years old do not pay, from 3 to 5 - 50 rubles, from 5 to 12 - 200 rubles, from 12 years old - 300 rubles for entry. The zoo has an equestrian club. Horseback riding lessons cost 700 rubles for one lesson, and 10 lessons cost 5,000 rubles. The territory of the zoo is not only huge, but also very beautiful. There are many flower beds, benches, and funny figures. There is also a toilet, a shop, a children's playground, and a large parking lot.
Sights of Golubitskaya
Almost all types of entertainment offered in the village are designed for family vacations.
Waterpark "Sea Reef"
This water park is the largest water park on the Taman Peninsula. The water park is open from June to August, from 10.00 to 19.00.
Ticket prices:
- Visitors above 141 cm - 800 rubles,
- from 101 to 140 cm - 500 rubles,
- up to 100 cm and up to 3 years - free.
Zoos and animal corners
The village has almost all types of entertainment involving animals (except for the circus):
- dolphinarium,
- big zoo,
- petting zoo,
- crocodylarium.
The Lukomorye Zoo , as its creators say, is the largest private zoo in the south. The zoo is open almost 24 hours a day: from 9 am to 9 pm, seven days a week from May to September. Tickets cost 500 rubles, children under 3 years old are free.
The crocodile farm in Golubitskaya is the largest in Russia. Here you can not only see many crocodiles and other reptiles, but also feed them! I remember the same attraction was in Alushta, the children were absolutely delighted. Ticket prices for adults/children:
- Visit with excursion 600/500 rubles,
- Visit with excursion + show 800 rubles.
Very young children (under 3 years old) attend for free.
Dolphinarium "Nemo" . Dolphins and fur seals are on display, dolphin therapy is separate.
The Raccoon House is a small petting zoo with raccoon therapy (it turns out that this happens), in which, in addition to raccoons, there are also exotic animals: spiders, toads, etc. The cost is 600 rubles for all departments of the zoo.
Mud lake Golubitskoe
Golubitskoe mud lake is located almost on the central beach of the village: it is separated from the Sea of Azov by a small hill. Here you can take a mud bath, and then walk to the beach and wash off the dirt, very convenient.
The only inconvenience is that the healing layer of mud is located under water, quite far from the shore, so you will have to try hard for the sake of recovery.
Read more about all the mud lakes and volcanoes of the Taman Peninsula here.
Fauna "DoDo"
The DoDo Zoo in Anapa is so large in area that at the entrance they offer to buy a map so as not to get lost. Enclosures for animals are as close as possible to their natural habitat. Among the happy inhabitants (there are forty species in total): meerkats, camels, llamas, monkeys, lemurs, peacocks and many others. On the territory there is a large pond where you can see a wide variety of waterfowl, such as mandarin ducks, swans, pelicans, there are cranes, ostriches, a large collection of chickens, pheasants and parrots. Many of them are happy to make contact, not at all afraid of humans.
Petting zoo Usadba in Golubitskaya with ostriches
The ostrich ranch is located in the village of Za Rodinu, but it is not far from Golubitskaya. Be sure to visit the ostrich farm if you go on vacation to the Sea of Azov towards Golubitskaya!
There you can interact with the animals, touch them, pet them and feed them by hand. In addition to ostriches, the petting zoo also has raccoons, squirrels, peacocks, turtles and even beavers!
You can also order very tasty dishes made from ostrich meat or ostrich eggs. Everything will be prepared for you right there in the cafe on the territory of the Usadba ostrich ranch.
"Lukomorye"
This zoo is also located not in Anapa, but next to it - in the village of Golubitskaya on Naberezhnaya, 1a. Ticket price for adults and children over 14 years old is 300 rubles. Up to 5 years - no payment, from 5 to 14 - 200 rubles. Photography here is paid and costs 50 rubles. The Lukomorye Zoo in Anapa is one of the largest. On its territory there is a pancake shop where you will be treated to delicious pancakes and ostrich egg omelet. The internal structure of the zoo is very convenient for its inhabitants and visitors. The former live in unusually spacious enclosures, always clean and well-groomed, while the latter can not only admire many animals without looking through the bars of the cage, but also pet everyone who comes close to the fence, and even feed some. The fauna of Lukomorye is rich and diverse. There is a huge collection of birds, many different animals, and there is its own terrarium.
Zoo "Lukomorye"
Stanitsa Golubitskaya is gradually turning into a year-round resort.
One of the objects that you can visit in this resort town at any time of the year is the Lukomorye Zoo. It opened just over two years ago, but has already gathered within its walls more than a hundred different animals, thereby becoming one of the largest natural parks on the Azov coast. The management placed the main emphasis on young visitors to the Lukomorya Zoo. The main feature of the Golubitsky Zoo is that almost all animals can be fed by hand (of course, under the watchful supervision of keepers and only with special food). Also, the Lukomorye Zoo is home to both wild and domestic animals.
Anyone who enters the territory of the Lukomorye Zoo will immediately be struck by the peculiarities of the Kuban flavor. The clean and wide yard, as well as the paths winding between the enclosures, invite you to go on an exciting walk. One of the largest and most visible objects of the Lukomorye Zoo is the Bird House. In it you will see various breeds of chickens, pheasants, geese, ducks, partridges and many other birds that can be found in nearby fields and courtyards. It is worth noting that the poultry yard in Kuban has always occupied a special place, and therefore was a unique symbol of prosperity and thrift. The immediate neighbors of the bird family of the Lukomorye Zoo are the giant Egyptian tortoise, as well as the sparrowhawk, which, like a vigilant guard, keeps order in this vast courtyard.
Large birds of prey such as eagles, vultures and vultures are kept in separate enclosures. A special place among them is occupied by the wise eagle owl, who recently turned fifty years old! Of particular interest to children are enclosures with goats, deer, raccoons, ferrets, opossums, mountain sheep, camels and other herbivores. Also in the Lukomorye Zoo live predators, which are represented by large cats (leopards, pumas), as well as wolves, foxes and jackals.
A separate kingdom in the Lukomorye Zoo is the terrarium. It contains a variety of lizards, chameleons, snakes (including large ones such as pythons, boa constrictors and even anacondas), as well as frogs and turtles. Here you can watch huge tropical cockroaches and spiders. Also at the Lukomorye Zoo there is a large open pond inhabited by magnificent Japanese carp. These fish are famous for their large size and unique pattern on their scales.
"Madagascar"
The most interesting zoo in Anapa is “Madagascar”. At least that's how it's advertised. It is located in the area of the 30th Anniversary of Victory Park, on Gorky Street 1B. Adults pay 600 rubles for entry; children under three years old are allowed in without paying. Here you can look at numerous inhabitants of the seas and oceans, including the world's largest shark, bloodthirsty crocodiles, poisonous snakes and spiders, peaceful animals and birds, even microbes. This is such a rich exhibition. Photographing all the inhabitants of Madagascar, with the exception of the shark, is not prohibited.
Dolphinarium in Golubitskaya
The Dolphinarium in Golubitskaya is located on Kurortny Boulevard. It's next to the sea, a three-minute walk. The dolphinarium is open from 12 noon to 4 pm. Keep in mind that Monday is a day off at the Golubitskaya Dolphinarium. A ticket to the dolphinarium costs 500 rubles. For disabled people, combatants and large families – 250 rubles. You can swim with dolphins. five minutes in a pool with dolphins will cost you 2,000 rubles, 10 minutes - 3,000 rubles. There are no benefits for anyone here anymore. You can photograph dolphins. But for money. Filming costs 450 rubles.
Impressions from the visit
“Madagascar” is Anapa’s most controversial zoo. On the one hand, the organizers have done a lot to attract as many visitors as possible. On the territory of “Madagascar” they placed a tunnel oceanarium, the zoo itself, a terrarium and a hall with microorganisms, that is, microbes and other microscopic living creatures. On the other hand, there are many animals, but there is not enough space for them. The glass in the aquarium is not the freshest, it is hard to see through them. In a terrarium, snakes and other inhabitants are squeezed into aquariums that are small for their size. Therefore, many who visited this zoo in Anapa leave less than enthusiastic reviews. The first place to complain is the hall of microorganisms, which is a small room with two working screens on which something incomprehensible is projected. Why is it unclear? Because there is no guide in Madagascar, each visitor figures out for himself what is in front of his eyes. There are also comments in the reviews that there is an unpleasant smell in the halls from the activity of animals; not all cages and aquariums have explanatory signs.
