A Rainforest Journey Full of Life

Home to the planet’s richest diversity of life, tropical rainforests are teeming with highly specialized animal and plant species. At Wilhelma, over 1,100 m² of immersive jungle trails in the Albert-Schöchle Amazon House recreate the dense South American lowland rainforest, inspired by Brazil’s Tapajós National Forest. Thanks to scientific cooperation, Wilhelma replicates the real conditions of the Amazon: temperatures between 24 and 28°C and humidity around 80% all year round.

At a glance:
Animal species: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish
Fun fact: The Amazon House was named after Albert Schöchle, Wilhelma’s director from 1933 to 1970. The €9 million project (18 million Deutsche Mark) was supported by the Friends & Supporters Association.

Rainforest Life on Display
From golden lion tamarins, white-faced sakis, to black howler monkeys, many of Wilhelma’s primates can be spotted both indoors and outdoors during summer. Two-toed sloths often delight visitors with new offspring, while a panoramic glass window reveals the world above and below the river, where broad-snouted caimans swim beside massive arapaima in a 100,000-liter tank.

By nightfall, leaf-nosed bats take to the air, while rain frogs help control insect populations. Green iguanas munch leaves in places unreachable by gardeners. In total, around 25 free-roaming animal species and 130 plant species thrive in this lush habitat.

Jungle Playground Adventure
Just next to the Amazon House, a 1,000 m² playground lets kids become little rainforest explorers themselves. Hidden among tall shrubs and trees, the natural-style play area features a bamboo maze, a giant basilisk lizard sculpture, and wooden structures with ropes, treehouses, bridges, and slides.

Inspired by the Amazon River itself, a dedicated water play zone lets kids splash, experiment, and cool off before heading off to see monkeys, lions, or elephants elsewhere in the zoo.