Wildlife and bird watching

Experience the Park

De Hoge Veluwe National Park is known for its high biodiversity. For wildlife and bird enthusiasts, several wildlife observation and birdwatching places have been built in the Park.

Photo made by: Jurjen Drenth

Wildlife spotting

To increase your chances of spotting the wild game, it is best to visit the observation sites at the end of the day. Around this time, the animals become more active and the animals reveal themselves more easily.

You can encounter wildlife almost anywhere in the Park, but the chances of seeing it are greater at the game observations and game meadows. The Park has three wildlife observation posts and five game pastures.
Scroll down for a map with locations.

Bird watching

Peace and quiet are essential for good birdwatching, so you'll notice the bird watching huts aren't directly adjacent to the trails. The four huts are essentially the same, transitioning from forest to a small clearing with bathing and drinking facilities. The watering holes are positioned close to the hides, allowing you to admire the birds clearly, and you don't necessarily need a telephoto lens to take a good photo. The hides are generally easily accessible by car, bicycle, and foot.

Locations huts

The map below shows the locations of the wildlife observation huts (marked with a red deer) and birdwatching huts (marked with binoculars).

A detailed map with roads and hiking, biking and equestrian trails is available for €2.00 at  entrances, the Museonder, and the Park Shop.