Den Lille Dyrehage, “The Little Zoo,” is a family-friendly animal park in Gjerstad on Brokelandsheia, right along the E18 between Kragerø and Arendal in Southern Norway. It’s a compact, hands-on zoo with a big heart, known for its intimate animal encounters, a humid tropical house perfect for rainy days, and welcoming staff who love to talk about their animals. If you’re road-tripping along the southern coast or basing yourself in Risør, Kragerø, or Arendal, this is an easy and rewarding stop.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the detour, the short answer is yes. Den Lille Dyrehage is ideal for families with kids under 12, animal lovers who prefer close-up experiences over mega-attractions, and travelers who want a relaxed couple of hours between coastal sightseeing. The park is small enough to enjoy without rushing, yet rich in detail so you don’t feel short-changed.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of Den Lille Dyrehage and how to plan a smooth visit.
Where It Is and How to Get There
Den Lille Dyrehage sits just off the E18 at Brokelandsheia in Gjerstad, Agder county. The location is strategic for travelers moving along the southern corridor of Norway.
By car: From Arendal it’s around 40 minutes, from Kragerø roughly 30 minutes, and from Oslo about 3 hours depending on traffic. Parking is typically straightforward and positioned close to the entrance, which is helpful if you’re juggling bags or a stroller.
By public transport: Regional buses along the E18 often stop at or near Brokelandsheia. From there, it’s a short walk to the park. Tip: Norwegian bus schedules can vary on weekends and school holidays. Check connections in advance and aim to arrive early to align with feeding times and talks.
Good to know: Brokelandsheia acts as a small service hub along the highway, so you’ll find fuel, snacks, and restrooms nearby even outside zoo hours.
When to Visit and How Long to Stay
The park operates seasonally with extended openings in summer and more limited hours in the shoulder seasons and winter. Summer brings daily openings and the broadest program of keeper talks and feedings. Spring and autumn weekends are usually open, often with a cozier feel and fewer crowds.
Plan for 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the animals, the tropical house, and a snack break. With younger children, you might stay longer, especially if the playgrounds and interactive experiences hit the sweet spot.
Local tip: On rainy coastal days, the tropical house becomes a lifesaver. It’s warm, green, and packed with atmosphere, so you can still have a memorable outing even if the weather turns.
What You’ll See
Den Lille Dyrehage focuses on smaller exotics and species that thrive in intimate, well-maintained habitats. The overall experience leans into learning, curiosity, and respect for animals rather than flashy performances.
Tropical house: This is the beating heart of the park. Expect a warm, humid environment where you can move through lush planting, peek into reptile enclosures, and watch small primates and birds. It’s one of the best places in Southern Norway to introduce kids to the idea of a rainforest ecosystem in a way that feels personal and tangible.
Reptiles and amphibians: The park has a reputation for a strong reptile collection. Look for snakes, lizards, turtles, and frogs arranged in well-labeled terrariums. If you or your children are nervous around snakes, the staff are excellent at demystifying them and answering questions.
Small mammals and primates: Expect engaging species that are active and curious. Keeper talks often highlight enrichment, diet, and the habits that make each animal distinct. Standing still for five extra minutes after a talk often yields bonus behaviors as the animals settle in and continue exploring.
Outdoor zones: On dry days, the outdoor enclosures are lovely for strolling and letting kids burn off energy between animal areas. Benches and picnic spots are placed sensibly, so you can pause and observe without blocking walkways.
Tickets, Timing, and Practicalities
Buy online if possible. It speeds up entry and helps you align with any timed programs. Lines are generally short, but sunny Saturdays in July can surprise you.
Arrive for the first keeper talk of the day. Keeper talks tend to set the rhythm for the visit. If you anchor your plan around one or two talks and a feeding session, the rest of the park falls into place naturally. Ask at the gate for the day’s schedule and mark your must-sees.
Strollers and accessibility: Paths are compact and generally manageable with a stroller. The tropical house is humid and may feel warm if you’re layered for Norwegian weather. Dressing in layers helps, and a lightweight blanket for napping kids is useful if you spend longer inside.
Food and drink: There’s usually a small café or kiosk with simple options. If you’re particular, bring your own picnic and make it a stress-free break mid-visit. Norwegians are unbothered by a thermos and packed lunch; you’ll fit right in.
Restrooms: Facilities are close to the central areas and well signed. For diaper changes, factor in a quick stop before heading into the tropical house, especially if you want to linger at a talk.
How to Structure Your Day
A simple plan works best:
- Start with the tropical house. While energy is high and curiosity is fresh, this is the most immersive area. Read the signage, which is clear and engaging, and enjoy the temperature shock compared to the coastal climate outside.
- Catch a keeper talk or feeding. These windows bring the animals to life and give context to what you’re seeing. Kids retain more when they’ve heard a story about the animal or seen the food prep.
- Snack and playground break. Let the kids reset. This keeps the second half of your visit cheerful and meltdown-free.
- Finish with the outdoor enclosures and a final loop. Animals you missed earlier may be active now, especially if the weather has shifted.
Personal tip: If you notice a group forming for a talk, find a spot a little to the side rather than directly in front. You’ll avoid crowding and often get a better angle for photos without blocking sightlines.
Visiting With Kids
Set expectations early. Explain that it’s a “little zoo,” which is exactly the charm. You’ll get closer to animals, have space to watch them quietly, and skip the miles of walking that big parks require.
Make it interactive. Ask kids to choose one animal to “study” for ten minutes. Count behaviors, listen for sounds, or sketch the enclosure. Slow looking makes the experience feel magical and turns the visit into a story they’ll tell later.
Bring layers. Norwegian weather changes quickly. You might step from coastal drizzle into a warm tropical house, then back into a breeze. A light rain jacket and comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.
Responsible Zoo Etiquette
Norwegians value respecting animals and nature, and Den Lille Dyrehage reflects that. Don’t feed animals unless a keeper explicitly invites you to. Teach kids to keep fingers away from enclosures and to use quiet voices during talks. If you see a sign explaining an animal’s rest time or sensitive period, take it seriously. These small courtesies make the park calmer for everyone and better for the animals.
Pairing Den Lille Dyrehage With Nearby Sights
One of the biggest advantages of this zoo is its location on the E18. You can combine it with:
Risør: A picturesque white-wooden town with calm waters, galleries, and boat life. Great for ice cream and a harbor stroll.
Kragerø: Lively in summer with charming streets and island-hopping opportunities. If the weather is good, take a short boat trip to get your sea fix.
Arendal and Pollen: A larger coastal town with cafés and boardwalks, easy to enjoy for an afternoon or evening meal.
Gjerstad and inland lakes: If you’re more into forests and freshwater dips, the inland areas offer swimming spots and low-key hikes that contrast nicely with the zoo morning.
Smart routing: Visit the zoo when the weather is mixed or rainy, then head to the coast if the afternoon clears. In Norway, this kind of flexible planning is the difference between a so-so day and a great one.
Budget and Time Savers
Pack water and snacks. It’s not about avoiding the café entirely, but having the essentials in your bag keeps things smooth between talks.
Book ahead in summer. Even if capacity isn’t an issue, buying tickets online often spares you from queues and lets you time your arrival with a talk.
Early or late arrival. Animals can be more active early in the day, and the park feels calmer in the last hour. If you dislike crowds, avoid the window right after lunchtime on warm, sunny Saturdays.
What to Wear and Bring
- Light layers to handle the tropical house warmth and cooler outdoor sections
- Comfortable shoes for short walking and standing
- Rain jacket since Southern Norway’s weather can turn quickly
- Daypack with water, snacks, and wipes for an easy reset anytime
- A small notebook or phone notes if you want to capture animal names and facts the kids can look up later
Local habit: Norwegians often carry a small thermos with coffee or cocoa. It turns a bench break into a little ritual and buys you fifteen quiet minutes while kids watch an animal.
Is Den Lille Dyrehage Right for You?
Choose Den Lille Dyrehage if you like intimate, educational animal experiences, if you’re traveling with children, or if you want a compact stop that still feels meaningful. It’s not trying to be a mega-park, and that’s the appeal. You’ll learn, you’ll slow down, and you’ll likely have a genuine chat with a keeper who knows the animals by personality, not just by species.
If you’re chasing a full-day blockbuster with rollercoasters and sprawling safari zones, pick a larger park on another day. But if you’re crafting a Southern Norway itinerary with a balance of nature, coast, and family-friendly moments, Den Lille Dyrehage is exactly the kind of place that quietly becomes a favorite.