While the majority of the tourists around the place often miss out on the wildlife and natural attractions around the country of Belgium, the place has definitely got quite a lot to offer in terms of beautiful national parks and wildlife reserves. Even though Belgium is most definitely a small country, it does host a wide range of wildlife around which is what makes it one of the unexplored wildlife reserves around the world.
Owing to the Law on Nature Conservation, there are three types of protected land around in Belgium, nature reserves, forest reserves and obviously, the national parks. There are over 500 such protected places that are home to a wide range of wildlife that is spotted around the country of Belgium. But, what makes it even more popular is the fact that there is a wide range of national parks one can visit to witness the Belgium wildlife.
Wildlife In Belgium
When it comes to describing some of the best and most popularly spotted wildlife in Belgium, the possibilities are quite enormous. Some of the most popular animals that you can spot around include various species of game, foxes, wolf, wildcat, wild boar, lynxes etc. You can even find a varying range of red deer and roe deer as well. Apart from the animals, there is a wide range of birds as well.
The range of plants in Belgium includes a lot of varieties too. It is home to over 350 variants of birds all around the place. Some of the most commonly spotted ones include Gulls, terns, buzzards, falcons, and larks.
Best Places To Witness Belgium Wildlife
Check out the detailed list of the various places you can visit to experience the best wildlife around in Belgium. Keep scrolling down to know more!
1. Hoge Kempen National Park
When it comes to witnessing the Belgium wildlife, the Hoge Kempen National Park is one of the best spots to visit around. This specific national park was developed back in 2002 and is spread around the entirety of the area around in the forest in the Flanders. The area prior to becoming a national park was used around for the sole purpose of mining. Later with the sanctioned area to be transformed into a national park, the gravel pits were successfully transformed into artificial lakes to beautify the entire area. The national park is home to over 6000 species of both flora and fauna including a wide range of reptiles, butterflies and even dragonflies. The place is not just popular around for witnessing the wildlife, you can even walk around or cycle if that is something that entices you.
Location: 3630 Maasmechelen, Belgium
Entry time: open 24 hours
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2. Valleys Of The Burdinale & Mehaigne Natural Park
The next on the list of the amazing Belgium wildlife around is found in the Valleys of the Burdinale and Mehaigne Natural Park. The place is named after the two distinct rivers that run through the place and hence the name includes Burdinale and Mehaigne. The natural park is spread around a total area of 11000 hectares in Wallonia. It is known around globally for the wide range of biodiversity it is home to. Apart from the same, it is also quite popular for the rich presence of the wildlife that Belgium is known around for. The entire area is situated around in a protected area to ensure proper security of the animals who reside there.
Location: Rue de la Burdinale 6, 4210 Burdinne, Belgium
3. The Zwin Nature Reserve
When it comes to witnessing wolf in Belgium, the best place to experience that is in the Zwin Nature reserve. Located on the Belgian-Dutch border, this is one of the most popular protected spots around in Belgium that dates back to the years of the 1930s. It was named and designated as a nature reserve by the year of 1952 following which it has been there protecting a wide range of wildlife and animals found around in the place. It is actually one of the oldest nature reserves around in Belgium and is one of the best places to visit if you want to see the popular wildlife in Belgium. The entirety of the landscape is covered in marshes and dunes and a part of it is shared by the Netherlands too. It is also an amazing spot for the migratory seabirds.
Location: 8300 Knokke-Heist, Belgium
Entry timings: open 24 hours
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4. High Fens-Eifel Nature Park
The High Fens-Eifel Nature Park is yet another one of the popular natural reserves located around in Belgium. It is predominantly located around in the Walloon province of Liège and the German Eifel region. The nature park does date back to 1957 and has since then been a very popular site for the tourists to visit. It is also home to the highest points in Belgium, the Signal de Botrange. Some of the most popular and commonly spotted wildlife that are witnessed around in the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park is the wild boar, wildcats, roe deer and quite a few more. It is also popular amidst the tourists who have a knack for hiking and cycling around the place.
Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium
Entry timings: open 24 hours
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5. Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve
Yet another one of the amazing nature reserves around in Belgium is the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve. Majority of the tourists who have visited this place have exclaimed stating that this place is amazing for bird watching and for a nice walk around the place. The weather around is very calming and tranquil which is what makes it one of the best around the place. It is quite easily accessible because it is located close to the city center and is amazing for people who like to bird watch.
Location: Driepikkelstraat 32, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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6. Parc De Furfooz
Yet another one of the amazing wildlife parks with an impeccable view is Parc de Furfooz. It is located near Ardenne and is considered as one of the best places to visit if you want to experience wildlife and also hike through some steep hills and cliffs around. The wide range of spectacular mountains along with the rivers around make this place a must visit for every single person visiting Belgium.
Location: Rue du camp Romain, Dinant 5500, Belgium
7. ZOO Planckendael
If the concept of the zoo is not something you are very enthralled about, the ZOO Planckendael is definitely going to change your mind for good. The place has a very big and open area for the animals to freely move around in without obstructions. It has a wide range of wildlife and birds that you can witness. Best for the kids because they can view the animals from very close proximity.
Location: Leuvensesteenweg 582, Mechelen 2812, Belgium
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Best Time To Visit
If you are visiting Belgium with the sole purpose of viewing the animals and the plants around, the best time is to visit during April to June or from September to October. The weather is very pleasant during those months which make it perfect for you to explore, hike and visit the natural reserves of Belgium in.
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Visiting Belgium is definitely a lot of people’s bucket list wish. If you wish to cover every base of the Belgian beauty, the wildlife and plants definitely need quite the attention to. Book your trip to Belgium and make sure to visit and explore these places without fail.
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