Ranua Wildlife Park: Day Trips and Tours from Rovaniemi

From polar bears to brown bears, lynxes and dholes, Ranua Wildlife Park is home to a remarkable range of exotic animals for visitors to discover. These creatures are all native to the Arctic Circle and offer a glimpse into the natural world of Lapland.

On a day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi, you’ll learn all about these magnificent beings, from their origins to current threats of endangerment or extinction.

Here's all you need to know about Ranua Wildlife Park, one of the most exciting day trips from Rovaniemi.

How to get to Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi?

Ranua Wildlife Park is located in southern Lapland, approximately 80 kilometers south of Rovaniemi.

From Rovaniemi to Ranua Wildlife Park by car

The journey to Ranua Wildlife Park by car from Rovaniemi takes just under an hour, following Route 78 all the way.

From Rovaniemi to Ranua Wildlife Park by bus

You can also make the jaunt to Ranua Wildlife Park by bus, which takes just over an hour. You’ll depart at the Ranuan Eläinpuisto I stop and walk the remaining 3 minutes to the park.

Guided tour to Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi

Another option is to book a guided excursion to Ranua Wildlife Park. These day tours generally begin between 9 AM and 10 AM with a convenient hotel pickup service and last between 5 and 6 hours.

How much does the entrance ticket to Ranua Wildlife Park cost?

If you decide to purchase your Ranua Wildlife Park tickets online in advance, you’ll benefit from approximately 10% off the below rates.

• Adults: €23.50
• Children (aged 4-14): €19
• Student: €19
• Senior: €22.50

What is the typical itinerary?

Usually, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation on the morning of your Ranua Wildlife Park day trip. From there, you’ll travel an hour by bus or minivan through the vast Lappish countryside to the zoo.

Along the way, you may see wildlife in their natural environment, including majestic reindeer and elk, which are native to this corner of the world. Upon arrival at Rauna Wildlife Park, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of all species, learning about their habits and history as you go.

Once you’ve finished marveling at the arctic beings, you may return to Rovaniemi. Alternatively, some day tours to Ranua Wildlife Park end with an energizing hiking expedition up to Ounasvaara viewpoint.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Ranua Wildlife Park?

There are several different options for selecting a Rauna Wildlife Park day trip to suit you.

Day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi

Start your day tour to Ranua Wildlife Park with a scenic drive through the stunning vistas of Lapland. On arrival, you’ll roam the zoo alongside your guide, learning about the range of species that Ranua is home to, including polar bears and wolves.

You’ll learn all about these beloved arctic creatures and the threats that are driving some of them toward extinction, before enjoying a traditional Lappish lunch.

Private tour to Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi

If you wish to have a more personalized experience, book a private day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park. You’ll be able to spend more time viewing the animals that interest you and enjoy the one-on-one attention of a guide to provide you with interesting tidbits of information.

After lunch, you’ll have some free time to shop for souvenirs or run back to see your favorite arctic mammal before returning to Rovaniemi.

Day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park plus Ounasvaara from Rovaniemi

Those looking to discover more of Lapland can book a combination day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park. On top of admiring the myriad of spectacular arctic species that reside in the zoo, you’ll also have the opportunity to hike Ounasvaara.

This viewpoint towers over Rovaniemi and offers unforgettable views that stretch endlessly across the Lappish landscape.

How much does a day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi cost?

A basic day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park costs between €100 and €120 per person. This includes round-trip transportation, park entrance fees and the services of a knowledgeable guide. Some of these tours also include lunch.

You’ll pay around €160 per person for a combination tour that includes the viewpoint of Ounasvaara.

Private Ranua Wildlife Park day tours cost approximately €170 each and include lunch, as well as refreshments throughout the day.

What will you see and do?

Ranua Wildlife Park opened in 1983 and is still, to this day, the northernmost zoo in the world. It specializes in showcasing arctic animals to tourists and attracts over 100,000 visitors per year. The zoo is home to a collection of 50 species, totaling over 200 animals.

One of the most exciting inhabitants of the zoo is Finland’s only polar bear. There are currently around 22,000 polar bears left in the wild, a number that is steadily declining as global warming causes the polar ice caps to melt. This change in environment makes hunting seals increasingly difficult for the bears.

Ranua Wildlife Park is home to several other iconic arctic species, including reindeer, moose, brown bears and arctic foxes. More unusual specimens that call the zoo home include bank voles, European minks, lynxes and wolverines.

There are also a number of birds on display, including five species of owls — eagle owls, tawny owls, Ural owls, snowy owls and short-eared owls. Other birds include ravens and honey buzzards.

The zoo is dedicated to high levels of welfare and some of its inhabitants are fostered after being left alone in the wild by their mothers. Ranua Wildlife Park is also part of several protection schemes, as well as research projects. These allow the zoo to collect detailed information on different species in order to preserve the status of wild populations, without causing any harm or distress to the creatures.

The zoo aims to return some of its animals to nature when it is safe to do so, in order to increase the population of a particular species. It has also provided care and rehabilitation for over 90 species of injured wild animals.

What are the opening times?

Ranua Wildlife Park is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM throughout the year.

When is the best time to visit Ranua Wildlife Park?

Many of the animals that can be seen at the arctic zoo hibernate during the winter months. In order to see as many different species as possible, you should plan your day tour to Ranua Wildlife Park during the summer months.

Travel tips

• Remember your camera on your Ranua Wildlife Park day tour, as there are plenty of fascinating creatures to capture.
• During the summer months, the temperatures in Ranua range dramatically from approximately 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Take spare layers with you in case the weather takes a chilly turn.
• Consider participating in a snowmobile safari while at Ranua Wildlife Park for an unforgettable trip.