A night with Giraffes in Switzerland: Family Tips and Highlights for an Unforgettable Stay
- Camilla
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
We found a truly unique and unforgettable experience in Switzerland.
On Friday afternoon we set off full of excitement, heading in the direction of Rapperswil and the Knie’s Kinderzoo (children’s zoo). It’s here, in a cosy cabin located directly next to the giraffes enclosure, where we would be spending the night.
Check-in was extremely easy and we were greeted by our host who is young apprentice from Swiss Family Hotels and would be our point of contact during our stay. He was very helpful and gave us some pointers to maximise our experience.
The cabin is very cosy and has everything you need for a short stay including double bunk beds, shower, eating area, fridge and plenty of equipment for smaller guests.
We decided to walk around the zoo before heading back to enjoy the sun on our private terrace and before long, the zoo keeper came by with some branches so that we could feed the giraffes ourselves. This was a really wonderful experience and enabled us to get really close to these beautiful creatures who shared their enclosure with some zebras who also came to say hello.
There are a number of options for dinner including take away, you could prepare something in the cabin yourself or try the award winning Thai restaurant which is situated within the zoo. We opted for the latter and had a delicious meal in gorgeous surroundings during the celebration of the Thai new year.
We went to bed early because the next morning we would be meeting a zoo keeper at 7.30am to help give the giraffes their breakfast. This consisted of compressed hay pellets which we were able to feed the giraffes straight from our hands. Alba absolutely LOVED this despite quite a lot of dribble and tongue licking involvement. The giraffes were so gentle and even the babies were curious enough to let us feed them.
Back at our cabin, our own breakfast was delivered. This comprised a generous selection of bread and pastry, cheese, eggs, charcuterie and yoghurt as well as a selection of drinks. We enjoyed our feast in the sunshine outside as the zoo started to wake up for the day.
We decided to take another walk around the zoo which is a really great place for children with activities, playgrounds and entertainments as well as lots of animals to see of course. We stopped to have a coffee before heading back to our lodge to pack up for home.
This is truly a unique experience in Switzerland and we loved the feeling of being immersed in zoo life where we quickly forgot about the world outside. The giraffes were so impressive, gentle and curious, it was really a joy to be able to get within touching distance. That, combined with comfy beds and great food, made this a really unforgettable stay. Alba told me on the way out that she would like to be a zoo keeper when she grows up so I think that says it all😃.
Information
👉 Next booking release: June 1st at 10 AM for stays in September & October 2025 – be quick, it sells out fast!
🦒 What’s Included in the Giraffe Lodge Stay
Overnight stay inside the giraffe enclosure at Knie’s Kinderzoo
Fully equipped lodge for families (crib, toys, high chair, kitchenette, etc.)
Private bathroom and cozy sleeping arrangements
Breakfast basket delivered to your lodge
2 full days of zoo admission for the whole family
Evening giraffe feeding on your private terrace
Morning giraffe care experience with zookeepers
Free reserved parking
Experience one of Switzerland’s most unique family adventures at the Giraffe Lodge by Swiss Family Hotels—an overnight stay inside the giraffe enclosure at Knie’s Kinderzoo in Rapperswil. This beautifully designed lodge includes everything families need, plus exclusive access to giraffe feeding with the zookeepers.
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