Animal Encounters in South Tyrol: Between Nature and Fascinating Creatures

South Tyrol is a land that enchants with its breathtaking landscapes, majestic mountains, and genuine hospitality. But there’s one aspect that often surprises visitors: the close and authentic relationship with animals. From classic farm animals to more curious and unusual species, here you can enjoy unique experiences, ideal for families, nature lovers, and curious travelers.

Farm Animals: The Charm of Authentic Encounters

In South Tyrolean farms, animal encounters begin in the most genuine way. Here, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, and chickens are not just attractions but an integral part of everyday life. Many farm stays and educational farms offer activities designed for both adults and children: milking a cow, collecting fresh eggs from the coop, or feeding baby goats become fun and educational moments for the whole family.

**Experiences with animals**
In South Tyrol, farm animals are often real family members!
Stefan Schweihofer

**Experiences with animals - Rossy Park**
At the Rossy Park at Rosskopf in Sterzing, it is possible to have wonderful experiences with llamas.
TG Sterzing Pfitsch Freienfeld

The Educational and Therapeutic Value of Contact with Animals

Contact with animals has well-known benefits: it stimulates communication, promotes empathy, and improves physical and mental well-being. Educational workshops on farms and playful learning activities organized by local associations offer precious opportunities to learn while having fun and respecting nature.

South Tyrol is much more than mountains, skiing, and hikes. It’s also a place where animals – from the most traditional to the most unusual – become the stars of memorable experiences. Whether it’s petting a llama or watching a golden eagle soar, each encounter leaves a lasting impression. One more reason to discover this region with new eyes… and maybe with two or four-legged companions at our side.

Special Encounters: Alpacas, Llamas, and Camels

**Lamatrekking in Ritten / Renon**
Every Wednesday is held a half day visit with lama trekking to visit the earth pyramids of Rittner.
Kaserhof

If you're looking for a unique experience, South Tyrol won’t disappoint! Here, you can meet alpacas and llamas – animals native to South America but perfectly adapted to certain areas of South Tyrol. Their gentle nature and funny appearance make them perfect for relaxing walks through meadows and forests.

And for those who truly love the unusual, there are even places that host camels – typically desert animals, yet present here in small farms for educational or recreational purposes. One such place is the Reierhof Wildlife Park in Gsiestal, where alongside alpacas and llamas, you’ll also find camels, bison, and ostriches.

**Gufyland - Raptors & owls live**
Experience raprors & owls live at Tyrol Castle in Dorf Tirol
Gufyland - Daniel Pichler

The World of Birds – Birds of Prey and Rare Species

South Tyrol also offers thrilling encounters with the bird world. A must-visit is the bird of prey center at Dorf Tirol, where you can witness spectacular flight demonstrations featuring eagles, hawks, buzzards, and eagle owls. The contact with these majestic birds is both fascinating and educational – perfect for the whole family.

In addition, birdwatching in South Tyrol’s natural parks – such as the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park – is a popular activity year-round, offering sightings of rare species still thriving in the region’s protected habitats.

Where to See Animals Up Close

In South Tyrol, you can observe an extraordinary variety of animals – wild, domestic, and exotic – thanks to the many wildlife parks, mountain huts, mini zoos, and nature reserves. Here are some of the main places where you can see special animals up close:

**Experiences with animals - Gufyland**
A demonstration at the Centre for the Recovery of Wounded Birds of Prey at Castel Tirolo.
Pflegezentrum für Vogelfauna

🦉 Owl Park – St. Vigil in Enneberg
Nestled in the woods, the Owl Park hosts over 100 nocturnal birds of prey, including owls and barn owls from 40 different species. Founded by falconer Mario, the park offers a unique opportunity to observe these fascinating predators in their natural habitat. Guided tours allow visitors to learn more about each species and their habits – a captivating and educational experience for both adults and children.

🦅 Bird Recovery Center – Schloss Tirol in Dorf Tirol
This center is dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of injured wild birds. Located on the hill of Schloss Tirol, it offers the chance to observe birds of prey like eagle owls, buzzards, and tawny owls up close. The flight demonstrations allow visitors to admire the birds in action, offering an engaging and educational experience.

🦙 Kaserhof Farm – Ritten Plateau
Kaserhof is well-known for its breeding of Arabian horses, llamas, and alpacas. It offers guided walks with llamas and alpacas through the surrounding forests, as well as horseback riding lessons and trail rides. The excursions vary in duration and difficulty and often include Tyrolean snacks in the midst of nature. A relaxing and immersive experience, ideal for families and animal lovers.

**Petting Zoo in the Hiking Area Speikboden**
You can find cats and rabbits, goats and calves, chickens and ducks in the Pettin zoo in the Family Park Speikboden.
Speikboden AG | KONI Studios

🐐 Rossy Park – Rosskopf, Sterzing
Located at 1,860 meters above sea level, Rossy Park is an alpine play area that hosts a petting zoo with dwarf goats, donkeys, ponies, and llamas. In summer, visitors can join guided hikes with llamas, combining a love for animals with the beauty of the mountain landscape. The park is easily accessible via cable car from the center of Sterzing.

🦙 Speikboden Mini Zoo – Speikboden
During the summer months, the Speikboden ski area transforms into a children’s play paradise, with a mini-zoo featuring rabbits, chickens, calves, and small ponies. The animals are very tame, and children can pet and feed them.

Whether it’s walking with llamas, observing birds of prey, or petting farm animals, South Tyrol offers countless opportunities for unforgettable experiences in contact with nature and animals. A perfect way to discover this region in a more authentic and heartwarming light.

Text: Silvia

We are a colourful mix of nature-loving, adventurous and creative editors. All based in South Tyrol, we share the love of writing and photography, the mountains and culture. Our passion is to constantly discover new stories about the land and its people, about identity and tradition, about South Tyrol's quiet places and thousand faces. With our texts and pictures, we want to show you the beauty of this contrasting region and arise your curiosity. But above all, we want one thing: to inspire you to travel.