Schmetterlingszauber — Special Exhibition Tierpark Gettorf

Tropical Butterflies in the Heart of Schleswig-Holstein

The Schmetterlingszauber is one of the most original special exhibitions in Schleswig-Holstein's event calendar. Instead of a folk festival or concert evening, the Tierpark Gettorf offers a real tropical climate for three months every summer: temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and humidity that gets exotic butterflies flying, feeding, and breeding prevail in the Paradise Hall. Walking through the hall, you move among tropical plants, feel the humid air — and see hundreds of butterflies in their free flight.

Close-up Nature Encounters

The butterflies are not in cages or display cases but move freely within the hall. They land on benches, sometimes on visitors' shoulders, hands, or heads. Zookeepers feed them with overripe tropical fruits at feeding stations, offering visitors particularly good observation and photo opportunities. The butterflies come from tropical breeding programs worldwide — typical examples include the large Morpho butterflies with their iridescent blue wings, swallowtail species, and colorful glasswing butterflies.

Family Program and Zoo Context

The Tierpark Gettorf itself, with around 80 animal species on 7 hectares, is one of the most vibrant family zoos in Schleswig-Holstein. Penguins, monkeys, chimpanzees, lemurs, cheetahs, kangaroos, exotic birds — the spectrum extends far beyond the classic local zoo. The Schmetterlingszauber is included in the regular admission price, making the visit attractive: those who visit the zoo anyway get the special exhibition for free.

Gettorf — Small Village, Big Zoo

Gettorf is a municipality with just under 7,000 inhabitants in the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, about 12 kilometers north of Kiel. The zoo is a major tourist attraction in the region, drawing visitors from all over northern Germany and neighboring Denmark. The Paradise Hall was built specifically for the butterfly exhibition and is one of the most visited areas of the park.

Three Months Season

Unlike a festival with a central opening weekend, the Schmetterlingszauber is a summer season exhibition: you can come anytime over 13 weeks. Tip: a visit in the morning (before 11 am) is quieter and allows for more intensive observation; the hall gets busier on weekends.