We’ve visited various theme parks and zoos in recent months, but my son really fell in love with Krazy World. We were invited to a birthday party there, and I can honestly say that organising your child’s special day at this park is a wonderful experience for the whole family.

Animal encounters and learning through play

At the entrance, you can purchase small bags of food to feed the animals. We started our tour by feeding the turtles, then continued to the petting farm, where you can interact with and feed goats and llamas. This was my son’s favourite part. It’s a great, educational and enjoyable activity for kids.

If you want to introduce your child to riding in a gentle and safe way, you can do so right next to the petting farm. Pony or a donkey ride is led by an adult on a small trail.


Donkeys make excellent mounts for beginning riders because of their patient, quiet nature and good common sense. Children have an opportunity to learn about grooming, petting, or learning how to care for the pony. This activity is perfect to build connection and confidence with animals and a great photo and video opportunity for the parents.

To cool off on hot days, pop to Spray Park and your kids will love splashing in the water fountains.

At lunch time, there’s an animal presentation, so we decided to get lunch at the restaurant, which offers the best view of the stage. Luis, who has worked in the Krazy world for 30 years, leads the presentations. He specialises in crocodiles and reptiles. When he joined the zoo in 1997, he started to work with moto4 and with animals on the petting farm and later got training to work with exotic species. It’s clear he loves his job; he is passionate about animals’ welfare and interaction with kids. The presentation is very educational and engaging with children. “Children are our future, and it is important to educate them about animal wellbeing, biodiversity and to destigmatise certain animals. For example, many people fear snakes, but I try to explain that snake is also a vital part of the ecosystem and play a role in maintaining ecological balance,” Luis explains.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tereza Pedro;

A park with a mission

After our delicious lunch, we explored Terra Exotika, the Reptile Pavilion, and enjoyed the thrilling dinosaur exhibit, a journey through prehistoric wonders. This pavilion also showcases a collection of snakes, from giant albino pythons to powerful anacondas. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! You can meet and interact with a wide variety of animals, including colourful birds, playful bunnies, gentle turtles, curious lemurs, formidable crocodiles, and many more fascinating creatures! At the reception, you can get all the information about private experiences with different animals.

We were lucky to get a personal experience with lemurs. Here I met Marlene, who has worked at Krazy World for over 10 years. She previously worked at another zoo, which didn’t match her ethical principles. She explained that all the animals in the Krazy World were rescued from organisations or individuals who had bought them illegally, often as a gift for their child. Once they realised how difficult it is to take care of exotic animals, they no longer wanted them. Many times, they are found in tiny cages and others were rescued directly from the streets of Lisbon!

“Currently, 70% of our species are brought to us by animal rescue organisations such as the AAP Exotic Animal Rescue Centre in the Netherlands, the ICNF Portuguese Institute of Nature and Conservation, and the RIAS Algarve Wildlife Recovery Centre. We don’t buy animals. Our main mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all rescued animals,” Marlene told us.

As she explained, animals are never forced to interact. Although there are four lemurs, only one chose to come see us and that’s ok. We had the chance to feed a lemur named Luigi healthy food like beetroot and fruit and take some great pictures.

After our time with the animals, we headed to a large area of green spaces and lush trees. You can choose to relax there or by the poll on sun loungers while children enjoy the pools with slides.

A fun beyond the animals

If you are looking for fun activity everyone can enjoy, an 18-hole mini golf course is a perfect and engaging activity for families. Good for all ages, it provides a relaxed atmosphere for quality time and friendly competition.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tereza Pedro;

Do you prefer something more adventurous? Try a thrilling game of paintball or a tree climbing, an adventurous activity that seamlessly blends physical challenge with the beauty of the great outdoors.

For cooler or rainy days, there’s a spacious indoor area with a restaurant and extra activities like face painting or bouncy castle.

Krazy World also organises an educational program, thanks to which children can experience practical experience to complement their theoretical classes. Guided visit to the petting far, presentation of exotic animals or animal feeding and interactions, everything is included.

A magical day for the whole family

At the end of our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Canez, the charming owner of Krazy World, who is clearly doing a great job in running this place.

The park's atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, making it ideal for a fun filled day for the entire family. From American crocodiles to Madagascar lemurs, this is the only park that offers such close interaction with a wide range of animals, while also offering variety of activities to ensure a fun-filled day in contact with nature.

Author

Tereza Pedro is originally from Slovakia and now based in the Algarve, with a master’s in mass media. Passionate about lifestyle and storytelling, she captures the essence of daily life through a blend of creativity, international perspective, and coastal living—all while raising her son.

Tereza Pedro