BioPark Synevyr – Africa in the Carpathians, Synevyrska Poliana

BioPark Synevyr – Africa in the Carpathians is a hands-on animal park in the Rabachynka area near Synevyrska Poliana, in the valley of the Chorna river. On more than five hectares of mountain meadows and forest edges, over a hundred red deer, llamas, alpacas, Damascus «Shami» goats, monk parakeets and one-humped dromedary camels live in semi-free conditions without cages. The founders describe the dromedaries as Ukraine’s first «African» camels — hence the name «Africa in the Carpathians». The park was founded by Yurii Tiukh, who earlier created the nearby Wolf Valley Eco Park. If you are looking for a petting zoo in Zakarpattia where you can stroke and feed animals right in the meadow, it is worth stopping here on the way to Lake Synevyr.

What to do

The park is designed for calm and safe encounters with animals. Deer graze on wide slopes, while llamas and alpacas freely approach visitors and happily eat from your hand. The camels live behind a fence, but you can feed them too. Walking paths wind between the paddocks with views of the spruce-covered mountains and the river.

By the entrance stands a scaled-down copy of a bokorash bridge, a historic river structure on the Chorna that was destroyed by a flood. It recalls the old timber rafting days, when rafters known as bokorashi floated spruce logs down mountain rivers. It makes a good photo spot and a chance to tell children about the Carpathian raftsmen’s craft.

The team stresses its conservation goals: rare species of animals and birds are bred here, and some of the young animals are meant to be released into the wild later, including species that once lived in the Carpathians. Ticket money goes towards the animals’ upkeep.

For families with children

• Bring plenty of feed. It is sold at the ticket desk; the llamas are very insistent, so keep the feed in a backpack rather than a bag in your hand.
• Comfortable shoes. Some paths climb a fairly steep slope.
• Time needed. Allow an hour to an hour and a half to walk around all areas and feed the animals without rushing.
• Photos. Stags with big antlers look most impressive in summer and early autumn, while fawns appear in spring.

Visitors unanimously note that the animals are well cared for, calm and unafraid of people, and that the staff are friendly. It is a good choice for a family day when the children are tired of hiking but you still want to stay in the mountains.

Practical information

• Address: Rabachynka area, Synevyrska Poliana village, Khust district, Zakarpattia region, 90041.
• Opening hours: daily 09:00–19:00 (official website; Google Maps shows 09:00–18:00, so check in the cold season).
• Tickets: adults UAH 200, children 5–12 UAH 150, children under 5 UAH 100. Tickets are sold at the entrance desk. Feed is extra.
• Phone: +380 98 309 8938 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram).
• Website: bioparksynevyr.com; also on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
• Season: all year round.

How to get there

The biopark lies at the entrance to Synevyrska Poliana coming from Mizhhiria, on the road to Lake Synevyr. By car it is about half an hour from Mizhhiria and roughly one and a half to two hours from Khust. The Brown Bear Rehabilitation Centre of Synevyr National Park is in the same valley, so both are easy to visit in one day together with a walk to the lake. Minibuses from Mizhhiria and Khust to Synevyrska Poliana are infrequent, so check the timetable in advance. Mobile coverage in the valley is patchy.

At a glance

• Address: Synevyrska Poliana
• Opening hours: Daily 09:00–19:00 (official website)
• Season: All year round
• Prices: Adults UAH 200, children 5–12 UAH 150, under 5 UAH 100; feed extra
• Phone: +380983098938

Website and social media: bioparksynevyr.com · instagram.com · tiktok.com · facebook.com

Photos: bioparksynevyr.com.