Alpakarnia Poczesna (Alpaca Farm and Mini Zoo)

Alpakarnia Poczesna in Nowa Wieś (Poczesna municipality), just outside Częstochowa, started out as an alpaca farm and has grown into a family park with a mini zoo and playground. According to the operator it is home to around 100 tame alpacas and over 200 animals of more than 20 species – from capybaras and zebras to flamingos and lemurs.

Alpacas and the mini zoo

The alpacas remain the main attraction – gentle South American relatives of the llama in every shade of fleece, which visitors can stroke and feed with specially prepared food. Around the grounds you will also meet capybaras (the world's largest rodents), zebras, flamingos, lemurs, meerkats, camels, kangaroos, parrots, monkeys, ponies, sheep and goats. Among the less common species the operator lists long-haired Poitou donkeys, rheas – South America's largest birds – scarlet ibises and grey crowned cranes.

Activities for children

The ticket covers every attraction on site with no extra charges. Besides the mini zoo, children can use the playground, rope park, trampolines and bouncy castles, and there is a souvenir shop. The park also hosts children's birthday parties and school trips, so expect groups on weekdays in season.

Tripto tips

According to the operator's website, from 1 April to 30 September the park opens daily 10:00–19:00, in autumn until 31 October 10:00–18:00, and from 1 November to 31 March Friday to Sunday 10:00–17:00. A ticket for anyone over 3 costs PLN 45, under-3s go free, visitors with disabilities pay PLN 25 and Large Family Card holders PLN 35. No booking is needed, but tickets can be bought online. Address: ul. Sadowa 1, 42-262 Nowa Wieś. Allow 2–3 hours with children, and feed the animals only with the food intended for them.