The Big Five of the Veluwe
- Various holiday parks on the Veluwe
- Lowest price guarantee
- 27,000+ genuine reviews (8.2)
Spot the Big Five on the Veluwe
Chances are you are familiar with the Big Five of Africa, but did you know that we can also talk about the Big Five among animals in the Netherlands? The Big Five of the Veluwe, that is. We are talking about the Scottish Highlander, the red deer, the wild boar, the roe deer and the fox. Some even speak of a Big Six or Big Seven, for the badger and the mouflon would not be out of place in this list either.
If you take an early morning walk or bicycle ride through the varied landscape of the Veluwe, chances are you will encounter one or more of these beautiful animals. In several places on the Veluwe, special wildlife arenas have been created where the Big Five come to graze or drink.
Did you know.
➤ You don't have to travel to Africa to see the Big Five of animals?
➤ The Veluwe's Big Five are most active in the early evening and early morning?
➤ There are several viewing screens or vantage points scattered across the Veluwe?
➤ You can book an exclusive tour for a special evening in nature with a guide from the Forestry Commission from April to September?
The Big Five, the pride of the Veluwe
Scottish highlander
This mostly red-brown breed of cattle likes to graze on the Veluwe. They are characterised by their long hair and horns. They are seldom aggressive, especially when ample distance is kept.
Ree
You can also spot this protected species on the Veluwe. The male roebuck lose their antlers every year after which they can grow back bigger the following year, up to 25 cm.
Red deer
The red deer is larger than the roe deer and even the largest deer found in the Netherlands. Males are called stags and females hinds. The deer's antlers can weigh up to 12 kg!
Wild boar
You can also encounter the wild boar on the Veluwe. This wild animal disappeared many years ago due to overhunting. Fortunately, it lives again in the wild on the Veluwe.
Vos
You will often see this wily animal on the Veluwe in a small group of conspecifics. On average, 6 foxes per group consisting of a male (rack) and several females (swamp fox).
Spot the Big Five on the Veluwe
The Big Five of the Veluwe may not include a lion or a buffalo, but the wildlife of the Veluwe sometimes comes pretty close in size. You may not even have to go out to spot wildlife. With a bit of luck, you will come across a roe deer at one of our holiday parks in the Veluwe. Deer can regularly be seen outside the Hoge Veluwe National Park.
In various places on the Veluwe, special wildlife arenas have been created where the Big Five come to graze or drink. An ideal way to spot the Big Five. It is also very convenient to book a safari with the forester or tour with a guide from Staatsbosbeheer during your holiday. These specialists of the Big Five on the Veluwe can tell you everything about these wild animals and with their knowledge and experience, you are more likely to spot them.
Your ideal place to stay to spot the Big Five of the Veluwe:
Tips for other outings on the Veluwe
Have you seen all the animals of the Big Five, or are you curious what else there is to experience on the beautiful Hoge Veluwe? This area is so versatile, a weekend in a holiday home in the Veluwe is actually not enough to discover it all. From a visit to a museum, animal park or amusement park to other sporting and cultural activities. The Veluwe is a wonderful place for nature lovers, culture lovers and sports enthusiasts of all ages!
These questions previous guests asked us:
What is the Dutch Big Five?
The Big Five of the Netherlands consists of the Scottish Highlander, red deer, wild boar, roe deer and fox. You can spot the Big Five on the Veluwe, the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands. The Veluwe is a beautiful area with a huge variety of flora and fauna.
What is the best way to spot the Big Five on the Veluwe?
If you want to spot the Big Five of the Veluwe, it is best to set off early in the morning. For this, it is of course nice to stay at a holiday park near the Veluwe so you can start your walk or cycle trip on time. During an organised safari with a guide from Staatsbosbeheer you have the best chance of spotting the animals thanks to the guide's knowledge and experience, which is also fun when you are on holiday with children. Going out on your own? Then try it at the special wildlife arenas.
