Hilvarenbeek: Light Safari at Beekse Bergen

The Light Safari turns Beekse Bergen into a glowing walk through time. Instead of watching most animals roam after dark, you follow a route filled with 5,000 luminous animals, plants, and flowers, arranged across 14 themed eras. It is part art show, part winter outing, and part gentle wildlife experience.

I like the strong storytelling, which gives the walk more purpose than a string of pretty lights. I also like the chance to look into the elephant and monkey enclosures in the evening. The main drawback is simple: food along the route is limited to snacks and drinks, so you should not arrive expecting a full dinner.

Key points

• Fourteen eras create a clear story: Follow the tale from the birth of our planet through dinosaurs, the Ice Age, ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, and an imagined future.
• Five thousand lighted figures fill the route: Animals, flowers, and plants provide plenty to look at as you walk through the park.
• The evening animal access is selective: Most animals retreat indoors, but the elephant and monkey enclosures remain open.
• Winter treats add warmth: Hot chocolate, freshly baked snacks, and campfires make the squares along the route useful resting points.
• The $25 price covers Light Safari entry only: Daytime admission to the safari park and the parking exit ticket cost extra.
• The outing is easy to book with flexibility: Dutch and English support is available, wheelchair access is provided, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the visit.

A glowing walk through 14 eras

The best way to think about Light Safari is as a long visual story rather than a normal animal park visit. You move from one period to the next, with each section showing how animals and nature fit into the story of Earth.

The route begins at the very start of the planet. From there, it moves into the age of dinosaurs, then toward the cold world of the Ice Age. Later sections turn to the cultures of the Greeks and Romans, continue through the mystical Middle Ages, and finish with a look at a future that does not yet exist.

The 14 time zones are the backbone of the experience. They keep the evening from feeling like a random collection of lamps. You have a reason to keep walking, since each section changes the setting and the story.

I especially like this format for families and mixed-age groups. Younger children can focus on the size and color of the glowing creatures, while older children and adults can follow the timeline. You do not need to know much about geology or ancient history to understand the basic flow.

The exact length of the walk is not specified, so plan for a full evening rather than a quick stop. The route is designed as a one-day experience, and the event is available at set starting times based on current availability.

Earth’s beginnings and the dinosaur age

The opening eras take you back millions of years. Lighted plants, flowers, and animals help create the sense that you are moving through different stages of the planet’s development.

The dinosaur section is likely to be one of the easiest parts for children to connect with. The appeal is direct: large prehistoric creatures, a dark setting, and a story that moves far beyond the modern animal park. The lights provide the spectacle here, not live dinosaurs, so set your expectations accordingly.

This early part also gives the event a useful rhythm. You are not simply walking past the same type of display again and again. The theme changes as you move through time, giving the next section a reason to feel different.

If you are taking photographs, the glowing displays will be the main subjects. The route is built around light art, so the experience works best after darkness has settled in. The event is not a replacement for a daytime safari, and daytime admission is not included in the Light Safari ticket.

The Ice Age and the role of nature

The Ice Age section shifts the mood. After the heat and drama suggested by the dinosaur era, the story moves into a colder world shaped by ice, animals, and survival.

This section is a good example of why the timeline matters. The lights do more than decorate the park. They connect animals and plants with the conditions around them, helping you see nature as part of a long process rather than as a series of separate displays.

The route also gives you a chance to slow down. The squares along the way are intended as places to pause, warm your hands, and get a drink. A crackling campfire can be especially welcome during a winter evening, though the exact availability of food and seating may depend on the night.

The practical point is important: dress for standing and walking outside after dark. The event is built around an outdoor route, and the warm drinks and fires are comforts along the way, not a substitute for warm clothing.

Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages

Later eras turn from natural history toward human history. The Greek and Roman sections add a cultural layer to the walk, showing how people have understood animals, plants, and the wider world across time.

You should not expect a museum-style history lesson. The appeal is visual and atmospheric. These sections use the light displays to suggest older civilizations and their relationship with nature. That makes them a pleasant change of pace after the dinosaur and Ice Age zones.

The Middle Ages section brings another mood, described as mystical. This is likely to appeal to anyone who enjoys atmospheric evening events more than a plain display of illuminated objects. The changing themes also help groups with different interests. One person can enjoy the historical setting, while another focuses on the animals and light designs.

Because the route includes 14 eras, these historical sections are part of a larger sequence. You do not need to spend a long time at one period. Keep moving at your own pace, and use the squares as breaks when you want a drink or snack.

A look at the future before the campfire finish

The route ends by looking ahead to an imagined future. That final shift gives the evening a proper closing idea: you begin with the birth of the planet, pass through major periods of natural and human history, and finish by asking what might come next.

I like that the ending is not simply another display area. It gives the walk a sense of direction. After the future section, you can settle into the more relaxed part of the evening, with warm drinks, freshly baked treats, and a campfire nearby.

Food is one area where you should plan carefully. The available choices are described as snacks and drinks, with hot chocolate and baked treats among the options. That works well for a quick bite or a warm pause, but it may not satisfy you if you arrive hungry for a proper meal.

A useful approach is to eat beforehand and treat the route food as part of the event. That lets you enjoy the cozy squares without waiting in line while trying to solve dinner. Lines can take patience, particularly when many people want hot drinks at the same time.

What you can see of the animals after dark

The name Beekse Bergen may lead you to expect a normal safari evening, but Light Safari has a different focus. As night arrives, the animals retreat to their indoor shelters. The light displays become the main attraction.

There is one important exception. The elephant and monkey enclosures are open during Light Safari, giving you a chance to see these animals in their evening settings.

That limited animal access adds real value, but you should not confuse it with full access to the daytime safari park. Admission to the safari park during the day is not included. If you want the regular daytime animal experience as well, you need to arrange that separately.

I see this as a strength for people who want a more unusual evening at a wildlife park, but a limitation for anyone mainly interested in seeing many live animals. The Light Safari ticket pays for the illuminated route and the selected evening enclosures, not a full day of safari activities.

Is $25 a fair price?

At $25 per person, the value depends on what you want from the evening. For a standard walk through decorative lights, that price might feel high. Here, the event adds a 14-era story, thousands of illuminated figures, themed sections, access to two animal enclosures, and winter food stops.

The ticket is strongest value for you if you plan to stay for the whole route and enjoy the atmosphere. Families, couples, and groups looking for a seasonal night out will get more from it than someone hoping for a short photo stop.

Remember the extras. The daytime safari park is not included, and the parking exit ticket is also excluded. Food and drinks along the way are separate purchases. The listed price therefore covers the core Light Safari experience, not a complete day at Beekse Bergen.

The event has a rating of 4.8 from 23 reviews, with especially strong praise for the quality of the storytelling and the charm of the setting. That matches the design of the experience: its main success is not only the number of lights, but the way the route gives them a clear sequence.

Language, access, and planning details

The experience is hosted in Dutch and English. No individual guide names are provided, and this is not described as a guided walking tour with a named leader. You should expect to follow the route through the park with host or greeter support available in those languages.

Wheelchair access is provided. Since the event takes place along a walking route, check the current route details when booking if you have specific mobility needs. The supplied information confirms access, but it does not give details about slopes, surface types, or the length of every section.

Pets are not allowed, although assistance dogs are permitted. This matters if you are planning a family evening with an animal in tow.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the activity. A reserve now and pay later option is also available, which is useful when your North Brabant plans are still shifting. The ticket is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability.

Who will enjoy Light Safari most?

I would choose this for anyone who likes a strong theme, night-time displays, and an easy pace. It is particularly suitable for families, since the dinosaurs, animals, and changing eras give children plenty to notice.

It also suits adults who want a winter evening with more structure than a simple light trail. The historical sections, campfires, hot chocolate, and unusual animal access give the outing several layers without making it feel like a formal lesson.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is a full safari with many live animals. Most animals are indoors at night, and the daytime safari park requires a separate ticket. You should also reconsider if you need a full restaurant meal during the event, since the food offer centers on snacks and drinks.

For photographers, the route offers many glowing subjects. Just remember that the displays are the focus, and the exact conditions of night photography can vary with crowds and available light.

The final call: book it or not?

Book Light Safari if you want a well-organized winter night built around a story. The 14 eras give the walk a clear shape, the 5,000 illuminated figures supply plenty to see, and the elephant and monkey enclosures add a genuine animal element.

I would book it as an evening event, not as a replacement for a daytime safari. Eat before you arrive, budget for hot drinks or snacks, and allow enough time to enjoy the route rather than rushing from one era to the next.

At $25, it is a fair choice for a full evening of lights, atmosphere, and selected animal viewing. It is less convincing if you only want live animals or a quick visit. For families and anyone who enjoys a good story told with light, this third edition has a lot going for it.

FAQ

Where is the Light Safari held?

It is held at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, North Brabant, Netherlands.

How much does the Light Safari cost?

The listed price is $25 per person.

How long is the experience valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. You should check availability for the available starting times.

Is daytime entry to the safari park included?

No. Entry to the Safari Park during the day is not included with the Light Safari ticket.

Can I see animals during the evening?

Most animals retreat to their indoor enclosures for the night. The elephant and monkey enclosures remain open during Light Safari.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed. Assistance dogs are permitted.