Darica Faruk Yalcin Zoo

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Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park is located right next to Istanbul, where you can easily go every day of the week. Are you ready to go on the Darica Faruk Yalçın Zoo Tour, where you can take your child’s hand and see hundreds of animals from different geographies together?

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Darıca Faruk Yalcin Zoo and Botanical Park, which is very close to Istanbul and right next to it, is a nature park that you can visit with your family on weekdays or weekends. In addition to the zoo, it offers you a spacious trip in the botanical-themed nature park created on the wide area where it was established.

İçindekiler / Index

Who is Faruk Yalçın?

Before visiting the Faruk Yalcin Zoo and Botanical Park located in Darıca nature park, let’s briefly get to know who is Faruk Yalçın, who gave his name here.

It is interesting that Faruk Bey, who attaches great importance to children, was born on April 23, 1923, during the years when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk declared the Republic, exactly on the Children’s Day. The years he received his university education in Switzerland with a scholarship, which he described as the turning point of his life, was his Golden Age. Faruk Yalcin, who received engineering education, returned to his country in the 1950s and continued his life as a businessman.

In fact, I would like to give a very interesting information about Faruk YALCIN. Aziz YILDIRIM, one of the former Fenerbahce presidents, is also Faruk YALÇIN’s nephew. In other words, his uncle is Faruk YALÇIN.

Similar to Faruk Yalçın, Ali Nihat Gökyiğit designed the Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden in memory of his wife and presented it to Istanbulites. Although there are a few animal species, it does not have a variety like Darica Zoo.

In the 90s, it opened the first private zoo of our country in Darıca, Kocaeli. Not only financially, he contributed his time, effort and knowledge to this beautiful nature park and the zoo by working voluntarily, which is very close to Istanbul. Faruk Yalçın passed away in 2008.

I saw a similar Darıca Zoo, where both the Botanical Park and the Zoo are in the same place, in the Cologne Zoo and Botanical Garden, which we visited during our Cologne trip.

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Faruk Yalcin Zoo Transportation Information

Darica Faruk Yalcin Zoo and Botanical Park, located within the borders of Kocaeli, but very close to Istanbul, appeals to visitors of all ages from 7 to 77. How to get to Faruk Yalçın Zoo Park from Istanbul?

1- Transportation to Darica Zoo by Marmaray

It is possible to reach Darıca Zoo by using the Halkalı – Gebze Marmaray line, which provides transportation from one end of Istanbul to the other. There are 2 different ways to go to Faruk Yalcin Zoo campus with Marmaray.

Get off at Osmangazi Station with Marmaray, the first mode of transportation, and you can reach the area by using the free shuttles of Faruk Yalçın Zoo. This method is the easiest and fastest method of transportation.

Weekdays at 11:00 and 13:00

On weekends, FYZoo shuttles depart from Osmangazi stop at 10:30 – 11:30 – 12:30 – 13:30 – 14:30 and 15:15.

Get off at Gebze stop with Marmaray, walk to the stop in front of Gebze Technical University, which is about 10 minutes away from here. At this stop, you can get on the Kocaeli Municipality bus with line number 17B and get off at the Sultan Mehmet stop and enter the zoo from there. With this transportation route, you can reach Darica Zoo in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

To go to Faruk Yalcin Zoo from Istanbul Airport, you can take the Havaist İST-1Y line bus and reach Darıca with Marmaray services from Yenikapı Marmaray stop.

2- Transportation to Darica Zoo by Mecidiyeköy – Gebze Line

You can get on the 252-Kartal bus from Şişli Mecidiyeköy İETT stops, get off at Göztepe Bridge stop, transfer to the 130Ş line, get off at the Gebze Esenyalı Turn, get on the 17B line Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality bus and get off at the Sultan Mehmet stop, and then reach Faruk Yalcin Park. With this method, you can reach the zoo in an average of 3 hours.

Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Park

3- FYZoo Transportation with your vehicle

You can reach Darıca Zoo by leaving the Gebze exit on the D-100 highway or TEM highway from Istanbul by car and following the signs. You can park your car in the paid parking lot on the opposite side of Faruk Yalcin Zoo and enter the campus. You do not have to use the paid parking lot. You can also park your car on the streets near FYZoo.

Faruk Yalçın Zoo Ticket Fees

To enter Darica zoo, you can buy tickets online from the ticket offices at the entrance or online. You can use the Darica Zoo website for online tickets. The current entrance fees of Faruk Yalcin Zoo for 2022 are as follows;

Age Group	Ticket Fee
0-3 Age Group	Ücretsiz
3-17 Age Group	99.90 ₺
Students	99.90 ₺
Disabled	39.90 ₺
Adult (18-64)	159.90 ₺
Adult (65+)	109.90 ₺
Family-4 (2 Parents+ 3 Kids)	599.90 ₺
Family-3 (2 Parents + 2 Kids)	499.90 ₺

Darica Zoo Ticket Fees

In addition, a discount of 10₺ is applied for adult tickets purchased through the Faruk Yalcin Zoo website, and a discount of 40₺ is applied for family package purchases.

You could previously buy Faruk Yalcin Zoo entrance tickets on Biletix. Since this application has been terminated, online tickets can only be purchased through the Faruk Yalcin Zoo website.

Darica Zoo may offer discounts or free admission for children from time to time. For example, it announces on its official website whether there will be a discount on national holidays and especially on April 23 Children’s Day, or that the zoo is free.

I heard from my environment that they apply a student tariff to the teachers at the entrance of Darica Zoo. But unfortunately there is no clear information on this subject.

The Museum Card is not valid at the entrance of Darica Zoo, which is well ahead of popular comment and evaluation sites.

Faruk Yalçın Darıca Hayvanat Bahçesi Giriş — Zoo Enterance

Darica Zoo Annual Membership Tariffs

1- Annual Standard Membership

The price table is as follows to take advantage of the Standard Membership opportunities and discount advantages, where you can enter Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoo an unlimited number of times for 1 year;

Standard Family Membership: 399 ₺
Child Annual Membership(3-17): 249.90 ₺
Adult Annual Membership: 349.90 ₺
Student Membership: 119.90 ₺
Family-1 (1 Adult + 1 Child) Annually: 569.90 ₺
Family-2 (1 Adult + 2 Children) Yıllık: 809.90 ₺
Family-3 (2 Adults + 1 Child) Annually: 899.90 ₺
Family-4 (2 Adults + 2 Children) Annually: 1069.90 ₺
Family-5 (2 Adults + 3 Children) Annually: 1299.90 ₺
20% discount for annual memberships on store purchases.

2- Annual VIP Membership

By purchasing a VIP membership, you can enjoy unlimited access to the Zoo and Botanical Park throughout the year, special excursion programs, free FYZoo parking, as well as 20% discount at the Fyzoo Store, Zoo Cafe and Theme Park.

** VIP memberships have been suspended due to the pandemic.

Darica Zoo Working Hours

Faruk Yalçın Zoo, Turkey’s largest theme zoo, which hosts thousands of animals from hundreds of species, is open to the visit of animal lovers every day of the week.

Darica Faruk Yalcin Zoo
Visiting Hours
9:30 am. – 6:00 pm.

Darica Zoo & Botanic Park Contact

Address: Piri Reis Mah. Tuzla Cad. No:297 Darıca/Kocaeli
Tel: +90 262 653 66 66

Zoo Weather

Although the Darıca district of Kocaeli, which is very hot in the summer season, has a sweltering weather of 35-38 degrees, the trees and green area in Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park provide a very cool environment. Therefore, you do not get bored while visiting the park. If you get bored despite this, you can cool off from the cafes and kiosks you will often come across in the zoo.

Animal Species in Faruk Yalcin Zoo

Let’s get to know the sections you will see during the Darica zoo tour, which foreign visitors call “Animal Kingdom and Botanic Garden“, and some of our lovely animal friends living in these sections.

A long green road welcomes you at the first entrance. You will see African Lemurs in the left and right sections protected by nets. But before that, a wooden sign welcomes us. In this brown sign, you can examine the comparison of human footprints with crocodile, bird, polar bear and chimpanzee footprints.

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1-Skeleton Headed Monkey

The Skeleton-Headed Monkey, whose original homeland is South America, is our lovely friend who first greeted us during the Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoo Tour. It got this name because its head resembles a skeleton.

This animal, whose Latin name is “Saimiri Sciureus“, is the species with the largest brain in terms of body mass among the monkey species. In addition to plant foods, it is fed with fruit and protein-rich bird eggs.

Adults can reach 1 kilogram in weight and 30 cm in length. Average lifespan is about 20 years. It is the first animal species you will see when you enter the Darica zoo.

Faruk Yalçın Hayvanat Bahçesi - İskelet Kafalı Maymunlar

There is a closed area right next to the section where the skeleton-headed monkeys are located. When you enter here, you will be greeted by the “Dwarf Monkey House” with animals originating from South Africa.

2- White Faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia)

Living in Brazil, Venezuela, Venezuela and other South American territories, these monkeys are famous for being monogamous. Family ties and puppy care are extremely important. They feed on seeds, seeds, fruits and plant foods. They meet their protein needs with eggs and insects. White Saki, which have a lifespan of about 15 years, can grow up to 2 kilograms and 40 centimeters.

3- Armadillo (Chaetophractus Villosus)

The Latin name of the animal called Armadillo, which continues their lives in South America and especially in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Santa Cruz geography, is “Chaetophractus Villosus” and they give birth to 4 cubs in their natural habitat in the spring season of each year, in a period of approximately 2-2.5 months.

In the zoo, which is far from their natural habitat, they can breed in any season of the year. Armadillos, which like to live in the soil, are invertebrates and usually feed on worms and insects. Also, since they are very shy animals, we were only able to photograph half of their body in 5 tries.

When it senses danger, it wraps around itself and takes shape like a snail. This Armadillo, which can live for 20 years, can reach a weight of 3 kg and a length of 40 cm.

4- Sloth (Choloepus Didactylus)

You can see the cute Sloth, which we all know very well, in the “Dwarf Monkey House” area in Darica Zoo. The endangered sloth has been redlisted. Its natural habitats are Central and South America. It is classified as the slowest moving mammal.

They can sleep up to 20 hours a day. Because they live upside down, the arrangement of their internal organs is different from that of other mammals. Even the hairs and hairs on their bodies grow in the direction of gravity. Since sloths are herbivores and carnivores, they do not choose food.

Sloths that spend a small part of their time awake live up to 20 years. They can grow up to 9 kg in weight and 90 cm in length.

5- Brown Capuchin (Cebus Apella)

The Brown Capuchin, found in the Dwarf Monkeys section of the Darica Zoo, lives in Central and South America like its other neighbors.

Brown Capuchin

The important feature of this species is that they are conscious of seeing their own image when they look in the mirror. They live as carnivores and herbivores. Shellfish are wise enough to break them with stones and eat the inside. Their long lifespan is almost close to humans, they live up to 40 years. They can reach 5 kg in weight and half a meter in length.

6- Agoutis (Dasyprocta Azarae)

Agoutis, who live in a wide area from the Mexican coast to the southern parts of Brazil, have curved nails on their front feet. On the hind legs, there are 3 thicker claws.

Only in certain seasons of the year, females dig nests in the ground and give birth to 2 or 4 cubs. The main foods he eats are fruits and roots. Agouti have a lifespan of 20 years. They can grow up to 3 kg in weight and half a meter in length.

7- Lemurs

You can see 5 different types of Lemurs in the Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park campus. They are located in the astroturf-sized area insulated with the net that comes after the Dwarf Monkeys.

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a. Black and White Collared Lemurs (Varecia Variegata)

This type of lemur wakes up early in the morning and is very active until late afternoon. In their natural habitat, they walk on forest paths and jump from branch to branch. It uses its tail both as a balance tool and as a 5th leg. It can cling to branches with its strong tail. In this way, his feet can travel long distances without touching the ground.

They usually feed on fruits and oilseeds. Unlike many other animal species, lemurs have female dominance over males. They mark their area and defend against other species and non-herd lemurs. They live up to 25 years with a weight of 4 kg and a length of up to 60 centimeters.

They can use their teeth like a comb to comb the fur of other lemurs. Females are more likely to give birth to twins. A female can even give birth to 6 offspring at a time. They build nests out of leaves on high branches, and the young can stay safely there when the mother goes in search of food. Puppies that complete 4 months are considered to have stepped into adulthood.

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b. Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur Catta)

In this lemur species, which live in groups of 20, the female is in the center. They lead family life. They have defense strategies against attacks from outside the herd. Baby lemurs suckle on their mother’s lap or rest on their backs, sheltered.

They feed on invertebrates such as worms and insects, as well as flowers and leaves. Their tails are in the air when they are looking for food. They can use their tails as a means of communication. There are pioneers who watch. If it detects danger, it warns its group with its voice. Ring-Tailed Lemurs can live an average of 25 years, with a length of 45 cm and a weight of up to 2.5 kilograms.

c. Red Collared Lemurs (Varecia Rubra)

Red Collar Lemurs, who spend most of their time in the branches on the tree, hardly step on the ground, unlike other species. They live in groups and socialize with other family members while they eat. Strengthening family ties between them has almost become a traditional ritual. It is the most vocal lemur species.

There are 12 known different tones. They can make their voices heard and communicate from long distances, even in the forest. Cubs are born as twins or quadruplets. After developing in their nests in the branches for the first few weeks, they are taken into the mouth for a while and carried between the trees, and then travel on the back of their mother. The lemur, which has completed 4 months, is considered to have taken a quick step from puppyhood to adulthood. With an average length of 60 cm and a weight of 3.5 kg, they have a lifespan of 30 years.

d. Black Lemurs (Eulemur Macaco)

Although they are called black lemurs, they can also be brown in color. Until recently they were thought to be separate species. However, both brown and black lemurs belong to the same species. There are equal numbers of males and females.

They live in groups of twenty. As with other lemurs, family ties and defensive instincts are highly developed. They don’t like to go out in the sun much. Among the foods they eat, they prefer invertebrates such as insects and caterpillars, as well as leaves, fruits and vegetable seeds. Lemurs, who communicate with each other by making screaming noises, live an average of 25 years. Their length is half a meter and their weight is close to 3 kilograms.

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e.Mongos Lemur (Eulemur Mongoz)

Unlike others, this type of lemur is more active at night during dry seasons. They are worn during the daytime in rainy weather and in winter. Males have gray and brown plumage. The females have gray-white plumage. Females take precedence over food and speech. Unlike other lemurs, they communicate not by sound, but by the smell they emit. The longest living lemur species are the Mongos Lemurs. They reach a weight of 3 kg and a length of 35 cm during their 36-year lifespan.

8- Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Giraffes, one of the animals that children are most curious about, are indispensable in zoos. Faruk Yalçın There were 3 giraffes we observed in Darıca Zoo. We caught him eating grass under a canopy made of reeds in a large grassy field.

The meter for measuring the height on the walls of the giraffe’s nest, located at the edge of the green area, was very interesting. Giraffes share their habitat with a few flightless birds in this part. The ostrich you see in the picture is one of them.

9. Capybara (Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris)

Capybaras, the world’s largest rodent species, take their name from Brazil, that is, Portuguese. They eat 3-4 kilograms of grass a day. They spend most of their time in water.

They can stay out of breath underwater for about 5 minutes. Just like lemurs, they live in groups of 10 and 20. They communicate with growling and whistling sounds. They can make sounds that resemble dog barking. Capybaras, which live up to 15 years, can reach a weight of 70 kg and a length of 130 cm.