Moritzburg Game Reserve - native wildlife in the historic forest park
Nestled in the centuries-old forests around Moritzburg Castle, the 45-hectare game reserve invites you to experience Saxony's wildlife up close. Where electors once hunted, red and fallow deer, wolves and lynx now roam through extensive enclosures and amaze nature lovers and families alike.
Highlights of the game reserve
Free-roaming herds of deer
Over 300 animals - from the stately red deer to the rare white-tailed deer - live in near-natural enclosures and can be easily observed from the panoramic huts.
Wolf Gorge with panoramic windows
Visitors can experience the male wolf and his pack silently from a few meters away through floor-to-ceiling glass panes - a goosebump moment for young and old.
"Thiergarten" since 1580
The park dates back to a princely hunting reserve from 1580 and is considered the oldest game park in Saxony; parts of the original sandstone walls have been preserved to this day.
Moritzburg Game Reserve - historic wildlife garden (since 1580) & modern species conservation paradise
Duke Moritz of Saxony laid the foundation stone for the "Alte Thiergarten" in 1580 in order to always have enough game available for festive court hunts. Under Elector Johann Georg IV, the area was extended in 1693; since then, the game reserve has been an integral part of the Moritzburg cultural landscape. Today, Sachsenforst looks after more than 20 native species - including moose, lynx, wildcats, mouflon and wild boar.
Modern educational trails clearly explain topics such as forest ecology and species conservation. A special project is the reintroduction of the endangered white-tailed deer, whose first Moritzburg herd moved in in January 2025.
There is an adventure playground for children, automatic feeders for fallow deer and regular show feedings with commentary. If you want to delve deeper, book a guided ranger tour - wildlife biologists tell exciting anecdotes about hunting traditions and nature conservation.
Opening hours and prices
- March - October: daily 09:00 - 18:00
- November - February: Sat, Sun, public holidays & Saxon school vacations 09:00 - 16:00
Admission prices
- Adults: 5 €
- Children (3-17 years): € 2.50 - valid all year round
Forester tour: + € 7.50 adults / € 5 children (plus admission) - prior registration recommended
Arrival and surroundings
The game reserve is located just 15 km northwest of Dresden.
By car: B S 81 to Moritzburg, well signposted parking lot at Radeburger Straße 2.
Public transportation: Bus line M (Meißen - Moritzburg) to the bus stop "Wildgehege".
Experience tip: Combine your visit with a ride on the nostalgic Lößnitzgrundbahn or a walk over to Moritzburg Castle (approx. 2 km) and the romantic little pheasant castle on the castle pond.
Stay overnight in
our house
Welcome to the Churfuerstliche Waldschaenke - a historical jewel in the middle of the Moritzburg cultural landscape!
Here you can stay in a unique ambience, surrounded by nature and history. Situated between the castle and the Fasanenschlösschen, our hotel invites you to leave everyday life behind and enjoy pure relaxation.
