# Affenwald Malchow: Barbary Macaques Up Close & Summer Toboggan Fun > URL: https://genuss-ferien.de/en/blog/affenwald-malchow-barbary-macaques-up-close-summer-toboggan-run-fun > Language: en > Description: No bars, no glass: at Affenwald Malchow you walk right through the Barbary macaque enclosure – and the summer toboggan run is waiting next door. All our tips for a family day out. --- Suddenly there he is, not two meters away, sizing you up with amber eyes: a full-grown Barbary macaque, right in the middle of the visitor path, completely unfazed. At **Affenwald Malchow** there are no bars and no glass – you stroll straight through the forest enclosure of an entire extended monkey family, while all around you they climb, squabble and doze. Together with the summer toboggan run right next door, it is the family classic of the Mecklenburg Lake District – and just ten minutes from Jabel. We’ll tell you what to expect and how to get the most out of your trip. Here you can experience the Barbary macaques up close – and the summer toboggan run guarantees plenty of fun. ## What to expect – our top 5 moments ### 1. Eye to eye with the Barbary macaques The concept of the Affenwald is as simple as it is brilliant: it’s not the monkeys who are locked up – the visitors are their guests. Along the paths through the sprawling forest enclosure, the animals are everywhere – they climb through the pines, sun themselves on tree stumps, squabble over the best spots or groom one another in complete peace. If you stand still patiently, you’ll see the group at close range and quickly spot the characters: the self-assured boss, the watchful mothers, the cheeky adolescents. An experience that makes any zoo visit pale in comparison. ### 2. Feedings with keeper know-how At set times the group really springs to life: during the public feedings the monkeys gather around the keepers, and along the way you learn who is actually in charge here, how the hierarchy in a Barbary macaque family works and why the animals don’t feel the cold at all in a Mecklenburg winter. The keepers know every animal by name and life story – and patiently answer even the hundredth question from the kids. Plan your visit around a feeding and you’ll see the most. ![Young Barbary macaque sitting on the grass at Affenwald Malchow](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/affenwald_malchow_1.avif "Young Barbary macaque in the Affenwald") ### 3. Baby alert in early summer May to July is the cutest time in the Affenwald: that’s when the young ones romp through the enclosure – at first still clinging tightly to their mother’s belly, later riding on her back and finally making their first wobbly attempts at climbing on their own. The whole group helps raise them; even the big males patiently carry the little ones around – a behavior that makes Barbary macaques special among primates. This time is unbeatable for photos, so don’t forget your camera. ### 4. Full speed on the summer toboggan run Right next to the Affenwald, the adrenaline part of the day is waiting: on the **Malchow summer toboggan run** you race down the track in a sled – you set the pace yourself with the brake lever, from leisurely to ambitious. Small children ride safely in their parents’ sled, older ones proudly steer on their own. It’s seriously addictive: hardly anyone rides just once, and there’s a good reason for the multi-ride tickets. Together with the Affenwald, that makes a half-day program kids will be talking about for a long time. ### 5. Panorama break with a lake view From the hilltop of the toboggan run, a wide view opens up over Malchow and the surrounding lake landscape – the perfect backdrop for the family photo and a breather between runs. If you like, you can extend the trip afterward into the [island town of Malchow](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/blog/roebel-an-der-mueritz-malchow-jabel-3-towns-that-will-enchant-you): ice cream at the harbor, a stroll through the island’s lanes and, on the hour, the spectacle of the swing bridge opening. That turns your Affenwald visit into a complete Malchow day. Vacation by the lake ## Book camping, a rental caravan & a marina berth [Search & Book](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/search-book) ![](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-liegeplatz-buchen-1440x960px-01-320x214.avif) Lakeside pitch Caravan, motorhome, campervan & tent Power hookup Water at the pitch Dogs welcome New sanitary facilities from **€46.00** / night [Booking overview](https://booking.camping.care/genuss-ferien-natur-und-strandcamping/?lang=en) [Camping](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/camping) ![](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-camping-mit-hund-miet-wohnwagen-1440x960px-1-320x214.avif) Rental caravan For up to 5 people furnished fully equipped pets allowed from **€89.00** / night [Booking](https://booking.camping.care/genuss-ferien-natur-und-strandcamping/accommodations/168374?lang=en) [More info](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/camping#miet-wohnwagen) ![](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-liegeplatz-am-hafen-1440x960px-e1784275701276-320x214.avif) Berth at the marina 2–4 people, furnished Power hookup Water hookup from **€12.00** / day [Booking overview](https://booking.camping.care/genuss-ferien-natur-und-strandcamping/?lang=en) [Marina info](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/marina) ## Why Barbary macaques? A little history The first question many visitors ask: what are monkeys actually doing in Mecklenburg? The answer begins far away, in the mountain forests of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria. That’s where Barbary macaques are at home – and snow falls there regularly in winter. So the animals are perfectly adapted to a cool climate; thanks to their thick fur, even frosty Mecklenburg days don’t bother them. Barbary macaques are also Europe’s only free-living monkeys – almost everyone knows the famous colony on the Rock of Gibraltar from vacation or TV. Life in the open air, in a real forest with places to climb and quiet corners to retreat to, suits their nature far better than any heated monkey house. That’s exactly what makes the Affenwald so worth seeing: you’re not watching a bored zoo animal here, but a functioning extended family going about its perfectly normal daily life. Less well known is the serious side: in the wild, the species is now considered endangered. Populations in the Atlas Mountains are shrinking due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade – young animals are poached and sold as “pets,” a business with a bitter ending for the animals. Parks like Affenwald Malchow help counter this with species-appropriate care and education: anyone who has ever looked a Barbary macaque in the eye understands without many words why these animals deserve protection. ## Prices, opening hours & practical tips The park is on the edge of Malchow, with parking right at the entrance – getting there is easy and signposted. As with most day-trip destinations in the region, the season runs through the warm months, from the Easter holidays into the fall. You’ll find current **prices for the Affenwald and the summer toboggan run**, combo tickets and opening hours on the official website [sommerrodelbahn-malchow.de](https://www.sommerrodelbahn-malchow.de/) – it also lists the feeding times, which are well worth planning your visit around. A few simple rules apply on the walk through the enclosure to keep the experience relaxed for everyone: the animals are not to be touched or fed by visitors, and bags and backpacks stay firmly closed. Barbary macaques are curious and astonishingly quick thieves – an open snack pocket is cleared out in seconds, and the chance of getting your sandwich back is zero. With kids, it’s worth talking this through briefly beforehand; then the rule turns into a game. It’s best to plan half a day for the Affenwald and the toboggan run together. In the morning the monkeys are usually at their most active and the track is still pleasantly quiet; if you come later, you’ll often see the animals in a more relaxed, dozy mood instead. Sturdy shoes are a good idea on the forest paths, and on summer days bring sun protection for the toboggan run hilltop – there’s little shade up there. ![Feeding at Affenwald Malchow – Barbary macaque taking food from the keeper's hand](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/affenwald_malchow_2.avif "Feeding at Affenwald Malchow") ## Our tip: the perfect family day Here’s how to make the most of it: head to the Affenwald in the morning, when the animals are lively and the paths are still quiet. Allow at least a good hour for the walk – the most exciting scenes happen when you simply stop in one spot for five minutes and watch the group instead of marching straight through. After that, the program switches from tranquil to fast-paced: a few rounds on the summer toboggan run, first together, then the older kids get to go on their own. A picnic on the hilltop with a view over the lake landscape is the well-earned halftime break – and, in our experience, the moment when the kids are already negotiating the next runs. In the early afternoon, head down into the island town: ice cream at the harbor, a stroll through the lanes, the swing bridge on the hour, maybe a detour to the monastery. And to round off the day? Back in Jabel, swimsuits on – the shallow natural beach on the Jabelscher See is just the thing after an exciting day. If you still have energy left, take a quiet evening spin in a pedal boat from the [water sports rental](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/activities). Tired kids, happy parents – mission accomplished. ## Staying near the Affenwald From Affenwald Malchow it’s just a few kilometers to our nature and beach campsite in Jabel – and just like that, the day trip becomes an adventure weekend. Pitches right on the lake, a shallow swimming beach, a playground and cozy campfire bread in the evening: a picture-book kids’ vacation, with the Affenwald as the highlight just around the corner. If you prefer more comfort, rent our well-equipped Hobby caravan, where everything from the gas bottle to the dishes is already in place – arrive, unpack, done. And for families who prefer solid walls, there are our [holiday apartments for up to 6 people](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/holiday-homes-apartments) in Jabel: renovated, cozy, with a crib and high chair on request. The plan for the perfect weekend then practically writes itself: Saturday monkeys and toboggan run, Sunday beach and pedal boat – or the other way around, depending on the weather. Either way: when it comes to kids, the combination of Affenwald and lake works more reliably than any entertainment program. Restaurant & lake terrace ## Our restaurant: good food with a lake view Linger on our beautiful terrace with 120 seats and a direct view over the Jabelscher See and the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide Nature Park. We offer an appealing selection of drinks, various café specialties, small fresh dishes and a choice of different pizzas. We also serve cakes and tortes. 120 seats with a lake view Terrace, lounge chairs Campfire corner Fresh cooking & pizza Regional, seasonal, nothing from a packet Coffee, homemade cakes [To the restaurant](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/restaurant) ![](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-start-restaurant-1140x1140px-01-320x320.avif) ![](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-start-galerie-1080x720px-09-2-320x214.avif) Reviews ## What guests say 4.7 from over 1700 reviews „We spent two wonderful weeks at this campsite and really enjoyed our holiday. The pitch with a lake view was absolutely stunning—waking up to that view every day was something special. “ Anja Heinemann „A very nice site in a great location by the lake. The sanitary facilities are new and very clean. The restaurant, which offers a good view from the terrace, serves delicious food. “ Dagmar Asmussen „If you want to stay somewhere quiet, a bit away from the hustle and bustle, you should come here. I’ve rarely stayed at a quieter campsite. There’s also a small harbor where you can rent boats. “ Wolfgang Hirschle „We spent two nights in a rental caravan at the Genuss-Ferien campsite in Jabel and were completely satisfied.“ Lisa Petz „A fantastic campsite. We were absolutely delighted with our pitch right by the water. You couldn't ask for a more relaxing setting. Everything was very well-maintained, and the toilets were always clean. “ Helen Preller This is what we're proud of: ![PiNCAMP award – Genuss-Ferien among Germany's top campsites](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/pincamp-auszeichnung-300x214.avif) ![BeyondCamping Award 2023 – award for the Genuss-Ferien campsite](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/award-campingplatz-beyondcamping-2023.avif) ![ADAC classification 2023 – rating of the Genuss-Ferien campsite](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/adac-klassifikation-2023.avif) ![Restaurant Guru award “Best Restaurant 2025” for the Genuss-Ferien Restaurant & Café](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/restaurant-guru.svg) ![Site map of Genuss-Ferien in Jabel in the Mecklenburg Lake District](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-map.svg "Site map Genuss-Ferien Jabel") Contact ## From the Affenwald straight to the swimming beach Just a ten-minute drive from Affenwald Malchow, Genuss-Ferien lies on the Jabelscher See – with a shallow natural beach, a playground and pitches right by the water. The perfect way to end a day full of monkeys and toboggan runs. Whether tent, motorhome, rental caravan or holiday apartment: our little adventurers sleep well here – and tomorrow the lake is already waiting. Am Heidenfriedhof 01, 17194 Jabel [039929 – 76712](tel:03992976712) [rezeption@genuss-ferien.de](mailto:rezeption@genuss-ferien.de) [Book](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/search-book) [Get in touch](https://genuss-ferien.de/en/contact) 1.5 hrs from Berlin 2 hrs from Hamburg Right on the Jabelscher See FAQ ## Frequently asked questions about Affenwald Malchow ![](https://genuss-ferien.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/genuss-ferien-familie-zwerg-960x960px-320x320.avif) More questions? Planning your family trip to the Affenwald and still have questions? Feel free to call us or drop us a line – we’ve been there plenty of times ourselves. [039929 – 76712](tel:03992976712) [rezeption@genuss-ferien.de](mailto:rezeption@genuss-ferien.de) An extended family of Barbary macaques (also called magots). The animals originally come from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria and are perfectly adapted to a cool climate – the Mecklenburg winter doesn’t bother them. You’ll find current admission prices and combo tickets with the summer toboggan run at sommerrodelbahn-malchow.de – prices change occasionally from season to season, so we deliberately don’t quote any figures here. Seasonally during the warm months, usually from the Easter holidays into the fall. The official opening hours and feeding times are listed on the official website. No – feeding is done exclusively by the keepers during the public feedings. That keeps the animals healthy and everyone’s coexistence relaxed. Keep your bags firmly closed: Barbary macaques are quick thieves. Small children ride safely in their parents’ sled, older ones can steer and brake on their own. You’ll find the exact age and height rules on site at the track. Half a day is realistic: one to two hours in the Affenwald – ideally around a feeding – plus several toboggan runs and a break with a view over the lake landscape. Yes – in cooler weather the monkeys are often even more active than in the midday heat. Only in heavy rain does the toboggan run take a break; the forest walk through the enclosure works almost any time. About 10 minutes by car or a short, kid-friendly bike ride. That makes the Affenwald the perfect half-day trip from the Genuss-Ferien campsite – monkeys in the morning, swimming beach in the afternoon.