Whether at the Zambezi in the zoo, at the Maschsee or at the Steinhuder Meer - now it's time to "cast off again".
Zambezi boats at the zoo
Finally the waiting has come to an end: At the beginning of November, the boat fleet at Hannover Adventure Zoo sailed its way through the African savannah for the last time before the winter break. With the start of the summer season on 16 March, the 18 lovingly decorated Zambezi boats will be leaving again and gliding silently along the river - always very close to flamingos, giraffes and zebras, sunbathing on a sandbank and at eye level with hippos, lions and rhinos. Our tip: come early, because the Zambezi boat trip is one of the main attractions at Hannover Adventure Zoo!
Season start on the Maschsee
Another tip for a relaxed spring excursion on the water: if you would like to go on a small sea trip in the middle of Hanover, you should definitely mark Good Friday red in your calendar. Then the small Maschsee fleet of üstra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG will resume operations and take short "cruises" across Hannover's city lake with its four ships. Should there be nice, warm spring weather beforehand, the opening can also be brought forward.
Brunch, coffee break and private parties at sea
Every Saturday the "Niedersachsen" leaves at 10.30 a.m. from "Ostanleger/Altenbekener Damm" for the popular brunch ride (duration: approx. 2 hours; tickets are only available in advance at the FIRST REISEBÜRO of üstra Reisen GmbH in the Nordmannpassage 6). Every Sunday the Maschsee fleet invites you to a maritime coffee cruise from 12 noon (the tour starts at "Westanleger/Fährhaus" and cannot be reserved; tickets for these and other cruises are only available on board the Maschsee boats). If you prefer to celebrate a family or company party privately on the water, you can also charter the party cruiser "Niedersachsen" with complete counter and music system for up to 40 people.
Timetable of the Maschsee fleet
In the early and late seasons, the fleet of vessels sails daily (also on public holidays) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; in the high season, the vessels sails daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..
Low season 2019 20 April to 15 May daily: 11-17 o'clock
High Season 2019 16 May to 15 September daily: 10-18 o'clock
Low season 2019 16 September to the end of October daily: 11-17 o'clock
Surfing on the "Steinhuder Meer"
Sailing, surfing and kiting on the lake will be permitted again from 20 March; the next hibernation period to protect the migratory birds resting there will begin on 31 October.