Snowleopard's 2019 Road Trip: Netherlands, Belgium, France & Germany

[TeaLovingDave]

I reallly struggle to place Pairi Daiza in my vague rankings. It's amazing (in the most literal sense) - almost overwhelming. I absolutely enjoyed all the days I've spent there immensely - I'd almost defy anyone to do otherwise - but something in its brash, money-no-object, in-your-face style stops me truly loving it as a zoo. I think it's an underlying feeling that the living animals might not actually be more or less a prop than the seaplane or the giant opal or the jade statues - which, to be honest, is exacerbated for me my the limited and often poor-quality signage.

I think this about covers my feelings about the place (per my first visit on 12th July, the final "ships passing in the night" for this thread ) - I really enjoyed the place, but I'm not sure how much I enjoyed it as a zoo,

Also, paying €38 per person - plus another €5 per person to use the train around the collection - is definitely a little galling!

 

[snowleopard]

@Maguari I totally agree that it is a struggle to 'rank' Pairi Daiza or to even mention other zoos in its presence. It is so different from everything else that one doesn't know what to do with it, but I found that the animal exhibits were mainly of a very high quality. For example, I was expecting to dislike both the orangutan and gorilla accommodation, but in fact the enclosures are much larger and better furnished than most other exhibits for great apes. There just happens to be a marble temple and some volcanoes as part of the deal!

Tim said on numerous occasions, and he might even jump in with an opinion on this thread, that the originality of Pairi Daiza goes a long way for a zoo enthusiast. On my big zoo trips I often see the same animals day after day, or similar exhibits on a daily basis, and so Pairi Daiza being so 'out of the box' works to its benefit. The place doesn't stop moving, with Polar Bears and Antarctic penguins coming next year, a breeding center for Spix's Macaws already under construction, and there was even a sign in the Aquarium about a new sea turtle tank. I wonder when the zoo will finally commit to being open year-round...

 

[Tim May]

I tend to agree with both "Maguari" and "TeaLovingDave" about Pairi Diaza.

I've visited this collection three times; most recently spending two very full days there last September (after attending ZooHistorica in Antwerp Zoo).

Pairi Diaza certainly has an amazing collection of animals with many rarely seen species so a visit is always exciting. However, I don't like the excessive theming which, I find, detracts from the animal collection.

As a zoo, I much prefer Antwerp which would definitely feature in my top ten European zoos.

 

[Pertinax]

I don't envy you the heat in this heatwave... I also visited Paira Daiza in May, in pleasant but fortunately beautiful weather, principally to see the Spix Macaws, a species I've wanted to see for nigh on fifty years...but the whole place was pretty amazing, as you describe. I spent one and a half days there and might even go back next year to see it all again, particularly if they get Walrus.

I did actually wonder, being so far out in the countryside in rural South Belgium, where all the visitors actually come from!

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I wonder when the zoo will finally commit to being open year-round...

Can't be long now I reckon - the Christmas and New Year opening you mention upthread will be new for this year, and has not happened until now.

 

[Pertinax]

) - I really enjoyed the place, but I'm not sure how much I enjoyed it as a zoo,

Also, paying €38 per person - plus another €5 per person to use the train around the collection - is definitely a little galling!

My feelings too rather- the overerall theming etc renders it unlike a typical zoo. I did find the levels of displaying many/most species of very high quality, but with some surprise odd exceptions- dull Lion and Leopard enclosures, too small swimming area for Giant Otters etc. if you look closely there are some not -so- good exhibits among all the really good ones...and yes, its really expensive, particularly if you go two days running... I didn't use the train or eat anything though (too much to see to waste time with lunch)- even the coffee was pricy!

 

[TeaLovingDave]

.and yes, its really expensive, particularly if you go two days running... I didn't use the train or eat anything though (too much to see to waste time with lunch)- even the coffee was pricy!

Fortunately I was able to take advantage of the somewhat longer opening hours - and they were very much needed, as I ended up spending 11 hours there with only about 30 minutes of this being revisits!

You were probably well-off avoiding the food - it was nice enough, but the staff at the restaurant myself, Helly and @ShonenJake13 popped into were actively hostile

 

[Pertinax]

@Maguari For example, I was expecting to dislike both the orangutan and gorilla accommodation, but in fact the enclosures are much larger and better furnished than most other exhibits for great apes. There just happens to be a marble temple and some volcanoes as part of the deal!

That is true.. to an extent I think. Apart from the 'temple' aspect,the indoor Orangutan areas are not a lot different from many other zoos overall- but the outdoor areas are very high-grade and spacious- unfortunately I suspect they aren't used that much. Despite several visits I never saw an orang outside.

As to the Gorilla volcanoes- the insides seemed fine though the woodmulch looked dry and there was a boardwalk for them to use over it, so I suspect they may not like walking on it- gorillas have tender feet and sharp, dry woodmulch isn't the best. As to the outsides, they have excellent eye-level viewing along the length of the islands- good design. But there is little cover and I also think they are shut outside for some of the time to make them display better.

 

[Pertinax]

Fortunately I was able to take advantage of the somewhat longer opening hours - and they were very much needed, as I ended up spending 11 hours there with only about 30 minutes of this being revisits!

You were probably well-off avoiding the food - it was nice enough, but the staff at the restaurant myself, Helly and @ShonenJake13 popped into were actively hostile

I don't do lunch in zoos normally- valuable time wasted... I spent the whole of one day there until 6 p.m. closing time. Returned the next morning for a half-day visit.( it was either that or visit Antwerp- I chose a return to PD) Probably nearly an hour of the first day was spent with the Spix, though I freaked out as they were not on display until my third re-visit to the aviary in the early afternoon. I have no idea why. They were out the next morning when I went back.

 

[KevinB]

I don't envy you the heat in this heatwave... I also visited Paira Daiza in May, in pleasant but fortunately beautiful weather, principally to see the Spix Macaws, a species I've wanted to see for nigh on fifty years...but the whole place was pretty amazing, as you describe. I spent one and a half days there and might even go back next year to see it all again, particularly if they get Walrus.

I did actually wonder, being so far out in the countryside in rural South Belgium, where all the visitors actually come from!

I really don't get how Snowleopard does it, visiting zoos in 30 Celcius plus or even 40 Celcius weather. Does he have some superhuman skill in withstanding heat or something?

Personally I had to give up just past noon at Planckendael this Tuesday and it was "only" 33 Celcius then... at 40 Celcius I can't stay outside for longer than a few minutes, let alone actively walk.

As far as where the visitors come from: Pairi Daiza is pretty well known all around Belgium (Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia) and actively advertises throughout the country. I think that is certainly part of it.

My feelings too rather- the overerall theming etc renders it unlike a typical zoo. I did find the levels of displaying many/most species of very high quality, but with some surprise odd exceptions- dull Lion and Leopard enclosures, too small swimming area for Giant Otters etc. if you look closely there are some not -so- good exhibits among all the really good ones...and yes, its really expensive, particularly if you go two days running... I didn't use the train or eat anything though (too much to see to waste time with lunch)- even the coffee was pricy!

Fortunately I was able to take advantage of the somewhat longer opening hours - and they were very much needed, as I ended up spending 11 hours there with only about 30 minutes of this being revisits!

You were probably well-off avoiding the food - it was nice enough, but the staff at the restaurant myself, Helly and @ShonenJake13 popped into were actively hostile

That is very disappointing to hear that the restaurants at Pairi Daiza are still very pricey and that the staff are still unfriendly. I've had such experiences there myself and heard this time and time again unfortunately. For a zoo in such a league of their own it is really a shame that they can't seem to fix this issue.

I am visiting in early October and unfortunately I cannot spend a day at a zoo while skipping lunch, because not eating is likely to make me cranky and feeling weak. We nearly always eat something (most often a sandwich-type thing) that will not take up too much time, and usually while eating I look at the zoo map to plan out the route for the afternoon. Maybe it would be better to pack some lunch to Pairi Daiza though...

 

[ShonenJake13]

@snowleopard interesting review of Pairi! It’s certainly an interesting and unique place, however I would have to agree with @TeaLovingDave and @Maguari on my views on the place. A lot of the areas you herald are nowhere near as fantastic as other places in the area - Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands gives their sea lions heaps more swimming space than PD do their seals.
There are in fact three shoebill aviaries!!! The one with openbills, one in the African stilt village and one next door to the Reptile House. There are also now only two African elephants, and the birds of paradise free flying are greaters. They have a pair of lesser in an aviary to the left of the exit you go through to get to the flying fox walkthrough!
I really enjoy visiting Pairi, and it’s certainly a zoo like no other. A fair few of your viewpoints I agree with (such as the aquarium), but at the end of the day certain enclosures (the tigers, the cage enclosure for their second pair of lions, the cassowaries, the red river hog paddock) just miss the mark in size/enriching capacity.
I too struggle to place it in my rankings, but is it one of the most financially successful zoos in Europe? Yes. Is it one of the best in Belgium? Yes.
Does it beat Chester, Prague, the Berlins, Burgers’ and so on in my eyes? No. I just don’t think theming makes a zoo ‘great’. When done right it adds to a zoo sure. But if you have a big temple surrounding a dirt-filled yard for two tigers, that’s not really a big tick in my book.

 

[vogelcommando]

Thanks snowleopard for this review of Pairi Daiza ! Having worked and lived IN this park at its very beginning ( 1994 to 1996 ) it will have a special place in my heart forever and comparing it from this beginning periods Parc Paradisio to todays Pairi Daiza is like the development of a caterpillar to a butterfly.
On my last visit ( Sept. 2018 ) I also found some enclosures not world-class or were simply not my kind of taste and also the signing ( or the lack of it ) was not making me happy but overall it surtainly is one of the top-zoos in Europe.

 

[Arizona Docent]

Quite a coincidence that you make this post today detailing Pairi Daiza and meeting the people behind Zoo Grapevine. I received the latest issue of Zoo Grapevine in the mail today and the Europe news section heads off with Belgium and a description of Pairi Daiza Last Frontier, along with an accompanying photo.

Very enjoyable review, all except the sentence that makes the irrational claim that a crashed airplane in an exhibit looks great!

 

[ANyhuis]

DAY 11: Wednesday, July 24th (1 zoo)
Zoo/Aquarium # 31: Pairi Daiza (Brugelette, BE)
but overall Pairi Daiza is now my #3 zoo of the almost 500 that I’ve visited. I haven’t been to Chester, or Prague, or Singapore, or Vienna, but I have been to this Belgian zoo and it’s revolutionary.

You haven't been to Chester, or Prague, or Singapore, or Vienna .......... or Leipzig!!!!!

That being said, I completely agree with your rating! Of the zoos you've been to, Pairi Daiza is no worse than #3, maybe higher. It will likely be the best zoo you'll see on this trip, though I'm guessing you'll also love Burgers.

Zoo/Aquarium # 31: Pairi Daiza (Brugelette, BE)
The zoo does not resemble a theme park and there are no rides or ‘cast members’ in costume or anything else of such silliness.

Pairi Daiza does have an excellent "authentic" steam train which follows a 2-km route passing many of the zoo's amazing animals. Definitely one of the best zoo train rides in Europe!

Cambron-Abbey:
The towering Abbey is home to a walk-through bat exhibit that is extremely dark and quiet

There's also an excellent raptor bird show in the shadow of the towering Abbey, another definite must at Pairi Daiza.

The Land of Origins:

Not far from the Mersus Emergo boat (and Reptile exhibit) is a very authentic-looking African stilted village, which is said to resemble similar waterfront villages in West Africa. Part of the amazing theming in Pairi Daiza!

The Kingdom of Ganesha:

In the center of the great animal exhibits of this Asian area is the huge Flower Temple, a very authentic Balinese Hindu temple. I was told that the temple is so authentic that Hindus come there from all over Europe to pray there. This is probably the very best of the excellent theming at Pairi Daiza.

 

[Dassie rat]

I really don't get how Snowleopard does it, visiting zoos in 30 Celcius plus or even 40 Celcius weather. Does he have some superhuman skill in withstanding heat or something?.

As far as I know, he isn't allergic to kryptonite.

 

[MikeG]

I really don't get how Snowleopard does it, visiting zoos in 30 C plus or even 40 C weather. Does he have some superhuman skill in withstanding heat or something? Personally I had to give up just past noon at Planckendael this Tuesday and it was "only" 33 Celcius then... at 40 C I can't stay outside for longer than a few minutes, let alone actively walk.

I'm much the same. It became so absurdly hot after lunch that I basically had to give up & spend the afternoon in the shade. Never got as far as the elephants or orangutans...but Snowleopard pushed on, clearly allowing nothing to stand in the way of his covering every inch of the collection.
I'm in awe of this Canadian super-being!

 

[Tim Brown]

As part of Snow Leopard`s monumental report on Pairi Daiza,i should perhaps throw in my own musings.KevinB was absolutely right in his estimation of the temperature difficulty..apparently we walked over 8 miles in near 40 degree heat!
Eventually,around 5 o clock, and being 20 years older than Scott,I simply had to concede and let him do the final 10% on his own.Pairi`s placing in the global zoo scheme of things? Well its hardly an arbiter, but Carl Hagenbeck would have loved it im sure,been astounded by it in fact...what i really like about it is that it is so different from any other zoo,and yes,it has faults -as does Berlin, San Diego,Bronx and virtually every zoo. But it also has the collector`s touch and then some,resulting in some supreme zoo rarities and taxa that the zoo simply wants to own/display rather than EEP conformity(and yes, im well aware of the value of these breeding programmes). The fact that 7/8 hours is scarcely enough to see everything also points to a certain status. I find the quasi-religous elements to be entertaining, but also a little perplexing,if not even condescending...imagine if an imitation church had been placed in the North American "Last Frontier" area for instance (a ubiquity that would be entirely justified), im sure many would see it as almost blasphemous.But the weaknesses of the zoo are the aquarium,which does have very poor labelling, but then doesnt appear to have many taxa that couldnt be seen in a Sealife Center, and the reptile collection which is both large and full of non-endangered (often` rescued`) common,pet shop species. Capacity in the herpetological areas in zoos is frequently limited and wasted if not pointed towards rarer forms.Scott pointed out that i have a standard,seemingly unchanging, top 5 zoos...after that the next 5 seem to change over time,but without really thinking about it too hard at the moment it could be that P.Daiza is in that group.
That apart it was great to meet Scott at long last...in actual fact my 800th zoo was yet to arrive at the time of our meeting, but cropped up two days later in the form of the rather dull but also rather different Fort Mardyk Zoo near Dunkirk..perhaps more of that later!

 

[Pertinax]

But if you have a big temple surrounding a dirt-filled yard for two tigers, that’s not really a big tick in my book.

Yes the tigers was another strangely under par enclosure compared to the quality of many of the others. It sometimes seems the theming over-rides all other considerations. I didn't see a second pair of Lions- people on here keep mentioning bits and pieces I evidently missed, though that's not surprising given what it is, and I saw everything I wanted to I think. Having missed the big Elephant paddock though, what sort of size are the Eld's deer and Blackbuck groups in there?

 

[sooty mangabey]

Also, paying €38 per person - plus another €5 per person to use the train around the collection - is definitely a little galling!

Like @Maguari and @TeaLovingDave, there is something about PD with which I struggle. However, its status as a great zoo is unequivocal. The €38 entry fee quoted here is high (and parking comes as extra too of course!). However, as has been chronicled here, it is most certainly a full day zoo. Earlier on this trip, @snowleopard and I visited, for example, the Zee Aquarium in Bergen aan Zee. Snowleopard's 2019 Road Trip: Netherlands, Belgium, France & Germany

It was a perfectly pleasant and well done aquarium, and I don’t begrudge the €14.75 it cost to gain entry - but the value such a fee represents is nowhere near that which is seen at PD where, for €38, one is getting, easily, 7 or 8 (or more!) hours of zoo going. At the aquarium, in contrast, we had “done” it in less than an hour.... €4 an hour, at PD, seems like pretty good value.

 

[FunkyGibbon]

I am quite the opposite to Dave; I will be visiting a number of the same collections as SL a couple of weeks after him. Certainly the Pairi Daiza report, and ensuing discussion, has really whetted the appetite!

Personally, although I loved Zoom Gelsenkirchen I can't stand the 'looped trails' model. It removes all sense of authentic discovery and I'm a little disappointed to hear that Planckendael has gone down that line.