The obvious question that I have is whether Arnhem's massive desert building is comparable to Omaha's enormous Desert Dome, as such premier attractions on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean are often cited as exemplary modern complexes. Baldur (or anyone else), given the choice to visit one tomorrow morning, which would you choose?
The obvious question that I have is whether Arnhem's massive desert building is comparable to Omaha's enormous Desert Dome, as such premier attractions on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean are often cited as exemplary modern complexes. Baldur (or anyone else), given the choice to visit one tomorrow morning, which would you choose?
I haven't been to Arnhem since 2004 but I visited Omaha last September so I would have to dig a bit into the past to recall the Arnhem experience. As I recall of the feeling of walking inside Burgers' Desert, I would say that Omaha wins, even if only because theirs is newer (Arnhem - early 1990s; Omaha - early 2000s?) and larger (probably, I don't know any figures, this is just my feeling).
However, I like Arnhem and don't want to do it the injustice of comparing an experience I had 7 years ago to one I just had. Someone else would have to do this.
Just this if I remember correctly; this is inside Burgers' Desert. Now, this species lives in rocky areas in the wild so I don't think the rocks matter, but fresh air wouldn't hurt.
I've visited both in the past few years, and prefer Arnhem. Arnhem is significantly larger in terms of square meters, although the Omaha Desert exhibit probably has greater cubic volume, being a dome.
Arnhem's animal exhibit spaces are generally quite a bit larger than Omaha's, which are notoriously tiny (cougar, caracal and javelina, kit fox, hyrax, rock wallaby and coati spaces in particular). Also, Omaha attempts to squeeze in three distinct desert environments (Namibia, Australia, Sonora), whereas Arnhem focuses only on the Sonoran Desert.
The plantings in Arnhem have matured significantly since this photo was taken (not even a scrap of green is visible here!), and the overall visitor experience is longer and richer. The omnipresent low roof structure, however, makes you never forget you are inside a building. The center of the exhibit has many free-ranging birds, unlike Omaha where everything is in an enclosed exhibit.
The best thing about Omaha's building is the basement, home to the world's largest (and possibly best) nocturnal exhibit.
Just this if I remember correctly; this is inside Burgers' Desert. Now, this species lives in rocky areas in the wild so I don't think the rocks matter, but fresh air wouldn't hurt.
