A little spot of Paradise in Belgium

The toilets, oh my god the toilets, when first arriving at this theme park on Wednesday I was sold even before entering. The toilets were fabulous, they reminded me of toilets in picturesque hotels in Thailand, they even had a fountain inside and they were super super clean! They won me over even before passing the official entrance.

The park on a weekday is very relaxing. Walking there was making me totally zen.

Pairi Daiza (formerly Paradisio) is a privately owned 55-hectare (140-acre) zoo and botanical garden located in Brugelette in the province of Hainaut in Belgium. It only opened it’s doors to the general public in 1993 as a bird garden and has since developed into a full grown Zoo.

The site used to be the former Cistercian Cambron Abbey, but is home to over 4,000 animals. The old buildings of the Abbey have either been renovated to very high standars and other parts like the church tower are preserved as a ruin giving a very special atmosphere. The gardens are magnificent and have different themes representing different parts of the world. It looks very authentic and has been really well done. The animals section are integrated seamlessly and it comes across as if you are really in the countries but without it’s heat, and the dirt. Peacocks, flamingo’s and Pelicans walk around freely, there are giant heated tents for the more tropical birds with many hanging walkways (unfortunately not pram accessible). Under the tower was the big bat cave, you could walk inside it and be surrounded by bats flying and sizzing around. Quite an experience, and in a different way impressive then bat caves in Borneo where the bats are far above your head. Here they were really sitting or flying cm away from you.My best friend, her daughter and my goddaughter joined us in the afternoon and the girls had a blast together. Hugging each other all the time. Running around everywhere and I got some good baby cuddles and a relasing afternoon with my best friends. Just what I needed. The park also has botanical gardens and a very large collection of special stones, like these large tree stems that are now petrified wood. 

The garden of Ganesha – Indonesian garden

The buildings and landscaping between the different animals are very good replica’s or well inspired on the buildings in their natural countries. I can’t stress it enough I think this Zoo has done amazingly well and is very well maintained. 

African Village 

Monkey Jungle inspired on Maldidi islands

Very entertaining squirrel monkeys who like to be pet, and then climb all over you. A monkey even jumped onto the head of my goddaughter who is now 10 months old. While she was sleeping. Luckily she was well and safe on my friends’ back with a hood and extra head protection, nevertheless it makes for a story to remember and tell when she is all grown-up.

Chinese Garden and adorable panda’s

 

I had never seen a real Panda, but definitely not a Red Panda yet. How cute! Look at that fur! 

Thi visit was amazing! I will definitely try to get a annual pass next year. I have seen Singapore Zoo, New York Zoo and London Zoo and must say I was not expecting to be so impressed by a Belgian Zoo. The animals seem as free and as close as in the Singapore Zoo and the setting and gardens are so so much nicer then the London Zoo.

It’s worth a visit and if you visit Belgium with kids, don’t miss out for a day of fun at he reasonable* (preice versus quality) priced Pairi Daiza.

http://www.pairidaiza.eu/