Considering a trip to a zoo in Belgium? Keep reading!
Fans of zoos are not alone in Belgium. The tiny country—which is so densely populated it might as well just be considered a large city—is packed full of zoos and menageries alike (I mentioned one of the former already, Mont Mosan, in this blog about Huy). There are two (three, maybe) that are really stand out attractions though, that might be worth a visit even if you come from a city with a zoo already, or if you live in Belgium and are trying to decide where to spend your money wisely, as visiting them is not cheap, and requires careful consideration.
Each of the zoos features a different approach to zoology and children's entertainment, as different as the territories they're in (Flanders vs. Wallonia). It's important to research and compare the options before making a decision. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your interests and preferences. So in this blog, I'll break down all the advantages and disadvantages of the two main Belgian zoos, Planckendael Zoo and Pairi Daiza.
Conservation Efforts
Of course, the modern zoo should have a primary focus on conservation, and both certainly do. Planckendael Zoo focuses on local wildlife and endangered species, while Pairi Daiza supports global conservation efforts and participates in international breeding programs.
The Planckendael Zoo actually has its roots in Antwerp. The Royal Zoological Society ran out of space in Antwerp and wanted an area that would be much larger and more comfortable for the animals. So in 1956 they bought up a huge tract of land near Mechelen and voila. And on top of just maintaining a zoo, they also help with all kinds of research efforts, from elephant herpes to saving zebras in a drought. You can follow their Twitter for more.
Discover the European Union Quarters (EU Quarters) on my latest tour.
Pairi Daiza in the meantime also has huge and comfortable enclosures for all their animals and regularly teams up with the Royal Zoological Society. But their main focus is on saving the giant panda population, which has had trouble breeding in the wild and the population in China has been taking a huge hit, since the population itself is already small and they're quite spread out across the country in regions isolated from each other. It's this interest that ensures two huge and beautiful panda enclosures at the zoo, too.
Size and Layout
Both Planckendael and Pairi Daiza are large zoos, but Pairi Daiza is simply massive. And you feel how massive it is. I think it took us about three visits to discover everything at Pairi Daiza, and since they even have constant construction works, each time something new opened up (in addition to the stuff we previously missed). Getting the abonnement (membership) was well worth it, as every visit was guaranteed to be unique from the previous one.
With Planckendael… it's possible to visit the entire place in one long visit without missing anything. It took us about 7 relaxed hours. It's a large zoo, but it's by no means an impossibly large zoo, like Pairi Daiza. But Pairi Daiza benefits from its location (later) in this regard, since it has the room to really expand outward.
Animal Variety
Because of the size, Pairi Daiza is able to maintain more interesting enclosures and host more animals. While Plaeckendael is home to around 1,200 animals, while Pairi Daiza boasts an impressive 7,000-strong animal population.
Plaeckendael animals
They both have different collections though. Pairi Daiza has an extensive panda family (hence their breeding program) and a beautiful family of white tigers, while Plaeckendael has an impressive and huge Bonobo exhibit.
Pairi Daiza animals
Additionally at Pairi Daiza, there's a full aquarium (with shark tunnel), polar bears, walruses, sea lions, and other animals which take up large tanks that Plaeckendael doesn't have the room to do appropriately.
Architecture/Zoo design
While both are themed by continent, Pairi Daiza here takes the cake. Planckendael is flat and mostly forested, with only a few park features to differentiate the continental location of the animals. Maybe a themed restaurant or sitting area, but that's about it.
Pairi Daiza though is a work of art. I mean, there are nice looking zoos, and then there is Pairi Daiza. There is no comparison. Even if you have no interest in zoos, you can visit Pairi Daiza and still have a mind-blowing experience. The gardens, the landscaping, the architecture, all of it is just phenomenal.
Pairi Daiza scenery
Built on the grounds of a medieval monastery, Cambron Abbey, the old belfry still stands (as well as the continued beer-brewing tradition), with a crypt that features a walk-through bat exhibition.
They go out of the way using extraordinary artistic detail to highlight the cultures of each continent. With high-level handiwork and craftsmanship, there are woodworked miniature sculptures, large sculptures, and monuments throughout the park. The white tiger, for instance, is in a replica Hindu temple, the red panda is on an island in the middle of an East Asian tea garden, deer range free with children though a totem pole lined walk through North America, and the polar bears are right near the huge Orthodox church-styled buffet restaurant with a skating rink on a dock behind it. Oh, a cargo ship for the reptile exhibit, a stilt village for the pigmy hippos, and an African safari village for a burger bar near the rhinos and lions. And steaming volcanos that house the gorillas. I mean, the place is nuts, with one absolutely beautiful creation after another.
And now, recollecting my visits there, it makes me slightly sad we didn't go there instead of Plaeckendael…
Children's Entertainment
All that said, if you have a child 4-10 that wouldn't give a damn about flowers, art, or architecture, Plaeckendael does earn some heavyweight zoo points. At Plaeckendael, the zoo ensures to keep your kids entertained throughout the visit. There are hidden slides, climbing rigs, two large playgrounds, and a really cool ropes course (for adults too) just after a huge indoor butterfly and orangutan exhibit (where you get to do like me and tell your kid he's swinging around just like those loveable orange giants), and this raft where you pull on a rope to get across (don't fall in). They have a lot of little interactive info plaques where the kids can compare their hands with organgutan and bonobo cast hands and things like that.
If it's hot out, Plaeckendael also includes a water playground where the kids can run around and get wet.
Plaenckendael fun
Meanwhile, Pairi Daiza hasn't forgotten about your kids, but doesn't go to quite the same effort. They've got a huge outdoor playground in the center with massive slides and great rope climbing, an indoor playground in the Oasis and also a train that goes around the park and offers and exclusive view of the elephants. They used to have a rope bridge route that went over the East Asian tea garden (accessible via the Middle Kingdom aviary), but that's been closed for the past two years.
Overall Experience
Overall, Plaeckendael is a zoo. It's a great zoo, but it's very much a zoo and nothing above that. If you've been to a zoo anywhere, you're probably not missing anything by not visiting Plaeckendael. If you're in Belgium for an extended period of time and have kids, then for sure go, it's time well spent.
Pairi Daiza is not just a zoo; it offers a truly unique and immersive experience. It's repeatedly rated Europe's Best Zoo year after year for a reason. If you enjoy zoos, visiting Pairi Daiza is a must during your time in Belgium, France, Netherlands, or Germany. It's truly worth a trip from any of these countries to experience this remarkable place. Even if zoos aren't your usual preference, consider checking out Pairi Daiza for a unique and memorable experience. Really, it's ruined zoos for me, because now I hold all zoos by the Pairi Daiza standard, so I no longer like zoos, because they're not Pairi Daiza. So, actually, maybe don't go.
Location, location, location
If you're limited on transit options and time, Planckendael Zoo may be the more suitable choice for you. Planckendael Zoo is located in Mechelen, about 30 minutes from Brussels and accessible by a direct train route. As it's right near Mechelen, you're also near a beautiful city to visit during your stay. Do the zoo, have dinner in Mechelen.
You can get to the zoo by train from Central or Schuman for 5.50 one way. Just take the train towards Antwerp and get off at Muizen station. It's a little udner a 15 minute walk from there. About 1 hour total transit time.
To get to Pairi Daiza… well, the zoo is really in the middle of nowhere. Expect to spend two hours in one direction. From Central, get on a train to Ath (also a beautiful town), and from Ath to Cambron. It's then a one km walk on a dedicated pedestrian trail. So yeah, maybe rent a car if you don't have access to one.
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