Coming face to face with a massive tiger was not on my bucket list this year, but having lived to see it, I can only speak for the thrill I enjoyed on the other side of the glass. Many of the animals in Pairi Daiza have their own big enclosures, but it rather feels like you are stepping into their home, which is a way better feeling than seeing them in tiny cages. And although this private zoo has its own vet and care facility, even going as far as caring for injured animals around the world, it is not immune to controversy, as the municipality where it sits, Brugelette, often questions the tax codes and touristic influx that the zoo did not appropriately account for.
The entrance gate already transforms into a whimsical display of natural crystals and geodes, while the air sits heavy with sounds, smells and, especially for the day I arrived, warm, blissful sunlight. I reckon this is also why I ended up spotting so many animals active outside their sleeping spots.
The first ones in my sight were located in the aviary, also known as Volière Cathédrale, which replicates a marshland geography. In more ways than one, this sets the colour tone for the entire day because we see so many different birds in flight, and they are fairly amicable as well, with human trails winding super close to their nesting places. Although I suppose if they grow up in captivity, they have limited fear of tourists anyway.
Another unexpected sight was the room of bats, and I was especially curious to see them munching on fruits. It truly makes you question how a calm bird or animal like this could have been villainised in cinema. Perhaps I have a bone to pick with the creatives. Speaking of creative, I was pleasantly surprised by the design, cultural elements and general reverence for the Buddhist monastery. It truly exemplifies the park's commitment to remaining authentic to the geography where related animals are found.
In the panda enclosure, we were rather fortunate that we were graced by the bear himself. He had been sleeping for a long time, and I know that because I was standing in the line which was waiting for him to wake up, respectfully, of course. Plus, he seems like a fan favourite, given that there is a dedicated souvenir shop right next to his enclosure. Quite fancy!
And then, one of my personal favourite spots of the day was the ramen restaurant, the veggie broth being super flavourful and filling. The last time I came here, this shop was closed and it almost ruined my day, so this time I was super thankful to the ramen gods. I was sated.
Some of the funniest animals I have ever seen are lemurs, mostly due to the way they behave with each other and then stare blankly at the audience with big, round eyes. In this region of the park, we saw many lemur-adjacent animals as well, but for the most part, these marsupials remain foreign and unexpected to me. They are surrounded by long grasses and bushes, fairly quiet, and have an active stride around their enclosures. But not in an agitated or tense way, rather as if excited about the nearby animals, or maybe a scent or sound of an even more foreign animal in the air.
We arrived at the old Cambron Abbey, an area which used to be part of a 12th-century castle and now houses multiple varieties of parakeets and some bulky birds. Metaphorically, it hits home even more that, with time, plants and wildlife take over the grandest of human architecture. It is simply the inevitable force of nature.
And again, in true Pairi Daiza fashion, we see majestic architecture unwrap itself with influences from Asian cultures, so much so that this place is called the Kingdom of Ganesha. I especially admire the fact that many statues of gods have been respectfully carved around the space, and it looks especially dignified with a waterfall and pristine nature around it. Later in this video, you can find how Pairi Daiza takes this cultural appreciation one level higher with its Diwali celebration. Credit where it is due: their hard work and effort are hard to miss.
Land of the Cold feels like stepping into a refrigerator, and as if I wasn't already imagining Pairi Daiza to be a land of my imagination, walking in the vicinity of penguins, seals and walruses is a whole surreal experience. Which brings us to Edenya, the newest addition to the park. It is a huge tropical sanctuary housing the world's largest zoological ecosystem, as it has more than 200 land and aquatic species.
What this means is that you can find animals from different biomes, including humid jungle zones to dry forest areas, and really up-close walking experiences. It is catered more towards an integrated living experience for the resort located within the park, but you can purchase a separate ticket to access it anyway.
And so we come to a close in the evening, where even the skies displayed an amazing show for us. This is the murmuring of birds. I reckon they are the local thrushes or pigeons, and we saw them perform a massive dance in the sky like so. And although Pairi Daiza wouldn't guarantee this part of the experience for you, I sure hope you get to see it anyway!
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