Discover the many worlds of Pairi Daiza

Sports & outdoors
Belgium
6 min read

Visit five continents, explore botanical gardens and meet over 7,500 animals at one of the best zoos in Europe!

Pairi Daiza in Belgium is a truly unique place. It’s so much more than a zoo, with thousands of animals from across the globe, plus stunning examples of cultural architecture and experiences. There’s truly something for everyone and you can even stay in the park’s resort, which provides both luxury accommodation and the chance to get up close to nature.

Is Pairi Daiza worth a day trip from Calais?

Pairi Daiza is most certainly worth a day trip from Calais! Around two and a half hours from Calais, the zoo is a great choice for a full day out, with something new to discover around every corner. Top activities to include on your day trip:

Explore nine themed worlds, each showcasing different animals, landscapes and immersive habitats
Take part in Pairi Daiza experiences, including animal encounters and guided tours
Hop on the steam train ride for a scenic ride through the zoo
Step into Doctor Yu’s cabinet for a unique sensory experience – a fishy pedicure session!
Cross the Monkey Bridge to take in spectacular views across the park
Run, jump, and climb in the children’s playground
Watch the penguins whizz by in the Penguins Cave
Take a peaceful stroll through the Oasis greenhouse
Attend keeper talks and learn more about the park’s animals
Dare to visit the Crypt to admire the bats as they fly around you

Father and daughter pulling smile faces at the zoo. Ready to start monkeying around at Pairi Daiza zoo

Must-see themed worlds in Pairi Daiza Zoo

There are nine ‘worlds’ to explore when you visit, each with its own beautiful landscapes and animals.

The Last Frontier

Wander this world inspired by British Columbia and Southern Alaska. You’ll find grey wolves, Eurasian brown bears, American black bears, pumas, sea lions, moose, elk and porcupines among the residents here.

The accommodation in this world is inspired by traditional British Columbian structures, including totem poles and sculptures. Stay in the Full Moon Lodge, set beside the bear and wolf enclosures, to watch the animals from the comfort of your own space, or choose the Paddling Bear Lodge for close-up views of the sea lions.

An American black bear. See American black bears in the Last Frontier world at Pairi Daiza

The Kingdom of Ganesha

Inspired by Indonesia, here you will see elephants, white tigers, and macaque monkeys. The architecture in this world is impressive, featuring temples and sculptures of deities Ganesha, Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, and Buddha.

Be sure to visit The Flower Temple, at its feet you will find Asian otters and meerkats at play!

The Middle Kingdom

Drawing on ancestral China, many head to this world to see the giant pandas and Asian black bears. However, there’s also the stunning Chinese gardens, where it is recommended that you go barefoot to experience the healing effects of the landscape best.

If you’re looking for more adventure, try the hanging bridges, suspended 300 metres above The Middle Kingdom.

The Land of the Cold

Reindeer, Siberian tigers, and polar bears can all be found in this world, as well as two working steam locomotives: the Brigadelok and Las, that date from 1917 and 1954. You can visit the workshop where they were lovingly restored or take a ride through the park.

The resort at Pairi Daiza offers rooms which are just like sleeping in a snow cave, but a lot cosier of course!

A polar bear on rocks. Meet polar bears in The Land of the Cold.

Cambron-Abbey

Head to this world to see a huge variety of birds. From spix’s macaw to Himalayan griffon, keep your eyes peeled for brightly coloured wings as you explore. On the ground you can spot adorable alpacas and calm capybaras too.

To align with Pairi Daiza’s mission to be as environmentally-friendly as possible, take a horse and cart through this world to see the sights at a gentler pace.

Cambron-by-the-Sea

Become an intrepid explorer of the sea in Cambron-by-the-Sea. Step into a neoclassical castle, now transformed into an aquarium, to explore interactive pools, educational exhibits and underwater tunnels. You’ll find African penguins, harbour seals, South African fur seals, jellyfish and sharks among the marine life living here.

The Land of Origins

In the Land of Origins you will find big cats, majestic elephants, and amazing primates, surrounded by African architecture and landscapes. The three restaurants in this world serve traditional cuisine and don’t miss a stop at the African stilt village, transporting you to French-speaking West Africa.

The Land of Origins is where the endangered pygmy hippopotamus resides, but they’re notoriously shy, so keep your eyes peeled!

A lion lying on the gound in Pairi Daiza. Will you hear the lion roar in the Land of Origins?

The Southern Cape

Wildlife and flora from Tasmania, New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea can be found in The Southern Cape, including koala bears and red kangaroos. Be sure to see the short-beaked echidna, a spiky little creature that is one of only five mammals that can lay eggs.

The Islands of the Rising Sun

One of the park’s newer worlds, The Islands of the Rising Sun, showcases animals, gardens and architecture of Japan’s main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. Here, you’ll find animals like Siamang, Japanese macaque, sika deer, common raccoon dogs, Japanese crane, and river buffalo.

Plan your visit to Pairi Daiza Park

Make sure your visit to Pairi Daiza Park runs smoothly by planning ahead.

Drive to Pairi Daiza Resort

The drive to Pairi Daiza in Brugelette, Belgium is easy with LeShuttle. From Calais, take the A16 and then the A26 toward Arras. Continue on the A21, and follow the E42/N56 toward the attraction, following local signs as you get closer.

The journey is only around two and a half hours, but you may want to plan a couple of stops along the way. Key locations en route include Arras and Mons. Or take the A16 and A25 to visit Lille and Tournai.

The park has its own large car parks, charging around €12 per day.

Pairi Daiza opening hours

Pairi Daiza is open from mid-February to early January. Opening hours vary by season, but the park is generally open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with extended hours during the summer months.

Pairi Daiza tickets

Tickets for Pairi Daizi are available both at the gate and online. Adult tickets start from €43, while child tickets start from €37. Children under the age of three can visit for free.

Top tip: Buy your tickets online and in advance to secure the best prices!

Pairi Daiza refreshments

There is plenty to offer a foodie at Pairi Daiza, with each world offering its own cultural cuisines. Sample Chinese delicacies, African dishes, or French treats, or take advantage of one of the picnic areas which are located in the Land of the Cold and in the Kingdom of Ganesha.

Stay in and around Pairi Daiza

Pairi Daiza offers a wonderful opportunity to stay in the very heart of some of its worlds. You can book rooms that grant views into the animal’s habitats, including polar bears and sea lions, viewing them from above, in panoramic view, or tête-à-tête (head to head). Whichever accommodation you choose, it is sure to be a unique experience.

How long do you need at Pairi Daiza?

You can see all the top highlights at Pairi Daiza in a single day, but for a more relaxed visit and to fully explore everything the park has to offer, it’s best to plan for two days. This gives you plenty of time to explore each world, linger at each enclosure, play in the playgrounds and try each restaurant!