Pairi Daiza opens world’s largest tropical greenhouse

Belgian wildlife park Pairi Daiza has opened its tenth themed world, called Edenya, inside the world’s largest tropical greenhouse.

The new area sits under a glass roof 24 metres high and covers four hectares. It is home to around 230 animal species, 1,800 plant species, and 88 habitats, as well as an underwater restaurant. Guinness World Records has recognised it as the biggest tropical greenhouse in the world.

Visitors can explore six connected tropical zones, including rainforest, rivers, beaches and cliffs. A 17-metre waterfall runs through the centre and links the different areas. Animals such as jaguars, manatees, giant otters, monkeys and Komodo dragons live there.

Edenya also features rare plants, including descendants of the original Buddha tree, an ancient sequoia, and the famous coco de mer from the Seychelles. The park says the tropical climate keeps temperatures pleasant all year. “It’s always good weather here,” staff say.

The glass roof uses special insulation that keeps heat inside five times better than a normal greenhouse. This helps reduce energy use. Solar panels provide all the electricity, while heat pumps and smart ventilation systems manage temperature.

Rainwater is collected on the roof and stored for watering plants. Water is recycled in a closed system, and wastewater is cleaned before returning to the nearby River Dender.

More than 100 Belgian and international companies worked on the project, which cost €215 million.

Edenya opens to the public on Saturday and is expected to become one of Pairi Daiza’s main attractions.

^{Edenya, the world's largest tropical greenhouse at the Pairi Daiza animal park © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR}