New themed 'world' to open at Pairi Daiza

Belgian wildlife park Pairi Daiza has unveiled a new themed area called Edenya, part of its expansion to attract visitors with immersive animal habitats and gardens.

The announcement comes as the park seeks to broaden its appeal, but it has also drawn criticism from animal welfare advocates and others concerned about price increases.

Edenya is described by the park as a new world inspired by lush landscapes, featuring themed environments, plants and species designed to offer visitors a sensory experience beyond normal zoo exhibits, under a 40,000m² tropical greenhouse.

Pairi Daiza promotes the area as part of its mission to combine conservation, education and recreation within a single park.

Critics have already voiced concerns about the park’s expansion plans, arguing that themed attractions prioritise entertainment over animal welfare and conservation.

Some animal rights groups say the new world raises questions about how species are housed and whether the park’s infrastructure meets evolving scientific standards for animal care.

The debate comes against the backdrop of earlier controversies linked to Pairi Daiza. In 2025, allegations surfaced regarding ticketing and consumer practices, with some visitors reporting problems and accusing the park of misleading promotions and fraud.

The park has also previously faced unusual incidents that caught public attention. One notable controversy saw part of the aquarium and sealion area temporarily closed after a violent altercation among sealions led to safety concerns and required adjustments to the exhibit.

Another point of criticism made clear since the announcement of Edenya is that potential customers are upset about the increase of admission. A subscription to the park has gone up from €122 to €132. Access to Edenya will cost an extra €5 per visit and must be booked in advance.

Without a membership, entry to the park will be between €43 and €52 depending on the time of the visit. Pairi Daiza stated that Edenya has cost €215 million to build.

The new world is set to open to the public when the park as a whole reopens on 7 February, with Pairi Daiza saying it will boost tourism and local economic activity, as well as becoming the new staple of the park.