The visit was unexpected, because after Pairi Daiza Lars and I had not planned a visit to another Belgian zoo this year. But then a promotion came up with a discount of 50% for the entrance and parking fee and we decided to go to Planckendael anyway.
This zoo is affiliated with the one in Antwerp - probably the best-known zoo in Belgium - and is located near Mechelen. In the beginning - around 1960 - it served as a backup for the Zoo of Antwerp and didn't attract a lot of visitors. Planckendael underwent a lot of changes in 1985 and has since then become a lot more popular.
Again, our new GPS decided to send us on a lot of local roads instead of the motorway. Lars and I arrived a lot later in the afternoon than expected. Anyway, you can already see a fraction of the animal collection before you pay the entrance fee.
The park is divided in different continents; since Lars and I were very close to Asia, we started our exploration there. And there was a particular reason why I was adamant on spending some time there, but more about that later.
We like it when a zoo becomes interactive. In a huge covered exotic garden, it was possible to feed the lorikeets - a kind of parrot - and that led to a lot of fun and some unique photo opportunities.
Back outside, we saw a pair of gibbons having a snack.
Next up: the mighty bison and the majestic camels. The cute baby camel is a girl, called Samantha. She was born earlier this year in April.
Are those Lego installations? Yes, they are and we will reveal their purpose in the second part!
In the second part, we will also show one of the most popular animals of Planckendael and talk about an exciting event that will take place at the end of this year or the beginning of 2018!
