Discover three continents under one roof in Gondwanaland

Gondwanaland allows you to experience the tropical rainforests of Africa, Asia and South America with all of your senses. This covered area (larger than two football pitches) is home to almost 170 exotic animal species and approx. 500 different plant species.

Winding jungle paths, a treetop trail and a mystical jungle river enable you to discover this impressive tropical diversity.

Animals
Pygmy hippopotamus underwater

Pygmy hippopotamus

Giant otter laying over a bough

Giant otter

ocelot in Gondwanaland

Ocelot

Eastern quoll

Eastern quoll

Malayan tapir with his baby in the water

Malayan tapir

Iguana head

Green iguana

Arapaima

Arapaima

Linne’s two-toed sloth climbing

Linne’s two-toed sloth

komodo dragon

Komodo dragon

Crowned lemur

Crowned lemur

Animal encyclopaedia

Lungenfisch im Aquarium im Vulkanstollen in Gondwanaland
Gang mit Aquarien im Vulkanstollen in Gondwanaland
Gang mit Gehege im Vulkanstollen in Gondwanaland

Primeval times in the volcano tunnel

Your journey back in time starts in the volcano tunnel. This is home to living fossils such as the Australian lungfish or horseshoe crabs that have hardly changed in appearance over millions of years. Nocturnal animals such as kowaris and Eastern quolls also live in the darkest part of the volcano tunnel.

[Translate to English:] Familie im Boot bei einer Bootsfahrt in Gondwanaland

The jungle from above, below and inside

Gondwanaland is diverse and by that we do not only mean the biodiversity found here but also the diverse means that are available for you to discover its plants and animals. On jungle paths you can peer through ferns and palms to see the animals. From suspension bridges along the treetops path you can enjoy a panoramic view of the lush green canopy. You can also take the boat on the river Gamanile on an exciting journey back in time through the Earth’s history and through the rainforest. The Asian village Mubaan is the starting point and destination of your expedition.

 

A lively ambience in South America

In the South American rainforest there is something going off at all levels. Squirrel monkeys clamber around on an accessible island, while nearby iguanas bask in the sun on their favourite branch. In the treetops sloths lazily hang upside down. Ocelots prowl through the lush green foliage and at the creek visitors can watch giant otters swimming.

360°

squirrel monkey island
ocelot
giant otter
Arapaimas in Gondwanaland
flowers Gondwanaland

Luscious flora for all your senses

From small shrubs to towering trees: In Gondwanaland a real rainforest is growing right in the middle of Leipzig. Over 24,000 plants started their journey in nursery gardens in Thailand, Malaysia and Florida – to create a tropical environment at every level from the jungle floor to the canopy. Some 60 exotic fruits and spices are grown in the garden of tropical crops. Here, you can touch and smell pineapples, yams, guavas, pepper or cocoa.

360°

Dianameerkatze springt von einem Felsen zum anderen
Felsentor mit Holzschild "Afrika" zum Afrikanischen Urwald in Gondwanaland
Wasserfall umgeben von grünen Pfanzen in Gondwanaland
Zwei Zwergflusspferde, die sich im Wasser gegenüber stehen

Peaceful cohabitation in the African primeval forest

This is where animals live together almost as if they were in their natural habitat. Close to the waterfall two pygmy hippopotamus and Diana monkeys share an enclosure. In close proximity a related species – the owl-faced monkey shares the same habitat with Kirk’s dik-diks (the smallest antelopes of Africa). In this section we also give you an insight into the animals of Madagascar with our crowned lemurs and radiated tortoises.

Exotic rare species in Asia

In the Asian jungle the humidity of the tropics reaches its peak, which is just how our Komodo dragon likes it. This is the largest living species of lizard in the world and it can grow up to three meters long. Equally as rare and well worth seeing are the Malayan tapirs that tramp slowly around their enclosure. In the middle of this lush green, visitors can spot the critically endangered false gharial either swimming or basking in the sun. Nearby you can also watch the Asian small-clawed otters cavorting.

360°

Fischkatze Blickt durch Blätter im Gehege von Gondwanaland
Schabrackentapier steht auf einer Wiese in Sonnenlicht in Gondwanaland
Blick aufs Wasser vom Gehege beim Sunda-Gavial
Komodowaran läuft durch sein Gehege in Gondwanaland
[Translate to English:] Brücke umgeben von Pflanzen auf dem Baumwipfelpfad in Gondwanaland

Gondwanaland – a sustainable concept

Architecture and HVAC technology go hand in hand in Gondwanaland. When you look up, you can see that Gondwanaland is covered by a cantilever steel-girder construction into which 407 foil cushions are embedded. The vertex of the roof reaches a height of 34 meters, allowing sufficient growth for towering tropical vegetation. Concealed behind this construction there is an ingeniously designed heating and irrigation system. The transparent foil cushions do not only enable the 100% radiation of UV rays that are so important for the plants and animals living here but also allow thermal energy generated from waste air to be stored in a 100,000 litre energy accumulator, which can then be used at night for heating.

 

Discover our other theme worlds

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  • Logo Theme World Asia
  • Theme World Pongoland Logo
  • Logo Theme World Africa
  • Logo Theme World Soth America