Gondwanaland, Indoor tropical rainforest hall at Leipzig Zoo, Germany
Gondwanaland is a vast indoor hall at Leipzig Zoo where tropical conditions are carefully maintained year-round. It houses around 170 animal species and over 500 plant varieties from Africa, Asia, and South America in one place.
The hall opened in 2010, built on the site of a former workshop ground. This project marked an important step in the Leipzig Zoo's long-term development and modernization.
The name refers to the ancient supercontinent that once connected South America, Africa, and Asia before the continents drifted apart. You notice this geographical link as you move through the different forest regions.
You can explore the space either by taking an automated boat ride at ground level or by walking across suspended rope bridges high in the canopy. Both routes are easy to navigate and give you different views of the same environment.
The spherical roof spans 160 meters across and has a remarkably thin shell of just one meter deep. This clever design uses a special plastic material that prevents snow from building up on the surface.
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