In Pictures | The Green Planet Dubai

“A Bio-Dome Inviting Visitors to Explore Our Planet’s Fascinating Flora and Fauna.” The Green Planet Dubai

A new entertainment concept was launched last week at City Walk in Dubai. The Green Planet Dubai opened its doors to the public on Thursday offering visitors an opportunity to explore the fully immersive vertical rainforest. The teenager and I went along to see what the interactive concept had to offer, I promised she would see sloths having seen a promotional photo of one and luckily I delivered, in fact I over delivered as the first thing we encountered was a female sloth in training with her handler in the lobby.

What is a vertical rainforest you may ask? The region’s first bio-dome has recreated a tropical forest with over 3,ooo plants and animals, a sneak peak into the world’s oldest tropical ecosystem and the creatures, flowers and flora that reside there. A magnificent twenty-five metre tree, the largest man-made life-sustaining tree in the world, offers visitors four levels of discovery that make up the indoor exhibit. The Canopy, the Midstory, the Forest Floor and the Flooded Rainforest are situated inside and around the tree, birds fly freely through the rainforest that is accessed via a lift to canopy level, colourful squeaking brightly coloured parrots rest on branches, butterflies flutter around while others emerge from their cacoons. Insects and spiders are displayed in cases along with frogs and lizards, turtles and fish swim in the ponds. A waterfall gushes at the lowest level, the male sloth was nestled in the undergrowth waking up slowly from another over indulgent nap. Nocturnal male and female porcupines sleep the day away in a large tree, their distinctive aroma unmissable.

The rainforest plays a vital part in the future of our planet, Green Planet Dubai aims to educate and inspire visitors of all ages and nationalities about nature, about the plants and animals that inhabit the earth and how we must respect them. Rope bridges and paths criss cross the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to explore and interact with the different species, the staff were really friendly and knowledgeable, we both learnt lots and really enjoyed our visit. You exit through a gift shop as is the norm these days, the shelves stuffed with cuddly toys and rubber snakes, I resisted the request for a cuddly sloth to take to university. A separate cafe is located opposite offering drinks and snacks.

I’m sure that the Green Planet will attract many residents and tourists, a perfect indoor venue for an educational school outing too especially at this time of year. It may not look like an exciting project from the outside but believe me this sustainable green oasis in the middle of Dubai is well worth a visit, here’s a look at our visit in photos.