Berlin-based creative agency dan pearlman designed the concept and implemented the vision of this special destination after a two-year period of planning and construction. Lost Valley features an array of animal and plant life, as well as a history and landscape which guests can discover and experience with an amphibious vehicle.
As per the brief, the architects and landscape architects dan pearlman were required to create a fully-integrated safari adventure that is linked to a complex transportation system and to provide an exact home to a range of animal life. The scale of the project required the architects to envision a unique visitor’s experience which will ensure personal engagement with visitors.
The natural lay of the land and the variety of species planned ruled out the creation of a classic theme world. The team visualised an entirely new, fictional place that utilises all the topographical features and makes it look like a scarcely visited valley.
Designed like the hunt for lost treasure, numerous cave paintings welcome guests at the park entrance which turns into the first search for clues to the secrets of the Lost Valley. Legend has it that ages ago animals and man lived side by side in peace. When the Homo Sapiens discovered hunting, the animals ran off to a faraway world, settling down in the Lost Valley. After realising the consequences of his actions, Man went in search of the animals in order to ask for forgiveness and to live with them in peaceful co-existence from then on. The spirits of Tau the white lion and Jum the elephant still protect the valley today, and function as symbols of a harmonious life together.
dan pearlman built on this legend for the overall plan and character of the Lost Valley which is reflected throughout the park. This begins with the Hidden Entrance, which introduces visitors to the history of the location, and also includes the Wildlife Trail, which leads to the first camp of the original settlers and still serves as lodging for the Wildlife Watch Team today. Here visitors can learn about the work the team does as well as the knowledge that has been gained from decades’ worth of research, and prepare themselves for the expedition deep into the heart of the Valley.
Just past the building exit, a special highlight dubbed,’the Amphibious Vehicle’ is featured which has an unconventional appearance and an ability to transport people over land or water. The vehicle is designed to accentuate the extraordinary history of the Lost Valley and can accommodate 40 people.
Passing through the elephant forest and along the gigantic waterfall, the Temple of Tau can be reached from the Great Savannah by following the entire 1260 metre-long, intricately designed rock wall, which ranges between 3.5 and 8 metres in height.
In addition to the visual effect of implied animal forms and authentic looking rock formations, the wall also functions as living quarters for the animals and its location makes it easy for service vehicles to reach it using access roads. All architectural elements were constructed along the park perimeter to give the animals maximum space and the most accurate type of habitat possible.
In the Wet Savannah, visitors and animals will come face-to-face at the Great Water Hole. The bridge for feeding the giraffes enhances visitor interaction with the fauna, and is followed by the Flamingo Swamp, the last stop on the event-packed tour.
The shifting variety of landscapes has been designed in such a way that no visible barriers exist between animals and man, thus creating for the visitor the impression of being a part of the Lost Valley.
