Batu Secret Zoo

Three completely different building envelopes at the entrance of Jatim Park 2 offer a distinctive image representing respectively the past, nature and the present. You see a Greek-style Museum Satwa, next to the Pohon Inn Hotel indeed disguised as an oversized tree trunk, next to the huge red diamond shapes at the entrance of the zoo. By walking under a tree root of the hotel you reach the ticket control.

Zoning
The entrance to Jatim Park 2 is, in effect, a giant portal through which the visitors pass. In theme park design, the visitor experience comes first. Therefore, design team dPavilion lead by principal architect Edwin Nafarin has thought it desirable to create different not matching facades and even a shock effect. Intentional disharmony would - by association - generate a feeling of excitement, or so it was hoped. In addition to the wow factor, the three different visitor flows are controlled by zoning. Because the buildings look so different, you know you have to go for one main course.

Modern design
Contemporary design continues beyond the red diamond shapes at the entrance area. Zoo-goers are led along a defined curved promenade presenting a long sequence of exhibits interspersed with educational messages. Clear information displayed on large information panels at every animal enclosure. The moderately sloping path provides fantastic views down to habitats.

Aquarium
A wooden boardwalk inside a cave-style structure first leads along nocturnal animals and a binturong with which visitors can take a picture. In the decorated Aquarium you can walk between the exhibits and photograph someone through the glass fish tanks.

Savannah Kampung Afrika
Through the middle of Savannah Kampung Afrika, runs a roofed path lined with glass walls on both sides. A lot of African animal species are displayed behind the glass panels in an African themed decor.

On the way to the zoo exit, you stumble upon an amusement, and a small water park and Noah's Ark used as photo spot. The story of the zoo is definitely about animals released by Noah.

East Java Park 2 or Jatim Park 2 is a theme park in Kota Batu, East Java, built in stages from 2009 to 2010 on a 16 hectare site including a purpose-built zoo. The Secret Zoo is initially used to house the animal collection coming from East Java Park 1. The concept specifically focuses on wildlife conservation in an entertaining zoo setting.

This zoo is organised around zoogeographic lines and provides an original design making use of the natural environment but also of many artificial materials. The mountain landscape offers great views. The vertical garden, well-kept planters, and cut-out animal forms in Monkey Street, a pleasant introduction, if not the spacious entrance. In the Aquarium, the possibility to photograph each other through a fish tank is pure interaction design! Along the route, I really do wonder what's around the next bend. On the walking path through savannah Kampung Afrika, a stuffed wildebeest from Museum Satwa performs plays the role of a museum piece. Selfie queues, of course. I have seen jackfruit or nangka hanging on trees before but never next to rhinos. The wall of the giraffes has a matching pattern. I secretly hope that this cool, secret zoo will remain a bit secret. The fun should not spoil the zoo, though the mass visit will probably do the trick.