Family Day Out: The Most Exciting Animal Zoos in India for Kids
Whether you admit it or not, everyone loves to visit the zoo, which is why you can see a large number of adults and elderly people, along with small children, in most zoos. More than an outing, a family day out at the zoo is like an opportunity for wild adventures and complete entertainment. Thus, a visit to the zoo is a perfect family recreation for kids and grown-ups alike.
With every roar, chirp, and splash, kids get to witness some of the best wonders of nature in the Indian zoos, which educate them and let them have maximum fun. Zoos in India allow kids the opportunity to be curious and learn while creating memories to last a lifetime. Let’s explore some of the best zoos in India in this article.
Most Exciting Animal Zoos in India for Kids for an Exciting Family Day Out
India’s most exciting zoos prepare you for a day of giggles, gasps, and adventures with family and friends to enjoy together amidst the thrilling safaris, exotic wildlife, and magnificent experiences. Here’s a list of some of the best zoos in India to explore:
- Mysore Zoo, Karnataka
- Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
- Vandalur Zoo, Chennai
- Assam State Zoo
- Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
- National Zoological Park, Delhi
- Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore
1. Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens), Karnataka
The Mysore Zoo, also called the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, is known for its wide variety of animal and plant species as well as their conservation efforts. Children can have the best educational experience in this zoo, which is spread across a lush area of 157.02 acres, including 77.02 acres of Karanji Lake.
The zoo is home to a wide variety of animals, including, but not limited to, primates like gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, marmosets, big and small cats like tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and jaguars, small Indian civet, etc. Deers and antelopes, along with large mammals like elephants, Rhinos, hippopotamus, and gaur, also call this zoo their home. You can watch several aquatic, terrestrial, and flightless birds and reptiles in this zoo.
- Year of Establishment: 1892
- Location: Indiranagar, Mysore, Karnataka
- How to Reach: You can hire a taxi or drive your own vehicle to reach the zoo. The Mysore Airport is the nearest, located about 12 km from the city. Trains and buses are also well connected to Mysore.
- Timing: 08:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Every day except Tuesday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 60 for a child, INR 120 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: The safari experience, the elephant feeding sessions, and the reptile exhibits.
2. Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
Occupying a vast area of 380 acres, the Hyderabad Zoological Park is home to nearly 100 species of birds, animals, and reptiles. Children visiting the Nehru zoo in Hyderabad get excited to see the various indigenous animals, including Indian rhino, Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, panther, Indian elephants, gaurs, python, deer, lender loris, antelopes, and birds. In addition, near the zoo is the 600-acre Mir Alam Tank, which receives hundreds of migratory birds, and is an added attraction for visitors.
- Year of Establishment: 1963
- Location: Bahadurpura, Hyderabad
- How to Reach: Easily accessible via cars, taxis, or buses
- Timing: 08:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday, except Monday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 50 for children, INR 100 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: Boating in the Mir Alam Tank inside the zoo, special rides in the toy train, and the butterfly park are top attractions for children.
3. Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo), Chennai
Chennai has one of the largest Zoos in South East Asia, spread across an area of 1,490 acres. The zoo is home to over 2300 wild animals across 172 species. Among the many special attractions of the zoo are lion and deer safari parks, a 1.5-acre walk-through aviary to facilitate the free flight of birds, a forest museum, a wetland aviary, a children’s park, and a butterfly park, among others.
- Year of Establishment: 1855
- Location: Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- How to Reach: Easily accessible via cars, taxis, or buses. The zoo is located over 15 km from Chennai Airport.
- Timing: 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Every day except Tuesday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 50 for children, INR 200 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: Kids can witness a wide range of native and exotic animals.
4. Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati
The state zoo of Assam, located in Japorigog, Guwahati, is a primary attraction for kids in the city as well as tourists. It is spread across an area of 175 hectares, which includes 82 hectares of botanical garden area. Visitors are amazed to explore the unique variety of flora and fauna. With over 112 species of animals and a rich fauna, the Guwahati zoo is popularly termed as the ‘Green Lung’ of the city.
- Year of Establishment: 1957
- Location: Japorigog, Guwahati
- How to Reach: The Guwahati zoo is easily accessible by buses, taxis, and cars. It is located about 28 km from the Guwahati International Airport.
- Timing: 08:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Every day except Friday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 10 for children, INR 30 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: Lush green walking paths, aviaries, and the opportunity to have a close look at Northeast India’s unique biodiversity.
5. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
Home to over 60 species of wild fauna, which include mammals, reptiles, and birds, the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo in Pune is termed a model zoo in India, receiving over 18 lakhs visitors each year. The zoo has a wide range of primates, including Old World, New World, and Madagascar primates. It has a world of reptiles and amphibians. Birds, mammals of the African Savanna, and ungulates of the Western Ghats are among other attractions.
- Year of Establishment: 1953
- Location: Katraj, Pune, Maharashtra
- How to Reach: It is located 8 km from Pune Railway Station. Can be reached via taxis, buses, and private or rental cars
- Timing: 09:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Every day except Wednesday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 10 for children and students, INR 40 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: Children love to watch the white tigers and leopards in the zoo. It also has a snake park.
6. National Zoological Park, Delhi
The National Zoological Park in Delhi works with the goal of providing an enriched environment for the animals and to create awareness and compassion among people towards all zoo animals. Located near the Purana Qila, Delhi’s national zoo in India is a popular attraction for families looking to spend a relaxing day amidst a diverse collection of animals and bird species.
- Year of Establishment: 1951
- Location: Mathura Road, New Delhi
- How to Reach: The zoo is easily accessible by taxi, bus, car, or metro. It is located in close proximity to the railway station, inter-state bus stand, and other major attractions of the city.
- Timing: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Every day except Friday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 40 for children, INR 80 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: Children love to explore the educational displays, birdwatching, and elephant and deer enclosures.
7. Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore
Bannerghatta Biological Park, an integral part of the Bannerghatta National Park, was founded in 2002 to meet the needs of an ecological recreation center in the city. Initially, the zoo comprised an area of 545.00ha of forest from the National Park, which was later extended to 731.88ha. The zoo is home to over 2300 animals belonging to 102 species.
The park is located about 22 km south of Bengaluru city and includes different units such as the Zoo, Safari, Butterfly Park, and Rescue Centre (Conservation of Captive Animals). Tourists can enjoy a forest safari from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm here.
- Year of Establishment: 1974
- Location: Bannerghatta, Bangaluru, Karnataka
- How to Reach: The biological park can be easily accessed by bus, car, or taxi. The airport is just 60 km away from the park.
- Timing: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Every day except Tuesday)
- Entrance Fee: INR 60 for children, INR 120 for adults
- What makes it Special for Kids: The butterfly garden and a museum at the zoo are the prime attractions that interest children.
To Conclude
The zoological parks (zoos) in India offer adventurous and exhilarating experiences, from safaris to animal viewing, that appeal to children. Visiting any one of these wildlife parks is a fun and educational experience that stays with kids for a lifetime. So, let the adventure begin with a fun family day out at the zoo. With Revv car rental services, you can book your self-drive car rental for an incredible ride to your favorite zoo in the vicinity with your family and kids for an enjoyable day out.
