Are you looking for the largest zoos in India? You have come to the right place!India, a country with various cultures, landscapes, and animals, has many zoological gardens that appeal to visitors and environment lovers. These zoos provide tourists with an informative and enjoyable experience and are important sites for wildlife protection. In this blog, we’ll look at the biggest zoological park in India and discuss their importance, conservation efforts, and the distinctive experiences they provide.
List of Largest Zoos in India (2024)
1. Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai – Best Zoo in India
The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is the largest zoo of India. It provides visitors of all ages with a peaceful setting and a tranquil ambience, making it a great location for animal enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. The zoo is 32 kilometres from Chennai and is one of the ideal locations to discover India’s well-known wildlife environment, as it is home to more than 160 species of animals.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, is a site where you can witness a variety of exotic creatures like panthers, lions, blackbucks, hyenas, bison, Asiatic wolves, white tigers, and many more, making it ideal for weekend trips. The zoo also has a wide variety of fish, butterflies, birds, reptiles, and mammals.
There is a Jurrasic Park and a Children’s Park for entertainment. Other
Things to Do at Arignar Anna Zoological Park:
- Photography: As the largest zoo in India, the Park is a great space for photography enthusiasts.
- Safari: The Park offers lion and deer safaris to visitors.
- Cycling: If you’re not in the mood for safaris, rent bicycles here for a cost-effective tour around the zoo.
Timings: The Park is open all days except Tuesdays from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M.
Entry Fees: INR 90 for Indian adults and INR 500 for adult foreigners. INR 50 for Indian children and INR 250 for children from foreign.
2. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune
This reserve is one of the most popular zoos in India. It is located near Katraj, about 10 kilometres from Pune, and is also called the Katraj Snake Park. The Snake Park, zoo, and lake are the three sections of this wildlife reserve. It has a wildlife research institution serving as an animal shelter, rescue operation, and care facility. Leopards, black bucks, and elephants are just a few of the different creatures seen at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. The Snake Park is where you may see a variety of snakes and other reptiles.
Things to Do at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park:
- Observe the Wildlife: As the Park is also a wildlife research centre, it has over 300 different species of animals.
- Battery-Operated Vehicles: Those who do not wish to walk can ride in the battery-powered vehicles available at the zoo.
- Snake Library: There is a library here dedicated to information on snakes. You can get to know more about snakes and reptiles here.
Timings: The Park operates from 09.30 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. on all days except Wednesdays. It is closed on Wednesdays.Entry Fees: INR 40 for Indian adults and INR 100 for foreigners. Photography and videography are chargeable.
3. Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur
One of the greatest places to enjoy and see a diversity of flora and fauna coexisting peacefully in an artificial environment is the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Udaipur. The sanctuary is a notable part of the Sajjangarh Palace, or the Monsoon Palace of Udaipur, built in 1884. Maharana Sajjan Singh, one of the fiercest kings of the Mewar dynasty, is credited with giving the Palace its name. The Palace, which has nine storeys and is built of gorgeous white marble, provides beautiful views of Lake Pichola and the surrounding region.
The sanctuary includes animals, including chitals, panthers, hares, Nilgais, jackals, wild boars, hyenas, and sambhars. There are many different types of birds and reptiles to be found here. It now has 60 animals in residence, representing 21 different species, including tigers, lions, ostriches, alligators, and rhesus monkeys, which makes it one of the largest zoos in India.
Things to Do at Sajjangarh Biological Park:
- Trek to the Park: Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is an explorers’ haven since it has a great hiking location. You may walk from Gorilla Point to Tiger Lake to take in the picturesque splendour of the sanctuary.
- Sunrise and Sunset Views: The sunrise and sunset are captivating sights in the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Timings: The reserve is open all days except Tuesdays from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. in winter and 09.00 A.M. to 05.30 P.M. during summer.
Entry Fees: INR 35 for Indians and INR 300 for foreigners. Photography is chargeable at INR 80, and videography at INR 200.
4. Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneshwar – Most Renowned Parks
It is one of the most renowned and largest zoos in India. This reserve, situated in Bhubaneswar, was established amid a semi-evergreen wet deciduous forest, unlike others in the nation. The animals at this zoo are given a sense of their natural surroundings and can walk about fearlessly. The distinction of being the only conservation breeding facility for Indian pangolins worldwide and the first reserve to raise Melanistic and White tigers globally goes to Nandankanan.
The Nandankanan Zoo, the only one in the nation to be a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA), is also acknowledged by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for the preservation of Indian pangolins, tigers, and long-billed vultures. It is also the best zoo of India where endangered honey badgers were conceived in captivity and has an open-top habitat for leopards.
Things to Do at Nandankanan Zoological Park:
- Toy Train: Experience the joy of a toy train ride through the wildlife reserve.
- Safaris: The reserve also offers AC and non-AC safaris for visitors.
- Boating: Paddle boating is also available to tourists at this reserve.
Timings: The Park remains open from 07.30 A.M. to 05.30 P.M. during summer and 08.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. during winter on all days except Mondays.
Entry Fees: INR 50 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners. Safari, boating and toy train charges are extra and range from INR 65 to INR 150. Photography and videography are chargeable.
5. Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyaan – Biggest Zoo in Patna
One of the top 10 largest zoos in India, Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan in Patna was founded in 1973. It is also known as the Sanjay Gandhi Botanical and Zoological Garden or the Patna Zoo, and it has a space of around 152.95 acres. It features almost 800 animals from 110 species and a wide range of flora, acting as the city’s “green lung”. One-horned rhinoceroses, lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras, elephants, leopards, hippopotamuses, and many monkeys, birds, and deer are among them.
Things to Do at Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyaan:
- Toy Train: You can ride the toy train that runs through the Park, giving a tour of all the major sections of it.
- Snake House: The Snake House houses approximately 30 different species of snakes.
- Fish House: More than thirty fish species may be found in the aquarium housed on an artificial island in the ponds.
- Boating: The major water pond on the Park’s grounds offers boat rides for visitors to take.
Timings: The Park is open daily from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M.
Entry Fees: INR 15 for adults and INR 5 for children. Fees for attractions like Snake House, Fish House, and boating rides are separate.
6. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Vishakhapatnam
One of the largest zoos in India, this Park is enclosed by the Eastern Ghats and is situated in the Kambalakonda Forest Reserve. It is stretched across a beautiful 625 acres and is home to around 80 wildlife species. This animal reserve’s location, close to the Bay of Bengal, makes it a prime place to see various exotic birds like pelicans, peafowl, and parakeets. The local climate and weather have allowed the zoo’s flora to flourish and provide a healthy animal habitat. It has long been one of the top vacation spots for tourists who enjoy seeing animals in its natural setting.
Things to Do at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park:
- Mini Train: A mini train inside the reserve offers tours of all sections of the Park.
- Auditorium and Library: You can learn more about the wildlife there at the library. The place hosts several competitions for students, including debates, art contests, and contests for essays and quizzes at the auditorium.
Timings: The Park is open from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. on all days except Mondays.Entry Fees: INR 70 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners.
7. National Zoological Park Delhi – Delhi Zoo
The National Zoological Park in Delhi is a popular gathering place for families, especially those with young children. The 176-acre Delhi Zoo is situated next to the Old Fort and in the city’s centre.
The National Zoological Park is home to over 1000 animals and birds, representing more than 130 species. The Delhi Zoo is home to all of them, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Asiatic Lion, Brow Antlered Deer, and Red Jungle Fowl.
Things to Do at National Zoological Park:
- Photography: This place is the perfect place for those interested in wildlife photography.
Timings: The Park is open daily from 09.00 A.M. to 04.30 P.M. during summers and from 09.30 A.M. to 04.00 P.M. during winters.Entry Fees: INR 40 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners. Student discounts are also available.
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8. Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati
The capital city of Guwahati’s Hengrabari Reserve Forest is home to the Assam State Zoo. The botanical garden, which covers 82 hectares and is part of the reserve, is distributed over 175 hectares. The place is home to over 112 different kinds of flora and wildlife, representing a rare variety. Exotic species of animals include African White Rhinos, hippopotamus, and giraffes. Birds of various kinds, like macaws, parakeets, and white ibises, are also present here. The rare and multitude of species that this reserve houses makes it one of the top 10 zoo in India.
Things to Do at Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden:
- Museum: The museum here houses rare stuffed specimens of all kinds of wildlife.
- Herbarium: The herbarium here has over 2000 sheets of preserved plant life for study and research.
Timings: The Park is open all days except Fridays from 08.00 A.M. to 04.00 P.M.
Entry Fees: INR 30 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners. Photography and videography are chargeable at INR 100 and INR 200 for Indians and INR 300 and INR 500 for foreigners.
9. Mysore Zoo in Karnataka
Mysore/Mysuru Zoo is also called Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden. Due to the magnificence of the Chamundi hills nearby, it offered an abundance of flora and animals and an unparalleled panoramic beauty. The zoo is home to a record number of endangered bird species. Few other zoos worldwide are known for breeding unusual animals, a skill they possess.
The white, black, and Indian rhino species are all present in this reserve, which is the only best zoo in India to have so. Other wild animals include chimpanzees, orangutans, brown bears, sloth bears, brown lemurs, Nilgiri langurs, and the Himalayan bear.
Things to Do at Mysore Zoo:
- Photography: Mysuru Zoo is a great place for photographers because of its variety of species.
Timings: The Park is open all days except Tuesdays from 08.30 A.M. to 05.30 P.M.
Entry Fees: INR 50 on weekdays and INR 60 on weekends and public holidays.
10. Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
The Nehru Zoo Park, spread across around 380 acres, is home to almost 1,500 species of birds, animals, and reptiles. This reserve is the first one where animals have been kept in zoological order, adding to the variety of species. The open enclosures in which animals are housed at the Hyderabad Zoo make it a pleasant site for tourists and locals. These unenclosed spaces were built to seem like natural ecosystems. In this place, several exotic species have also been successfully bred. The rich wildlife of Nehru Zoo Park includes birds like owls, egrets, cocktails, pheasants, reptiles like rat snakes, monitor lizards and star tortoises. The mammals include deer, giraffes, lions, tigers, and rhinos. There is a Jurassic Park here as well.
Things to Do at Nehru Zoological Park:
- Safaris: The reserve offers lion and tiger safaris to visitors.
- Toy Train: There is also a toy train that tours the whole reserve.
- Cycling: You can rent bicycles for touring around the zoo hourly.
Timings: The zoo is open on all days except Mondays from 08.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M.
Entry Fees: INR 70 on weekdays and INR 80 on weekends. Photography and videography are chargeable. The fees for toy train rides, cycles, and safaris are also separate.
Conclusion
So, which of these top 10 largest zoos in India is your favourite?
The biggest zoos in India act as spokespersons for preserving, studying, and researching wildlife. They offer a venue for people to interact with nature, encouraging respect for our world’s amazing biodiversity. These reserves are essential in the continuous fight to save endangered species and maintain our natural heritage; they serve more than only as recreational spaces. We can guarantee a better and more sustainable future for the amazing wildlife that calls India home if we continue to prioritise the welfare of the India big zoo and the creatures they hold.
Which Is the Largest Zoo In India?
Arignar Anna National Park is the largest zoological garden in India. It is located in Chennai.
What is National Zoological Park Delhi Best Time To Visit?
It is open all year round and the best time to visit here would be in summer and winter.
What is Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park Best Time To Visit?
This park is in Maharashtra and monsoons are the perfect time to pay it a visit.
What are Sajjangarh Biological Park Timings?
The park is open all days except Tuesdays from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. in winter and 09.00 A.M. to 05.30 P.M. during summer.
Where Is Nandankanan Zoological Park?
Nandankanan Zoological Park is situated in Bhubaneshwar.
Is Car Allowed In Sanjay Gandhi National Park?
No. Private vehicles aren’t allowed inside the park at all.
What is Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Vizag Entry Fee?
It is Rs. 70 for Indians. If you’re a foreigner, you will have to pay Rs. 200.
Does Mysore Zoo Have A Safari?
Battery operated vehicles are available here as safari.
