Zoological parks are always one of the best places to visit with children of the family. This is where children see the diversity of animals that exists in the world. A zoo is a place where animals from around the world are cared for and displayed for the public. In India, going to zoos during summer/winter vacation is normal and many parents gladly take their children with them. Zoos are fantastic places to spend time with family. Even if you go with friends or your spouse, you will have a gala time at a zoo.
One such beautiful zoo is the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad, Telangana. Also known by the name of Zoo Park, it was established in 1963 when it opened for the public. Since then, it has been one of the most visited places in Hyderabad. When you are visiting Hyderabad, the Nehru Zoological Park must be included in your Hyderabad tour package. But what makes Zoo Park, Hyderabad, a place that you must visit? Here are those unique features:
It is one of the best Zoos in Asia
The Zoo Park, Hyderabad, is considered to be one of the best zoos in Asia. It is well-maintained and expansive. Thus Hyderabad zoo is home to over 1500 species of birds, reptiles, and animals. Here, you can see various species such as white peacocks, rhinoceros, chimpanzees, African elephants, Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, slender loris, antelopes, pythons, and more. The zoo is expanded over an area of 380 acres.
You get to Ride on a Toy Train
One of the USPs of the Zoo Park, Hyderabad, is the toy train ride. You can get a quick look around the park while on the train ride. This is especially ideal when you just want to take the lay of the land before you start exploring it. Note that the ticket price of a toy train ride is additional to the ticket price of the zoo. A toy train ride for an adult costs ₹20 and for a child (under the age of 10) is ₹10.
Go on a Tiger and Lion Safari
To experience a safari one would generally have to visit a national park or sanctuary. Another option to go on a safari is by simply visiting the Zoo Park, Hyderabad. The zoo houses Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, bison, and more, that you watch on the safari. The ticket price of a safari is also added to the ticket price of Zoo Park, Hyderabad. For an adult, the safari costs ₹50 and ₹30 for a child.
Visit the Nocturnal House
A zoo is an open space and it is open only during the day. However, not all animals that live in the wild are day animals. Many become active after dusk. So it is difficult for a person visiting a zoo to also see these nocturnal animals. At the Zoo Park, Hyderabad, you can buy the ticket for the Nocturnal House and also see the animals that live by the night. These include bats, cats, loris, owls, and more. Here, too, you will have to buy a separate ticket to enter the Nocturnal house. The ticket costs ₹10 for a child and ₹20 for an adult.
Watch the Jurassic Park
Not the movie, but actual replicas of the dinosaurs that existed during the Jurassic era. You may have seen many of these dinosaurs in the 1993 Steven Spielberg hit movie of the same name as well. Here, you can see the humongous figures of Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, and more in this Jurassic. This is the perfect place to visit in the Zoo Park, Hyderabad, for those who love dinosaurs.
Important Features and Facilities Zoo Park
It is not only the animals, birds, and reptiles that you get to view at the zoo. The zoo administration also provides various features and facilities that enhance your experience at the zoo. These include:
Parking Facility
A separate parking facility has been made for 2- and 4-wheelers. You can safely car your park in the designated parking spot and explore the zoo without worrying about anything.
Security
The security of the visitors and the animals is of the utmost importance at the zoo. This is why security personnel are present throughout the park to avoid any sort of unpleasant incident. Fire-safety equipment is always present throughout the premises. And just in case anyone falls sick, the first-aid facility is also provided inside the zoo.
It’s Plastic-Free Area
One of the best parts about the Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, is that it’s entirely free of plastic. No visitor is even allowed to take plastic inside the zoo premises, be it a packet, polythene or bag. In case you happen to be carrying a plastic bag with you, you can either leave it in your car or submit it at the entrance. The goal of this step is to conserve the wildlife at the zoo and avoid littering.
Other Important Things to Know about Zoo Park, Hyderabad
Where is it Located?
The Zoo Park, Hyderabad, is located near Mir Alam Tank on Zoo Main Park Road, Bahadarpura West, in Hyderabad, Telangana.
What are the Timings of the Park?
The timing of Zoo Park, Hyderabad, is 8:00 am to 5 pm all days of the week except Mondays.
What are the Facilities for the visitors?
You get access to free safe drinking water, toilets, first-aid, shelters, and benches in the park. The park also has guesthouse accommodation for those who want to rest.
What is the Entry Fee?
The ticket price of Zoo Park, Hyderabad, has been divided into two categories: Weekdays and weekends. On the weekdays, the ticket price per child (3-10 years) is ₹30 and for an adult (everyone above the age of 10) is ₹50. On the weekends, the ticket price per child is ₹40 and per adult is ₹60. There is no ticket for a child under the age of 3 years. Further, you can also rent cameras at the zoo. The charge for a still camera is ₹100 and for a video camera, it’s ₹500.
The Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will remember forever. The rich diversity, lush environment, thrilling safaris, and educational activities will keep you and the children busy throughout the day. It’s an all-in-one package that you and your family will enjoy.
Places to Visit in and near Hyderabad
When you are visiting the Hyderabad zoo, obviously that is not the only place you will visit. Hyderabad is a beautiful city and there are numerous places that you can visit. Let’s take a look at some of the places to visit in Hyderabad and near it after you have visited the zoo:
Charminar
Hyderabad is recognised throughout India and around the world with Charminar. It is a mosque that was constructed in 1591. Although Charminar has religious and historical significance, it’s the market around the Charminar that’s the most popular. The market is always filled with people and it becomes a hub of people to hang out when Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha draw near. Charminar gets its name from the four ornate pillars at the corners, further supported by grand arches.
Nallamalla Hills
It is the perfect destination for when you want to step away from the hubbub of the city. Being a not-so-popular hill station, you can be assured that you will always find a good place to stay and be right at home in the tranquillity that the hill station offers. Here, you can also watch the confluence of the Pennar and Krishna rivers into a foamy waterfall. It also has a man-made lake named Cumban Lake. You can sit by its shore, read, and just relax.
Chowmahalla Palace
The 200-year-old palace is the epitome of regality that Hyderabad exudes. This beautiful mansion is has a clock tower, council hall, Roshan Bungalow, and two courtyards. This is the place where the Nizams of Hyderabad used to live in. It was built by Nizam Salabat Jung and to this day it is the property of one of his descendants of the Nizams.
There are several hill stations near Hyderabad as well that you can visit. In that sense, the options are aplenty and whether it is a tourist or a traveller, you are definitely spoilt for choice.
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