The white peacock spreads its ethereal feathers at exactly 9 AM as the first visitors enter Mysore Zoo animals tickets gates, beginning another day at one of India’s oldest and best-maintained zoological parks. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, established in 1892, houses 168 species across 245 acres, with tickets priced at Rs 100 for adults and Rs 50 for children. The zoo’s 1.5 million annual visitors come for star attractions like white tigers, giraffes, and the extensive bird collection.
Mysore Zoo Tickets and Entry
Ticket prices: Adults (above 12 years) Rs 100. Children (5-12 years) Rs 50. Below 5 years FREE. Students with ID Rs 50. Senior citizens (60+) Rs 50. Foreign nationals Rs 400.
Special tickets: Still camera FREE (mobile phones). Video camera Rs 200. Professional photography Rs 1500 (prior permission). Battery vehicle Rs 50 adults, Rs 30 children. Toy train Rs 30 per person.
Entry points: Main entrance on Indiranagar Road. Exit through same gate. Separate entry for differently-abled. Group bookings (30+) get 20% discount with advance notice.
Online booking: Available through zoo website. Same price but skip queue. QR code valid for single entry. Booking window 7 days. Refund policy strict.
Zoo Timings and Best Visit Hours
Operating hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM). Closed on Tuesdays for maintenance. Open all public holidays including Dasara. Extended hours during special events.
Best time slots: 8:30-10:30 AM ideal – animals active, weather pleasant. 10:30 AM-1 PM getting crowded and hot. 2-4 PM animals resting, avoid. 4-5:30 PM second best time.
Seasonal timing: October-February perfect weather. March-May very hot, carry protection. June-September less crowded, occasional rain. Winters best for all-day visit.
Complete Animals List by Zones
Big cats: White tigers (4 individuals). Royal Bengal tigers (6). Lions (African and Asiatic). Leopards. Jaguars. White tiger feeding 2:30 PM Wednesdays, Sundays.
Primates: Chimpanzees (crowd favorite). Baboons. Langurs. Bonnet macaques. Gorilla enclosure under renovation. Feeding time 11 AM daily entertainment.
Herbivores: Giraffes (5 including baby). African elephants (4). Asian elephants (6). Zebras. Hippos (pool viewing). Rhino. Gaur (Indian bison).
Birds: 60+ species. Peacocks roam freely. Pelicans. Painted storks. Macaws. Lorikeets. Walk-through aviary must-visit. Flamingo pond near entrance.
Reptiles: King cobra. Pythons. Crocodiles. Monitor lizards. Star tortoise. Iguana. AC reptile house maintains temperature. Glass viewing safe.
Star Attractions and Shows
White tiger: Prime attraction, 4 individuals. Best viewing 9-10 AM when active. Special enclosure with pool. Feeding demonstration Wednesdays, Sundays 2:30 PM.
Giraffe feeding: Public participation 11 AM and 3 PM. Rs 50 for feeding opportunity. Limited to 20 people. Queue early. Great photo opportunity.
Elephant activities: No more rides (stopped for welfare). Watching bath time 11:30 AM entertaining. Mahouts share interesting facts. Respectful distance maintained.
Bird show: Discontinued but walk-through aviary compensates. Enter carefully, birds fly freely. Photography spectacular. Morning hours best activity.
Learn about wildlife conservation efforts and adoption programs.
Zones and Walking Route
Suggested route: Enter main gate, flamingos immediately visible. Turn right for big cats. Continue to primates. Herbivores in center. Birds section. Reptile house. Exit via aquarium.
Distance: Complete circuit 4.5 km. Takes 3-4 hours leisurely pace. Shortcuts available. Well-marked paths. Shaded walkways mostly. Benches every 200 meters.
Navigation: Map at entrance Rs 10 or free app download. Signboards in English/Kannada. Staff helpful with directions. Wheelchair accessible paths marked.
Facilities and Amenities
Transport inside: Battery vehicles Rs 50/30 (adult/child) for 45-minute tour. Covers major attractions. Commentary in English/Kannada. Frequency every 30 minutes. Book at entrance.
Amenities: Toilets at 6 locations (clean, Rs 5). Drinking water stations free. First aid center near entrance. Lost and found counter. Wheelchairs available free.
Food options: Canteen near entrance (basic meals Rs 80-150). Snack counters at 3 points. Ice cream parlors. Outside food allowed in designated areas. No plastic strictly enforced.
Parking: Two-wheelers Rs 10, Cars Rs 30, Buses Rs 100. Ample space rarely full. 5-minute walk to entrance. Covered parking limited. Security guards present.
Special Experiences
Zoo adoption program: Adopt animal for year Rs 5,000-50,000 depending on species. Name displayed on enclosure. Tax benefits available. Corporate CSR popular.
Behind-the-scenes tour: Rs 500 per person, groups of 10. See food preparation, medical care. Meet zookeepers. Advance booking required. Educational and fascinating.
Night safari: Special occasions only. Rs 300 per person. Different animal behaviors visible. Limited seats. Book through zoo website when announced.
Educational programs: School groups get guided tours. Nature camps during summer. Wildlife week celebrations October. Quiz competitions with prizes.
According to Central Zoo Authority, Mysore Zoo ranks among India’s best-maintained zoos.
Photography Tips
Best spots: White tiger enclosure morning light. Giraffe feeding platform. Peacocks near entrance. Flamingo pond reflections. Aviary for bird flight shots.
Equipment: Telephoto lens recommended (200mm+). Flash photography prohibited. Tripods allowed with permission. Weekdays less crowded for photography.
Timings: Morning 9-10 AM golden hour. Afternoon harsh shadows. Cloudy days perfect even lighting. Feeding times action shots.
Conservation and Education
Breeding programs: Successfully bred white tigers, lions, gaur. Gharial conservation project ongoing. Bird breeding aviaries restricted access.
Rescue center: Rehabilitates injured wildlife. Not open to public. Veterinary hospital modern facilities. Research on animal behavior conducted.
Education: Information boards at each enclosure. QR codes for audio information. Library open to researchers. Documentary screenings occasionally.
Tips for Families
With toddlers: Rent stroller at entrance Rs 100. Changing rooms available. Carry snacks, milk. Morning visit recommended. Avoid crowded weekends.
Children engagement: Zoo map treasure hunt. Count different birds. Animal sounds game. Quiz questions at enclosures. Souvenir shop rewards.
Safety: Stay on designated paths. Do not feed animals. Supervise children near water bodies. Emergency contacts displayed. First aid readily available.
Accessibility Features
Wheelchair access: Most paths wheelchair friendly. Ramps at major exhibits. Special viewing areas. Free wheelchair loan with ID.
Senior citizens: Golf cart service on request (subject to availability). Rest areas with shade. Reduced entry fee. Priority at battery vehicle.
Special needs: Sign language guides available (advance notice). Tactile experiences for visually impaired. Quiet zones for sensory sensitive.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer (March-May): Animals less active. Early morning essential. Carry sun protection, water. Ice treats for animals entertaining. Peacock mating displays.
Monsoon (June-September): Lush greenery beautiful. Animals playful in rain. Carry umbrellas. Some areas may flood. Fewer crowds advantage.
Winter (October-February): Perfect weather throughout day. Animals most active. Migratory birds visible. Peak tourist season. Book battery vehicle early.
Nearby Attractions
Walking distance: Karanji Lake (500m) for more birds. St. Philomena’s Church (1 km).
Short ride: Mysore Palace (1 km). Jaganmohan Palace (1.5 km). Railway Museum (3 km).
Day combination: Zoo morning (8:30 AM-12:30 PM). Lunch break. Palace afternoon (2-5 PM). Efficient sightseeing.
Common Mistakes
Timing: Arriving afternoon when animals inactive. Tuesday visit (closed). Not checking feeding times. Underestimating time needed.
Preparation: No sun protection summer. Wearing heels (lots of walking). Not bringing water. Heavy bags (lockers not available).
Behavior: Teasing animals. Using flash photography. Littering (heavy fines). Loud noise disturbing animals.
FAQs About Mysore Zoo Animals Tickets
How many animals are in Mysore Zoo?
168 species with approximately 1,500 individual animals. Includes 50+ mammal species, 60+ bird species, various reptiles. New additions regularly through breeding programs and exchanges.
Can we carry food inside Mysore Zoo?
Yes, outside food allowed but only in designated eating areas. No plastic bags/bottles. Glass bottles prohibited. Feeding animals strictly forbidden with Rs 500 fine.
Is Mysore Zoo worth visiting?
Absolutely. One of India’s best-maintained zoos. Spacious naturalistic enclosures. Good animal variety. Educational value high. Clean facilities. Reasonable ticket price. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.
Which day is Mysore Zoo closed?
Closed every Tuesday for maintenance. Open all other days including public holidays. Special hours during Dasara. Check website for emergency closures.
Best age for children to visit zoo?
Ages 3-12 most enjoyable. Below 3 may tire quickly. Stroller recommended for toddlers. Teenagers might prefer behind-the-scenes tour. Educational for all ages.
Published: April 2025 | Next Update: After summer season review