If Mysore is your destination for a quick weekend getaway with the family, apart from the Mysore Palace and other attractions in the city, we recommend checking out the Mysore Zoo. Located about 142 kilometres from Bangalore, you can drive down to the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysore Zoo.
The zoo has a history of over 130 years, covering an area of 157 acres and housing more than 168 species from around the world. Originally created as a private menagerie by Chamaraja Wadiyar X, the 23rd Maharaja of Mysore, in 1892, it was later passed to the Zoo Authority of Karnataka. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, or the Palace Zoo as it was first called, is considered one of the oldest zoos in India and one of the oldest in the world.
As you walk through the entrance, you might be reminded of the movie We Bought A Zoo! You can either choose to walk around the zoo or hop on the seven-seater battery-operated buggies. A walk around the zoo will take about four hours, especially if you linger near the bandstand and artificial lake.
So, keep your sports shoes ready because the walk won’t be short. If you're visiting with little ones, they’ll be excited to spot giraffes munching on leaves from giant trees, rhinos, monkeys, baby elephants with their mothers, and a wide variety of birds. We're not kidding when we say huge variety — you’ll see black swans, Darwin's rhea, Goffin’s cockatoo, the Great Indian Hornbill, Scarlett Macaw, and Toucans. If you're a reptile lover, you’re in for a treat with King Cobras, Indian Cobras, Anacondas, Crocodiles, Iguanas, and wild lizards.
Our personal favourite is the white tiger in its element, with visitors marveling at its beauty. In 2022, the white tiger gave birth to three cubs, which sparked joy and celebrations. African cheetahs, Bengal foxes, leopards, and lions create a Jungle Book-like menagerie.
There are free water taps and toilets along the route, which come in handy. If you get hungry, there’s a food court inside the zoo. Mysore Zoo also offers an animal adoption scheme, allowing you to sponsor an animal for a period, and it’s not as expensive as you might think.
Timings & Pricing: The zoo is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (except Tuesdays). The best time to visit is around 11 AM.
Ticket prices are INR 100 for adults and INR 50 for children.
How to Reach: Mysore Zoo is about a 3-hour drive from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. You can easily take a cab from there to the zoo.
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