National Zoological Park of Delhi

The basics

A few of the larger mammals visitors can expect to encounter include chimpanzees, lions, hippopotamus, African buffalo, Indian elephants, giraffes, spider monkeys, and zebras. There are also a number of migratory bird species of note, along with water birds, crocodiles, hyenas, macaques, and jaguars. An underground reptile house is located at the center of the zoo. The grounds can be explored either on foot or by using one of the zoo’s electric buggies.

Things to know before you go

• The park is a must-visit for families with children.
• The use of still and video cameras costs extra.
• It’s a good idea to wear sunscreen and a hat as much of the zoo is exposed to the elements.
• The zoo is wheelchair accessible and free loaner wheelchairs and strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to get there

The National Zoological Park is located just off Mathura Road, a main thoroughfare that runs north to south on the eastern side of New Delhi. It's just north of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Humayan's Tomb. Pragati Maidan, Khan Market, and Jahwarlal Nehru metro stations are each around 20 minutes away on foot.

When to get there

The zoo is open every day of the week except for Friday, from morning until late afternoon. It’s best visited first thing in the day, particularly if you are coming during the hotter months of the year (April-June).

Free Range Zoo

This zoo is set up to house animals in a way that's as close as possible to their natural environment, and while some residents here are naturally kept in enclosures, others get free roaming privileges around the grounds. These include civets, mongooses, bats, and even porcupines, along with all sorts of avian species, from resident ducks to pelicans that come and go as they please.