Over a 380-acre (104-hectare) region of untamed parkland you’ll find wildlife and nature at one of the largest animals parks in India. The Nehru Zoological Park is both a museum and a zoo. It is home to 160 species of animals. Visit the Lion Safari Park, ride an elephant and take some refuge from the busy streets of Hyderabad at this entertaining and educational attraction.
Embark on a safari tour from within the safe confines of a zoo van to get up close with lions and tigers in re-creations of their natural habitats. Admire the grace of Asiatic lions as they move about their 30-acre (12-hectare) enclosure. Immediately adjacent is the even larger tiger area where you can see the striped cats living alongside bison and sloth. The zoo is home to white tigers, jaguars and panthers.
Take the opportunity to see nocturnal animals in the middle of the day by visiting the nocturnal house. By simulating night during the day you can see owls and other nocturnal creatures while they are usually sleeping.
Laugh at the playful baboons and chimpanzees in the primate exhibits and peer through the glass at thousands of bright-coloured fish in the aquarium. Next door you can see dangerous crocodiles and snakes in the reptile enclosure.
Hop aboard the train that moves through the zoo. This is a great way to see as many of the animals as possible. Battery operated vehicles and bicycles are other alternatives to walking and make for great family fun. Bring a picnic and enjoy a snack as you watch other animals feeding.
Nehru Zoological Park is closed Mondays and an admission fee applies. The zoo is located on the edge of Mir Alam Tank Lake, southwest of Hyderabad. A bus services the zoo. Visit at cooler times of the year or in the mornings to see the animals at their most active, as they can get lethargic in the stifling southern Indian heat.
