In October during the Dussehra holidays, I visited Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur. It is also called Nahargarh Zoological Park. The prime attraction of this visit was the recently shifted Jaipur Zoo, from Ramniwas Garden near the Albert Hall museum to the Nahargarh Biological Park, Kukas, on Delhi Highway. This park has been in the making for the last few years and it opened in 2016. It is one of the leading biological parks in India.
I visited a part of this park having few enclosures with lions and tigers some 5 years ago. The Zoo in Jaipur being small forced the authorities to shift a few cats to this place. I’m not sure if this section is still open to the public. I’m sharing a few pictures from that trip.
Visiting Nahargarh Biological Park Zoo requires planning as it is 20 KM from the city center; a 45 minutes drive. I have wanted to visit the park because I have trekked in the vicinity many times. It’s a beautiful terrain that occupies 80 hectares.
The announcement board on the highway is subdued and one is likely to miss it. A narrow road from the highway leads to its entrance concealed by the Aravali hills. The road ends at a roundabout where you can purchase Nahargarh Biological and Zoological Park entry tickets.
It is here you can either park your vehicle or decide to take it further by paying extra charges. You can only drive a kilometer and a half further from this point. My friend who had visited here before advised me to park the car in the parking lot. I hired an e-rickshaw available at a flat rate of Rs 60 one way.
The road which leads from the roundabout to the zoo entrance is cemented. Many people choose to walk this distance. Still-camera is charged steeply and the entrance ticket is checked twice before you enter the zoo.
I was delighted with the well-planned layout and landscaping of the zoo area. One gets a feeling of an expansive and open space.
The first open-air cage was that of a white tiger. I’m assuming a reason for placing the white tiger away from other cats. It looks like the aim is to delight and wow visitors since the white tiger is not common in a zoo.
One gets to see a variety of animals from sloth bear, crocodile, emu, civet, porcupine to various species of deer. Information about each species is also placed on a board adjacent to the enclosure.
You will find benches placed along the walkway in case you want to sit & relax. There’s a resting hut along with a public toilet, however, the upkeep of the toilet is poor. It looked like it wasn’t cleaned for days and there were signs of vandalism.
In a zoo, the prime attraction is either exotic animals like giraffes, Elephant,s and so on. However, in Nahargarh Biological Park it is big cats. The anticipation for the cat family starts building up when one notices painted paw marks on the walkway.
Enclosures of the cat family are placed side by side. There is a lion, a Bengal tiger, and a panther.
The last section of this zoo is that of a fox family.
Is Nahargarh Biological Park a new Zoo in Jaipur? Overall, the zoo at Nahargarh Biological Park is bigger and better than the old Jaipur Zoo. The bird section is yet to be shifted to here which is a dampener since it doesn’t complete the zoo experience. From the perspective of animals, the topography is natural with no human settlement around.
Improvements can be made in a couple of areas. I do feel that there is a need for better facilities, especially food and water. Currently, there is no canteen or food court for visitors. In summer the lack of drinking water will be a menace; make sure you are carrying enough water with you on your visit. There are talks of introducing Zebra and Giraffes as well under the animal exchange program from Kenya but nothing has been finalized yet. The biological park section is slated to open in the second half of 2018.
Lion Safari in Nahargarh Biological Park And Ticket Charges
The government has plans to start Lion Safari in Nahargarh Zoological Park starting in October 2018 and in all likelihood, it will start as planned. Update August 2019 – Having sought lions from Gujrat, the lion safari has started in Nahargarh Biological Park. The lion safari ticket price is Rs 250 per person for Indians and Rs 500 for foreigners; it is a combo ticket availing a visit to the Nahargarh Biological Park. The time for the lion safari is 9 AM to 4 PM.
Update August 2019: Recently, among the list of animals in Nahargarh Zoological Park, a pair of hippopotami has been added.
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Nahargarh Biological & Zoological Park Entry Ticket
Nahargarh Zoological Park Entry Ticket is priced at Rs 20 for students, Rs 50 for Indian adults, and Rs 200 for foreigners. Kids under 7 years have free admission. Charges for a car are Rs 200 and camera Rs 600. A video camera is charged at Rs 1000.
Nahargarh Biological & Zoological Park Ticket Booking Online
Nahargarh Zoological Park ticket booking can be online https://sso.rajasthan.gov.in/signin
Nahargarh Biological & Zoological Park Timings
The time of Nahargarh Zoological Park is 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM. Nahargarh Zoological Park is closed on Tuesdays. Nahargarh Zoological Park’s timings on Sunday are the same as on other days.
Best Time To Visit Nahargarh Zoological Park
It is recommended to visit this park during the early morning in the summer months, March to September. October- February is the ideal month to enjoy a visit to this zoo as the weather is pleasant.
How to reach Nahargarh Biological & Zoological Park by bus?
You can also reach Nahargarh Biological Park with the Jaipur city bus system; it won’t be the most suitable or comfortable mode of transport though. Check with the bus heading towards Amer Kukas or Kunda. Do note that you need to walk for 1-2 km to the entry gates of the park, from the Jaipur-Delhi highway, the drop point for those arriving from Jaipur. Alternatively, you can take a bus ride from Jaipur to Amer and hire an autorickshaw to Nahargarh Biological Park.
You can also club your visit to Nahargarh Biological & Zoological Park with Tao Experiences
JaipurThruMyLens 
This looks like a good place for families to visit and of great educational value to children. There is a good selection of animals – I love the white tiger and would love to see that. As long as the animals are well kept and fed, and have plenty of space, I’m OK with zoos. From what you say, the visitor facilities need improving. I don’t like the sound of the toilet. 😦 Another good review, Arv, with great photos. 😀
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Thanks, Millie for sharing your views. Overall, it’s a great attempt. Yes, it’s a great experience for the kids and family. I’m sure you will enjoy visiting and getting an opportunity to see some unique fauna from this region. I’m hoping that authorities will do something about these issues. 😃
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No canteen? I amn’t liking this place then.
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Haha. Is that the only motivation for the visit? 😜
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I can imagine the thrill of seeing the big cats. Thanks for the tour.
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Happy to know you found it exciting! 🙂
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It looks peaceful, but I always feel sad when I see animals behind fences.
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I can understand. For us humans, they are like prized possessions or display pieces. When you think about it, we have robbed them of their home.
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The expanse of the zoo is amazing. Do you think the big cats like the tiger, panther etc…had enough room for them? We visited a zoo in Jaipur and it was in bad shape. A tiger was injured and was locked in a cage. This looks much better in comparison. Have you ever seen a tiger in the wild?
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Cheryl, if you ask me, I don’t like the idea of having a zoo. These animals were not meant to be in these enclosures. And for that reason alone I have only been to Jaipur zoo when I was a kid. So it’s been years. I don’t even like the idea of taking an animal ride. It’s a cruelty. Those are my personal beliefs. No I have never seen a tiger in its natural habitat. I have had experience of being close to a panther in one of the hikes.
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I agree with you completely. We’re on the same page on this one. 🙂
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Happy to hear this, Cheryl! 🙂
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Great pictures, Arv. The zoo seems to be very spacious and well maintained. The painted paw marks look tempting indeed.
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Thanks, Somali! Yes, it’s a well-maintained zoo. Painted paw-marks certainly is a good idea to break the monotony.
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I love that they have kept the natural landscape for the animals – a lot of zoos seem to go with either very man made features or faux landscaping that doesn’t suit them at all. Can’t wait to see when the birds join everyone else!
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Yeah, the landscape is akin to jungle. I’m sure birds will join in soon. 😃
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Loved this post!! Thanks for taking me someplace I’ve never been!! Beautiful photos!! They really make the post.
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Happy to hear that you enjoyed this post. There are a couple of more such places which you can check out on blog. 😃
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I really liked the layout and the curiosity they built right at the entrance. It seemed liked an entrance to the Disney Land of animals!
I have been to a few zoo’s myself (not in India) and loved the experiences.
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I hope they add some more animals along with some improvements to the infrastructure to increase the visitor experience. I have heard that San Diego has one of the best zoo in US. Have you been there?
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No, not in San Diego…I’ve been to the one in Sydney, Washington, and now planning for Toronto zoo.
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Great 👍
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Love your new site! Thanks for the tour!
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Happy to know, Susie! Thanks for the visit 🙂
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Wow. Great pictures. You’re not kidding about the highway sign. Just a little more growth on that greenery and it will completely disappear! The directional markers were cute.
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Thanks for siding with my opinion, Jennifer. I think direction markers are very important as it can save you a considerable amount of time and effort. I hope you will agree with me, Jennifer. 🙂
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I have devoted this week’s Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs to BUYB and have shared your link! Claire x
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Thanks Claire for considering my blog worthy enough to be included. Indeed, BUYB was great group and I feel the void cannot be filled up. The community was so awesome. Will check out your blog. Thanks once again, Claire 😊
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There is no worthy about it – you have become a regular online pal and I look forward to your posts taking me on trips that I wouldn’t otherwise go on! Stay in touch x
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Claire, If my posts help you to explore a place which you otherwise couldn’t have managed, it provides me another reason to keep going. Thanks for being around, Claire. Readers like you have propelled this blog to be where it is today. Thanks for being around. 🙂
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xxx
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I love your photos, Arv! There’s nothing like a fun trip to the zoo to see all those beautiful animals. The lion and tiger are especially gorgeous. 🙂
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I agree Lisa that with small kids zoo is a fun trip. While we may not be fascinated with wildlife, kids do. Have you been to a zoo in your city?
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Yes. I’ve taken my kids to the zoo every summer since they were babies. They got to feed the giraffes and pet the goats. They always had fun. Now they’re a little old for the zoo. Sniff.
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Happy memories. well, things change, Lisa! But on a positive note, you have lots of memories 🙂
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I always come on to your site and enjoy your photos, always beautiful. I personally would never visit a zoo, (just my view, no judgement) and I hate to see natural pack/herd animals caged and alone, but it looks like they are at least trying to make the facilities better. I long to visit India, your blog always intensifies that.
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Thanks, Kerry for all the encouraging words. I know many people don’t like to see animals in captivity. And I’m also one of them. My personal view is that animals are not meant to be caged. Let them be how they were meant to be. We already have so commercial interests even in game park and national reserves by way of selling tours and rides.
I’m hoping that you do get to visit India, someday, Kerry. Thanks for appreciating and sharing your thoughts. 🙂
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As usual a beautifully written post. I had visited Jaipur zoo very long time before. Must be in 1980s.i was not impressed. Visitors were throwing chappals at otters. I did not know zoo has shifted outside with a better plan. I liked what your picture showed. But I think time is passed when you put big cats in small enclosures. Modern zoos are like big reserve forest where animals roam free.
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The one you visited was commissioned in the late 19th century and has served for years. The authorities are now starting a lion safari. So open zoo is also in plan but not the kinds we see in many other countries. thanks for sharing your views. 🙂
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I was visited on 19th December 2018. It is a very nice place and designed according to an international zoological park.
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Thanks 🙂
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Arv, I had a liking for Zoological gardens in my childhood, but with growing age, I developed negativity for them seeing the plight of the poor animals in filthy cages, sick and devoured. The new Nahargarh biological garden seems to be a welcome change for the concept of Zoological Gardens in India. I hope things go the way it is planned and the poor animals of the Zoo get to live in a better condition in open, spacious cages with natural elements around and no humans in close proximity to disturb them.
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Personally, I don’t think animals should be kept in captivity (at all). They were meant to live in the forests. But yes, this one is better than the traditional zoo that we all have grown up with. This zoo is not pioneer as there are many others across the world, however there are only a handful in our country. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sarmistha.
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