Nehru Zoological Park

Nehru Zoological Park at Bahadurpura in Hyderabad, Telangana, covers roughly 380 acres and ranks among the largest zoos in India. The park houses a wide range of mammals, birds and reptiles, including Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, white tigers, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, leopards and primates, in enclosures spread across forested grounds near the Mir Alam Tank. Visitors move around the park on foot, by a battery-operated vehicle or by a small toy train, and many also take the lion and tiger safari rides, which are charged separately and run through fenced open-range enclosures. Other attractions include a nocturnal animal house, an aquarium and reptile section, a natural-history museum and a fossil area. The scale of the site means that a full visit takes four to five hours, and many families arrive at opening at 8:30AM to see the animals when they are most active in the cooler morning. The best viewing points are the lion and tiger safari, the big-cat enclosures, the elephant area and the tank-side walkways. Photography is generally allowed, though flash near animals should be avoided and fees may apply for professional cameras. Crowds are heaviest on Sundays, public holidays and school breaks, and the park is closed on Mondays. Entry costs about INR 50 to 60 for adults and INR 30 to 40 for children, with safari rides, battery vehicles and the toy train priced separately, and tariffs and bookings appear on the Telangana Forest Department portal. The zoo is close to the Bahupura crossroads on the road to Mir Alam Tank, and a cab from Charminar costs about INR 150. Visitors should carry water, wear comfortable shoes and use sun protection, because much of the route is exposed and distances between enclosures are long.