Nehru Zoological Park

Nehru Zoological Park covers about 380 acres at Kishan Bagh in Bahadurpura, south of Hyderabad's Old City, Telangana, India. It is one of the largest zoos in the country and houses a broad range of Indian and exotic species, including Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos, primates, reptiles and a large collection of birds. Many enclosures use open moats rather than cages, and the park spreads over wooded, gently undulating land near a lake, so a visit involves a lot of walking unless a battery-operated vehicle is hired. A lion safari and a tiger safari run through fenced forest areas in a caged bus, giving close views of big cats, and these cost extra. Other attractions include a natural history museum, a toy train and a nocturnal animal house, which suit families with children. A full visit takes three to four hours at least, and many visitors stay longer. Winter mornings are ideal: animals are more active before about 11AM, and the temperature is comfortable, while summer afternoons are hot and most animals rest in shade. The zoo is closed on Mondays and open from 8:30AM to 5:00PM on other days. Weekends and school holidays bring heavy crowds and long queues for the safari, so weekday mornings are the best option. Entry costs about INR 100 for adults and INR 50 for children, with vehicles, safaris and the toy train charged separately. Food stalls inside sell snacks and water, and carrying a refillable bottle helps. Battery vehicles on hire help those with limited mobility or small children navigate the long distances. The zoo is about 5 km from Charminar, reachable by auto or TGSRTC bus.