Gwalior Zoo: Ticket Price, Timings, How to Visit

Gwalior is one of the most beautiful cities of Madhya Pradesh, India, known for its ancient architecture, and old temples. As the birthplace of the great Tansen, the city is also highlighted for its rich cultural heritage. Besides, there are several marvellous places in the city that attract globetrotters and the Gwalior Zoo is another feather in its cap.

Also known as the Gandhi Zoo, it is one of the popular city attractions and an ideal spot for a day tour or weekend getaway with family and friends. If you are planning to visit the Gwalior Zoo, here is what to expect.

About the Gwalior Zoo 

Built in the year 1992 by Madhavrao Scindia as Mahatma Gandhi Zoological Park, the place forms a section of the larger garden named Phool Bagh, which also houses a gurdwara, mosque, theosophical lodge and a prayer hall.

Spread across 8 hectares of land, the zoo is among the largest zoological parks in central India and serves as a home to some rare and commonly found species of wild animals. Due to the presence of rare animal species, the zoo has been declared to be a protected site maintained by the Municipal Corporation of Gwalior as a part of its inheritance.

Animals at Gwalior Zoo 

The Gwalior zoo is a good place to spot some rare and protected species of wild animals along with the commonly found ones, all in their natural habitat. These include hyena, spotted deer, blackbuck, bear, panther, bison, sambhar, hippopotamus, white tiger, royal Bengal tiger, lion, snake, lizard, crocodile, monkey and many more. Besides, the visitors get to spot various colourful birds like golden pheasant, painted storks, falcons, macau among other 300 odd species.

This makes it one of the best places to visit in Gwalior, not just for travellers but also for the wildlife enthusiast.

Main Attractions 

While the zoo serves as home to numerous animals, some of its major highlights are,

White Tiger

A white tigress named Yamuna is among the major attractions at the zoo along with her 2 cubs. They are among the few white tigers found in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. The white tiger is a man-made hybrid of the Siberian and Bengal tigers, which is the reason behind its popularity.

Golden Pheasant

Native to western China, these rarely found bird species are known for their beautiful golden crest, rump and bright red body. These beauties are known to migrate to some Indian states to survive the difficult weather conditions at their native place. 

Sambhar

A deer species native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and other parts of Southeast Asia. It has been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN red list since 2008 as its population has declined due to severe hunting and industrial exploitation of its habitat. 

Hyena

Dog-like creatures with a stripped brown body, hyenas are normal scavengers found in African and Asian regions. Otherwise common, their rarity at other zoological parks across the country make them a popular attraction among wildlife enthusiasts visiting Gwalior zoo.

Bison

The Indian gaur or Bison is a native to Southeast Asia and a listed vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 1986. However, its population in well-protected areas like Gwalior Zoo is stable and increasing. 

Gwalior Zoo Timings and Entry Fee 

Gwalior Zoo timings for visitors are from 8:00 am to 5 pm on all days of the week except for Fridays. A trip of 2 to 3 hours is sufficient for visitors to completely explore the place, making it an ideal place for Gwalior sightseeing one day tour.

Following is the entry ticket price for Gwalior zoo.

• Adults: Rs 30
• Children: Rs 10
• Students: Rs 20
• Foreign nationals: Rs 100

The visitors willing to take their cameras along will have to pay additional charges.

NOTE: The Zoo is currently closed for the general public, adhering to the COVID-19 safety guidelines. Any further intimation about the reopening of the Gwalior Zoo, including timings, ticket price, etc will be updated on the official website of MP Tourism.

How to Reach Gwalior Zoo? 

The Gwalior Zoo is located near the Mayor’s office on the Italian Garden Road, Phool Bagh. It can be easily accessed from different parts of the city via cab, bus, or private vehicle. For visitors coming from other cities of Madhya Pradesh, the place is just 1.5 km from the Gwalior railway station via Padav Bridge and Maharani Laxmibai Marg. Besides, it is around 13 km from the Gwalior airport via the Bhind road and can be reached in just 26 minutes.

General Do’s and Don’ts  

• Do not feed or tease the animals
• Do not carry eatables to the zoo
• Do not bring your pets to the zoo
• Maintain the said distance with the barriers
• Do not play music inside the zoo, especially near the animals

Plan a weekend getaway with friends or a picnic with family to this mini biodiversity treasure of Madhya Pradesh, India. Also, check out the Gwalior tour package online to explore other attractions and witness the culture of central India through the eyes of this ancient city.