Wanderyn
Nandankanan Zoo
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · India

Nandankanan Zoo

Getting around: About 15-20km from central Bhubaneswar, roughly 30-45 minutes by road. Reached by auto-rickshaw, taxi, or local bus.
Hours: Open daily except Mondays, roughly 7:30am to 5:30pm (seasonal variation).

Nandankanan Zoological Park is a large zoo and botanical garden built around Kanjia Lake, notable for its white tiger breeding program (it was among the first to successfully breed white tigers) and a walk-through lion safari section. It combines a conventional zoo layout with a safari-style enclosure for lions and, separately, tigers, giving closer viewing than a caged-vehicle safari.

The zoo also has a botanical garden section and a small boating option on the lake, making it a fairly complete half-day family outing. It's one of India's better-regarded zoos in terms of enclosure design and conservation programs, though expectations should still be set for a zoo rather than a wild reserve.

Nandankanan Zoo FAQs

Is Nandankanan known for white tigers specifically?

Yes, it's historically significant as one of the pioneering centers for white tiger breeding in India.

How long does a visit take?

3-4 hours to see the zoo, safari sections, and botanical garden at a relaxed pace.

Which day is it closed?

Mondays.

Is there a safari-style section?

Yes, a walk-through style lion safari and separate tiger safari zones offer closer viewing than typical zoo enclosures, distinct from the general animal exhibit areas.

Is it suitable for young children?

Yes, it's a popular family destination in Bhubaneswar given the range of animals and the lake-side setting.

Your travel graph
Ready to plan Nandankanan Zoo?Planning a trip soon? Add it to build an itinerary.

Reviews/Comments

No comments yet — be the first.