Nandankanan Zoo 2026 Guide: Timings, Tickets and Safari
Plan your Nandankanan Zoo visit in 2026 with timings, ticket prices, safari details, white tiger highlights, and practical tips for Bhubaneswar.
Nandankanan Zoological Park, situated 15 km north of Bhubaneswar railway station near Barang, ranks among India’s foremost open-air zoological parks and ex-situ conservation reserves. Spanning 437 hectares across moist deciduous woodland and Kanjia Lake, the sanctuary provides naturalistic habitats for 156 wildlife species.
Key Takeaways
- Total Sanctuary Area: 437 hectares integrating the biological park, Botanical Garden, and 66-hectare Kanjia Lake wetland.
- Entry Fee: ₹50 for adults, ₹20 for children (3 to 12 years), and ₹100 for foreign tourists.
- Operating Hours: 07:30 AM to 05:30 PM (April to September) and 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM (October to March). Closed every Monday.
- Safari Costs: ₹100 for air-conditioned safari bus and ₹65 for non-AC safari bus covering tigers and lions.
- Conservation Milestones: First zoo globally to breed Indian pangolins in captivity and home to the world’s first captive-born white tiger litters.
Nandankanan Zoo: Quick Facts and Overview
Established on December 29, 1960, Nandankanan translates literally to the Garden of Heaven. The complex blends a modern zoological park, an ex-situ captive breeding research station, and a 75-hectare state botanical garden.
The park is recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India as a Large Zoo category facility. It holds the rare distinction of being the first Indian zoo inducted into the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
| Sanctuary Parameter | Official Detail |
|---|---|
| Geographic Location | Barang, Bhubaneswar, Khordha District, Odisha |
| Total Campus Area | 437 hectares (1,080 acres) |
| Species Inhabiting | 156 species (over 3,000 individual animals and birds) |
| Weekly Holiday | Every Monday (mandatory closure for upkeep) |
| Standard Entry Tariff | ₹50 per adult; ₹20 per child |
| Helpline Contact | +91-674-2466075 |
| Administrative Website | nandankanan.org |
Travelers designing extended city itineraries can combine this wildlife destination with other renowned tourist places in Bhubaneswar across the capital district. For families traveling with young children, our companion guide to things to do in Bhubaneswar with kids highlights planetarium shows, botanical gardens, and indoor play zones.
Ticket Prices, Safari Charges, and Online Booking
Nandankanan maintains regulated, low-cost gate tariffs to ensure affordable eco-education for students and traveling families. Separate nominal fees apply for open-vehicle safaris, toy trains, and boating.
| Facility or Activity | Tariff (INR) | Operational Details |
|---|---|---|
| Adult General Entry | ₹50 | Age 12 years and above |
| Child Entry Ticket | ₹20 | Age 3 to 12 years (Under 3 years enter free) |
| Foreign Tourist Entry | ₹100 | International passport holders |
| Tiger & Lion Safari (AC) | ₹100 | Enclosed air-conditioned bus expedition |
| Tiger & Lion Safari (Non-AC) | ₹65 | Standard safari bus loop |
| Bear Safari | ₹15 | Sloth bear naturalistic territory loop |
| Herbivore Safari | ₹15 | Spotted deer and sambar open corridor |
| Battery Operated Vehicle (BOV) | ₹80 | Guided eco-shuttle across major enclosures |
| Toy Train Ride | ₹50 | Scenic circuit for adults (₹30 for children) |
| Pedal Boating on Kanjia Lake | ₹50 | 2-seater boat for 30 min (₹150 for 6-seater) |
Visitors can purchase admission passes and combo safari tokens through the Nandankanan Zoological Park Official Portal to bypass long counter queues during weekends.
Timings, Seasonal Schedule, and Best Visiting Hours
The zoological park operates on seasonal timetables designed to protect animal health during coastal summer heatwaves and winter migration cycles. The park ticket windows open early in the morning.
| Season | Entry Gate Opens | Entry Gate Closes | Mandatory Weekly Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (April to September) | 07:30 AM | 05:30 PM | Every Monday |
| Winter (October to March) | 08:00 AM | 05:00 PM | Every Monday |
Arriving at 08:00 AM allows visitors to observe carnivores and primates during their active morning feeding periods. Visitors can avoid long safari ticket queues and afternoon humidity by finishing walking loops before midday.
The Safaris: White Tiger, Lion, Bear, and Herbivore Expeditions
The enclosed safari zones comprise one of the most popular visitor attractions in eastern India. Visitors travel inside reinforced steel-meshed vehicles that drive directly through expansive naturalistic habitats.
The combined White Tiger and Asiatic Lion Safari traverses 20 hectares of undulating Sal woodland. Visitors frequently observe royal Bengal tigers, white tigers, and prides of lions resting beneath natural tree canopies or drinking along water channels.
The Sloth Bear Safari covers 5 hectares of rocky woodland where bears forage across termite mounds. Nearby, the 21-hectare Herbivore Safari houses spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, and rare four-horned antelopes living in mixed-species grassland herds.
Major Wildlife Highlights and Conservation Milestones
Nandankanan achieved international scientific acclaim in 1980 when normal-colored Bengal tigers Deepak and Ganga produced three white tiger cubs. Today the zoo maintains the largest captive gene pool of white tigers across Asia.
The park houses a specialized breeding center for the endangered Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata). Supported by national research bodies, Nandankanan remains the only zoological center globally to successfully birth and rear pangolins in captive conditions.
The freshwater gharial crocodile (Gavialis gangeticus) conservation project was launched here in the 1970s. The zoo successfully hatches gharials in dedicated pools before releasing healthy juveniles into the Mahanadi River basin.
For broader travel ideas across national parks and bio-reserves, explore our comprehensive guide on tourist destinations across Odisha.
Kanjia Lake Wetland and State Botanical Garden
Kanjia Lake is a designated Wetland of National Importance encompassing 66 hectares within the Nandankanan sanctuary. The freshwater lake supports diverse resident wetland bird species, freshwater fish, and dense floral communities.
Between November and February, thousands of migratory waterfowl from northern Asia populate Kanjia Lake. Birdwatchers regularly observe northern pintails, gadwalls, purple swamphens, and openbill storks from designated lakeside boat ghats.
Across the lake expanse lies the 75-hectare State Botanical Garden. This botanical complex features an expansive glasshouse orchidarium, a butterfly conservancy hosting 80 species, a medicinal plant nursery, and centuries-old bonsai specimens.
Nature enthusiasts who enjoy lake habitats can also visit the scenic Deras Dam ecotourism zone located inside nearby Chandaka Forest.
Visitor Amenities, Battery Vehicles, and Family Facilities
Touring the extensive walking loops of Nandankanan is made comfortable by modern electric battery-operated vehicles. These silent buggies transport elders and young children comfortably between animal enclosures for ₹80 per passenger.
The park maintains drinking water stations, clean restroom complexes, wheelchair ramps, and luggage cloakrooms near the entry plaza. A multi-storey cafeteria and shaded resting gazebos offer refreshments throughout the day.
Visitors interested in history can explore the ancient rock-cut Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves, which are located only 12 km southwest of the park.
Official travel updates and state wildlife guidelines are accessible through the Odisha Tourism Nandankanan Destination Guide.
How to Reach Nandankanan from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
Nandankanan is situated along the main arterial highway connecting Bhubaneswar with Cuttack, ensuring straightforward road and rail access.
Mo Bus routes 10 and 16 run regular, affordable air-conditioned services directly from Bhubaneswar Railway Station and Master Canteen square to the zoo entrance gate. The 15 km journey takes 35 minutes and costs under ₹30 per passenger.
Prepaid taxis and auto-rickshaws operate from Biju Patnaik International Airport, located 18 km southwest of the park gates. The venue also features a multi-level automated vehicle parking complex accommodating 500 cars and 1,000 two-wheelers.
After finishing an excursion to the biological park, travelers can head south toward Old Town to explore the famous temples of Bhubaneswar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nandankanan Zoo
Is Nandankanan Zoo open on Mondays?
Nandankanan Zoo remains closed every Monday for weekly sanitization, enclosure repairs, and animal welfare routines. Gates open Tuesday through Sunday at 07:30 AM in summer and 08:00 AM during winter months.
How can visitors book Nandankanan entry tickets online?
Visitors can book admission and safari passes directly through the official Nandankanan portal at nandankanan.org. Online booking generates an e-ticket with a QR code that allows paperless, fast-track gate entry.
How much does the Nandankanan safari bus ride cost?
The combined lion and white tiger safari ticket costs ₹100 for air-conditioned buses and ₹65 for non-AC buses. Separate bear and herbivore safari routes cost ₹15 each per person.
How far is Nandankanan from Bhubaneswar railway station?
The zoo is located approximately 15 km north of Bhubaneswar railway station along the Nandankanan highway. Travel time by Mo Bus or taxi ranges between 35 and 45 minutes depending on highway traffic.
Are outside food items and plastic containers allowed inside the zoo?
Outside food packets and disposable polythene bags are strictly prohibited inside animal enclosure walkways to protect wildlife. Visitors can dine at designated cafeteria food courts or utilize picnic lawns outside the botanical garden gate.
