Bannerghatta actually comes in two forms, both being the zoo tour and the bus safari where one can see lions, tigers and bears in large open cages, and both come with different tickets, timings and prices. The safari operates on different timings as compared to the zoo, and is closed on Tuesdays, and most things have different costs too. This guide includes the timings, prices of all tickets, the prices for students and groups, the animals that one sees and does not see here, comparison with other zoos, cost of food, and nearby attractions.

Bannerghatta Zoo Timings: The Short Version

Here is the core of it. The Bannergatta Zoo timings are from 9:30 AM to 5 PM, it remains closed on a Tuesday and the safari runs for slightly shorter hours. The following pattern is seen at the Bannerughatta Biological Park, 22 km to the south of Bengaluru. Prices are updated from time to time, so do confirm at the counter.

Detail	At a glance
Zoo, butterfly park, boating	9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Grand (bus) Safari	10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Weekly off	Closed every Tuesday
Zoo entry	Rs 100 adults, Rs 50 children, Rs 60 seniors
Bus safari	Around Rs 670 adult, Rs 470 child
Time to spend	Zoo 2 to 3 hours, with safari a half to full day
Location	Bannerghatta, about 22 km south of Bengaluru

Opening Hours and the Tuesday Closure

Zoo, butterfly garden, and boat rides take place from half past nine to five, while Grand Safari operates on somewhat fewer hours from ten to four-thirty because the last safari bus departs before the park closes. It is important to mention that the park is closed on Tuesdays, which surprises many visitors.

In order to visit both the zoo and safari, one needs to be there early or even at opening time because the safari requires some waiting time for a bus to come and walking through the zoo takes two-three hours. Weekends and holidays are the busiest days when one has to wait longer for the safari, so weekdays except Tuesday are the best options.

The Zoo and the Safari: What Is the Difference

A common source of confusion for first-time visitors so should be made clear. There are two distinct wildlife experiences at Bannerghatta, and each has its own entry ticket.

• The zoo: a walkthrough area covering approximately 12 hectares, where animals are seen in specially designed enclosures by walking through what is the customary style of zoos.
• Grand Safari: This is a bus tour through large open enclosures so lions, tigers, bears, and herbivores as well can roam relatively free while you watch from relative safety in your vehicle.
• The Butterfly park: One of the first in india, a standalone ticketed site holding lotsa butterflies in conservatory.
• Other areas, an aquarium a park for prehistoric animals and another with crocodiles and snakes as well as boating were charged separately.

The zoo ticket is only for the walk-through part of the zoo. The safari and butterfly park, plus boating are all additional so choose what you want and get the appropriate tickets or combination ticket.

Ticket Prices: The Full Breakdown

Every attraction is charged separately, so knowing the prices helps you plan. The figures below are the recent official rates, revised periodically, so confirm at the counter.

Ticket	Indian visitors	Note
Zoo entry, adult	Around Rs 100	Foreigners around Rs 400
Zoo entry, child (5 to 11)	Around Rs 50	Foreign child around Rs 300
Zoo entry, senior citizen	Around Rs 60	Carry ID
Butterfly park	Adult Rs 50, child Rs 30	Senior Rs 30
Grand (bus) Safari	Adult Rs 670, child Rs 470	Separate from zoo entry
Jeep safari, non-AC 6-seater	Around Rs 3,600	AC and Scorpio options cost more
Boating	Rowboat Rs 50, pedal Rs 200 to Rs 400	Per ride

There are also camera charges and battery-operated vehicle rides within the park, each at a small extra cost. A combined zoo-and-butterfly-park ticket is available if you want both.

Student and Group Discounts: What to Know

This is a common question, and the fact is that there is no walk-in student discount at Bannerghatta, though there are means through which students and groups can avail themselves of cheaper entrance.

• The tickets of children between 5 and 11 years of age cost only around Rs 50, which is far less than the adult entrance ticket.
• Concessional entrance for school and educational groups can be arranged in most cases if a school letter is sent to the park in advance, and this is the only way to a student discount.
• For an organized student visit to the park, send a letter or give a phone call to the park’s education or booking department before the visit to get information about the group rate.
• Have the student or school identity proof ready, as it could be needed for a concession.

If going to the park spontaneously, students have to pay the regular rates, which means that child tickets and group arrangements are the only two options available.

What Animals You Will See Here

Bannerghatta shines in Indian big animals, particularly the safari.

• Big cats: Bengal tigers, including white tigers, Asiatic lions, and leopards, which can be viewed best during the safari.
• Bears and elephants: sloth bears and Asian elephants, which form the attraction of the park.
• Herbivores: gaur, deer, and other grass-eating animals moving around the herbivore safari area.
• Small wildlife: jackals, foxes, wild boars, primates, crocodiles, and snakes.
• Birds and butterflies: a wide variety of birds and India’s first butterfly park.

This is what brings people to Bannerghatta, because seeing lions, tigers, and bears in an open space from a bus makes the whole experience unique compared to a walk through zoo.

What Animals Are Not Here: Setting Expectations

This is good to know before your go, so you can have the right expectation. Because Bannerghatta tries to keep only Indian species and big cats, many animals that people have come to expect at a large zoo are not in the collection here.

• The other wildlife, of course unlike Mysore Zoo which has the draws such as say giraffes and zebras or hippopotamuses will pretty much not be found.
• Just like Mysore Zoo specialty, great apes (gorillas and chimpanzee) are not around here.
• No exotic cold climate-flavour – that means no penguins, polar bears or even pandas (which are also not found here and generally rare in Indian zoos).
• For those wildlife that you’re actually aiming to catch sight of, the Mysore Zoo 150 km away has widest exotic collection in region.

Come for that rather than exotic megafauna, which does not have the same access to hand rearing at Bannerghatta as anywhere else but do is almost unrivaled in open-enclosure safari of Indian lions and tigers (and Bears). Collections do change, however so check the current list for any park in which a particular animal is your reason to visit.

How Bannerghatta Compares to Other Zoos

If you are choosing between wildlife parks around South India, it helps to see where Bannerghatta fits.

Zoo or park	Where	Known for
Bannerghatta Biological Park	Bengaluru	The lion, tiger, and bear bus safari, plus a walk-through zoo
Mysore Zoo	Mysuru	The widest exotic collection, giraffes, zebras, hippos, gorillas
Nehru Zoological Park	Hyderabad	A large zoo with a lion safari and nocturnal house
Sakkarbaug Zoo	Junagadh, Gujarat	The Asiatic lion, near Gir

The reality looks something like this. Mysore Zoo is about that variety and exotic animals, but the edge goes to Bannerghatta for the safari — experiencing big cats and bears up close in an open enclosure. Bannerghatta is the ideal choice for families around Bengaluru looking to get their safari fix, and many combine it with Mysore Zoo as part of a larger Karnataka sojourn in search of exotic species.

Cost of Eating: Food Inside and Nearby

Food choices are important as you would get hungry during your half-day or day trip to the park.

• In the park: Canteens and food stalls are found both near the entrance to the park and inside the park itself; snacks, full meals, and beverages are available from them. You can expect a decent meal to cost you somewhere between Rs 100-Rs 250 while snacks like chips, samosas, and ice creams would be around Rs 30-Rs 100.
• Bottled water and packaged foods are available within the park at a slightly higher price than what would be available outside.
• Bannerghatta Road: Near the entrance as well as on your way to the park from the city, there are various places to have a meal in the form of cafes, restaurants, and fast food joints catering to all budgets.
• Pack your own water and snacks to save money, especially when traveling with kids, though the latest policy regarding carrying outside food needs to be checked from the gatekeepers.

Plan your meal either before the safari or as a break as the total safari and walk at the zoo will take quite a toll on you due to their length.

Pros and Cons: An Honest Assessment

Weighing both sides helps set expectations.

The pros:

• The most spectacular lion, tiger, and bear safari, with an open enclosure facility.
• A complete day outing, with all these places together in one location.
• Budget-friendly visit to the zoo, family friendly and great for kids.
• Located near Bengaluru, an easy day visit via Bannerghatta Road.
• India’s first butterfly park, the cherry on top.

The cons:

• Closed on Tuesdays, and very busy due to long queues for safari on weekends.
• Each item is separately charged, so it costs much, especially the safari ride.
• It does not have exotic animals such as giraffe, zebra, and gorilla.
• Requires lots of walking on uneven paths, exhausting in the heat.
• Traffic on Bannerghatta Road is usually heavy on weekends.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Arriving on a Tuesday when the park is closed.
• Being late for the safari, whose timing is short and may be accompanied by a long queue.
• Expecting to see exotic animals such as giraffes or gorillas which do not exist.
• Thinking that the zoo admission ticket will cover the safari.
• Not carrying enough money for food or different tickets.
• Making plans for a student visit without prior arrangement with the park.

Is It Worth Visiting? Who It Suits

Yes, it is definitely worth visiting for most tourists and even more so for certain individuals.

• Good for: Families with children, schoolchildren who enjoy safaris and diversity.
• Suitable for: People living in or around Bengaluru who would like to visit the wildlife park that offers an authentic safari experience.
• Excellent for: First time zoo visitors, people interested in Indian big cats and bears.
• Not recommended for: Individuals looking for exotic animals, such people should consider Mysore Zoo instead.

When planning a family weekend trip in Bengaluru, it will be hard to find a better deal on a wildlife outing.

Accessibility and Facilities

• This safari tour takes place by bus, making it ideal for people unable to walk far because there is quite some walking around the zoo.
• There are battery-driven vehicles within the park to drive long distances.
• Ticketing booths, toilet facilities, drinking water sources, food kiosks, and seating arrangements are all found mainly at the entry point of the park.
• Parking space is available at the park and gets full during weekends; hence, arrive early.

Best Time to Visit: Time of Day and Season

• Early morning from the opening at 9:30 AM onwards: coolest, most tranquil time with best chances of seeing animals in action and shorter lines for the safari.
• All weekdays except Tuesday: significantly less crowded than weekends and holidays.
• October to February: winter season, which is the most enjoyable time of the year.

Try to avoid the scorching afternoon sun and weekend crowds, if possible.

How Long to Spend: Planning Your Visit

Walking through the zoo itself takes two to three hours, and the addition of the safari extends your day to a half-day or even a whole one if you also add a stop at the butterfly park and take a meal.

Arrive early in the day before opening hours if you wish to see all things without rushing, because the safari and walk-through zoo will occupy most of your day.

How to Reach Bannerghatta Zoo: Road, Bus and Air

The park is about 22 km south of Bengaluru, on Bannerghatta Road, and easy to reach.

Mode	Details and distance
By road	About 22 km from central Bengaluru on Bannerghatta Road, roughly an hour, longer in traffic.
By bus	BMTC buses run from Majestic, Jayanagar, and Silk Board to the Bannerghatta stop, with autos for the last stretch.
By air	Kempegowda International Airport is about 55 to 56 km away, with taxis onward.
Local	Autos and app cabs reach the park entrance, with parking available on site.

Traffic on Bannerghatta Road is heavy at peak hours and on weekends, so start early to reach the park by opening and beat both the traffic and the crowds.

Nearby Attractions: What to Combine With Your Visit

• Champakadhama Swamy Temple: Hoysala era temple located at the foothills of Suvarnamukhi hills adjacent to the park.
• Suvarnamukhi stream and pond: stream flowing through this place with a pond which is said to have healing qualities.
• Bannerghatta caves and trekking trails: For a little outdoors adventure away from the park.
• City attractions: Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace.

A typical schedule would be to do the zoo and the safari park in the morning, followed by the temple visit or a city attraction in the afternoon.

Trivia and Lesser-Known Facts: Bannerghatta

• It was founded in 1971 and forms a part of the much bigger Bannerghatta National Park.
• It contains the first butterfly park of India located inside the biological park.
• The Grand Safari provides visitors an opportunity to observe lions, tigers, and bears in huge cages from a moving bus.
• The zoo is located on around 12 hectares of the much bigger park.
• The Suvarnamukhi river flows through it and contains a pond that is said to have medicinal properties.
• Like most other Indian zoos, it remains closed on Tuesdays.

Quick Tips: Making Your Bannerghatta Zoo Timings Work

• Avoid Tuesdays when the park will be closed.
• Come early around 9:30 AM when the park opens to enjoy the zoo and the safari without wasting time in queues.
• Bear in mind that both the zoo and safari tickets are different, with everything being chargeable.
• For a group or a student visit, get prior information from the park to know the price.
• Bring water, food, money, and prepare yourself for an expensive meal within the park ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 250.
• Go to the park for the safari and not for exotic animals like giraffes that are found at Mysore Zoo.

Final Take: Planning Your Bannerghatta Zoo Visit

The Bannerghatta Zoo operates between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM and remains closed on Tuesdays, whereas the timings for the safari are less than those of the zoo. The charges for zoo visits are economical at Rs. 100 per adult, Rs. 50 per child, and Rs. 60 for senior citizens; however, the safari, butterfly park, and boating are charged extra. It is best to visit early in the morning to make sure one enjoys both the walk-in zoo and the lion, tiger, and bear safari.

Keep in mind that animals such as giraffes, zebras, and gorillas are available only at Mysore Zoo. Children enjoy reduced admission tickets, and school and college going students can get concession by contacting the authorities. Food available inside costs between Rs. 100-Rs. 250, so ensure that you have water and food. Combine this visit with a visit to the Champakadhama temple or Bangalore city attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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