{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Exploring Odisha's Nandankanan Zoological Park: Safari Highlights, Entry Fees, and Travel Details",
  "summary": "Situated near Kanjia Lake in Odisha, Nandankanan Zoological Park offers wildlife safaris, white tigers, and boating. Here is the full guide on reaching the park, ticket prices, and operating hours.",
  "content": "For wildlife enthusiasts and travelers looking to spend time amidst lush greenery, Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha serves as an exceptional destination. Nestled within natural forested surroundings and situated alongside the scenic Kanjia Lake, the sanctuary provides an immersive wilderness experience. Beyond wildlife exhibits, visitors can enjoy boating, explore a dedicated butterfly garden, and partake in multiple outdoor attractions suitable for family vacations.\n\nLocation and Nearby Transit Hubs\nNandankanan Zoological Park is located roughly 20 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, and approximately 17 kilometers from Cuttack. For travelers relying on railway networks, the nearest railhead is Barang railway station, which sits less than one kilometer from the boundary of the zoo. Additionally, the main Bhubaneswar railway station is around 18 kilometers away, while the Bhubaneswar airport lies at an approximate distance of 20 kilometers from the park.\n\nHow to Travel from Delhi\nTravelers heading to Nandankanan from Delhi can choose between rail and air transport depending on their schedule. Rail journeys involve a longer travel time, whereas booking a direct or connecting flight offers a substantially faster way to reach Bhubaneswar. Upon arrival in the city, visitors can complete the final leg of the journey by hiring cabs, opting for road transport, or using local public transit services directly to the zoo entrance.\n\nSafari Adventures and Key Highlights\nThe park is celebrated for maintaining an authentic natural habitat for its inhabitants. Notably, Nandankanan holds the distinction of being the first zoo in India to house white tigers. Key recreational attractions inside include specialized lion safaris, white tiger safaris, bear safaris, and herbivore safaris. Visitors can also take advantage of leisure activities such as boating facilities, a ropeway, a toy train, battery-operated eco-friendly vehicles, and an expansive butterfly garden.\n\nEntry Costs and Activity Charges\nAccording to the official website of Nandankanan, general admission tickets cost ₹50 for individuals aged above 12 years. For children between the ages of 3 and 12 years, the entry fee is priced at ₹10. Experiencing interior attractions such as guided safaris, boating, and special rides requires separate payments beyond the gate pass. For instance, the air-conditioned (AC) safari experience begins at an introductory price of ₹80 per passenger.\n\nTimings and Weekly Closure Schedule\nThe operating hours of the zoological park shift in accordance with seasonal transitions throughout the year. Between April and September, visitors can enter from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. From October through March, the schedule adjusts to 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Travelers planning their itineraries must note that Nandankanan Zoological Park remains completely closed to the public every Monday for regular maintenance.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis guide enables tourists visiting Nandankanan Zoological Park to plan their transit, timing, and travel budget with accurate logistics.\n\n• For Travelers Across India: Visitors traveling from Delhi or other states can effectively evaluate whether to book flights or trains based on their time constraints. Knowing base entry costs and safari fees in advance helps families accurately forecast their overall trip budget.\n• In Odisha: Residents of nearby Bhubaneswar and Cuttack can seamlessly organize a single-day excursion without unexpected roadblocks. Local visitors must account for the mandatory Monday closure when scheduling weekend or weekday outings.\n• Budget Planning: General admission at ₹50 for adults and ₹10 for young children keeps basic entry very economical. Additional activities like AC safaris starting at ₹80 per person allow guests to pick and pay only for desired attractions.\n• Time Management: Gate openings at 7:30 AM during summer months and 8:00 AM during winter allow tourists to beat the midday heat. Allocating at least 4 to 5 hours ensures complete coverage of the butterfly garden, boating, and wildlife zones.\n\nWhy this happened\nNandankanan was established within a rich natural landscape to advance wildlife conservation and offer comprehensive ecological tourism.\n\n• Strategic Habitat Selection: The park was developed alongside expansive natural forest reserves and Kanjia Lake. This unique setting provides an authentic ecosystem and reliable water resources conducive to diverse animal species.\n• Pioneering White Tiger Breeding: Nandankanan earned historic significance as the first zoological facility in India to house white tigers. This conservation legacy led directly to the creation of dedicated white tiger safari zones.\n• Expanding Recreational Amenities: Authorities introduced ropeways, toy trains, and boating alongside animal enclosures to cater to family outings. These integrated facilities turn standard zoo visits into engaging day-long experiences for all age groups.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where is Nandankanan Zoological Park located?\nIt is located in Odisha, approximately 20 kilometers from Bhubaneswar and around 17 kilometers from Cuttack.\n\n2. Which are the closest railway stations and airport to Nandankanan?\nBarang railway station is less than 1 kilometer away, while Bhubaneswar railway station is about 18 kilometers and Bhubaneswar airport is 20 kilometers away.\n\n3. What is the general entry fee for the zoo?\nEntry tickets cost ₹50 for individuals above 12 years of age and ₹10 for children between 3 and 12 years.\n\n4. How much does a safari cost at Nandankanan?\nSafari and boating activities require separate charges, with AC safari pricing starting at ₹80 per person.\n\n5. What are the visiting hours of the park?\nThe park operates from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM from April to September, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from October to March.\n\n6. Is Nandankanan Zoological Park open on all days of the week?\nNo, the zoological park remains closed every Monday.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/travel/odisha-ke-nandankanan-zoological-park-ki-saira-saphari-taiminga-aura-tikata-ki-puri-janakari-36659",
  "category": "Travel",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-22",
  "tags": [
    "Nandankanan",
    "Odisha Tourism",
    "Bhubaneswar",
    "White Tigers",
    "Zoological Park",
    "Wildlife Safari"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}