Lahore Zoo: Timings, Tickets and Animals to See

Lahore Zoo, on Mall Road in the centre of the city, opens at 9 am and closes at sunset, every day of the week, with an adult and child ticket priced at PKR 100 in 2026. It covers almost the whole zoo; a handful of extra attractions, such as the aquarium, are ticketed separately. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest zoos in South Asia and one of the easiest wildlife stops for anyone already seeing the sights on the Mall.

This guide covers current timings and tickets, what to see, and when to go to avoid the worst of the weekend crowds.

Tickets and timings

The zoo is open every day of the week from 9 am until sunset, so closing time shifts with the season, earlier in winter, later in summer. The standard ticket, at PKR 100 for both adults and children in 2026, covers almost the entire zoo. Senior citizens aged 60 and above, and visitors with disabilities, enter free.

A few specific attractions inside the zoo, including the aquarium, are ticketed separately from the main entry fee. Prices at the zoo have changed more than once in recent years, at times with public disagreement over what was and wasn't included in the basic ticket, so bring some spare cash and confirm what any add-on costs at the gate rather than relying on an old figure.

What to see

Lahore Zoo's collection runs to well over a thousand animals across more than a hundred species, spread across enclosures that range from the original 19th-century aviary and tiger house to more recent additions. Highlights worth seeking out include:

• The tiger and lion enclosures, among the zoo's oldest sections and still its biggest draw for most visitors.
• The elephant and giraffe houses, both popular with children.
• The monkey house, with a range of monkeys and great apes.
• The aviary, one of the zoo's original 1872 features, home to a wide range of birds.
• The snake house and reptile section, if your group doesn't mind it.
• The aquarium, a separately ticketed attraction, for anyone wanting to extend the visit.

A short history

Lahore Zoo traces its origins to the 1860s, when a menagerie on the site grew into a proper zoo with the addition of an aviary in 1872, donated by a local philanthropist. That aviary, and the zoo's original tiger house from the same year, are still standing, though the tiger house was renovated in the 1980s. For its first decades the zoo was run by the Lahore Municipal Committee, before passing to the city administration and then, in 1982, to what is now Punjab's Wildlife and Parks Department. It is often described as among the oldest zoos in South Asia, and its age shows in places: some enclosures are smaller and older in style than at a purpose-built modern zoo, alongside newer additions.

Facilities and getting around inside

The zoo's paths are paved and mostly flat, which works reasonably well with a pram, though they can get crowded on a busy weekend. Shade is patchy rather than constant, heavier around the older parts of the zoo near the aviary and tiger house than in some of the newer, more open enclosures. Basic food stalls and toilets are available inside, but don't expect much beyond simple snacks and drinks; if your group has particular food needs, it is worth eating beforehand or bringing something with you.

Tips for visiting with children

• Go early and plan for two to three hours, not a full day; younger children tend to lose interest before adults do.
• Point out the aviary and tiger house as the zoo's oldest sections if your children are old enough to find that interesting.
• Keep to the shaded stretches in the middle of the day during the warmer months.
• Don't let children feed the animals. Zoo staff ask visitors not to, since the animals are on specific diets.

Best time to go

Go on a weekday morning, arriving close to opening at 9 am, for the coolest weather and the smallest crowds. Weekends, public holidays and the days around Eid bring the biggest numbers, and by afternoon in the warmer months both the animals and the visitors are less active in the heat. From May to September, an early visit matters even more, since much of the zoo has limited shade and midday walking is uncomfortable.

Getting there

Lahore Zoo sits on Mall Road, close to the Lahore Museum and a short trip from Anarkali Bazaar, which makes it easy to combine into a single morning or afternoon in the city centre. A rickshaw or ride-hailing car dropped outside is the simplest way in; parking on the Mall itself is limited, especially at busy times.

How it compares with Lahore Safari Zoo

Lahore also has a separate wildlife attraction, Lahore Safari Zoo on Raiwind Road, where much of the park is seen by driving through rather than walking. The two are different experiences: the Mall Road zoo is a walk-around, conventional zoo close to the old city, while the safari park is a drive-through outing further from the centre, easier with toddlers or anyone who tires quickly on foot. Our guide to family places to visit in Lahore compares the two, along with Jallo Park and the museums, for age suitability and how much walking each involves.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, particularly for families with children and for anyone with a couple of spare hours in central Lahore. The central location is the real advantage: nowhere else in the city lets you combine a zoo visit with the museum and a bazaar in the same morning. It is a working, historic zoo rather than a modern purpose-built one, so enclosures vary in size and age, and it is not the place to go expecting the newest facilities. For a more open, drive-through visit, Lahore Safari Zoo is the better choice; for convenience and combining with other Mall Road sights, the zoo covered here wins.

If Lahore is part of a longer family trip, our guide to places to visit in Lahore with family and kids sets out how to build a day or two around it.

Frequently asked questions