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Peshawar Zoo, on Palosi Road on the city's edge, is the first proper zoo Peshawar has had, open since February 2018 and spread over about 29 acres next to the Pakistan Forest Institute. It's open daily, with a modest ticket price, and makes an easy half-day out for a family with children, away from the crowds of the old city.
This guide covers timings and tickets, what's inside, and how to make the visit comfortable, especially in summer.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Palosi Road, Peshawar, beside the Pakistan Forest Institute |
| Opened | February 2018 |
| Area | About 29 acres |
| Hours | Daily, roughly 9am to 7pm |
| Ticket price | Around PKR 40 for adults, PKR 20 for children (2026, check current rate) |
| Best time | Weekday morning, or later afternoon in summer |
| Visit length | 2 to 3 hours |
Timings and tickets
Peshawar Zoo is open daily, with hours generally running from around 9am to 7pm, though it's worth confirming this locally or by phone before you go, since zoo hours in Pakistan sometimes shift with the season. Ticket prices have been reported at roughly PKR 40 for adults and PKR 20 for children in recent listings, with the usual caveat that entry fees at public attractions in Pakistan change from year to year; bring a bit more cash than the figure you've read and pay whatever is posted at the gate.
Weekday mornings are quietest. Weekends, especially Friday afternoon through Sunday, draw much bigger crowds, particularly with families and school groups.
What's inside
As Peshawar's first zoo, opened in 2018, the collection is smaller and newer than long-established city zoos like those in Lahore or Karachi, but it covers a reasonable range: big cats including lions, along with other mammals, birds and reptiles, laid out along a walking path that's easy to follow with children or a pushchair. Recent visitor reports describe the animals as generally well kept, with a children's play area and park-like green spaces alongside the enclosures.
Don't expect the scale of Pakistan's older zoos. What Peshawar Zoo offers is a manageable, walkable visit rather than a full-day outing, which suits families with younger children who tire of long visits.
Planning a family visit
- Go in the morning or the last couple of hours before closing, especially from May to August, when Peshawar's midday heat makes an outdoor visit uncomfortable for children.
- Carry water. Refreshment stands inside the zoo aren't always open, so don't rely on buying drinks or snacks on site.
- Allow 2 to 3 hours for a relaxed walk around, more if children want to linger at particular enclosures.
- Check the current security situation before you travel to Peshawar at all; see below.
If you're building a full day around it, our guide to places to visit in Peshawar has other family-friendly stops, and our one-day Peshawar itinerary shows how to combine sights across the city.
Getting there
The zoo is on Palosi Road, on the southern edge of Peshawar near the Pakistan Forest Institute, some distance from the old city and Saddar. A taxi or ride-hailing app is the easiest way to reach it; it isn't within easy walking distance of the Peshawar BRT corridor, so budget extra time and a fare for the last stretch if you're relying on public transport for the rest of the day.
Is it worth visiting?
For a family with young children, yes, as an easy, low-effort outing that doesn't demand the walking or crowd tolerance the old city bazaars do. For visitors without children, or anyone short on time, the old city's heritage trail, museum and bazaars are a better use of a limited visit to Peshawar. Combine the zoo with a nearby stop rather than making it the centrepiece of your day.
Is it safe to visit?
Peshawar Zoo itself is a normal public attraction with no particular risk of its own, but Peshawar as a whole carries a more serious security advisory. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar, so check local news and current police advice before you travel, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's guidance too, since travelling against it can affect your travel insurance. Our guide to whether Peshawar is safe sets out the current picture in full.
Frequently asked questions
What are Peshawar Zoo's opening hours?
It's open daily, generally from around 9am to 7pm, though it's worth confirming by phone before you go since hours can shift seasonally.
How much is a ticket for Peshawar Zoo?
Recent listings put it at roughly PKR 40 for adults and PKR 20 for children, but entry fees change, so treat this as a guide and expect the posted price at the gate to differ.
When did Peshawar Zoo open?
It opened in February 2018, the first zoo built in Peshawar, on about 29 acres on Palosi Road.
Is Peshawar Zoo good for young children?
Yes. It's a manageable, walkable size with a play area, and suits families who want an easy outdoor outing rather than a long day of sightseeing.
Is there food available inside Peshawar Zoo?
Refreshment stands exist but aren't always open, so bring water and snacks rather than relying on buying them on site.
Is Peshawar Zoo safe to visit right now?
The zoo itself carries no particular risk, but Peshawar as a whole is under a UK government advisory against all travel as of September 2026. Check current local advice before your trip.