Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens
One of Asia's oldest zoos, set in landscaped gardens at Dehiwala, home to a wide range of animals and birds, a long-standing family outing on the edge of the city.
The National Zoological Gardens, located in Dehiwala just outside Colombo, is one of Sri Lanka's oldest and most well-known attractions, drawing visitors since it first opened to the public in 1936. Spread across several acres of landscaped grounds, it's home to a wide range of animals, both native and exotic, from elephants and leopards to a notable collection of birds, making it one of the more comprehensive zoological parks in South Asia.
The zoo has long been particularly known for its elephant performances and its butterfly park, along with an aquarium that houses a variety of freshwater and marine species, giving visitors a fairly complete day out under one roof. Its walkways wind through shaded gardens and enclosures designed to give a sense of each animal's natural habitat, though like many older zoos, it's had to balance its historic view with ongoing efforts to modernise enclosures and improve animal welfare standards.
Beyond its animal collection, the zoo holds a certain nostalgic place in the memory of many Sri Lankans, a common childhood outing and a fixture of family weekends for generations. For visitors to Colombo, it remains an easy, family-friendly excursion, offering a break from the city's more historical and cultural sites with something a little more lighthearted, though still rooted in decades of local tradition.
Give it at least half a day. The grounds are big and a little hilly, so start early while it is cool and the animals are still moving about, and carry water. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest times. Most people come by tuk tuk or taxi from Colombo, as the zoo is a short ride inland from the Galle Road at Dehiwala. It pairs well with a late afternoon at Mount Lavinia Beach, which is only a few minutes further south.
At a glance
- Entry fee: LKR 2,500 for foreign visitors
- Opening hours: 8:30am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
- Best time: Morning or late afternoon, when animals are active
How to get there
At Dehiwala, about 11km south of central Colombo.