Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Zoo Park: Complete Visitor Guide
Editorial note: This page is an informational guide only. Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information blog and is not affiliated with the property, any temple authority, or any booking service. For any accommodation booking, please use the official TTD website or contact the property directly through their own verified channels.
The Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (S.V. Zoological Park), on the outskirts of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, is one of India’s largest zoos by area and is widely described as the biggest zoological park in Asia. It was established on 29 September 1987, is managed by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, and is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Tuesday. General entry is modestly priced (about ₹70 for adults and ₹30 for children at the last verified tariff), with separate charges for safaris, cameras and vehicles. Below is a fully researched, up-to-date visitor guide.
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Pudipatla Post, Tirupati – 517 505, Andhra Pradesh (near Sri Venkateswara National Park) |
| Established | 29 September 1987 |
| Managed by | Andhra Pradesh Forest Department |
| Area | Very large forest zoo; reported figures vary by source (see note below) |
| Opening hours | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Weekly closing day | Tuesday |
| Species (as last published) | 31 mammals, 46 birds, 7 reptiles |
| Theme | Named after Lord Venkateswara; developed on a mythological theme with natural-habitat enclosures |
Why the S.V. Zoo is famous
The park is named after Sri Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the Tirumala hills, and it was laid out on modern zoo-management principles — animals are exhibited in wide, near-natural enclosures rather than cramped cages. It is frequently cited as the largest zoo in Asia by area, though the exact area figure differs between references: the zoo’s own website states it spreads over about 1,254.71 hectares (roughly 289 developed for visitors), while several external sources quote around 5,532 acres. Either way, it is an unusually large, forested park against the Seshachalam hill range, so a visit involves plenty of walking or a vehicle ride.
As last published by the zoo, the collection includes about 31 species of mammals, 46 species of birds and 7 species of reptiles. Signature residents have included tigers (including white tigers), lions, leopards, bears, elephants, deer, wild boar, crocodiles and birds such as peafowl, pelicans and flamingoes. Counts change as the zoo breeds and exchanges wildlife, so treat species lists as indicative.
Timings and best time to visit
The zoo is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and remains closed every Tuesday for weekly maintenance. Most visitors arrive soon after opening: mornings are cooler, animals are more active, and you have the full day to cover the enclosures and safaris. Plan for at least three to four hours to see the main sections and take a safari.
Entry tickets and charges
Ticket prices are set by the zoo and are kept deliberately affordable. The table below reflects the tariff published on the official zoo website at the last verification; charges are revised from time to time, so confirm the current rates on the official portal before you travel.
| Ticket / charge | Rate (as last verified) |
|---|---|
| Adults (12 years and above) | ₹70 |
| Children (3 to 12 years) | ₹30 |
| Government school students (Std 1–10, 3–15 yrs) | ₹10 |
| Foreign visitor – adult / child | ₹200 / ₹100 |
| Safari ticket – adult / child | ₹50 / ₹30 |
| Still / digital camera | ₹200 |
| Own four-wheeler (drive-in) | ₹750 |
| Bicycle hire / EV bicycle hire (per person, 60 min) | ₹25 / ₹50 |
| Parking – two-wheeler / car-jeep-auto / bus | ₹10 / ₹30 / ₹100 |
All tickets are sold during opening hours (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM). Safari, camera and vehicle charges are separate from the basic entry ticket.
Safaris and getting around the park
Given the size of the park, the zoo runs vehicle safaris through larger enclosures — typically a lion safari and a herbivore/deer safari — for an additional safari ticket (about ₹50 per adult at last check). Visitors can also hire bicycles and electric bicycles, and private four-wheelers can be driven in on payment of the drive-in charge. If you are travelling with elderly pilgrims or young children, the safari and EV options make the large distances much easier to manage.
Main sections and features
The park is themed around Lord Venkateswara and its enclosures are grouped into named sections. Long-standing features include:
- Mayuravani – the house for peafowl.
- Mrugavani – enclosures for herbivores such as deer and antelope.
- Vrukavihar – home to smaller carnivores along with parakeets, mynas, ducks, geese and a variety of other birds including flamingoes, swans, pelicans and raptors.
Alongside the display enclosures, the zoo runs conservation and captive-breeding programmes, an animal-adoption scheme, and education activities, and it observes wildlife awareness days such as World Lion Day, Global Tiger Day and World Elephant Day.
How to reach the S.V. Zoological Park
The zoo lies just outside Tirupati city near the Sri Venkateswara National Park, a short drive from the town centre. Getting there is straightforward:
- By road: Autos, taxis and APSRTC city buses run from Tirupati towards the zoo; it is only a few kilometres from the main bus stand and railway station.
- By rail: Tirupati railway station is the nearest major railhead, well connected to Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and other cities.
- By air: Tirupati Airport at Renigunta, roughly 15 km away, is the nearest airport.
Because it sits close to Tirumala, many pilgrims combine a zoo visit with darshan and other Tirupati sightseeing over a two-day trip.
Visitor tips and park rules
The zoo asks visitors to help protect the animals and keep the park clean. Key do’s and don’ts include:
- Carry drinking water, a hat and comfortable walking shoes — distances are long and shade is limited in places.
- Do not feed or tease the animals, and do not carry pets into the park.
- Avoid plastics, loud music, sports and any sharp objects or firearms inside the zoo.
- Photography is allowed on payment of the camera charge; follow staff and safari-driver instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the S.V. Zoological Park really the largest zoo in Asia?
It is very widely described as the largest zoo in Asia by area, and it is certainly one of the biggest in India. Note that the exact area quoted differs between sources — from about 1,255 hectares on the zoo’s own website to around 5,532 acres in other references — so the “largest in Asia” tag is best treated as a well-known claim rather than a precisely settled figure.
What are the zoo timings and which day is it closed?
The zoo is open every day from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Tuesdays for weekly maintenance.
How much is the entry ticket?
At the last verified tariff, general entry was about ₹70 for adults (12+) and ₹30 for children (3–12). Government school students pay a concessional rate, and foreign visitors pay a higher rate. Safari, camera and vehicle charges are extra. Confirm current rates on the official zoo website before visiting.
Is there a safari, and how much does it cost?
Yes. The zoo runs vehicle safaris through larger enclosures for an additional safari ticket (about ₹50 per adult / ₹30 per child at last check). Bicycle and EV-bicycle hire are also available for exploring the park.
How do I get there from Tirupati?
The zoo is only a few kilometres from Tirupati town, near the Sri Venkateswara National Park. City buses, autos and taxis run from the bus stand and railway station; Tirupati is the nearest railhead and Renigunta (Tirupati Airport) the nearest airport.
Can I book tickets online?
Tickets are sold at the zoo during opening hours; any online ticketing is offered only through the zoo’s own official channel. For current rates, timings and any online-booking facility, refer to the official Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park website run by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.
Sources & last verified (July 2026)
- Official Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park website — About, Tariff/Tickets and Rules pages: tirupatizoo.com
- Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park — Wikipedia (established 1987, area, main features): en.wikipedia.org
- Central Zoo Authority of India — annual report for Tirupati zoo: cza.nic.in
Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information guide and is not affiliated with the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, TTD or any government body. Ticket prices, timings and animal collections change over time — please confirm details on the official zoo website before you travel.
Last reviewed: July 7, 2026
