Bali Zoo

Bali Zoo was founded in 2002 by Anak Agung Gde Putra and is still run by the same family, now under his son. The zoo sits among tropical gardens in Singapadu village, Gianyar, roughly midway between Denpasar and Ubud, and is home to several hundred animals representing dozens of species, from Sumatran tigers and orangutans to Komodo dragons, sun bears and a large collection of birds.

Compared with the bigger safari park up the coast, Bali Zoo is compact and walkable, which makes it manageable with small children. Its reputation rests on close-up experiences – particularly the popular breakfast with orangutans – and a busy daily programme of keeper talks and feeding sessions, plus a water play area for kids to cool off.

What to expect

Shaded pathways loop through habitats for big cats, primates, reptiles, birds and hoofed animals. Throughout the day there are keeper presentations and feeding sessions – check the schedule at the entrance. The Jungle Splash water play area is included with entry, and fish feeding is available for a small fee. Dining is at the Wantilan and Gayo restaurants inside the park.

Packages & prices

• General admission – around IDR 395,000 adult and IDR 280,000 child (international); infants free.
• Breakfast with Orangutans – buffet breakfast near the orangutans, 08:00–10:00; from around IDR 775,000 depending on transfers.
• Elephant Mud Fun – bathing and feeding Sumatran elephants; from around IDR 1,305,000, minimum height 120 cm.
• Jungle fish feeding – small add-on of around IDR 20,000–30,000.

Prices vary by season and channel; confirm current rates on the official website.

Safety & requirements

Follow keepers’ instructions during all encounters and never feed animals outside organised sessions. Book special experiences at least a week ahead as places are limited. Animal-welfare groups have criticised some direct-contact activities at Bali zoos, so consider observation-based experiences if this matters to you.

Tips

Arrive for opening at 09:00 when it is cooler and animals are more active; allow four to five hours if you want to see presentations and use the water play area. Bring swimwear for the kids, sunscreen and insect repellent. Bali Zoo sits close to Bali Bird Park and Sukawati art market, so it is easy to combine two stops in one day.

If you want to see as much as possible, pick up a map on arrival and note the day’s presentation times – they are spread across different zones and give you a chance to learn about each species from the keepers. The on-site restaurants serve both Indonesian and Western dishes, so it is easy to break for lunch without leaving the park. Families with toddlers will appreciate that paths are mostly paved and shaded, and the water play area gives children a welcome break from walking between enclosures.