Central Zoo Jawalakhel
Nepal's only zoo, home to various local and exotic wildlife.
The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel is Nepal's only zoo, set in a historic park around a central pond in Lalitpur (just south of Kathmandu). It houses over 800 animals of 110 species, including the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Himalayan black bear, red panda, and gharial crocodile. The collection focuses on South Asian and Himalayan species, with some exotic animals. The zoo is compact enough to cover in 1.5–2 hours. The best time to visit is early morning when animals are most active and the park is cooler. The central pond has a small boat ride. There is a separate children's play area and a small aquarium. The zoo is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (closed on Mondays for maintenance). Entry is inexpensive (around $6 for foreigners) and the zoo is easily reachable from anywhere in Kathmandu or Patan by taxi or local bus. It combines well with a visit to the nearby Patan Durbar Square. Bring water and sun protection — the park has limited shade in some sections. This is a good option for families with young children or as a low-key afternoon activity.