Lucknow Zoo - Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden

Lucknow Zoo or Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden

Lucknow Zoo or Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens. It is popularly known as Lucknow Zoological Garden or Lucknow Chidiyaghar. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan is classified as a large zoo and is spread over 71.6 acres (29.0 ha). Lucknow Zoo is located in the heart of Lucknow near Hazratganj. The Lucknow Zoo has more than 1000 animals of 102 species and 700 fishes of 67 species.

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan is not a typical or traditional city Zoo. It regularly updates itself with modern time date to date and increases the facilities for the visitors and its wildlife animals. It has a comprehensive and large collection of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. It has many conservation, rehabilitation, and reintroduction programs for the animals.

If you are in Lucknow or come here to visit then Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan would be an amazing place for you to enjoy. You can also celebrate a picnic party inside the Lucknow Zoo garden with your loved ones. Every year there are more than 1.5 million visitors come to visit the Lucknow Zoo. For the visitors at Lucknow Zoo watching the various wildlife while visiting the zoological park is the main center of attraction.

Lucknow Zoo has a good variety of fauna and flora. It is a place where you can see an airplane, boats, and trains in a place. Lucknow Zoo is among the top places to visit in Lucknow. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden is at the top of the places to visit in Lucknow for couples. During the New Year celebration, Valentine’s Day, and on other occasions the zoo is very crowded.

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Lucknow Zoo - Banarasi Bagh of Lucknow

The Lucknow Zoo campus was actually a mango orchard that was established by Nawab Nasiruddin Haider who was the Nawab of Awadh in the 18th century. At that time it was popular as Banarasi Bagh and even today old and local people of Lucknow call it Banarasi Bagh. I also know it as Banarasi Bagh since childhood.

As per historical descriptions, this place is called Banarasi Bagh due to some special plants brought from Banaras that were planted in the garden. Lucknow was popular as the city of Bagh. Charbagh, Lalbagh, Qaiserbagh, Alambagh, Banarsi Bagh, Malihabad, Sikandar Bagh, Dali Bagh, etc are the most important places in Lucknow. All bagh (garden) is now converted into parks or in other places in Lucknow.

Lucknow Zoo Objectives 

Lucknow Zoological Garden was started with the main objective of Education, Awareness, and Conservation of indigenous fauna. To achieve the mission, the following objectives are focused upon.

• To provide education to the local people, students, and visitors on the importance of conservation of the wildlife and ecosystem.
• To scientific study the behavior, movement, nature, etc. of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. so that the animals which are more useful to humans are protected and enhanced.
• To do some research and experiments on animals from which the knowledge gained can be used in human interest.
• To provide information related to animals and entertain humans.
• Conservation and breeding of various rare and endangered animals.
• Rescue the various wild animals and keep them temporarily in Zoo.
• To provide proper veterinary facilities to all the inhabiting wild animals.

Lucknow Zoo History

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan of Lucknow, is popularly known as Lucknow Zoo or Chidiyaghar. Banarsi Bagh area of Lucknow was used for the Lucknow Zoo campus. Banarsi Bagh was developed by Nawab of Awadh in the 18th century. Lucknow Zoo was established in the year 1921 in the form of Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens. Lucknow Zoo was established to commemorate the visit of Edward VIII, who became the created Prince of Wales on his sixteenth birthday.

Edward VIII was Emperor of India from 20 January 1936 to 11 December 1936. The idea of establishing the Lucknow Zoo was Sir Harcourt Butler.

With the help of landlords and citizens construction of animal houses and cages was done. There were a total of 26 buildings with cages initially in the Lucknow Zoo. At that time the main gate of Lucknow Zoo was known as Sir Ludovic Porter Gate and constructed in the year 1936.

After India's independence, in 1950 Lucknow Zoo the Managing Committee was dissolved and the new Advisory Committee was formed. In 1966, the administrative control was transferred to the Forest Department from Public Health Department.

Currently, the new Lucknow Zoo Advisory Committee consists of the Forest Secretary as Chairman, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests as Vice Chairman, and the Chief Wildlife Warden as Administrator. The Director of the Lucknow Zoo is the Member Secretary of the newly constituted Zoo Advisory Committee.

Lucknow Zoo's name was changed by Uttar Pradesh Government in 2001 by Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens Trust Lucknow to Lucknow Prani Udyan. Again Lucknow Zoo's name was changed in the year 2015 Lucknow Prani Udyan to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan, Lucknow.

Lucknow Zoo Fauna Variety

White Tiger at Lucknow Zoo

There are varieties of animals present in Lucknow Zoo. I mention here some important animals only. Animal variety may change from time to time.

Carnivores: Tiger, White Tiger, Wolf Indian, Leopard/Panther, Jackal, Common Fox, Himalayan black bear, Sloth bear, Fishing Cat, Caracal, Palm Civet Cat, Hybrid Lion, Jungle cat, Serval cat, Hyena, and many more.

Herbivores: Blackbuck, Swamp deer, Chinkara, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Hog deer, Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Barking deer, etc.

Rodents: Indian Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Indian Porcupine, etc.

Primates: Chimpanzee, Hoolock Gibbon, Macaque Stump-tailed, Lion-tailed Monkey, Langur, etc.

Birds: White peacock, Indian peacock, Hill Myna, Vulture, Great hornbill, Spoonbill, Bareheaded Goose, White Stork, Painted Stork, White Necked Stork, Black-Necked Stork, White Ibis, Common Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Sarus Crane, Cockatiel, Blossom Headed Parakeet, Rose ring Parakeet, Large Indian Parakeet, Indian Red Breasted Parakeet, Grey Parakeet, Yellow Parakeet (Albino), Military Parakeet, Grey White Parakeet, Red Drum Parakeet, Rosella, Blue Yellow Macaw, Brahminy duck, Red Jungle fowl, Pheasant, Grey partridge, Black partridge, Ostrich, Emu, Rosy pelican, White dove, Grey leg goose, Owls, Love Bird, Black Swan, Knob duck, Budgerigar, Water Duck, etc.

Reptiles: Indian Python, Viper, Indian Cobra, Rat Snake, Sand Boa, Earth Snake or Sand Snake, Water Snake, Turtle, Gharial, Crocodile Marsh (Mugger), etc.

Lucknow Zoo Fauna Variety

Apart from a variety of animals at Lucknow Zoo, you can see various types of plants, trees, herbs, and shrubs here also. You can see her very big and old trees. You can see a variety of medicinal and ornamental plants also. You can see rare species of plants here. You can see a very old Parijaat tree standing majestically in front of the museum entrance.

Herbs: Bamboo plants.

Shrubs: Variety of Rose, jasmine lemon, tulsi, henna, etc.

Trees: Banyan, Mango, Neem, Parijat, Malabar plum (Jamun tree), Peepal, Tamarind (Imli), etc.

Lucknow Zoo Butterfly Park

Lucknow Zoo authorities are very creative and always do new things to attract more visitors to the zoo. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan started the first butterfly park in the state in the year 2018.

The butterfly park is spread over two acres and has more than 80 species of plants. You can see here the various types of butterfly species with details. Kids very much like the butterfly so it would be very interesting for them.

Nature Interpretation Center

Nature Education Center was started in 2017 by the LKO Zoo. You can see here the information related to protected forest areas of Uttar Pradesh state. You can also see wildlife-related information such as skins, horns, embryos, etc through various articles and pictures. Lucknow Zoo learning center is very informative for visitors and students.

Lucknow Zoo learning center has five different sections.

1. The first section is about the brief information and history of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden of Lucknow through the pictures and articles.
2. The second section provides information regarding wildlife and their natural habitat found in protected areas in the state.
3. The third section provides information about the sanctuary areas related to birds found in the state through pictures and articles.
4. The fourth section has various articles related to wildlife body parts such as skins, horns, trophies, skulls, etc.
5. The fifth section provides information related to the ecotourism of the Uttar Pradesh state.

Lucknow Zoo Children Park

Lucknow Zoo has a very big and beautiful park for the kids with a variety of swings, sitting, and resting facilities. During childhood, I enjoyed myself here more with my friends and family. You can celebrate a picnic here and relax from cities hustle and bustle life.

Historical Airplane Rajhans of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru at Lucknow Zoo

Rajhans Airplane at Lucknow Zoo

I saw the real and actual airplane in childhood for the first time at only Lucknow Zoo. This was an amazing experience for me. I saw it for the first time in the year 1995 with my father. This airplane is situated near the museum.

There is a signboard on the boundary of the parked place of the Airplane mentioning that this airplane was used by our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Toy Train of Lucknow Zoo

Toy Train of Lucknow Zoo

The Toy Train is the most attractive thing about the Lucknow Zoo which attracts the kids more. The Toy Train rail route is designed according to cover the maximum part of the zoo. The rail track is about 1.5 kilometers and covers many areas of the Zoo. Then you can see the maximum part of Lucknow Zoo with the Toy Train enjoying the train. The Toy Train has only four small coaches with a total capacity of 84 passengers. The Toy Train starting station's name is Chandrapuri.

I used this Toy Train many times and it is more comfortable and open. This Toy Train was especially started for the kids on Children's Day on 14 November 1969. Now there is a new Toy Train running in the Zoo and the old one is kept as Vintage Train for visitors to see.

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Lucknow Zoo's Historical Nagardi Baradari

Lucknow Zoo has a very old and historical white color Baradari that is built of white marble. Nagardi Baradari was built by the second Nawab of Awadh Nasiruddin Hyder in 1828. Nawabs used this Baradari to sit here and get relaxed. This Baradari becomes famous in India due to the famous song of the film Umrao Jaan. "In Aankhon Ki Masti" song of Umarao Jaan was shooted in this Baradari.

Lucknow Zoo Timing

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan opens Tuesday to Sunday in a week. Every Monday Lucknow Zoo is closed. Lucknow Zoo entry timing normally starts from 08:00 am in the morning to 04:30 pm in the evening.

Lucknow Zoo's opening timing hours partially change according to the season.

• From February to April, the zoo opens from 08:30 am to 05:30 pm.
• From May to July, the zoo opens from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• From August to October, the zoo opens from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
• From November to January, the zoo opens from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Visiting Time duration for Lucknow Zoological Garden

There are many things to see inside the Lucknow Zoo and in the State Museum so you have to a minimum of 4 to 5 hours spent here.

It will better if you will go there in the morning and spend the whole day here till 05:30 pm to the full enjoyment of natural and wildlife beauty.

State Museum in Lucknow Zoo Campus

Inside the Lucknow Zoological Garden campus, the State Museum of Lucknow situated which was established in 1863. The oldest museum of Lucknow has a wide collection of antiquities, prehistoric tools, manuscripts, paintings, etchings, decorative arts, coins, woodwork, housing sculptures, bronze statues, bronze images, swords, medals, guns, shields, rank badges, cannons, textiles, and miniatures.

Lucknow Zoo Museum Timing

The State Museum of Lucknow is open Tuesday to Sunday. It is inside the Lucknow Zoo campus so it also closes on Monday. 

Lucknow Museum is also closed on public holidays so plan accordingly to visit here.

The museum opens in the morning from 10:30 am to 04:00 pm.

Lucknow Zoo Best Time to Visit

• The best time to visit Lucknow Zoo will be in the morning so you can enjoy a full day here.
• If you go there in the evening then you have limited time to visit the Lucknow Zoo and you will unable to see many things here and you will not enjoy it fully here.
• If we consider the season or environment then the best time to go here would be from February to April and October to November.
• Winter sunny days are also the best season to visit Lucknow Zoological Garden. Then you can see the animals outside their cave, which would be warming their body in sunlight.
• On Sundays and public holiday days, Lucknow Zoo is very crowded. So if you want to see it here in a relaxed mode then avoid these days. 

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Lucknow Zoo Ticket Price

There are two types of tickets available at Lucknow Zoo.

• Normal Ticket: That includes, entry, Aquarium, Nocturnal House, and Interpretation Center charge.
• Package Ticket: That includes entry, Aquarium, Nocturnal House, Interpretation Center charge, and Toy Train charges.

Lucknow Zoo ticket price is divided into two categories according to age groups.

• The normal ticket price for the above 12 years of age visitors would be 80 ₹ per visitor.
• The normal ticket price would be 40 ₹ per kid for the age group of 5 to 12 years.
• The Package ticket price for those above 12 years of age would be 100 ₹ per visitor.
• The Package ticket price for 5 years to 12 years of age kids would be 50 ₹ per kid.

Kids below 5 years can enjoy the Lucknow Zoo for free with their parents.

There is no entrance ticket for handicapped visitors of any age group in Lucknow Zoo. They can go to Lucknow Zoo inside free of cost.

Discounts on Lucknow Zoo ticket prices for visitors.

• If students come to Zoo more than 50 in groups there is a 10% discount applied.
• If you book the ticket online then you would get a 10% discount.

Lucknow Zoological Garden Butterfly Park ticket price is only 10 ₹ per visitor.
Lucknow Zoo 3D Animation Movie show ticket price is only 30 ₹ per visitor at Auditorium.

If you carry a DSLR or video camera with you for photography then you have to pay an extra 50 ₹ with the ticket price.

Apart from these, the ticket price for Butterfly Park, Battery Vehicle, State Museum, and 3D Auditorium will have to be paid for only after entering the zoo. As per your requirement or interest, you can see or use these things.

State museum ticket price is only 10 ₹ per visitor.

Local and nearby people also go to the zoo for the morning walk. Lucknow Zoo charges 500 ₹ per person for the annual pass from these people.

Note: 

• If you have not taken the Package ticket of Lucknow Zoo which includes toy train charges and want to travel by train. Then you can take the train ticket inside also. Just pay 25 ₹ for adults and 15 ₹ for children.
• If you want to see only the State Museum inside the Zoo campus then it is not possible. You have to take a ticket for Lko Zoo then you can purchase a ticket for the museum inside the zoo at the museum entry gate and get to see it.

Lucknow Zoo Facilities for Visitors

Boating at Lucknow Zoo

• There are many canteen & food courts inside the Zoo campus.
• Vehicle parking facilities are available outside the zoo at both gates.
• Pram for small children of visitors.
• Wheelchairs are available for handicapped visitors.
• There is a very big Park for kids with the latest swings.
• A locker facility is also available at the main gate of Lucknow Zoo.
• For drinking water, there are many RO/UV water filters and coolers inside the zoo campus.
• There are many sheds or benches at various locations for the visitors to rest.
• There are guide maps inside the campus and directions with signboards for the convenience of visitors.
• For the tourists, there is a souvenir shop also inside the Zoo.
• LKO Zoo has an online ticket booking facility through the website www.lucknowzoo.com, at a 10% discount.
• There are many ladies' and gents' toilets inside the campus at convenient locations for visitors.
• Battery-operated vehicles are available for visitors inside the Zoo campus.
• You can enjoy here Paddle Boating with family, kids, friends, etc.

Lucknow Zoo How to Reach

Lucknow Zoo Map

Initially, there was only one entry gate from the Narhi side near the civil hospital. Now Lucknow Zoo has two entry gates and you can enter from any side. The new entrance gate is built on the Dalibagh area side. You can reach Lko Zoo easily from the Lucknow Charbagh railway station easily. 

There are city buses, tempo, and Auto all available at the railway station. Lucknow zoo is only about 4 km far from the Lucknow railway station and the maximum you can reach there are 10 to 15 minutes by vehicle.

You have to just take the Gomti Nagar route bus or auto and reach to civil hospital stoppage. Auto or bus will take only 15 to 20 ₹ from Charbagh railway station per person. From the Civil hospital square stoppage, LKO Zoo is only half a kilometer far away and you can go easily by walking on foot.

From the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport Amausi, Lucknow Zoo is only 15 km. You can reach Lucknow Zoo from anywhere in Lucknow. Lucknow has a very good transportation system and you will get many options to reach anywhere. You can book a cab, private taxi, auto, e-Rikshaw, etc.

If you want to come to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan by Metro train then the nearest metro station is Sachivalaya to the Lucknow Zoo. Sachivalaya metro station is about one kilometer far away and you can reach Lucknow Zoo in 15 minutes only.

Lucknow the capital of Uttar Pradesh is well connected by airways, railways, and roadways to nearby cities and states of India. So reaching to Lucknow from any state is very easy.

Lucknow Zoo Address

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden,

Hazratganj Road,

Opp to Civil Hospital,

Lucknow, 226001,

Uttar Pradesh, India

Restrictions and Offense at Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan

There are many things that are restricted and offenses in Lko Zoo. So visitors must be aware before entering the Zoo.

• Disturbing, feeding, and teasing any wildlife animal inside the Zoo.
• Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden is a pollution and polythene-free area so avoid the use of polythene and use dustbins for garbage.
• Firearms are not allowed inside the Zoo.
• You can't carry your pets inside the campus.
• Burning fire and preparing food inside the campus of the zoo.
• You can't play high voice music systems or make any type of noise pollution.
• Playing games such as cricket, hockey, football, etc. not allowed.
• Consuming any type of banned narcotics drugs. Smoking and drinking alcoholic drinks are not allowed.
• Any type damaging to plants and orchards. Picking flowers is also not allowed.
• If you did not follow the rules of the Zoological Garden then you may be imprisoned and fined.

Lucknow Zoo Wildlife Hospital

For well caring, treatment, vaccination, breeding, etc. of animals, there is a modern hospital with modern equipment available inside the Lucknow Zoo campus.  Here surgery, x-ray, and ultrasound of animals are possible.

Lucknow Zoo Adoption Plan for Animals

If you are a wildlife lover and want to adopt the any of animals of Lucknow Zoo then you can do here. Lucknow Zoological Garden started the adoption scheme in 1994. You can adopt any animal for a different time period such as quarterly to annual. You have to pay the adoption amount for the period and Lucknow Zoo would display a board mentioning the details of your on the enclosures of the wildlife animal.

Lucknow Zoo Selfie Point for Selfie Lovers

For selfie lovers, Lucknow Zoological Garden created a selfie point at the main entrance gate. The selfie point is built with statues of animals, birds, and trees.

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TouristBug’s Recommendations

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan is a fully enjoyable place where you can your weekend or holiday with your family and friends. So if you are in Lucknow, then it is the place where you can visit once. I already visited LKO Zoo 9 to 10 times since childhood.

• Lucknow Zoo has Aquarium, Nocturnal House, and a 3D Auditorium that also attracts visitors to the Zoo. Don’t forget to see it.
• Photography is allowed inside the zoo so you can take lots of pictures with family at beautiful locations inside the campus. But if you want to carry a high-end camera used by professional photographers then you have to pay some extra charge.
• You can carry homemade food or snacks but polythene bags are not allowed inside.
• Water is available at many points in Zoo but you should carry a water bottle with you because you have to travel a long journey inside the campus.
• Eatable items are not allowed inside the Auditorium.
• You should follow the Zoo rules and enjoy it safely.
• Eatable items inside the park are expensive. You can carry eatables from outside the Zoo.
• Inside the Zoo campus, security is good enough so you can enjoy yourself here with family and children.
• Lucknow Zoo is a worthwhile place to see in Lucknow and full money and time utilization here.

Nearby Tourist Places To Visit in Lucknow

Lucknow has lots of tourist places to visit such as Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Residency, Regional Science Centre,  Indira Gandhi Planetarium, State Museum, Chandrika Devi Mandir, Naya Hanuman Mandir, etc. I mentioned these names because I personally traveled to all these places.