Peshawar Zoo: Ticket Price, Timings, Location and Family Day

Peshawar Zoo is the zoo in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It’s on Palosi Road, next to the Pakistan Forest Institute, and covers 29 acres. Visitor guides list the ticket at Rs 40 per person, with opening hours from 9am to 6pm every day.

This guide covers Peshawar Zoo’s ticket price, timings, family day rules and location, plus the best time to visit with children.

Peshawar Zoo at a Glance

Peshawar Zoo key facts

The KP Wildlife Department doesn’t publish ticket prices or timings online, and the visitor guides above don’t show when they were last updated. Check the board at the ticket counter for the current rates.

Is There a Zoo in Peshawar?

Yes. Peshawar Zoo opened in February 2018 and was described at its launch as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first zoo. Dawn reported that Rs 270 million was spent on the 29-acre site, with a further Rs 260 million allocated for bringing in more animals.

Peshawar Zoo Ticket Price

Visitor guides list these Peshawar Zoo ticket prices:

Tickets are sold at the counter near the zoo entrance. Keep cash in small notes, and bring a student card if you want the student rate.

Ticket prices at government zoos change from time to time, so treat these figures as a guide.

Peshawar Zoo Opening and Closing Time

• Opening time: 9am
• Closing time: 6pm
• Days: Open every day, Monday to Sunday

One visitor guide lists the closing time as 7pm, so arrive well before 6pm to see the whole zoo. Timings can also change during Ramazan, Eid and public holidays.

Peshawar Zoo Family Day

Sunday is the family day at Peshawar Zoo. In April 2022, the Chief Conservator of the KP Wildlife Department announced that from May 2022, only families would be allowed to visit the zoo on Sunday.

What this means for your visit:

• Families: Visit on Sunday for a family-only environment.
• Groups of men or boys without family members: Plan your visit for Monday to Saturday.
• Students on a school or college trip: Choose a weekday.

This rule was announced in 2022, so confirm it at the ticket counter before planning a Sunday visit.

Peshawar Zoo Location Map

Address: Palosi Road, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Nearby landmarks: Pakistan Forest Institute and Markaz-Ul-Uloom Islamia Rahatabad

Map coordinates: 34.0173, 71.4897

Open Peshawar Zoo in Google Maps

How to Reach Peshawar Zoo

• By car: Search “Peshawar Zoo” in Google Maps and follow Palosi Road. Dawn reported that a dual carriageway was built from Spin Jumat to the zoo when it opened.
• By ride-hailing: Set the drop-off to Peshawar Zoo, Palosi Road.
• From outside Peshawar: Families travel from Khyber, Kohat, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Mohmand and Swabi, according to Business Recorder. Leave early on Eid days, because traffic near the zoo builds up.

Animals at Peshawar Zoo

Peshawar Zoo houses about 70 species. You can expect to see:

• Big cats: Lions, Bengal tigers and Indian leopards
• Large animals: Giraffes, zebras, camels and Asiatic black bears
• Wild goats and antelopes: Markhor, Arabian oryx and blackbuck
• Birds: Pelicans, flamingos, peafowl, pheasants, cranes, parrots and falcons
• Reptiles: Cobras and other snakes

Animals are moved between zoos, and the zoo has lost animals since it opened, so not every animal on this list will be on display during your visit.

Animal Welfare at Peshawar Zoo

Peshawar Zoo has faced concerns about animal care. In February 2022, The Express Tribune reported that about 40 animals had died since the zoo opened, including a snow leopard, a cheetah and three giraffes. The same report said one veterinary doctor and four staff members cared for about 150 animals, with no veterinary lab on site at that time.

You can help the animals during your visit:

• Don’t feed the animals. Human food makes them ill.
• Don’t tap on cages or throw objects to get an animal’s attention.
• Keep noise low near enclosures.
• Report any animal that looks injured or unwell to zoo staff.

Which Time Is Best to Visit the Zoo?

The best time to visit the zoo is early morning, soon after it opens. Animals are more active in the cooler hours, the paths are less crowded, and you avoid the strongest midday heat.

• Best season: Spring and autumn, when the weather in Peshawar is mild
• Best day for families: Sunday, which is reserved for families
• Least crowded: Weekday mornings
• Most crowded: Eid holidays and public holidays
• Summer visits: Arrive at 9am, carry water, and rest in the shade, because Peshawar’s summer afternoons are very hot

Tips for Visiting Peshawar Zoo with Kids

• Carry water, caps and sunscreen.
• Bring snacks and a mat, because families often spend time on the zoo’s lawns.
• Wear comfortable shoes, because the zoo covers 29 acres.
• Agree a meeting point in case a child gets separated.
• Take photos without flash near animals.

Where Is the Biggest Zoo in Pakistan?

The biggest of Pakistan’s major city zoos is Lahore Zoo Safari in Lahore, which covers 242 acres, according to Wikipedia. That’s more than eight times the size of Peshawar Zoo. Lahore Zoo Safari also has the largest walk-through aviary in Pakistan.

Lahore Zoo Safari reopened in February 2024 after an upgrade. Dawn reported that it added electric cars for touring the enclosures, an aquarium, and new elephants, giraffes and rhinos.

Planning a trip to another zoo? See Danzoo in Karachi and other pet events and places on Titans Pet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peshawar Zoo

Is there a zoo in Peshawar?

Yes. Peshawar Zoo is on Palosi Road, Peshawar, and opened in February 2018. It covers 29 acres and houses about 70 species.

What is the Peshawar Zoo ticket price?

The Peshawar Zoo ticket price is Rs 40 per person, according to visitor guides. Students pay Rs 20, and children under 3 and adults over 60 enter free.

What is the Peshawar Zoo opening time?

Peshawar Zoo opens at 9am every day.

What is the Peshawar Zoo closing time?

Peshawar Zoo closes at 6pm, according to visitor guides. Arrive by 4pm to see the whole zoo.

Is Peshawar Zoo open on Sunday?

Yes. Sunday is the family day at Peshawar Zoo, so only families can visit on Sunday.

What is Peshawar Zoo family day?

Sunday is Peshawar Zoo’s family day. The KP Wildlife Department announced in 2022 that only families would be allowed in on Sundays.

Can boys visit Peshawar Zoo without family?

Yes, on Monday to Saturday. Sunday is reserved for families.

Where is Peshawar Zoo located?

Peshawar Zoo is on Palosi Road, Peshawar, next to the Pakistan Forest Institute. Its map coordinates are 34.0173, 71.4897.

How big is Peshawar Zoo?

Peshawar Zoo covers 29 acres.

Which animals are in Peshawar Zoo?

Peshawar Zoo has lions, tigers, leopards, giraffes, zebras, bears, markhor, blackbuck, flamingos, pelicans, peafowl, falcons and snakes.

Where is the biggest zoo in Pakistan?

The biggest of Pakistan’s major city zoos is Lahore Zoo Safari in Lahore, at 242 acres.

Which time is best to visit the zoo?

Early morning is the best time to visit the zoo. Animals are more active, crowds are smaller, and the heat is lower.

Can I take food into Peshawar Zoo?

Yes, families commonly bring food to eat on the zoo’s lawns. Don’t feed any of it to the animals.

Final Thoughts

Peshawar Zoo makes a low-cost family day out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest trip, or on Sunday for a family-only visit, and confirm the ticket price and closing time at the counter.

Love animals? Browse cats for sale in Pakistan, dogs for sale in Pakistan, reptiles in Pakistan or adoption listings, find vets in Peshawar, or read more guides on the Titans Pet blog.

Ticket prices, timings and family day rules can change. Confirm them at the Peshawar Zoo ticket counter before you visit.

References

• Wikipedia: Peshawar Zoo
• Dawn: Khattak opens 29-acre zoo in Peshawar
• UrduPoint, reporting APP: Sunday reserved for families’ visit to Peshawar Zoo
• The Express Tribune: Multiple deaths haunt Peshawar’s lone zoo
• Business Recorder: A festive funfair draws throngs of children to Peshawar Zoo
• HamariWeb: Peshawar Zoo
• Traveler Trails: Peshawar Zoo
• Wikipedia: Lahore Zoo Safari
• Dawn: Upgraded Zoo Safari reopens