Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens
Colombo, Western
Established in 1936 from a private menagerie built by a German merchant, Dehiwala Zoo is one of Asia's oldest and largest zoological gardens, home to roughly 3,000 animals across 300-plus species spread over 26 acres just south of Colombo. Beyond the usual big cats and primates, it's known for daily elephant and bird shows and one of the region's more respected aquarium sections. It's a popular half-day outing for local families as much as tourists, so expect it lively rather than quiet.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings are far less crowded than weekends, when local families turn out in numbers.
Visitor tip
Allow several hours for the grounds and follow animal-area rules.
Local pick
The walk-through aviary near the back of the park gets skipped by most visitors rushing to the big cats — one of the calmer corners of the zoo.
Quick answers
Where is Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens?
Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens is in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka.
When is the best time to visit Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens?
Weekday mornings are far less crowded than weekends, when local families turn out in numbers.
How far is Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens from Colombo?
About 8 km in a straight line. Road journeys are longer, so check current travel times before you go.
What is near Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens?
Nearby places include Independence Memorial Hall (about 6 km away), Arcade Independence Square (about 6 km away), Colombo National Museum (about 6 km away), Diyatha Uyana (about 6 km away).
Add to my itineraryNearby places
- Independence Memorial HallColombo
- Arcade Independence SquareColombo
- Colombo National MuseumColombo
- Diyatha UyanaColombo
More places in Western Province
More to see around Colombo: things to do in Colombo. Planning a trip? See the top attractions in Sri Lanka, the best time to visit and how many days you need.