Twenty-two kilometres south of Bengaluru’s city centre, the concrete gives way to forest. Bannerughatta Biological Park — which most people simply call Bannerghatta Zoo — isn’t just a zoo. It’s a functioning ecological complex that combines a walk-through zoo, India’s first butterfly park, boat rides, animal safaris through live forest zones, and a rescue centre for injured wildlife. For families, wildlife photographers, and school groups across Karnataka, it has become one of the most complete nature-based day outings available within striking distance of any South Indian city.
This guide covers the complete official ticket price structure, safari charges, timings, how to reach, and what to expect at each zone.
Bannerghatta Zoo Ticket Price 2026 — Official Tariff
All prices below are directly from the official Bannerughatta Biological Park website.
Zoo Only Entry
| Category | Price (All Days) |
| Adults | ₹120 |
| Children | ₹60 |
| Senior Citizens | ₹70 |
| Specially Abled Persons | Free |
Butterfly Park Only Entry
| Category | Price (All Days) |
| Adults | ₹50 |
| Children | ₹30 |
| Senior Citizens | ₹30 |
| Specially Abled Persons | Free |
Zoo + Butterfly Park (Combo)
| Category | Price (All Days) |
| Adults | ₹170 |
| Children | ₹90 |
| Senior Citizens | ₹100 |
| Specially Abled Persons | Free |
Safari Ticket Prices — Bannerghatta 2026
Safaris are charged separately from zoo entry. The safari covers lion, tiger, and bear zones within secure enclosures where animals roam semi-freely across large open habitats.
Non-AC Bus Safari (Zoo + Safari)
| Category | Mon–Fri | Sat, Sun & Govt Holidays |
| Adults | ₹370 | ₹420 |
| Children | ₹210 | ₹260 |
| Senior Citizens | ₹260 | ₹310 |
| Specially Abled | ₹200 | ₹250 |
AC Bus Safari (Zoo + Safari + Butterfly Park + Camera)
| Category | Mon–Fri | Sat, Sun & Govt Holidays |
| Adults | ₹690 | ₹740 |
| Children | ₹480 | ₹530 |
Jeep Safari (Zoo + Safari + Butterfly Park + Camera)
| Vehicle Type | Mon–Fri | Sat, Sun & Govt Holidays |
| 6-Seater Non-AC Jeep | ₹3,600 | ₹3,900 |
| 6-Seater AC Jeep | ₹4,200 | ₹4,500 |
| 8-Seater Non-AC Jeep | ₹4,600 | ₹5,100 |
| 7-Seater Innova / 6-Seater Scorpio | ₹5,700 | ₹6,200 |
| 4-Seater EV Car | ₹3,200 | ₹3,500 |
Jeep safari pricing covers the entire vehicle, not per person. For families of 4 to 6, the Jeep Safari offers a more personalised and immersive wildlife experience compared to the shared bus options.
School Group Ticket Rates
| Category | Zoo + Non-AC Safari | Zoo Only |
| UKG and below | ₹120 | Free |
| Class 1 to 7 | ₹150 | ₹30 |
| Class 8 to 12 | ₹280 | ₹50 |
School group prices are uniform on all days including weekends and holidays.
Additional Charges
| Service | Price |
| Still Camera | ₹50 |
| Video Camera | ₹250 |
| Battery Operated Vehicle (Adult) | ₹100 |
| Battery Operated Vehicle (Child) | ₹50 |
| Row Boat (per head per trip) | ₹50 |
| 2-Seater Pedal Boat (full boat) | ₹200 |
| 4-Seater Pedal Boat (full boat) | ₹400 |
| Boating Duration | 30 minutes |
Bannerghatta Biological Park — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Bannerughatta Biological Park |
| Location | Bannerghatta Road, Bannerughatta, Bengaluru – 560 083 |
| Established | 1971 (National Park 1974; Biological Park separate section) |
| Total Area | 260.5 sq km (National Park); Zoo section 12 hectares |
| Butterfly Park Area | 7.5 acres |
| Weekly Holiday | Tuesday |
| Timings | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Contact | 080-29776466 / 080-29776467 |
| pro@bannerughattabiopark.org | |
| Distance from Bengaluru | Approximately 22 km |
Bannerghatta Park Timings 2026
The park is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all days except Tuesday. Safari timings run from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The park remains closed every Tuesday for maintenance and weekly rest. If a government holiday falls on Tuesday, verify on the official website whether the park will operate on an alternate day.
Arrive by 9:30 AM on weekdays for the best experience — wildlife is more active in the morning hours, safari queues are shorter, and the butterfly park is at its liveliest before noon.
What’s Inside Bannerghatta Biological Park
The Zoo — 12 Hectares of Wildlife
The zoo section of Bannerughatta covers 12 hectares and houses an impressive collection of both Indian and exotic species. The walk-through experience gives visitors extended time at each enclosure — unlike bus-only parks, you move at your own pace.
Key animals at the zoo include Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Indian Elephant, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, various crocodile species, pythons, monitor lizards, Russell’s Vipers, Cobras, and over 101 bird species. The Bird Aviary section — housing species like cormorants, herons, hornbills, and owlets — is a genuine highlight that most visitors underestimate.
The zoo also has a dedicated Aquarium, a Children’s Park, a Snake House, a Pet Corner, and a Crocodile Farm — making it one of the most diverse zoo complexes in South India.
The Safari — India’s Only Zoo-Embedded Forest Safari
What makes Bannerghatta uniquely special among Indian zoos is its safari zone, where visitors ride through actual forest terrain to observe lions, tigers, and bears in large naturalistic enclosures. The animals are visible at close range from the safety of the bus or jeep, and sightings are consistently reliable — particularly in the early morning safari slots.
The safari duration is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. For families, the jeep safari offers the advantage of stopping longer at sightings and taking photographs without the schedule constraints of a shared bus.
Safari zones covered:
- Lion Safari
- Tiger Safari
- Bear Safari
India’s First Butterfly Park — 7.5 Acres
Inaugurated in 2006, Bannerghatta’s Butterfly Park holds the distinction of being the first butterfly park established in India. Spread across 7.5 acres, it’s a walk-through tropical garden housing nearly 50 butterfly species in lush planted habitat. The combination of flowering plants, shrubs, and water features creates a genuinely immersive environment where butterflies are visible year-round.
The best time to visit the butterfly park is between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM when butterfly activity is highest. The separate entry fee is ₹50 for adults — or included in the combo and safari tickets.
Elephant Care Centre
Bannerghatta maintains a dedicated Elephant Care Centre for rescued and rehabilitated elephants. Visitors can observe elephants being bathed and cared for by mahouts during specific viewing hours — a humanising and memorable experience that large-scale zoos rarely offer.
Animal Rescue Centre
The park operates an active animal rescue and rehabilitation facility for injured and stranded wildlife from across Karnataka. Animals brought in from human-wildlife conflict zones are treated, rehabilitated, and where possible released back into the wild.
Boating at Bannerghatta
Boating is available within the park on a scenic water body and runs for 30 minutes per session. Options include row boats (₹50 per head) and pedal boats (₹200 for 2-seater, ₹400 for 4-seater per full boat booking). It’s a calm, family-friendly activity that works well as a break between the zoo and safari zones.
Online Ticket Booking
Tickets can be booked online through the official Bannerughatta Biological Park website at etickets.bannerughattabiopark.org, and also via the WhatsApp ticketing service by messaging +91 9035092794. Online booking is strongly recommended during weekends, school holidays, and the October–March peak season to avoid counter queues.
The Karnataka Forest Department also offers booking through its official portal for safari packages.
How to Reach Bannerghatta Biological Park
By Road: The park is located on Bannerghatta Road, approximately 22 km from central Bengaluru. Cab services via Ola and Uber cover the route — the drive takes roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.
By BMTC Bus: Several BMTC bus routes operate on the Bannerghatta Road corridor. Bus numbers 365, 365A, 365C, 365K, and 366 run from various city points to Bannerghatta. From the last bus stop, the park gate is within walking distance or a short auto-rickshaw ride.
By Car: Parking facilities are available at the park. The route via Bannerghatta Road from NICE Ring Road junction is the most direct for private vehicles.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is the ideal season — Bengaluru’s weather during these months is cool and pleasant, making the extended outdoor walk through the zoo and butterfly park genuinely comfortable.
June to September (Monsoon) brings lush greenery to the forest zones. The park looks its most dramatic during post-monsoon months and wildlife sightings in the safari can be excellent in this period.
Tuesday: The park is closed — plan around this.
Weekday mornings between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM are the least crowded and offer the best safari sighting windows.
Visitor Tips
- The AC Jeep Safari (₹4,200 weekdays) is the best overall experience for small families — it includes zoo, safari, butterfly park, and camera access in one booking
- Outside food is not allowed in the safari zone, but permitted in the zoo area
- Water bottles are allowed
- Wear comfortable walking shoes — the zoo section covers significant ground
- Allow 4 to 5 hours for a complete zoo, safari, and butterfly park experience
- Photography inside the safari requires camera tickets (₹50 for still, ₹250 for video)
Nearby Attractions
- Bannerghatta Biological Park Forest Trails — Trekking routes within the national park buffer zone
- Suvarnamukhi Pond — 2 km from the park, believed to have historical significance
- Champaka Dhama Swamy Temple — A Hoysala-era temple at the foothill of Suvarnamukhi hills
Final Thoughts
Bannerghatta is one of those rare places where a zoo visit feels genuinely wild. The safari through actual forest terrain, the butterfly park that precedes any other in India, and the rescue centre that connects conservation to visitor experience — these elevate it well above the standard zoo model. At ₹690 per adult for the full AC safari package covering everything, it’s exceptional value for the quality and scope of experience on offer. Book online, arrive by 9:30 AM on a weekday, and allow the full half-day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Bannerghatta Zoo ticket price in 2026?
A: Zoo entry is ₹120 for adults, ₹60 for children, and ₹70 for senior citizens. Specially abled persons enter the zoo and butterfly park free.
Q2. What are the Bannerghatta safari charges?
A: Non-AC Bus Safari (Zoo + Safari) costs ₹370 for adults on weekdays and ₹420 on weekends. The AC Bus Safari (Zoo + Safari + Butterfly Park + Camera) costs ₹690 on weekdays and ₹740 on weekends. Jeep Safari prices range from ₹3,200 to ₹6,200 per vehicle depending on type and day.
Q3. Is Bannerghatta open on Sundays?
A: Yes. The park is open on Sundays and all days except Tuesday. Sunday prices for the safari are slightly higher than weekday rates.
Q4. What is special about Bannerghatta Butterfly Park?
A: Bannerghatta Butterfly Park, inaugurated in 2006, was India’s first butterfly park. Spread across 7.5 acres, it houses nearly 50 butterfly species in a tropical walk-through garden environment.
Q5. How far is Bannerghatta Zoo from Bengaluru city centre?
A: The park is approximately 22 km from central Bengaluru — about 45 minutes to 1 hour by roaddepending on traffic conditions.
