Dehiwala Zoo

Overview

Dehiwala Zoo (National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka) is one of Asia's oldest zoos, home to over 3,000 animals across 30 hectares in southern Colombo. Highlights include the aquarium, reptile house, and butterfly garden.

Highlights

• Aquarium: An underground marine aquarium with local and tropical fish species.
• Elephant Enclosure: Asian elephants can be watched during feeding and bathing times.
• Butterfly Garden: A walk-through enclosed garden with endemic Sri Lankan butterfly species.

History

Established in 1936 by John Hagenbeck, it was originally a private menagerie before being nationalized. Despite modernization, it remains a vintage-style zoo with ongoing conservation efforts.

Visitor Tips

• Best Time: Morning for most active animals; weekdays for smaller crowds.
• Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours.
• Tickets: Foreign visitors pay a higher rate; buy at the gate.