Summary
A zoo is a zoo, and once you’ve seen one, you might think you’ve seen them all. However, the Bali Zoo stands out as it is uniquely different from any other zoo you’ve visited!
The great advantage of the Bali Zoo is its collection of animals native to Bali, Java, and other parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, making it especially relevant for anyone traveling in this region.
Moreover, it is an excellent zoo in its own right, which is why we decided to create this Bali Zoo review after visiting multiple times ourselves.
The zoo offers engaging events, including the ‘breakfast with orangutans’ package, ensuring everything is well-managed and ethically operated.
This travel guide will provide information about the Bali Zoo’s location, how to get there, current ticket prices, and everything else you should know before visiting!
Where To Stay
Our Bali Zoo Review: What To Expect
We’ve visited the Bali Zoo on several occasions and still haven’t seen everything. Although it is not massive, there’s an impressive array of wildlife to see: birds, tigers, sun bears, monkeys, and much more.
As of 2024, the zoo is undergoing expansion to include a new African savanna section featuring lions, meerkats, hyenas, and zebras. They are also looking to add rhinos and giraffes to the collection.
Most of the zoo can be explored in just a few hours. Consequently, we recommend hiring a driver for the day to combine your zoo visit with other sightseeing adventures in Bali. Nevertheless, if you choose to participate in additional activities at the zoo (such as breakfast with the orangutans), you may wish to extend your stay.
Tickets can also be conveniently purchased online, which usually includes hotel transfers.
Animal Encounters & Extra Activities
At the Bali Zoo, there are numerous ‘animal encounters’ allowing visitors to interact with different species, including elephants, orangutans, gibbons, lemurs, deer, goats, rabbits, and wallabies.
This typically involves large enclosures that you can walk through while the animals move about freely, providing an immersive experience.
If you visit during feeding times and are willing to pay a bit extra, you may also assist in feeding the tigers and crocodiles (from a safe distance), adding to the excitement!
Professional photographs with tropical birds are available for an additional charge, or you can hold them for free and take your own pictures.
Breakfast With Orangutans
One of the unique attractions at the Bali Zoo is having breakfast with the orangutans and elephants. We experienced this on our most recent visit, and it was incredibly enjoyable. In fact, this is one of my favorite activities at the zoo!
During our breakfast, we were joined by two orangutans, two elephants, several tropical birds, a gibbon with its baby, and a pangolin (a mammal native to Java).
This may sound chaotic, but the zoo staff manage everything expertly, ensuring a spacious dining area for both animals and guests.
While the animals won’t be literally sitting at the table, they do enjoy their greens nearby, and you can capture delightful pictures before, during, and after your meal.
In 2022, the Bali Zoo welcomed its first baby orangutan, named Gandhi, who was three months old during our visit. We had the chance to see him from a safe distance, under the watchful eye of his protective mother.
The breakfast itself is a lavish buffet offering a wide variety of foods, including fruits, pancakes, rolls, omelets, bacon, sausages, rice, noodles, veggies, and more. Beverage choices include natural fruit juice (orange or watermelon), coffee, tea, or water.
The freshness and quality of the breakfast buffet were remarkable, but the highlight of our experience was undoubtedly the baby orangutan!
One minor issue with the Bali Zoo is the lack of a more prominent Komodo dragon exhibit. Given Bali’s proximity to these creatures’ natural habitat, a better display would be expected.
Although the zoo reportedly houses two Komodo dragons, they have been absent on each of my visits.
For those limited in time, visiting the Komodo islands may prove challenging!
Nevertheless, the Bali Safari & Marine Park has successfully bred more than a dozen baby Komodo dragons recently, raising hopes that the Bali Zoo may implement a similar conservation initiative.
As Komodo dragons face endangerment in the wild, such projects are vital for their conservation.
Animal Welfare At The Bali Zoo
The animals at the Bali Zoo appear to be well cared for and healthy. The staff are friendly and accommodating, maintaining a clean and ethical environment. Throughout our various visits, we have seen no signs of mistreatment.
While not everyone appreciates zoos, they undeniably play a significant role in animal conservation through breeding, funding, education, and more.
You can engage with some animals, yet these encounters are voluntary. Additionally, certain deer and wallabies rove freely within the park (rest assured, there are no roaming tigers).
The larger felines have impressive glass enclosures that offer great views. Lemurs, too, enjoy ample space to jump and roam within their designated areas.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend the Bali Zoo—a wonderful variety of animals and a rewarding experience. If time permits, it’s a worthwhile addition to your Bali itinerary!
Ticket Prices
The following are the ticket prices for tourists as of 2024. Note that prices for Indonesian locals are slightly lower.
- Adults: 355k IDR ($25 USD)
- Children: 250k IDR ($17 USD)
- Extra Activities: Check the Bali Zoo website for the latest prices
Hours Of Operation
The Bali Zoo operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
If you choose to participate in the breakfast with orangutans experience, it generally begins around 7:30 AM, allowing your small group exclusive access to the zoo during this time.
Additionally, throughout the day, numerous animal encounters and activities are scheduled for visitors!
Where Is The Bali Zoo? How To Get There
The Bali Zoo is conveniently located in the Sukawati area, situated halfway between Sanur and Ubud.
It can be reached in approximately 20 minutes from Ubud, 30 minutes from Sanur, or about an hour from Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu.
The most effective mode of transportation is to rent a scooter or hire a private car and driver (both options can be booked online).
If you are interested in visiting the Bali Bird Park during your trip, it is located just 5-10 minutes from the zoo!
Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental
If you’re eager to explore Bali comfortably and safely in a private car with an English-speaking driver, my top suggestion would be GetYourGuide.
Prices for this service start at 700k Rupiah (~$48 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. This total covers the car, driver, and fuel! It’s an outstanding deal. They also provide reasonably priced hotel transfers from the airport.
If you prefer to navigate the island by motorbike, they offer that option as well. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, raincoat, and free delivery in the southern Bali area.
We’ve utilized GetYourGuide for numerous tours and activities worldwide, and they’ve consistently provided excellent service. Highly recommended!
