"Far Far better than the Vandalur junkyard zoo". Review on Mysore Zoo

Well, this Oct we visited Mysore and there were many tourist spots we visited there and and one of them is this zoo.  We visited Mysore for 3 days between 22nd and 24th Oct.

So we visited the Zoo on the 23rd of Oct afternoon, the very next day of Dussehra.

=> Location of zoo -

The Zoo is located within the City limits of Mysore and very close to the Mysore Palace.  The zoo is also pretty close to the Chamundi hill.  So on 23rd morning, we visited the Chamundeshwari temple and while returned we decided to visit this Zoo.  The Zoo is actually located at the south west of the Mysore city.

the Zoo is otherwise known as - "Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens"

=> And here is my good experience -

- The Zoo Campus - The Zoo is pretty big, spread at about 172 acres in the Mysore City.  The Whole zoo is Designed in a systematic manner starting from the Gate to everything.  But when enter in, it actually feels like its a pretty small zoo when compared to the other Zoos like Vandalur Zoo.  The overall Zoo is very well maintained and very Clean.  And all the Cages are build in a organised manner.   Full Of Trees and hence the Zoo is cool!

- The animals - The Zoo possibly has "All the animals".  Since I am from Chennai, I have visited Vandalur Zoo a Couple of time and never happened to see all the Animals at once.  But I could see almost all Animals at the Zoo including Lion, tiger, Cheetas, Elephants and so on.  I don't Think I missed anything out there.

- Photography -> Well you will bit Confused with photography here, because you would be able to cover everything within a short duration of time.  We just had about less than 2 hours of time and not only that, since it was a Dussehra holiday the Zoo was completely filled up and hence I did not find time to click at all the Animals.  Full Crowd and lots of Animals and hence only could Snap some of the Important animals which were clearly visible.  (see Tips below).

- Other Amenities -> The Zoo has other Small eatery shops like Ice Cream shop and Snack Shops and the money paid to them is half Refunded at the Exit such as Bottles.  In Details - You can buy a Water bottle in there for about 25 Rupees and at the Exit you can return the bottle and Get back Rs.10.! This was Amazing technique to keep the zoo Clean and keep the Tourist out of Thrust.!  The Zoo Also has Toilets but since we did't use them, I don't know how clean are they.

- Parking -> Yes, there is Parking Facility available for the zoo but not inside the zoo Campus, instead it is located opposite of the Zoo Road.(see Cons).  Parking for both Cars and bikes is Available.

=> And he is Bad Experiences -

- Parking - Yes, as I said there is Car parking available but no direction support given by the Police there.  When we Came closer to Zoo in our Car, we were searching for the Parking place and asked The Cop who was Standing in front of the Zoo and parking(in the opposite).  Since there was no Signboard for parking, we couldn't recognize it.   But then, we did a circle back in our car and came to same spot and found that parking lot ourselves and finally entered in there and did the parking.    Therefore, there is no support for Traffic police there. They are Rude.

- Cramped Feeling - Though the Zoo is place at 172 Acres of Land, we felt the Zoo to be Cramped of Space.  It could not accommodate the Crowds during the festive times.  And hence things like Photography and even normal Views of animals is not that easy.!  This is only point were I can say Vandalur Zoo is better than this Zoo.

=> Tips -

1) When to Visit ->

• Visit This Zoo between Oct and Feb.  Though this zoo can be visited anytime, but to avoid Sultriness and sweat, it is advisable to Visit this Zoo in Winter.  We had about 2 hours of walk between 12:30 pm to 2:15 pm and we did not had a drop of Sweat from our body.  But if it was Vandalur Zoo, we would have been dipped into Full of Sweat.

  
  




• Avoid visiting this zoo during Festive times or even other major holidays.  Because During these days the Zoo is fully Crowded and hence you might not able to enjoy all animals and even Photography will be Screwed.  Visiting in Weekdays is advisable.

  
  

2) Photography(again) -> If you visiting during Weekdays, then you can enjoy Photography here.  Otherwise make sure you carry the best Equipment.

Advisable Camera is - Super Zoom Cameras such as Canon PowerShot SX400.   If you want Select but best photography, go for DSLRs.  Phone cameras are useless in there.

3) It is advisable to Carry Cap or Hats. This will make you further cool in there.

=> Fees -

For Adults its - Rs.50 and For Kids Below 12 yrs is - Rs.25.  For Still Camera it is Rs.20.   Make sure you keep the Camera Tickets with you until you Exit the Zoo. Because Camera tickets are Checked inside.  This is must of you have a DSLR.

There is also Electric Car Facility inside the zoo and it charges about Rs.125 for Adults and Rs.75 for Kids.  The Car Facility was shutdown on that Day because of over Crowd.

Car Parking Charges are Separate. I thinks it is Rs.20.

VERDICT -

Overall, this Zoo an another must place visit in Msyore and even in Whole of South India.  Even the Vandalur Zoo is avoidable, but " if you want to see all Wild Life Animal at one place, Mysore zoo is the Place ".