Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella
Example · Sigiriya, Kandy and Ella — 7 Days with a Local Guide
7 days · 6 nightsEnglish, German
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Researched by Sarisara, with sources.
The National Zoological Gardens, usually just called Dehiwala Zoo or Colombo Zoo, is Sri Lanka’s national zoo. The land was first a private animal collection kept by a German trader in the 1920s. The government took it over in 1936 and turned it into the public zoo you can visit today, which makes it one of the oldest zoos in Asia.
The zoo sits on about 10 hectares (around 26 acres) in Dehiwala, a short drive south of central Colombo. It holds roughly 3,000 animals from about 300 species, including Sri Lankan elephants and leopards, lions, giraffes, many kinds of birds, and reptiles and fish in separate houses.
Two shows are the main reason families come: the Elephant Show, where trained elephants perform simple tricks, and the Sea Lion Show. Times for these change from day to day, so a guide or the zoo’s own staff should confirm them on the day of your visit.
Most visitors walk the zoo at an easy pace, stopping at the main animal houses and the two shows. It works well as a half-day outing, especially with children, and is one of the few places in the Colombo area where you can see Sri Lankan wildlife up close without travelling to a national park.
Entrance tickets are not included in Sarisara prices. Please pay them in cash at the gate.
Last checked: 21 Oct 2026. Prices are set by the temple and can change.
These prices come from the zoo's own website (nationalzoo.gov.lk) and are in US dollars, but the zoo's own page says payment at the gate must be made in Sri Lankan rupees — your guide will confirm the rupee amount on the day. This ticket is NOT included in your Sarisara price; your guide pays it at the gate or buys it online in advance, and this is settled separately from your trip. The exact child age range was not confirmed on the official site (one independent source says ages 3 to 12).
No special dress code — wear ordinary, comfortable outdoor clothing.
Not dressed right? There is no dress check at the gate. This is general comfort advice, not a rule enforced at the entrance.
The zoo's own website gives slightly different closing times on different pages (5:00 PM and 6:00 PM); a guide should confirm the exact closing and last-entry time before the visit.
Department of National Zoological Gardens, Sri Lanka Official website
120 Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Colombo District, Sri Lanka
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Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella
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Fire dancers light the road before the elephants of the Esala Perahera.
