Dehiwala Zoo (National Zoological Gardens)
දෙහිවල සත්වෝද්යානය
A long-established zoo in southern Colombo, opened in 1936, home to Sri Lankan leopards, slow lorises, Asian elephants and many tropical birds.
Dehiwala Zoo lies in the southern suburbs of Colombo and is one of the oldest zoos in Asia. The enclosures are laid out across a hillside, housing native Sri Lankan leopards, slow lorises, Asian elephants and macaques, along with a tropical bird house, a butterfly garden and an aquarium. Foreign visitors pay noticeably higher admission than locals. The mornings are cooler and the animals are more active. It is about 10 km from the city centre, around 30 minutes by taxi. It is suitable for families, though some facilities are rather old.
Opening hours
08:30–18:00
Nearby sights
- Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya
- Mount Lavinia Beach
- Number 11 – Geoffrey Bawa's Home
- Independence Memorial Hall & Square
- Colombo National Museum
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Colombo Town Hall
- Gangaramaya Temple