From generation to generation, a visit to the Zoo is a must-do activity for families, especially with young children. Not only do we spend time together, children are learning about animals, the environment and spending time outdoors playing. I remember the fun and happy memories of my parents taking me to the zoo, parks, playgrounds and other places when I was young. It gives me joy to be able to share and do these same things for my children.
Entrance fee – 1000 KS
There is a gate fee to visit the zoo. From age 2 to 10, it is 500 KS per pax and 1000 KS for adults; for expats, it is $10. The fee seems a little high, but it is for the upkeep of the zoo and to provide clean restrooms and other public facilities. There are a lot of sights to see and activities to do within the zoo grounds.
Modern Monkeys
Monkeys are always an attraction, because they behave like children, playing, teasing, eating, and having fun with each other. You can feed the monkeys with bananas, and the modern monkeys now also eat other modern snacks.
Forgotten Hippo House
Continuing from Monkey village is the Hippo zone. I saw at least four of them in the water, appearing and disappearing beneath the surface. Children were looking at them curiously, but seemed afraid. I remember when I was younger, feeding the hippos, but that did not seem to be allowed anymore.
Buggy Car
The trusty buggy cars are still around and always full of people. The buggy fee is 500 KS per person and you can take photos from the car. If you are tired of walking, this is another option, for you and the family to jump on and off, and be more relaxed exploring the zoo.
Photographs with puppet
Not only in Bagan, now you can take photos with these traditional puppets in Yangon. It is located in front of the buggy gate if you come straight from monkey village. The fee is only 200 KS, and you can take as many photos as you like.
Yangon Zoo Love Sign
This very prominent sign is decorated with a Pathein Umbrella background and set in concrete. Behind, there is a tiger cage and inside sits a white tiger.
Row, row, row the boat
The next stop is duck lake where you can rest and watch the ducks swimming around the lake. There is also a duck port where you can ride the duck boat. Two people can ride per boat so you can spend time having fun with the children.
Thrilling Zipline
There is also an exciting zipline if you feel adventurous. The fares are 6000 ks on the weekends and 5000 ks on weekdays. It’s worth it to experience that exhilarating feeling flying over the water. And you don’t have to know how to swim, just follow the instructions given and all is safe. If you love a thrilling experience, you can also try the tree climbing and jump from there.
Elephant Museum and Grandma Mo Mo
From the puppets, you can get to the elephant museum where everyone loves “Elephant Mo Mo”. Mo Mo turned 66 years this November 3 so we might need to call her grandmother. Honestly, the museum doesn’t feel the same as when I visited back as a child. I remember it being more wild and Amazon like. It costs 1000 ks inclusive of 3 bananas per pack to feed the elephants. The elephants are super friendly and willingly take the bananas offered by the people.
There are countless other things to share about all the animals and experiences at the zoo. With each visit, you have a different feeling and experience coming away.
Yangon Zoo was established in 1906, in the colonial era, by Gorge V (current Queen Elizabeth’s Grandfather). It’s been over a century now. Currently, there are 47 mammal species, 68 bird species, 21 Reptile species, altogether 136 species safely kept in the zoo. Inhabited by elephant, tiger, lions, birds, rabbits, mother zoo is still keeping safe her children.