Zoo - "a safe place for endangered species and at the same time a jail for all the animals", we have one here in Hyderabad too!
Quite far from the city crowd, but then not exactly. Those who reside in Secunderabad, need to cover almost 20 to 25 Kms to reach there. For Old-City dwellers, it is in the neighbourhood.
We started at 1100 hours, of course, a late start for a one-day-out, mainly because it was not pre-planned. Overhearing my friends’ advices to carry enough food, we took only two bottles of water and two packets of biscuits for my kid - Nona. Just in an hour’s drive, we reached the destination; it, otherwise, might have taken two hours minimum - thanks to the National holiday and also the Ramzan. Though the traffic was less, a drive from Secunderabad to the Nehru Zoological Park is not a nice treat as far as driving pleasure is concerned. Roads are narrow and filled with pot-holes in the Old-City areas.
Reasonably good crowd was there due to holiday. We got two tickets - one for the car and the other one for still-camera (Rs. 20/-). They charge Rs. 20/- for adults, but as we have taken for the car entry (Rs. 200/-) five persons entry fee is also included in it. For children, it is Rs. 10/- or 15/-, but being Gandhi Jayanthi Day, it was free-entry for them.
I have visited so many Zoo’s at various places in India, but not seen allowing private cars inside for safaries! In Hyderabad Zoo, we can take the car inside to go around there by lessening the walking distance. Inside roads are nice and moderately wide. Some restrictions are - slow driving, no honking and no music, which, we felt justifiable.
Though we can take our own vehicle inside, it is required to stop every now and then to see the
different animal spots. There are restrictions to take the vehicles to some of the inner routes.
Soon after entering the compound, we took a left turn and parked the car there. Nona excitedly ran towards a crowd watching a beautiful animal which is a gaint tortoise almost 80 years old! The -- number starts there followed by deer, white Tiger, etc in the vicinity. Here, a children park also exists - an okay-kind-of one.
If we take the right turn after entering the Zoo, it is the Snake park, what we will get to see first. In our case, we reached there the last.
Nona was very happy seeing the animals there which she used to see in her school text books. Her excitement dragged me to my golden childhood days; I was also very much found of travelling to see Zoo, Museums, old monuments, etc.
At some places, we need real luck to see the animals, because the space offered to them are so big that they may not be visible for us from the fence - we could not see Hyena, Lion, etc. and only could have a glance of our majestic animal - the brown Tiger.
Camera is a must. We could take some excellent photographs. The 15x Zoom really helped to snap the creatures those were lying far from the fence avoiding the onlookers. Also we took some vedio clippings of some rarest and wonderful moments of the animals. Yes, we took only the still-camera ticket for our DSC H7; fortunately, they did not check that thoroughly at the gate!
After the initial excitement for two hours or so, we felt tired and thought of taking something in. Alas, then only it was noticed that there are no established eateries inside the compound. We found one at 1600 hours and bought samosa, veg puff, cool drinks and badam milk. Much to our dismay, the food materials were of very inferior quality in spite of the heavy price. But, Nona was not in a mood of having anything. She had a slice (cool drinks) and started running all around enjoying the grass bed.
Statues of Dinosaurs, etc, are made and kept at one place which is called Jurassic Park. They did not capture our interest at that time, but the photograhs we took evoke life-like images. So a perfect spot for photography, because we can take sufficient time to focus on the object without fearing their movements!
Birds in large numbers are kept in the Zoo. Starting from very common birds like pigeons to endangered species like golden Peacock, etc could be seen. Two of the Indian Peakcocks erected their large feathers round like a fan and it was a beautiful sight for all and a feast for all the camera-men there!
After the wild animals like tiger, leopard, bear, crocodile, elephant and birds etc, the much excited place came - the Snake Park ! Expectedly, very much crowd was there. But, what to say, it was not that enchanting and few of the cages were empty as well. I think they need to include much more in the pool.
The Zoo is situated near to a big lake which covers almost 600 acres called Mir-Alam Tank, a 200 year old lake! It is a scenic place and boat-rides are facilitated there. Due to paucity of time, we had to opt it out.
Basically, it is a good place for a full day out for all. Kids will enjoy immensely.
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What all to carry**: Carrying food is a must considering the quality of the food available there. 2-3 bottles of water can also be taken, though availability of water is not an issue.
Camera is a must. Make sure that the battery is fully charged.
Take a shuttle-bat and cork, to play in between to give a break from continuous walking.
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Timings**: The Zoo opens at 0900 hours and its there up till 1730 hours, I think.
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Duration**: 5 to 6 hours. In order to cover everything, it will take this much time. Boating in the lake is also an enjoyable one. Plan it in such a way that you reach the Zoo before 1000 hours.
Wash rooms are there inside here and there, and it will not be an issue.
In sunny days also, we will not feel the heat that much because, the dense forest acts as a big umbrella and imparts the much needed shadow almost everywhere.
We did not see two-wheelers inside, might be it is not allowed fearing the sound pollution. You will get battery operated vans for safaries for a nominal fee though.
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