Melaka Zoo & Night Safari

Melaka Zoo is a popular family attraction in Melaka.  Here is my review.

Basic Facts

It's a large zoo, covering 22 hectares, which makes it the second largest in Malaysia.

We felt quite tired by the time we had seen everything. If you tire easily you might wish to take the tram ride to reduce the amount of walking . 

Having been in existence since the 1960s, the surroundings are very green with mature landscaped tropical vegetation, giving a simulated rainforest effect for both the visitors and the animals.

The zoo borders the Ayer Keroh Country Club and golf course which adds to the beauty and greenness of the surroundings.

The zoo was transferred into private ownership in 2013 (it was previously run by the Government's Wildlife and National Parks Department). The intention was to improve the standard and copy the success of Singapore's day-and-night zoo. It also means the admission charges have been increased.

Animals

There is a good selection of animals in the zoo. Most of them are native to the region and accustomed to the tropical heat of Malaysia. They are quite healthy looking and, as an open concept zoo, they have a reasonable amount of space to move around and be themselves while allowing visitors the opportunity to see them up close.

Standards have improved over the years (along with ticket price increases) but there is always room for further improvement to upgrade and maintain enclosures and make more space for the animals. 

Our favourite animals in the zoo included:

•  Birds (macaws, hornbills, storks etc)
•  Zebra
•  White rhino
•  Wildebeest
•  Capybara
•  Kancil (mouse deer)
•  Bats
•  Iguanas
•  Tapirs
•  Malayan gaur
•  Big cats (panther, leopards, lions and Malayan tigers)
•  Sun bear
•  Orang-utan, chimps, baboons

and plenty more.

Verdict

We enjoyed this zoo more than KL's Zoo Negara, mainly because of the green surroundings.

This is one of the best zoos in Malaysia but has some way to go to reach the standard of Singapore's zoo. 

We did not try the Night Safari.

2022 Entrance Fee

Melaka Zoo ticket prices. Below are the prices for the Day Zoo. Tickets for the Night Safari cost the same amounts.

Discounts available for school groups.

The entrance price includes a guided tram ride.

Opening Hours

Open Monday - Friday from 10am to 5.30pm 

Open Saturday - Sunday from 9am - 6pm.

Night Safari is from 8pm - 11pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of Public and School Holidays. Night Safari will be cancelled if it rains

Bird Show

Weekdays: 11am and 3.30pm.

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 11am, 2.00pm and 4pm.

Elephant Feeding

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 11am and 2.30pm.

Keeper Talk

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays  noon at Tiger Eye.

How to get to Melaka Zoo

The location of Melaka Zoo is marked on this map:

Ayer Keroh is located 13km from Melaka City and the zoo is conveniently near the North-South Expressway if you are travelling there by car.

Parking is free.

See the Official Website for updates and news.