What to expect
Highlights
- The biological park (zoo) and boating lake.
- The Tulu-Nadu heritage village and artisan crafts.
- The science centre and planetarium.
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is a large nature-and-heritage park on the eastern edge of Mangaluru at Vamanjoor. It brings together a biological park (zoo), a boating lake, a botanical garden, a heritage village, an artisan complex and a science centre with a planetarium.
Practical guide
Plan Pilikula Nisarga Dhama
Typewildlife
Nearest baseMangaluru
Best timeOctober to February
Time neededHalf a day (3 to 4 hours)
EntrySeparate tickets for zoo/boating/planetarium
Nearest town/baseMangaluru
DistrictDakshina Kannada
Place typewildlife
Time neededHalf a day (3 to 4 hours).
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is a large nature-and-heritage park on the eastern edge of Mangaluru at Vamanjoor. It brings together a biological park (zoo), a boating lake, a botanical garden, a heritage village, an artisan complex and a science centre with a planetarium.
It makes an easy half-day family outing, combining wildlife, a Tulu-Nadu heritage village and hands-on science under one entry.
Visiting
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama — at a glance
Timings~9:30 AM - 5:30 PM; some sections closed Mondays
Best timeOctober to February; weekday mornings
Entry: Separate tickets for zoo/boating/planetarium
Getting there: Vamanjoor, ~12 km from the centre; bus/auto/taxi
A zoo and family park — do not feed the animals; allow a few hours.
Getting there
How to visit
- ~12 km from the city centre at Vamanjoor; reach it by bus, auto or taxi.
- Separate tickets apply for the zoo, boating, planetarium and museums — allow a few hours, and go early on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Distance by road
- Udupi60 km
- Kasaragod50 km
- Madikeri (Coorg)135 km
- Mysuru250 km
- Bengaluru350 km
Road km to Dakshina Kannada; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; weekday mornings are quietest.
Weather in Pilikula Nisarga DhamaSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- A zoo and family park — do not feed or tease the animals, and keep to the marked paths.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is
Good to know
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Pilikula Nisarga Dhama?
October to February; weekday mornings are quietest.
What are the entry fee and timings at Pilikula Nisarga Dhama?
Entry: Separate tickets for zoo/boating/planetarium. Timings: ~9:30 AM - 5:30 PM; some sections closed Mondays. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Pilikula Nisarga Dhama?
~12 km from the city centre at Vamanjoor; reach it by bus, auto or taxi. Separate tickets apply for the zoo, boating, planetarium and museums — allow a few hours, and go early on a weekday to avoid crowds.
How much time do I need for Pilikula Nisarga Dhama?
Half a day (3 to 4 hours).
What else is near Pilikula Nisarga Dhama?
Nearby you can pair Mangaladevi Temple (3.9 km), Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru (4.8 km), St Aloysius Chapel (4.8 km), Kadri Manjunath Temple (5.2 km).
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