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 here
How to reach Pilikula Nisarga Dhama
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
Photos
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama in pictures
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What’s near Pilikula Nisarga Dhama
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).
Read next
More stories, legends & guides from Dakshina Kannada
Image credits
- Pilikula Nisarga Dhama:Aviator423, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0