Safari Park Lahore: A Wildlife Adventure

Safari Park Lahore is situated on Raiwind Road on the outskirts of the city around 20km from Lahore. It is one of the three main wildlife parks in Lahore. The park offers a drive through safari where visitors can see lions and tigers from their vehicle. It spreads across around 242 acres of open, semi natural habitat. It holds a large lake, a walk through aviary and a wide range of animals and birds. For anyone getting to know Lahore, the Safari Park is a favourite family destination and a place to experience wildlife up close.

This guide explains what the Safari Park is, its history, its attractions and its setting near Lahore. It covers both the park itself and the wildlife within it.

Safari Park Lahore

Safari Park Lahore is a wildlife park on the outskirts of the city. It is also known as the Lahore Zoo Safari or the Lahore Safari Zoo. The park is situated on Raiwind Road. It spreads across around 242 acres of open land. It is now considered an extension of the Lahore Zoo, run by the wildlife authorities of the province.

The park is designed to house animals in a more natural setting than a traditional zoo. It offers semi natural habitats and open safari zones rather than only small cages. Many animals roam more freely within designated areas. This gives visitors a more immersive and natural experience of wildlife. The open concept of the park is inspired by the great safari parks of Africa and other countries.

The park holds a wide range of wildlife. The species here include lions, Bengal tigers, deer, nilgai, peafowl, emus, ostriches, swans and various pheasants and other birds. The park is home to the largest walk through aviary in the country. It has a large lake for boating and fishing, said to be the biggest lake in the city, complete with four islands. Safari tracks run through the lion and tiger areas, covering a large open zone.

The park was developed with the aims of conservation, education and recreation. It offers a close to nature experience for families and wildlife lovers. It has been the subject of major upgrades in recent years, with new animals and improved facilities. The park is one of the most popular recreational spots in the city, especially at weekends and holidays. It draws thousands of visitors through the year.

Quick answer: Safari Park Lahore is a wildlife park on Raiwind Road on the outskirts of the city, spread across around 242 acres. It offers a drive through lion and tiger safari, a large lake, the biggest walk through aviary in the country and a wide range of animals. It is a popular family destination, run as an extension of the Lahore Zoo.

History of the Safari park

The history of the Safari Park reaches back to the early 1980s. The park was established as the Woodland Wildlife Park in 1981, over an area of around 242 acres. It was created as a government funded public facility. It began as a wildlife park set in woodland on the edge of the city. This gave the park its open, natural character from the start.

The park changed hands and developed over the following years. It was handed over to the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department in 1998. The largest walk through aviary in the country was built here in 2004 and opened to the public. Boating and fishing facilities were developed near the lake. The government funded the reconstruction of the road leading to the park in 2006, improving access to the facility.

The park was extensively renovated and renamed in 2009. It was reopened as the Lahore Zoo Safari on 21 January 2009. A ticket system was introduced so that the park could become a semi autonomous, self financing organisation. The park was placed under a maintenance committee to improve its management. This renovation transformed the park into the safari style facility it is today, considered an extension of the Lahore Zoo.

The park has seen major upgrades in more recent years. The provincial government approved significant improvements to bring the park up to an international standard. New animals have been added, including giraffes, rhinos and elephants, along with plans for more species such as zebras. African style zones and other features have been developed, with the great safari park of Singapore used as a model. The entry fee for senior visitors aged 60 and above was abolished in 2024. These developments continue to expand the park.

Wildlife and safari park

The wildlife is the main draw of the Safari Park. The park is home to a wide range of animals and birds, many of them in open or semi natural settings. This gives visitors a chance to see wildlife in a way that feels closer to nature than a traditional zoo. The variety of species makes the park a place of interest for all ages.

The lion and tiger safari is the great highlight of the park. The park features safari tracks in the lion and Bengal tiger areas, covering a large open zone. Visitors can drive through these areas in their own vehicle or a park van, with the windows closed, to see the big cats up close. The lions and tigers roam more freely in these enclosures, set among plants that create the feel of a natural forest. This drive through safari is a thrilling and memorable experience.

The park holds many other animals beyond the big cats. The recent additions include giraffes, rhinos and elephants. These have expanded the range of large animals. The park has deer, nilgai and other grazing animals in their own zones. A play area, a deer zone and a calm pond add to the attractions. The park is developing into a top class wildlife facility with these new species.

The birds are another highlight of the park. The park is home to the largest walk through aviary in the country. Visitors can walk among peacocks, ducks and a variety of other birds in a net enclosure near the entrance. The peacocks spreading their feathers are a source of great pleasure for children and adults. An aquarium at the park holds many species of aquatic animals. This wealth of birdlife adds colour and variety to a visit.

Lake and other attractions

The lake is one of the finest features of the Safari Park. It is said to be the biggest lake in the city, complete with four islands. The lake offers boating and fishing in a peaceful setting. It adds greatly to the scenic beauty of the park. According to local folklore, a rock formation near the lake is believed to resemble an elephant, adding a touch of curiosity to a visit.

The park offers plenty for families beyond the wildlife. Picnic and garden areas are distributed all over the park. There is an area where swings have been put up for children to play around in. The open spaces of the park provide a great place to relax in. This makes the park a place for a full and varied family day out.

The park is designed to promote exploration and learning. Signboards and directional markers guide visitors across the park. The park was developed with the goal of wildlife education alongside recreation. This gives a visit an educational value, especially for children and school groups.

The facilities of the park have improved with the recent upgrades. A large parking area has been built for visitors. The recreational amenities and the cleanliness of the lake have been improved. The safari zoo now offers a well organised and comfortable experience with clear zones for the different animals and attractions.

Setting near Lahore

The Safari Park is situated on Raiwind Road on the outskirts of Lahore, some distance from the centre of the city. Its open, green setting is part of its appeal.

The park is around 30 kilometres from the centre of the city, near the Bahria Town area. It lies within the greater wildlife and nature zone of the city. The Jallo Park, another of the main wildlife parks, lies in the wider area. This places the Safari Park within a cluster of green and natural attractions on the edge of the city. The setting suits a day out into nature away from the crowded centre.

The setting gives the park its distinctive character. The wide open natural scenery and the lush greenery set it apart from a traditional zoo. The park offers a large green space and fresh air, precious in a busy city. It contributes to the air quality and the natural life of the wider city. This makes the park valuable to the recreational and environmental life of Lahore.

The park is part of the growing focus on wildlife and eco tourism in the city. It was established to promote wildlife preservation and offers a close to nature experience. It continues to grow as one of the beloved destinations of the city for outdoor recreation and learning. For anyone getting to know Lahore, the park is one of the places that shows the natural and green side of the city.

Visiting the Safari Park

The Safari Park is one of the most rewarding places for a family day out in Lahore. It offers wildlife, a safari drive, a lake and open green space in one large park. It suits families, nature lovers, school groups and wildlife enthusiasts.

The park is generally open from morning to evening with timings that vary by season to season. The entry fee is nominal and may differ by age group with discounts often for students and free entry for senior visitors. Some attractions within the park may carry a separate charge. It is worth checking the current timings and fees before a visit. Visitors should follow the park guidelines. These include not feeding or teasing the animals, staying in the vehicle during the safari and keeping the park clean.

The park is reached from the centre of Lahore in around 30 minutes to an hour by road, on Raiwind Road near Thokar Niaz Baig. It is accessible by private car, taxi or ride hailing service. A private vehicle is convenient, especially for the drive through safari. On weekends the traffic can build up, so an early arrival is wise. A large parking area serves visitors.

The cooler months from around October to March offer the most comfortable time to visit, avoiding the summer heat across the open park. Early morning is the best time for fewer crowds and more active animals. A good plan is to start with the safari zone, then enjoy the lake and boating, then finish with a picnic or the playground. Visitors should bring water, sun protection and light clothing in the warmer months, as the grounds are open and exposed.

Places near the Safari Park

The Safari Park is situated within reach of several useful and well known places. This helps visitors plan a fuller trip. The Bahria Town development lies near the park on Raiwind Road. The Jallo Park, another of the main wildlife parks, is in the wider area. The Thokar Niaz Baig interchange connects the park to the Motorway and the rest of the city.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Safari Park Lahore located? Safari Park Lahore is situated on Raiwind Road on the outskirts of the city, around 30 kilometres from the centre, near the Bahria Town area. It is reached in around 30 minutes to an hour by road. A private car, taxi or ride hailing service is best.

What animals can you see at the Safari Park? The park is home to lions, Bengal tigers, deer, nilgai, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, peafowl, emus, ostriches, swans and many other birds. It has the largest walk through aviary in the country and has added many new species in recent upgrades.

What is the lion safari? The lion safari is the main highlight of the park. Visitors drive through the lion and tiger enclosures in their own vehicle or a park van, with the windows closed, to see the big cats up close as they roam more freely in open settings.

When was the Safari Park established? The park was established as the Woodland Wildlife Park in 1981 over around 242 acres. It was extensively renovated and reopened as the Lahore Zoo Safari in January 2009. It has seen major upgrades in recent years.

Is there an entry fee for the Safari Park? The entry fee is nominal and may differ by age group, with discounts often for students and free entry for senior visitors aged 60 and above. Some attractions may carry a separate charge. It is worth checking the current fees before a visit.

When is the best time to visit the Safari Park? The cooler months from October to March offer the most comfortable time to visit to avoid the summer heat. Early morning is best for fewer crowds and more active animals. Weekends can be busy, so an early arrival is wise.

Safari Park Lahore is one of the great wildlife destinations of the city and a favourite family day out. Spread across around 242 acres on Raiwind Road, it offers a drive through safari where visitors can see lions and tigers up close, along with a large lake, the biggest walk through aviary in the country and a growing range of animals. Its open, semi natural setting gives a closer and more immersive experience of wildlife than a traditional zoo.

The park brings together wildlife, education and recreation in a green, open space on the edge of the busy city. Established as a woodland wildlife park in 1981 and transformed into a safari style facility, it has seen major upgrades in recent years, with new giraffes, rhinos and elephants and a plan to reach international standards. Its setting on the outskirts, near Bahria Town and within reach of the Jallo Park, makes it a fine escape into nature. Whether you visit the Safari Park for its lion safari, its aviary, its lake or simply a day out in the open air, it remains one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in Lahore and a green adventure on the edge of the city.