Indonesia boasts many zoos that can be a great option for families looking for an exciting recreational activity. Zoos not only offer entertainment but also provide educational opportunities about the animal kingdom for children and adults alike. Here are some of the best zoos to consider when planning a family vacation in Indonesia.

1. Bali Safari and Marine Park

Looking to plan a vacation in Bali this weekend? Consider visiting Bali Safari & Marine Park in Gianyar, where you'll find 600 animals from 60 different endemic and exotic species of the archipelago, including Komodo dragons, orangutans, and Sumatran elephants, among others. But that's not all - there are plenty of other activities to make your family vacation unforgettable.

Safari Journey: Experience the thrill of seeing animals in their natural habitat, as you observe them doing their free activities in nature while riding a safari tram that takes you around to see a variety of animals from Indonesia, India, and Africa.

Night Safari: Take a fun and educational night cruise on a tram in the form of a cage, where you can feed herbivorous animals from inside the tram and get up close to carnivorous animals, including the chance to touch a tiger.

Elephant Back Safari: Try a unique experience and become an "elephant knight" for a day, as you sit high atop an elephant's back and enjoy a controlled adventure with an experienced handler.

Bali Theatre: Witness traditional art performances combined with the latest technology sound and stage, and be amazed by the beauty of the shows you'll see.

Mara River Safari Lodge: Stay in African-style resorts and breathe in the scent of Africa while feeding animals directly from your balcony.

Tsavo Lion Restaurant: Dine in a room with glass walls and a panoramic view of the African savanna, while watching the "King of the Jungle" in front of you.

Tiger Show-From Predator to Prey: Learn more about tigers through an entertaining show that educates the public about Balinese culture and their characteristics in nature.

Funzone & Waterpark: After a day of safari adventures, cool off and have fun in the water with two swimming pools for both children and adults, as well as water slides with exotic beach views.

Bali Safari & Marine Park is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays, and 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on weekends, with a shuttle pick-up facility available.

2. Lembang Park and Zoo Bandung

Lembang is a must-visit area for anyone on vacation in Bandung, not only for its cool air, but also for its numerous exciting tourist spots. One of the newest attractions is the Lembang Park and Zoo, which has quickly become popular with both local and international tourists due to its unique concept that differs from typical zoos.

Combining a large tourist park with a zoo, Lembang Park and Zoo offers visitors the opportunity to not only see animals, but also to engage in leisurely activities with various facilities available such as canoeing on an artificial lake, horseback riding, and traveling around the vast park area on a scooter. The park also has several restaurants and cafes where visitors can dine while observing animals behind glass walls, and even a Neko Cat Cafe where one can play with cute and well-groomed cats.

Children are not left out as the park offers several play areas, including an outdoor playground, Mini Train, Storyland with fun rides, and a riding school for kids. For animal lovers, there are several species to see including tigers, alpacas, peacocks, sun bears, binturongs, meerkats, tenggalung, and budeng monkeys. Bird enthusiasts will also enjoy the Bird Aviary, a semi-indoor area where dozens of birds reside and greet visitors.

The admission fee for Lembang Park and Zoo is relatively cheap at $3.25 USD for Monday-Friday and $4.55 USD for weekends, red dates, or joint holidays, with children under 80cm allowed to enter for free. However, separate tickets must be purchased for certain facilities, such as the Rabbit House and Bird Aviary. For those who wish to save time, tickets can be purchased online for $7.48 USD on weekdays and $8.39 USD on weekends, which includes entrance to the Bird Aviary and Rabbit House, tickets for Elephant Feeding activities, and a pony ride experience.

3. Bogor Safari Park

Bogor Safari Park, a world-class animal park located on Jalan Raya Bogor 601, is a favorite family tourist destination in the Puncak area. Established in 1980 and situated at an altitude of around 900-1,800 meters above sea level, the park boasts a diverse collection of animals, as well as various rides and educational programs that focus on preserving the habitat of various fauna species.

One of the main attractions at Bogor Safari Park is the Taman Safari Park vehicle, which allows visitors to witness thousands of animals up close in a natural habitat-like setting. From domestic to rare animals, such as tapirs and giraffes, the park offers an adventure that brings its own unique sensations. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the foot of Mount Gede-Pangrango.

For those seeking more excitement, the Elephant Trail rides offer a fun experience of riding elephants and exploring the tropical rainforest vegetation. Visitors may even witness birds perching on tree branches, as the park houses at least 1,000 birds from 90 species worldwide.

The park also features various animal shows, such as the Free Animal Education Show, where visitors can witness the dexterity of trained wild animals like elephants, tigers, lions, and penguins. The Baby Zoo ride allows visitors to interact closely with baby wild animals and capture adorable photos.

Apart from the exciting rides and animal shows, Bogor Safari Park also offers other facilities such as restaurants, outbound parks, and lodging. The restaurant provides a variety of menus, both foreign dishes and traditional Indonesian dishes. The park's lodging, which is located on the edge of the lake, offers various supporting facilities such as a heated pool, karaoke room, and meeting rooms, providing visitors with a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Conclusion

Based on the recommendations above, it can be concluded that the zoo is a suitable tourist spot to visit with family. Besides being a vehicle for recreation, zoos can also provide useful learning experiences, especially for children who want to learn about the diversity of animals in the world. However, as visitors, we must also maintain the cleanliness and health of the environment around the zoo and pay attention to the welfare of the animals in it.

By visiting the recommended zoos in Indonesia above, it is hoped that this will provide an unforgettable experience and inspire you to care more about the preservation of nature and animals in Indonesia. Apart from that, through zoo tours, we can also support efforts to preserve animals and their habitats carried out by the zoo. Let's protect Indonesia's biodiversity together and continue to introduce it to the next generation.