Yogyakarta has a various friendly destinations for family trip. Gembira Loka Zoo is the one of friendly destinations for family vacation. The location is not far from the city center, precisely at Kebun Raya street 2, Kota Gede, Yogyakarta. You don’t need to worry if you come from other city and you don’t bring your own vehicle, you still can go to Gembira Loka zoo easily because there is public transportations such Trans Jogja that can bring you to get there. If drive your own car, firstly you can go to East Ring Road that will bring you to get Wonocatur street. Afterward, you just have to follow that road and find a bridge. Gembira Loka Zoo is on the left side of the road before the bridge.
Getting closer to animals
Once we come in the zoo area, we will be given a guide book as the route direction then you won’t get lost because the zoo area is very large. Gembira Loka Zoo has a lot of animal spots. In every spot there is a board where it’s written the information about the animal. So not only seing animals, but we will also get a lot of new knowledge here. One of those animal spots is the fish spot. This spot is usually the children’s favourite spot. There are two fish spots, the small fish spots and the big fish spots. In this big fish spot there’s a big aquarium which contain Arapaima, the largest freshwater fish. As long as you walk along in the zoo you will discover the spot where the crocodiles lay down under shady trees while enjoying the sun. Just like the crocodiles you will find also hippopotamus soaking in the water to keep their bodies cool.
If you are snake lovers, you shouldn’t miss the python spot that looks like asleep all the day. Please don’t bother this animal! In this zoo you will find also cute animals such as kangaroos, deer, and mouse deer running around the bushes. You can enjoy watching them. Elephants’ spot is the spot that you shouln’t miss to visit because a while ago there was a mother of elephant who gave birth, so you will definitely can see the cute baby elephant. Other than the types of animals that have been mentioned, there are still many other types of animals because Gembira Loka is the largest zoo in Yogyakarta.
Animals attraction
Did you know that animals have certain skill? You can see their action on the animal show case that you can see every Saturday, Sunday and other holidays. If you are interested in watching it, you can ask the show schedule to the officers, because the schedule is not always the same. One thing that should not be missed is feeding time attraction.
Going around the zoo by riding animal
This activity is definitely very fun and you can enjoy it with your beloved family. You can go around the zoo by riding some kind of t animals like elephants or camels. You don’t need to be afraid because there will be officers who are ready to accompany you. The price of elephant and camel riding is affordable. It is only IDR 10,000.
Water playground area
Right in the middle of the zoo there is a quite big artificial lake which and a various kind of exciting water sport activity. You can play speed boat, sail on Katamaran boat, or ride the cute duck water bike to get around the lake. Near the lake there is a kind of small island which becomes the living place of peacocks and geese.
Taking Photos with the animals
In Gembira Loka Zoo the animals are look like an artist who has a lot of fans. It’s wonder that there are many visitors who are waiting so long to get their turn of taking a picture with tame animals. Those animals like are iguanas, turtles, birds, and snakes that can be wrapped around your body. You don’t need to be scared because it’s safe. There is a handler who will always stand by you. For a photo with a snake, it costs IDR 15,000. – To take a picture with other animals, you only need to pay as much as you want by putting money in the box.
Entrance- fee
Gembira Loka zoo’s entrance ticket costs IDR 30,000, – for weekdays and IDR 35,000, – for weekends. It is an affordable price because you will get an interesting view and priceless knowledge. This zoo is daily opened from 07.30 to 17.30 WIB.
