The Ultimate Zoo Melaka Guide
Zoo Melaka is a captivating attraction for nature enthusiasts, families, and animal lovers. Located in the heart of Malacca, this zoo lets you take a closer look at the country’s vast wildlife–and we’re here to tell you more about it!
Join us on this virtual tour of the second-largest zoo in Malaysia. From its diverse animal exhibits to insider tips like the best times to visit, things to expect and more, we’ll cover everything you need to know–read on!
Things to Know
Address: Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 6-232 3900
Opening Hours:
- Day Zoo:
- Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Counter closes at 4:00 PM)
- Weekends: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Counter closes at 5:00 PM)
- Night Safari: Friday and Saturday from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Will get cancelled if it rains.
Ticket Prices:
Language: Malay, English, Mandarin
Calling Code: +60
Best Time to Go
The best time to enjoy Zoo Melaka is early morning, as it’s when the sunlight is gentle, making it a lovely time for exploring everything the zoo offers. Also, the morning is when the animals are most active–who knew these animals were morning people?
Meanwhile, if you want a more peaceful and up-close experience with the animals, you can visit on a weekday since it’s when the zoo experiences fewer crowds. This being said it would be great to visit the zoo in the morning on a weekday to take some great photos with the animals.
How to Get to Zoo Melaka
Rental Car: If you can access a car, this is one of the most convenient ways to reach the zoo. From Melaka city centre, take Jalan Ayer Keroh (Route AMJ) and follow the signs for Zoo Melaka.
The zoo is located in Ayer Keroh, which is about a 20-30 minute drive from the city centre. If you’re going to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur, this is a great option, as it lets you stop by other attractions like Colmar Tropicale and the Batu Caves.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available in Melaka and you can simply hail a cab on the street to get to Zoo Melaka. If you’re coming from Malacca’s city centre, the ride will approximately take 14 minutes and cost around RM26 to RM32.
Bus: You can take a local bus from Melaka Sentral (the main bus terminal in Melaka) to Ayer Keroh. From there, you can take a short taxi ride to reach Zoo Melaka.
Ride-Sharing Services: Apps like Grab may also offer a convenient way to get to Zoo Melaka, allowing you to book a ride from your location to the zoo. This is also great for those who want a fixed rate before the trip itself.
What to Do in Zoo Melaka
Be mesmerised at the bird show
Schedule:
- Weekdays: 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM
- Weekends, school and public holidays: 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
The Bird Show showcases the most fascinating avian creatures in the zoo like colourful parrots and majestic eagles. It’s where you’ll witness these high-flying creatures display their natural talents in the form of cool tricks and aerial acrobatics.
It’s not all for show though, as the shopkeepers will also provide you with insightful commentary about the birds’ traits and behaviour. They also raise awareness through this show, telling you and others the importance of conserving their habitats–entertaining and educational, wow!
Learn more about the zoo animals during Keeper Talk
Schedule: Weekends, Public Holidays & School Holidays at 12:00 noon
Location: Tiger Eye
The Keeper Talk is a segment that will enrich you with valuable insights into the world of animal care and conservation. This is perfect for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the animals in the zoo like elephants, tigers, ostriches and anything in between.
The keeper would usually engage with the audience and share their expertise with the various species residing in the zoo. Some of the topics that they’ll usually go through include the animals’ behaviour, diet and unique characteristics.
It’s an interactive talk too so be sure to have your questions ready!
Feed the gentle elephants
Schedule: Weekend, school and public holidays: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
You know what they say: elephants never forget. So why not give them and yourself a memory that you’ll cherish forever by feeding them their favourite snacks?
This wholesome and heartwarming experience will let you connect with these majestic giants up close, creating a personal bond. You’ll also be impressed at how intelligent these creatures intelligently handle the fruits and vegetables you give them.
Furthermore, the overall experience is educational as well, as it lets you learn more about their dietary habits–yes, these elephants have diet plans too!
Get involved in Zoo Melaka’s educational programs
Zoo Melaka takes learning to another level with its EduZoo programs. These programs aim to provide a more interactive and exciting learning experience for those who want to learn more about the zoo’s animals.
Zoolunteer
The Zolunteer program puts you into the shoes of the zoo’s talented keepers. It lets you experience a day in their lives to see what it’s like working up close and personal with different animals every day.
Zoomanji
Zoomanji is sort of this zoo’s version of an amazing race and if you’ve been to team buildings, you’ll be familiar with it. Here, kids can enjoy a whole day of fun activities and test their wits through various riddles.
The package also comes with a day pass in the zoo as well as a free meal (lunch). After the program, each participant will receive a certificate of participation–yay!
Interact with different kinds of animals
Zoo Melaka is great because it not only lets you admire animals, but it lets you interact with them as well! Some of our favourite species to interact with are rabbits, deer, zebras and parrots, as they’re extremely friendly.
You can pet some of them while others can be fed–pretty cool, right? The best interaction we’ve experienced by far though is with the parrots, as they can randomly land on your head, shoulder or finger.
Admire Bengal tigers while sipping some coffee
The Bengal tigers are some of the scariest animals in the zoo, even when they’re behind enclosures! Fortunately, there’s a spot where you can admire them in the safety of your seat at the Tiger’s Eye Cafe.
Here, you can sip on your favourite cup of coffee while admiring these beautiful yet ferocious creatures. Sometimes, they can even walk towards the glass!
Ride majestic horses
It wouldn’t be a complete zoo experience without horseriding! You can fulfil your childhood dreams of riding one of these majestic manes in Melaka Zoo and you don’t have anything to worry about, as they’re 100% friendly.
Plus, you’ll be guided by their respective horse attendant to make sure you don’t accidentally hurt the horse.
Be in awe of humungous dinosaurs
Zoo Melaka not only features animals that you’ll see today but those that existed millions of years ago too–well, kind of. The Dinosaur Encounter will take you back to the prehistoric age by bringing these gigantic beasts to life through large-scale statues.
These gigantic beasts are designed intricately down to the smallest details, making them look all the more realistic. You can even meet some of them up close and personal (spoiler alert: they’re people in costumes).
There are a whopping 100 statues of dinosaurs in this zone such as the pterodactyl, t-rex and raptor so be sure to see them all!
Go on a night safari
One of the unique experiences that Zoo Melaka offers is the night safari. This nocturnal adventure is an entirely different experience, as it lets you see what these animals are up to come nightfall.
With 150 animals to admire, you’ll see how different species behave during these late hours, which is pretty cool if you haven’t seen them in this state before.
Where to Eat in Zoo Melaka
Cat Walk Studio
Address: No 35, 35-1 Jalan KF-1, Jln Kota Fesyen 1, Melaka International Trade Centre, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 17-635 7242
Pricing: $-$$
Cat Walk Studio is the prrrfect restaurant for feline lovers, as it lets you feast on good food while being surrounded by cats–who knew they were such great company?
You can pet them and take photos to your heart’s content. Sometimes, the staff will even give you a roller to interact with these furballs–how cute is that!
Gimmick-aside, this restaurant is still a great option thanks to its vast array of Malaysian and Indonesian dishes. It’s a great place to refuel your energy or simply sip a cup of coffee after a long day of walking at the nearby zoo.
Cofeology Cafe & Restaurant
Address: 21 – 23 Cofeology Grand Boulevard, Jalan Bukit Beruang, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia
Phone: +60 11-5277 7730
Pricing: $-$$
For those times when you want to feast on delicious international and Western dishes, we recommend checking out Cofeology Cafe & Restaurant. It’s only a couple of minutes away from the zoo, and it can satisfy your cravings for pizza, burgers, steak, fries and more!
Then, you can end your meal on a sweet note by ordering one of their many mouthwatering desserts. Want our advice? Go for the banana and ice cream–you won’t regret it!
Alternatively, if you’re just looking to get your cup of joe for the day, this is also a good choice! They offer anything from flat white to cappuccinos, americanos–the works.
Suukee Kopitiam
Address: 7,Jalan Komersial Takh 3, Ayer Keroh Height, Melaka 75450 Ayer Keroh Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-231 6760
Pricing: $
Suukee Kopitiam is an awesome restaurant that serves amazing Malaysian dishes like Hainanese chicken, laksa, chee cheong fun, etc. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, we recommend checking out the chicken intestines–don’t worry they’re not as bad as they sound!
The overall place is quite neat too so that’s an instant A+ in our books! All in all, it’s a great spot to wind down and feast on local delicacies while waiting for time to pass.
Rumah Makan Cibiuk Ayer Keroh
Address: 10, Lingkaran Mitc, Kompleks Perniagaan MITC Perdana, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-233 8645
Pricing: $$
Rumah Makan Cibiuk Ayer Keroh is the go-to restaurant for those craving Malaysian dishes. A lot of their dishes are worth trying but if we had to choose the best one, it has to be their duck because of its perfect texture.
If you’re not into that, you can order other staples such as ayam bakar and nasi goreng–you won’t regret ordering them!
Although the rates are a bit pricey, you can feel that you’re getting value for your money because of how big their serving portions are!
Pak Man Asam Pedas
Address: No 51, Jalan Knmp 2a, Kompleks Niaga Melaka Perdana, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 10-891 6114
Pricing: $
Asam Pedas–a traditional Malay and Nyonya a rich and spicy soup typically prepared with fish cutlets. If this description left you salivating, then you should stop by Pak Man Asam Pedas before or after visiting Zoo Melaka!
Pak Man Asam Pedas specializes in the art of making this beloved dish and they’ve made their distinctive recipe throughout the years. Their version of this dish is just as filling as it is delicious, making it a great pick-me-up after a tiring day at the zoo.
If you’re not into asam pedas, don’t worry! They also have chicken rice, which tastes just as good thanks to the tender and juicy white meat.
Places to Stay nearby
Hotel Metra Square
Address: 1, Jalan Pkak, &, Jalan Pkak 2, Pusat Komersial, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-318 3399
Pricing: $-$$
Hotel Metra Square is one of the first choices of many when they’re staying in Melaka thanks to its affordable rates. Don’t be fooled though, as these cheap prices don’t translate to low-end stays!
The hotel features huge and clean rooms that are each fitted with everything you need from kitchens to hot water, air conditioning and more. If you get lucky, you can even book a room that overlooks that beautiful city of Melaka!
It doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of facilities but hey, what good would those be if you’re spending most of your time outside, right?
AMES Hotel
Address: Jalan Pkak 2, Pusat Komersial, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-318 3999
Pricing: $$-$$$
If you’re feeling a bit more lavish, there’s no better place to choose than AMES Hotel. This 4-star establishment offers premium rooms that offer plush beds–perfect for a good night’s sleep!
It’s also fitted with amazing facilities that can make your stay that much more relaxing like the scenic outdoor pool! This is a great spot to cool down and relax after you’ve grown tired of exploring the city all day.
Mudzaffar Hotel Melaka
Address: Lot 5509, Jalan Wisma Persekutuan, Malacca International Trade Centre, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-234 7733
Pricing: $-$$
For all the budget travellers out there, we present you to Mudzaddar Hotel Melaka! This place offers affordable rooms that are both spacious and comfortable–two important things to look for in a hotel.
The biggest pro of staying here though is that you’ll get to be near essential establishments thanks to its strategic location. Whether it be stores, malls, restaurants or other attractions, you can reach them within a couple of minutes!
What to Expect in Zoo Melaka Weather
When visiting Zoo Melaka, you can anticipate a tropical climate that remains warm and humid throughout the year. The region experiences two distinct monsoon seasons.
May to September: The southwest monsoon typically brings occasional heavy rainfall. During this period, you might encounter short but heavy showers, so carrying an umbrella or raincoat is advisable.
November to March: the northeast monsoon provides drier and more pleasant weather. During this time, you can expect sunny days and milder temperatures.
However, as Malaysia’s weather can be unpredictable, it’s always a good idea to check the forecast before your visit and be prepared for the possibility of rain.
Regardless of the season, the lush greenery and vibrant wildlife at Zoo Melaka make it a delightful destination to explore year-round.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Zoo Melaka
Travel Malaysia: A Pocket Travel Guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app