Johor Zoo — Attraction in Johor

Hey, just visited Johor Zoo and was pleasantly surprised! The animals seemed well cared for, and there were some informative displays about local wildlife. The enclosures looked clean, and I noticed staff actively engaging with visitors, explaining animal behaviours and conservation efforts. It was a fun day out, especially for families, with lots of shaded areas and spots to relax. Overall, it felt like they’ve made some real improvements, and it was worth the visit! Would totally recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

This is by far the cheapest zoo I’ve ever been to, yet it’s so complete. All the animals you’d expect for a basic zoo are here — and even more. Malaysians only pay RM10 for adults, RM5 for kids (foreigners RM30), which is such a steal. Now it’s even better because there’s a FREE shuttle bus straight from JB city (You can actually walk there in about 30 minutes from CIQ / Woodlands — they’ve even got an elevated pedestrian path), so you don’t have to bother renting a car. Getting tickets is super easy too; you can buy them online or at ticket machines that accept payWave, Google Pay, Apple Pay. Cash still works, but seriously, the world’s moved on — learn to use a card.

When I went on Monday, 30 June, it was packed. There were school groups and it was nice seeing kids making the place livelier. I was really happy because even though the animals are in enclosures, they’re still very close to visitors. Best part is, they look healthy and plump, like they’re actually welcoming guests. In other zoos, animals sometimes just hide or seem timid.

One thing I loved was the placards in both Malay and English at each enclosure. The info was short but packed — so interesting that I didn’t skip any. They put the most curious stuff right at the top. Like king cobras, people always say they chase humans, right? But truth is, they actually try to escape unless you get too close to their nest. (Yes, they build nests, unlike most snakes.) There were also details about habitat (like tropical rainforests, hills and bushes), diet (mainly other snakes), where they’re found, and their conservation status. It’s perfect for parents or teachers because you don’t even need to Google, and it helps adults be more aware of endangered species.

Inside, there are plenty of vending machines — a bit pricey (canned drinks are around RM4+), but it’s fun because you can pay by debit card. If you want to save, just buy ice cream or drinks from the food trucks outside. The zoo might look small, but you’ll easily spend more than an hour there because the animals are so close and fascinating to watch. They even seem friendly. Look at the photos I shared — the animals came right up, almost like they were welcoming us. They all looked healthy and full of life. Just look at the tiger and lion, fat like your cat at home!

What I appreciated the most was the huge playground in the middle of the zoo with plenty of benches. So when you’re tired, just let your kids run wild in their own “habitat” haha. Everything was well thought out and well planned. The toilets are clean and there’s even a prayer room. In the future, it’d be awesome if the petting zoo could be livelier and if they added more stroller and wheelchair-friendly facilities — that would make it absolutely perfect for all families. Honestly, what more can you ask for at...

Ticket Prices: For locals purchasing tickets with an ID, the prices are quite reasonable, RM10 for adults and RM5 for children. However, for foreigners, the ticket prices double. Even so, it remains affordable compared to many other zoos.

Zoo Layout: The zoo is not very large, and at a leisurely pace, it can be fully explored within two hours. The layout is centered around an artificial lake near the entrance and can be roughly divided into three sections:

(a) The Area Around the Artificial Lake: This section mainly features birds, reptiles, and primates. There is a small indoor garden designed to mimic a natural environment where visitors can interact closely with common bird species. Directly behind the lake, there are three Malayan tapirs and a camel, which visitors can also get quite close to.

(b) The Left-Side Area of the Lake: This area houses larger mammals such as lions, tigers, elephants, black bears, and orangutans. With the exception of the elephants, most of these animals can only be viewed from a distance. The lions and tigers appear well-fed but rather inactive. The lions, in particular, seem quite old, moving sluggishly. One lion has a large tumor hanging from its eye, while another keeps pacing back and forth, emitting low growls, which was rather distressing to watch. In contrast, the black bears appear younger and much more energetic.

(c) The Right-Side Area of the Lake: This section includes a large deer park, crocodiles, hippos, gibbons, and flamingos, among other animals.

Zoo Facilities: The zoo offers minimal amenities. There are only vending machines selling snacks and drinks, and a few food trucks outside the entrance providing street food. For a proper meal, visitors would need to return to the city center, though fortunately, the zoo is not far from downtown. Additionally, the zoo lacks entertainment facilities or an educational center, it is purely a place to observe animals.

Overall Impression: I have never been particularly fond of visiting zoos, as they often feel like prisons for animals, and the animals themselves rarely seem happy. However, given that there are limited attractions in Johor Bahru, I decided to visit, partly as a small act of support for the animals.

I have always believed that the true purpose of a zoo should be to teach people to respect life and appreciate nature. Although Johor Zoo claims to have undergone a four-year, RM10 million renovation, I personally feel that it does not place enough emphasis on education, especially considering the large number of children who visit. Instead, it feels more like a simple exhibition space.

As a tourist attraction, I believe the zoo offers fair value for its ticket price. However, there is significant room for improvement, and I sincerely hope it can do better...

It was an unplanned visit to Zoo Johor during last weekend which turned up to be an incredible family trip for my 1y daughter.

1. TICKET I just bought up the ticket via their official website the night before. And guess what, the website is exceptionally convenient. I finished my booking just within 5 minutes. It cost RM10/adult, RM30/foreigner and free for infant