Manila Zoo — Attraction in Manila

Visited on January 18, 2025.

I was excited to revisit Manila Zoo after many years, having last been there as a child. Watching YouTube videos showcasing its "new and improved" layout had built up my expectations, but unfortunately, reality turned out to be much more disappointing than what was portrayed online.

Manila Zoo has adopted a modernized, minimalist design, which looks sleek but feels mismatched with the vibrant and playful atmosphere a zoo should have—especially since children are the primary audience. The neutral colors and minimalist aesthetic don’t capture the lively charm the zoo had back in the 90s, when exhibits were more visually engaging and fun.

One of the biggest letdowns was the noticeable lack of animals. I was sad to miss seeing Mali the elephant again, and other iconic animals like giraffes, hippos, and white tigers were absent. The ostrich stood alone without a companion, and the lion looked emaciated in contrast to the healthier-looking lioness. Even the monkey enclosure, which required an additional Php20 for foot rags, was underwhelming with fewer than ten monkeys. While the enclosures provide ample space, it feels like certain animals, like the lions and tigers, need larger areas to roam and stay active.

The one redeeming part of the visit was the reptile section, where we saw a massive crocodile that seemed so still we thought it was fake—until it opened its mouth! That was a thrilling moment, but sadly, it was the only highlight of the trip.

Additionally, the pathways are poorly designed, with convoluted routes that make navigation confusing. A singular pathway that loops back to the entrance/exit would have made the experience more intuitive and enjoyable.

At Php300 for non-Manila residents, the visit didn’t feel worth it. We left quickly because there wasn’t much to see unless you were planning to have a picnic. While I appreciate the effort being made to care for the animals and give the zoo a facelift, a zoo should live up to its name—it needs more animals. For comparison, Chavit Singson’s Baluarte offers a far wider variety of species and a more engaging experience.

Manila Zoo has potential, but it deserves more than just a modern redesign. Adding more animals and enhancing the visitor experience would go a long way in making it...

BUY THE TICKETS IN ADVANCE, then you can head straight to the entrance! No hassle compared to the ticket booth that seemingly has no line because the guests are scattered around trying to sign up for the online form with the free wifi and those using mobile data (cellular signal is pretty weak), and there was just one guard assisting everyone.

From what I observed, there's only limited parking for guests within the establishment. The location is accessible thru public transportation (tricycle, jeepney), but expect heavy traffic around the area.

Right from the road you can assume that inside the zoo would be aesthetically pleasing. Though personally it is noticeable how the plants and animal enclosures might be poorly maintained, especially if you spot the rats running around the grass.

Most of the animals seem to just be chill, and I try not to be judgmental about their well-being under the management's care but some look too bored or a little stressed out. Seeing Mali (the elephant) trying to get inside the shade but there's a chain across to prevent her going in is sad since it was a really hot day.

A lot of children screaming and crying, some would taunt animals and tap the glasses. Technically that's not on the management's responsibility but I wish there could be a little reminder especially to parents, or generally for all guests to be respectful and minimize the noise pollution to fully enjoy the place.

Though the place was unexpectedly easy to tour within an hour of walking around, if you wanna rest before leaving (or take a break before continuing your tour depending how you take your route around the zoo), they have food stalls inside– most are familiar and well-known brands, but I bought my food from their stall called "Safari"— it's pricey, but delicious. You might want to add water on your Gulaman Sago as it's just straight up syrup with ice.

OVERALL IT DEFINITELY HAD IMPROVEMENTS- SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEARS AND I HOPE MORE PEOPLE GET TO SUPPORT THE ANIMALS BY VISITING THEM AND ENJOY SEEING THEM IN REAL LIFE!

add. some attractions are closed, some enclosures are named for an animal but are housing different species, the gift shop has...

Disappointing Experience at Manila Zoo

Yesterday, we visited Manila Zoo. I was curious and excited, thinking it would be a fun and educational trip—especially for my child. I hoped she would see different kinds of animals and that it would be a joyful experience, maybe even a stress reliever for me.

But sadly, it turned out to be quite the opposite.

As soon as we entered, I noticed that the animals didn’t seem happy. Most of them were inactive—they looked tired, stressed, and bored. They showed no energy or excitement. It was honestly heartbreaking to see them like that. It felt like they were just being kept there for profit, not genuinely cared for.

To be honest, the animals didn’t look happy at all—because they don’t really belong there. Maybe it would be better if they were returned to their natural habitats, where they truly belong. Keeping them in cages and enclosures just for display doesn’t seem right.

There were only a few animals around, and many enclosures were either empty or poorly maintained. The place is spacious and has lots of trees, so the air is fresh, but walking around is exhausting, especially when there isn’t much to see.

They also have a small playground area for kids where you can view the monkeys, but unfortunately, the management charges an additional fee to enter. This should have already been included in the ticket price, especially since it's still part of the zoo experience. It just felt like they were charging extra for everything.

As for the food stalls, everything was overpriced. For example, a simple dimsum you can buy outside for 10 pesos (3 pieces) was sold there at 60 pesos for just 4 pieces—and it didn’t even taste special. Definitely not worth it.

Overall, I don’t think the visit was worth it. We left feeling more sad than happy—not only because of the high prices but especially because of the animals’ condition. It wasn’t the joyful experience I had imagined for my child.

I really hope the management takes better care of the animals and rethinks the purpose of the zoo. If they can’t provide the proper environment, maybe it’s time to consider letting the animals live where they...