Located centrally in Bali’s cultural Gianyar Regency, the Bali Zoo has the distinction of being the island’s only Balinese-owned private zoo that opened in 2002 as the first and only dedicated zoological park licensed by the Ministry of Forestry and government conservation institute, which still holds true today. It is located on 12 acres of lush landscape in the art village of Singapadu and houses a diverse collection of more than 300 exotic animals a majority of which are indigenous to Indonesia, including rare and endangered species such as the Komodo Dragon, Sumatran Tiger, Orangutan and Bali Starling.  A number of interactive features here also include elephant rides, petting zoo and a Mahout For a Day program that allows you to care for, bathe, feed and take an elephant for a walk.

Built on a former coffee and cacao plantation, the Bali Zoo is set on natural landscape filled with exuberant shrubbery, lawns, waterfalls, tall trees, long grasses and thick jungle-like vegetation. The enclosures are clean and spacious, re-creating in miniature the habitats of the respective animal being exhibited. The zoo is also a learning centre, promoting environmental awareness and wildlife conservation and educating children about endangered species. Plaques in front of each enclosure show a photo of the specimen, give precise zoological data in both Indonesian and English, plus a geographic distribution map.