Gan Hai, Small Zoo in Petah Tikva – Visitors Guide

Gan Hai in Petah Tikva is a small zoo. But, despite its size, it is a good attraction for families with toddlers and preschoolers.

Note: Check out the Zoos and Aquariums in Israel‎ for additional information about animals and wildlife.

Map

Gan Hai is located at Moshe Sharet 9, Petah Tikva.

Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit

Interactive map of the area:

As you can see from the photo above, there is small parking by Moshe Sharet 9. And if there is no place, you can park on the nearby streets.

And here is a map of Gan Hai:

There is a lake in the center, and you go clockwise. Also, on the map, you can see feeding points (marked in blue).

Entrance Fee

Regular Entrance – 30 NIS
Petah Tikva resident – 25 NIS
Student, senior citizen, disabled – 20 NIS
Small box with food for animals – 5 NIS

Everybody above the age of two requires a ticket.

Note: you can purchase tickets from the cashier or online at the official site.

Coupons

You can purchase discounted tickets at Couponofesh for 26 NIS.

Opening Hours

September – May
Sunday – Thursday: 09:00 – 16:00
Friday and holiday eve: 09:00 – 13:00
Saturday and holiday: 0900 – 16:00

June – August
Sunday – Thursday: 09:00 – 19:00
Friday and holiday eve: 09:00 – 13:00
Saturday and holiday: 09:00 – 16:00

The entrance fee and opening hours were updated in March 2024. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting.

Contact Information

Phone: 03-7405500

How Much Time Does a Visit to Gan Hai Take?

As I mentioned, Gan Hai in Petah Tikva is not big. Following the round route took us, on average, about two hours, but you can easily extend it to 3 hours.

Visiting Gan Hai

As you enter the Gan Hai, you will see cages with ostriches, emus, a herd of mountain goats, Israeli deer, spotted deer, and other animals.

As you can see, our latest visit was when they fed the animals. It was around 10:30 on a Saturday.

There are explanation signs near each compound or cage.

Three pelicans fighting for a fish:

Feeding Animals

At the entrance, you can purchase small animal food boxes (5 NIS per box). Here is a photo:

While some people feed the animals with their hands, others pour the food into special tubes. Here is an example:

Birds Area

In this area, you can meet many different types of parrots. There is also a viewpoint of the pond.

Here are several additional photos from the birds’ area:

In traditional Chinese culture, Mandarin ducks are believed to be lifelong couples, unlike other species of ducks. Hence they are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity and are frequently featured in Chinese art. A Chinese proverb for loving couples uses the Mandarin duck as a metaphor: “Two mandarin ducks playing in the water.”

Source: Wikipedia

Flamingo in Greek means “purple wing.” Another interesting fact about flamingos is that the pink/reddish color comes from carotenoids in their animal and plant plankton diet. These carotenoids are broken down into pigments by liver enzymes. The source of this varies by species and affects the saturation of color.

After exiting the bird’s area, you can see farm animals and a playground for kids.

Note: did you know that there are Nile softshell turtles in Israel? See Turtle Bridge at Alexander River for additional details.

Playground for Kids

The playground is not big, but it is a lovely addition to the visit. It is probably best suited for kids aged 2 – 8.

Primates Pavillion

Towards the end, you can find the primate’s pavilion. You can see lemurs and brown capuchin monkeys.

Here is what the walking route inside the cage looks like:

Despite the no feeding signs, monkeys are actively asking for food, and some visitors feed them 🙁

As with other animals visitors feed, only the strongest capuchin monkeys ask for food. Their children and teenagers play in the back, and the stronger monkeys banish them if they try to come closer to the visitors.

Reptiles

Near the restrooms, you can find two other places. The first one is a room with reptiles.

And the second one is the Museum of stuffed animals.

Museum of Stuffed Animals

It is located on the second floor. After climbing the stairs, you will find several rooms with stuffed animals.

Also, I wanted to mention that Gan Hai has no kiosk. There are only several vending machines. You can also find picnic tables at the entrance. Hence, many people combine a visit with a picnic.

Outside of Gan Hai, there is a park with a playground for kids. If the kids have more energy, they can play there.

Summary

Gan Hai in Petah Tikva is a lovely attraction for families with young kids who love animals. For similar places, check out Zoos and Aquariums in Israel‎.

Have you ever been to Gan Hai in Petah Tikva? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

That’s all for today, and I’ll see you in future travels!

Stay Tuned!

Additional Resources

Here are several resources that I created to help travelers:

• Trip Planner with Attractions and Itineraries is the page that will help you create your perfect travel route.
• What is the Best Time to visit Israel? To answer this question, we will consider the weather, prices, holidays, festivals, and more.
• Information and Tips for Tourists to Israel will answer the most common questions tourists have about Israel (including safety, passports, weather, currency, tipping, electricity, and much more).
• Israel National Parks and Nature Reserves include a complete list, top ten, map, tickets (Israel Pass, Matmon, combo), and campsites.
• If you are looking for things to do, here are the pages for Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Sea Of Galilee, Akko (Acre), Eilat, Nazareth, Safed (Tzfat), and Makhtesh Ramon.