Gan Hai, Petah Tikva – Visitors Guide – Lovely Zoo for Families

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: for additional info about animals and wildlife, check out Zoos and Aquariums in Israel‎.

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

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Interactive map of the area:

Offers:

  • Hotels, hostels, and apartments in this area:
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Moshe Sharet 9, Petah Tikva
Moshe Sharet 9, Petah Tikva

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

And here is a map of Gan Hai:

Map of Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
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 – 25 NIS
Petah Tikva resident, 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.

Opening Hours

September – May
Sunday – Thursday: 09:00 – 16:00
Friday and holiday eve: 09:00 – 13:00
Saturday and holiday: 10:00 – 16:00

June – August
Sunday – Thursday: 09:00 – 19:00
Friday and holiday eve: 09:00 – 13:00
Saturday and holiday: 10:00 – 16:00

The entrance fee and opening hours were updated in October 2021. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting.

Opening Hours of Gan Hai
Opening Hours of Gan Hai

Contact Information

Phone: 03-9052430

How Much Time Does a Visit to Gan Hai take?

As I mentioned, Gan Hai in Petah Tikva is not big and following the round route took us, on average, almost two hours. But you can easily extend it to 3-3.5 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.

At Gan Hai in Petah Tikva
At Gan Hai in Petah Tikva

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

Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Gan Hai, Petah Tikva

There are explanation signs near each compound or cage.

Three pelicans fighting for a fish:

Pelicans
Pelicans

Note: our most recent was in October 2021, and most photos in this post are from that visit.

Feeding Animals

At the entrance, you can purchase small boxes with food for animals. Here is a photo:

Box with Food for Animals, Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Box with Food for Animals

And you do not feed the animals with your hands but pour the food into special tubes. Here is how we did it:

Feeding Animals at Gan Hai
Feeding Animals at Gan Hai
Breakfast at Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Breakfast at Gan Hai

Birds Area

Entrance to the Bird Area
Entrance to the Bird Area

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

The Pond at Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
The Pond at Gan Hai

Here are several photos from there:

Grey parrot
Grey parrot
Cockatoo
Cockatoo
Rose-ringed parakeet
Rose-ringed parakeet
Mandarin duck
Mandarin duck

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
Flamingo

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.

Gan Hai in Petah Tikva

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. And the playground is probably best suited for kids aged 2 – 8.

Playground for Kids
Playground for Kids
Panorama of Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Panorama of Gan Hai

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:

Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Primates Pavillion
Lemur
Lemur
Tufted capuchin
Tufted capuchin

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

Tufted capuchin
Tufted capuchin

As with other animals that 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.

גן חי בפתח תקווה - Gan Hai in Petah Tikva-15

Reptiles

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

Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Gan Hai, Petah Tikva

And the second one is the Museum of stuffed animals.

Museum of Stuffed Animals

It is located on the second floor.

Gan Hai, Petah Tikva

And after climbing the stairs, you will find several rooms with stuffed animals.

Museum of Stuffed Animals
Museum of Stuffed Animals
Museum of Stuffed Animals
Museum of Stuffed Animals

Also, I wanted to mention there is no kiosk inside Gan Hai. There are only several vending machines.

Gan Hai, Petah Tikva
Gan Hai, Petah Tikva

Near the entrance to Gan Hai, you can find a park with a playground for kids.

Near Gan Hai
Near Gan Hai

Summary

Gan Hai in Petah Tikva is a lovely attraction for families with young kids who love animals. And if you want to find 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: And if you have any questions then check out Useful Information For Tourists To Israel.  
Did not find what you were looking for? Leave a comment below, and I will do my best to answer your questions.

Lev Tsimbler

Lev from israel-in-photos.com. You can contact me at hi@israel-in-photos.com

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