Searching for zoos in Johor Bahru and coming up short? You are not imagining it. Unlike the Klang Valley or neighbouring Singapore, JB does not have a long roster of big-cage zoos, and a lot of what shows up online is either an aquarium, a pet shop, or a spot that sits a good hour away in Desaru or Pontian. So we did the honest thing and counted only the real deal: places in the greater Johor Bahru area where you can actually walk in and meet live animals.
After sifting through the listings and cutting everything that did not belong, we found seven genuine animal spots worth your weekend. That includes one proper municipal zoo, a couple of hands-on petting farms, a capybara-friendly animal café, a leisure farm, an urban farm, and a quiet campus deer park. Every one holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and is open to visitors. We have ranked them by how many people have reviewed them, so the most-loved and most-visited sit right at the top. Here are the best animal parks and zoos in Johor Bahru to plan a family day around.
How Many Real Zoos Are There in Johor Bahru?
Honestly, just one traditional zoo sits inside the city: Johor Zoo in Taman Istana. It is one of the oldest zoos in the country and remains the only classic zoo within JB itself. Everything else on this list is a petting farm, an animal park, or an animal café, which is why our count comes to seven rather than a tidy ten. We would rather show you seven places that genuinely have animals than pad the list with pet shops and aquariums. If you are willing to drive out to Desaru or Pontian, you will find a few more mini zoos, but those fall outside the greater Johor Bahru area we cover here.
Zoos, Petting Farms or Animal Cafés: Which Should You Pick?
It depends on the age of your crew. For a classic day of lions, primates and reptiles, Johor Zoo is the obvious call and the cheapest by far. If you have toddlers or young kids who want to feed and touch the animals, the petting farms like The Hidden Farm and Capyba Pet Farm are gentler and more hands-on. Want animals plus a cold drink and air-conditioning? The capybara café covers that. And for a farm-style outing with open space, Star Fish and Ladang X let the little ones roam. We have flagged the vibe of each below so you can match the spot to your day.
Table of Contents
- 1. Johor Zoo
- 2. Capyba Cafe
- 3. The Hidden Farm Mount Austin
- 4. Capyba Pet Farm
- 5. Star Fish Leisure Farm
- 6. Ladang X Sunway Iskandar
- 7. UTM Deer Park
1. Johor Zoo
Johor Zoo is the grandfather of the list and the only traditional zoo in the city. Opened back in the late 1920s and sitting in leafy Taman Istana near the royal grounds, it is a compact, walkable zoo that suits families with young children. You will find lions, deer, primates, crocodiles, an aviary of colourful birds, and a reptile section, plus pony and boat rides that keep the little ones busy. Entry is famously wallet-friendly, so it is an easy, low-cost weekend outing right in town. Note it closes on Tuesdays and gets warm by midday, so go early and bring water.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: Jalan Gertak Merah, Taman Istana, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 07-223 0404
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Capyba Cafe
Capyba Cafe in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah has become one of JB’s most talked-about animal spots, and the animals are the reason to go. This is where you get up close with capybaras and alpacas, plus a handful of smaller, well-behaved pets the kids can feed and photograph, all in an air-conditioned café setting with pastries and drinks. It works brilliantly as a rainy-day plan or a treat after school, and it is a firm favourite for young families. It does get busy on weekends, so try a weekday slot if you can, and keep an eye on toddlers around feeding time when the animals get eager.
Operating Hours: 10:30 am – 6:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 28, Jalan Nakhoda 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor
Tel: 016-759 3880
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. The Hidden Farm Mount Austin
Tucked into Taman Mount Austin, The Hidden Farm is an indoor petting farm built for hands-on time with animals. Inside you will meet guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, tortoises and other gentle creatures that visitors are welcome to feed and hold, and staff who clearly know and care for each one. There is no strict age limit, so even one and two year olds get to join in, which makes it a lovely first-animal experience for toddlers. It is compact and comfortable rather than sprawling, so pair it with the many food options around Mount Austin for an easy afternoon out with the family.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm (Opens 10:00 am on weekends)
Address: 2, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 012-297 9517
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Capyba Pet Farm
The farm sibling to the café, Capyba Pet Farm in Taman Sutera Utama gives you more room and more animals to roam among. It leans into the petting-farm format, so expect capybaras alongside friendly farm animals you can feed during the day’s sessions, with plenty of photo moments for the kids. Because it is set up as an animal park rather than a café, it feels more like an outing and less like a coffee stop, which is ideal if the little ones want space to move. It is a strong pick for a weekend morning, and pairs naturally with the Capyba Cafe if you want to visit both.
Operating Hours: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm (Daily)
Address: PTD68149 P8, Jln Persisiran Sutera Danga 1, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor
Tel: 016-759 3880
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Star Fish Leisure Farm
Out in Kulai, Star Fish Leisure Farm trades cages for open space and a proper day-trip feel. Families come to feed the fish, ducks and swans, wander the grounds, and let older kids loose on the ATV rides and bumper boats. It is more agrotourism than zoo, so the draw is the mix of gentle animal feeding and outdoor activity rather than exotic species, which suits a relaxed weekend with a picnic vibe. The access road can be a little bumpy, so drive carefully, and check the weather since much of it is outdoors. It closes on Tuesdays, so plan around that.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: 81000 Kulai, Johor
Tel: 016-778 2208
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. Ladang X Sunway Iskandar
Ladang X is Sunway Iskandar’s urban farm, and it is a genuinely charming spot for a family morning in Iskandar Puteri. Kids get to meet chickens, goats, cows and fish, while the grounds are dotted with fruit trees, orchids and edible plants that turn the visit into a low-key nature lesson. Staff are happy to explain how things grow, which makes it a favourite for young families who want the outing to be educational as well as fun. It is compact, well kept and easy to combine with the wider Sunway Iskandar area. Do note it closes on Tuesdays, so aim for another day.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: Sunway Iskandar, 81550 Iskandar Puteri, Johor
Tel: 012-426 6913
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. UTM Deer Park
A quiet surprise tucked inside the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia campus in Skudai, UTM Deer Park is a small enclosure where you can watch and feed a herd of deer in a green, peaceful setting. It is not a full zoo and there is little fanfare, which is exactly the appeal: an easy, free-and-easy stop for anyone who wants a gentle animal moment without the crowds or the ticket price. Bring the kids for a short visit, keep noise low so the deer stay calm, and enjoy the leafy campus surroundings. Do check the hours before you go, as it keeps limited opening times and closes on Fridays and Saturdays.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed Fridays & Saturdays)
Address: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 07-553 0167
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
So there it is, the honest picture: Johor Bahru has one true zoo and a small but lovable cluster of petting farms, animal parks and an animal café, seven in total that are worth your time. Johor Zoo is the classic, budget-friendly pick for a proper zoo day, while The Hidden Farm and Capyba Pet Farm are the go-to for toddlers who want to feed and touch the animals. Capyba Cafe adds air-conditioning and coffee, and Star Fish, Ladang X and UTM Deer Park give you open-air, farm-style outings across the greater JB area.
Opening hours and closing days shift, so a quick call or a check on Google before you set off will save you a wasted trip. Pick the one that fits your crew, pack some water, and make a proper weekend of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Johor Bahru have a real zoo?
Yes. Johor Zoo in Taman Istana is the city’s one traditional zoo and one of the oldest in Malaysia, home to lions, deer, primates, birds and reptiles. Beyond it, JB’s animal scene is made up of petting farms, animal parks and an animal café rather than large zoos.
Which is the best zoo or animal park in JB for young kids and toddlers?
For hands-on feeding and touching, the petting farms are the gentlest choice. The Hidden Farm in Mount Austin welcomes even one and two year olds, while Capyba Pet Farm and Capyba Cafe let kids meet capybaras and small friendly animals in a controlled setting.
How much does it cost to visit Johor Zoo?
Johor Zoo is known for being very affordable, which is a big part of its appeal for families. Ticket prices can change, so check the official Johor Zoo website or the Google listing for the current entry fee before you go.
Are there any zoos near Johor Bahru worth the drive?
If you are happy to travel out of the greater JB area, Desaru Mini Zoo and Desaru Alpaca Farm near Pengerang and a few mini petting zoos around Pontian and Kluang are popular. They sit roughly an hour or more from JB city, so plan them as a separate day trip.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
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