Chennai surprises most visitors. This city of 10 million people somehow contains a crocodile bank, a national park and the largest zoo in India within its limits.
The Madras Crocodile Bank, founded by legendary conservationist Romulus Whitaker, is home to over 2,500 reptiles. At the Snake Venom Centre you watch venom being extracted from live snakes to produce the anti-venom vaccines that save thousands of lives across India every year. The crocodile enrichment programme will completely change how you think about these animals.
Vandalur Zoo is India's first public zoo and its largest, spread over 600 acres with over 1,500 species including 46 on the endangered list. The nocturnal animals section, butterfly house and walk through aviary are the highlights.
Guindy National Park sits entirely inside the city limits of Chennai, where blackbucks, jackals and spotted deer graze within sight of apartment buildings.
Private car, expert guide and all entry fees included.