Gembira Loka Zoo is one of the most suitable family tourist destinations to visit. You can invite the children to understand the environment better and introduce animals to them. You can spend weekends or holidays with loved ones by visiting various interesting and educational places. If you live in Jakarta, maybe you can visit the safari zoo or the Ragunan zoo. However, for those of you who are in Yogyakarta, you can visit Joy Loka, which is an interesting and unique zoo to visit.
Gembira Loka is a fun and unique zoo in the city of Jogja and for those of you who live there, it’s a shame if you haven’t visited this animal place. In addition to various rare stars, you can also watch various attractions performed by elephants that have been taught. Before we explain further about Gembira Loka, let’s first look at the history of this Gembira Loka zoo.
Gembira Loka History
If we look at its history, this zoo is one of the oldest in the country. Kebun Gembira Loka was originally built on the idea and initiative of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII in 1933 AD. He made this from the idea of his wish that in Jogja there is an entertainment that can be enjoyed by Jogja people in particular. Finally, the idea of the new sultan was abandoned at the time of the next sultan, namely the 9th Sultan Hamengkubuwono and was assisted by an architect named Ir. Karsten, the Dutch. Initially this garden was called Keun Rojo or botanical garden.
Karsten chose the place for the creation of this Rojo garden on the west side of the Winongo river. The reason is because it is on the west side of the Winongo river, a strategic place for the construction of a zoo. But in the middle of its construction, the construction process was delayed due to political chaos at that time, namely the Second World War which caused Jogjakarta to have guests, namely the Japanese occupation.
See more: Best Benefits of Gardening for Children
The development of this rojo garden again emerged the desire to be rebuilt at the time of independence, and at that time the country’s capital was Jogjakarta, but the intention and determination to return to continue the construction of the Gembira Loka zoo was realized when the capital moved to Jakarta and the second world war ended in 1949. Government Seeing that the idea of developing a zoo is necessary and Jogjakarta just needs to continue what was started by Sultan Hamengku Buwono 9. This is the government’s contribution in providing entertainment venues to its people so that the idea that originally appeared during the time of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII could reappear at this time. . This was pioneered by Hadi, Sh and Januismadi.
However, this idea actually has not really materialized, only in 1953 was it well realized with the establishment of the Yogyakarta Gembira Loka Foundation as evidenced by the notary deed of RM Wiranto No. 11 dated 10 September 1953. This was led by Sri Paduka KGPAA paku alam VIII and currently the development of the star garden, which had an idea in 1933, has just been carried out well.
During its construction, Sri Paduka KGPAA then handed over this development to Tirtowinoto until its end in 1978, the Gembira Loka star garden had a complete collection of wildlife and became one of the entertainment venues for the people of Jogjakarta.
What are the facilities at Gembira Loka
The joyous local area has become a perfect tourist area, supported by various important facilities such as toilets, prayer rooms and vehicle parking lots. Apart from these public facilities, Gembira Loka also provides various picnic facilities such as catamaran boats that can be used to surround a large artificial lake. However, for visitors who want to enjoy the catamaran, they must pay a fee of 10,000 per person.
In addition, in the Gembira Loka vehicle there is also a Mayang Tirta location, this is a building as big as a ship that is made like an entertainment stage with various performances to entertain the public.
Apart from Tirta Mayang and Katamaran, there is something else you can enjoy at Gembira Loka, this is going around the lake by speed boat. Speed boat is a fast boat that only contains 4 passengers including a tour guide. However, for one person the cost is more expensive, which is 20,000. To guarantee the safety of passengers while sailing, they will be given a buoy that is installed on the body so that the cruise will feel safer and more comfortable.
There are also other facilities that are no less interesting to try at Gembira Loka Zoo, this is the Bumper boat. This is a slower boat, usually reserved for couples who want a leisurely stroll on water. To get on a bumper boat, passengers only need to pay 20,000.
There are also scooters, this is a facility that many youngsters are looking for. A scooter is almost the same as a jet ski except that the jet ski is faster at nets. So riding a scooter for children is still safe because it is not too fast. Once you try you only need to pay as much as 20,000. For anyone who uses this facility, just like other water facilities, they are obliged to use a body buoy to be safe from unwanted things.
Banana Boat Facilities – Gembira Loka Zoo is also facilitated with a banana boat, it’s just that the name is a banana orca boat which looks like a whale not a banana. Enjoying a banana orca boat is also enough to pay for only 20,000 and you can let go of your longing for a banana boat. To ride a banana orca boat, the maximum number of passengers is 4 and you must wear a life jacket to be safe.
There is also another facility at Gembira Loka lake, this is a paddle boat. To enjoy this paddle boat you have to pay 20,000 and you can go around the lake to enjoy the beauty and the zoo on the edge of the lake. This is very cool to enjoy with your family, besides being able to enjoy Gembira Loka from the water you can also enjoy animals and wildlife on the edge of the lake.
Gembira Loka Fish Therapy
For those of you who are bored with walking around the zoo with joy, you can enter the fish therapy place. To enter this place is a fee of 20,000 per person.
Here we can experience fish massage and therapy that are extraordinarily unique and certainly add to your experience. This fish therapy is done on your feet. Small fish will bite your feet and give you an extraordinary tingling sensation. This can be a therapy to activate your nerves.
Other facilities at Gembira Loka
Apart from enjoying sailing on a variety of boats, for those of you who bring children, you can also enjoy the fishing pool. Catching pond is a vehicle for children to play with a pool containing a variety of ornamental fish with a depth of 30 cm. Children can catch various types of fish they like and the sure thing is that they can bring home the fish they catch. This can be one of the most exciting experiences for kids. You only need to pay 10,000 per child to play here.
Another ride is camel riding. You don’t need to be the Middle East to ride a camel. This Arabic animal is also available at Gembira Loka Jogjakarta. This zoo is also facilitated with camels which you can ride for only 20,000. Very fun isn’t it!
Apart from enjoying a riding camel, you can also invite children to ride an elephant riding. By riding an elephant you can play around the Gembira Loka garden. Tickets to enjoy this game are also charged as much as 20,000.
There is another unique and interesting place for children’s games, of course. This is touch klam, it is said that because pond visitors can touch any animal in the pond such as fish or turtles and other fish. The good thing is, this touch pool is free, aka you don’t have to pay to feel the sensation of touching pets at the Gembira Loka Zoo.
Variety of Animal Attractions at Gembira Loka
Apart from enjoying the many facilities available at Gembira Loka, visitors can also enjoy various attractions of reptile animals such as pythons and crocodiles. You don’t have to be afraid of them because these animals are used to crowds and have been educated so that they are no longer dangerous for visitors.
The crocodiles on display are small crocodiles and many visitors try to take pictures with the crocodiles. Meanwhile, the tame python is also one of the many attractions that many enjoy doing. Those of you who like this attraction can pick up the snake and wrap it around your neck. This is really an extraordinary experience especially if you take a photo with this snake.
There are other animals that you can see atransition, namely iguanas and turtles. You can also hold it and take a photo with this animal. It’s fun isn’t it!
Animal Feeding at Gembira Loka Zoo
It is animal feeding time at Gembira Loka, enjoying the zoo keepers of Gembira loka feeding these star animals is something fun too, you can see them feeding the wild animals such as tigers, Arapaima fish, snakes, black shoots and other wild animals.
For this one thing, visitors are not allowed to approach because these animals are wild and dangerous for the audience. So, visitors can only see from far away.
In addition to the animals that have been mentioned, there are also other animals and animals that are no less interesting to watch such as sun bears, crested old kaka, orangutans and linsang. Animal attractions include standing in line, lining up, riding a vehicle / bicycle and singing. There is also no need to pay for tickets or it’s free, you can take photos and take videos of these animals.
Wildlife and Conservation Gembira Loka Zoo
You can enjoy a variety of animals in the Gembira Loka’s cage, starting from crocodiles, tigers, old sis, snakes, turtles, elephants and others up close of course when they are in their cages. Various kinds of wild animals that you might not see in the forest or we might not get close, but in Gembira Loka all of this is presented before your eyes.
Inside this zoo there is also the Zoo Museum which is an information center for visitors who want to get information about various animals and the history of the Gembira Loka zoo.
Also, there is a botanical garden which is a place to observe various plants and flora which are quite important for the survival of living things. Visiting this botanical will add insight into flora that are used as biotechnology, genetic reserves, research, and education.
Baca juga: Gili kondo
The Way to Gembira Loka Zoo
For those of you who want to visit a local joyous entertainment place, we will help you with a route that is easy for you to take to get to the local joyous zoo.
The address is in Rejowenangon and for access it is very easy to do from Jogjakarta. You can use a public transport car or a private car. You can both come and get there easily. With public transportation, you can depart from the Giwangan terminal using Tran Jogja, this can go directly to the bus stop in front of the Gembira Loka Zoo.
Using public transportation only takes about 20 minutes, but if you use a private car and have trouble following the route, you can access the Google map so you get an accurate and detailed map.
If you don’t use GMap, if you are using a private car, you can take the road from the East ring road to the west until you pass the Monocatur road. Arriving here, you will see a large bridge and a local zoo, right near this big bridge. However, if you depart from Malioboro, you go on and turn left until you reach the Indonesian post office. If you find the post office, you just have to walk about 6 km.