Yes. Bandaranaike International Airport is roughly 40 km (25 miles) away, typically a 1-1.5 hour drive depending on traffic. That makes Dehiwala a practical first or last stop on a Sri Lanka trip, heading straight from arrivals to the zoo before checking into a hotel.
Dehiwala sits about 10 km (6 miles) south of Colombo Fort, generally a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic. A private transfer takes you there directly, so you skip figuring out local bus routes or negotiating a tuk-tuk fare each way.
Most visitors need around 3-4 hours to see the main enclosures, the aquarium, and the elephant show without rushing. Starting in the morning lets you beat the midday heat and the bigger afternoon crowds. That timing makes Dehiwala an easy half-day excursion, with time left over for the coast or the city.
Mount Lavinia beach is just 2 km (1 mile) away, an easy add-on for lunch by the water or a walk past the old lighthouse point after the zoo. Combined with central Colombo landmarks like Galle Face Green or Independence Square, Dehiwala fits naturally into a longer day covering the city's southern coast.
Dehiwala is home to the National Zoological Gardens, one of Asia's oldest and largest zoos, dating back to 1936. Elephants, leopards, and a walk-through aviary sit among mature tropical gardens, and the daily elephant show is a highlight you won't find at a typical city park. That mix of scale, history, and wildlife makes it a standout stop just south of Colombo.
Arriving early beats both the sun and the biggest crowds, since visitor numbers build through the afternoon as the elephant show approaches. Traveling with your own driver and air-conditioned car lets you set that early start on your own schedule, rather than working around a group tour or public transport timetable.
