National park · Pakistan
Changa Mangaچھانگا مانگا
Spend a half-day from Lahore: enter by 8:00 to walk the forest trails before the heat, ride the miniature steam train, and see the vulture breeding centre; skip the zoo. Best in November–February; avoid weekends and public holidays when the park is crowded.Spend a half-day from Lahore: enter by 8:00 AM to walk the forest trails before the heat, ride the miniature steam train, and see the vulture breeding centre; skip the zoo. Best in November–February; avoid weekends and public holidays when the park is crowded.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
1866
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan befo…
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Pakistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Pakistan ↗Get the visa only through the official online system (visa.nadra.gov.pk); some areas need a separate permit (NOC) or police registration.
- Pakistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to the provinces you will visit before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Pakistan
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Approximate; sources give 5,000 ha (50 km²) for the forest plantation.
- Established
- 1866
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Lahore
Changa Manga is a 5,000-hectare man-made forest planted in the 1860s to supply railway sleepers under the British Raj. Today it is a popular weekend escape from Lahore, with a lake, a small zoo, a vulture conservation centre, and a narrow-gauge steam train that runs through the plantation. The park is flat and easy to walk, but the real draw is the quiet of the woods on a weekday morning.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1866.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 1866
Approximate; sources give 5,000 ha (50 km²) for the forest plantation.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Lahore.
Why go
- A man-made forest from the 1860s, now a rare patch of woodland near Lahore.
- The miniature steam train runs through the plantation — a short ride for children and rail enthusiasts.
- The vulture breeding centre is one of the few in Pakistan working to save critically endangered species.
- Flat, easy trails that work for a relaxed family outing or a morning walk.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool and dry; best walking weather
- FebMild; trees still green
- MarWarming up; pleasant mornings
- AprHot afternoons; go early
- MayVery hot; avoid midday
- JunExtreme heat; park is empty
- JulMonsoon; muggy and muddy
- AugMonsoon; high humidity
- SepRain tails; clearing
- OctPleasant; dry
- NovCool and clear
- DecCool; good for walking
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (migratory and resident)Nov–Mar · Good birdwatching in the cooler months. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Wild boarAll year · Common throughout the park; keep distance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hog deer, nilgai, jackalsAll year · Rare; sightings are possible but not guaranteed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MosquitoesMar–Oct · Abundant; carry repellent. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lahore
Drive south on the N-5 Highway, exit at Bhai Pheru or Chunian, then follow signs to Changa Manga. A taxi or private car takes about 1 hour.
1 h
Open the page →
From Kasur
Take a local bus or rickshaw to the park entrance; about 30 min.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance and picnic area | Gate, parking, lake, and the start of the train ride. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Forest plantation trails | Flat dirt paths through the planted woodland; good for walking and birdwatching. | Open; no guide needed. |
| Vulture breeding centre | A conservation facility for captive breeding of vultures. | Open with separate ticket; check hours. |
| Miniature zoo | Small zoo with local species; condition is often poor. | Open; included in entry or separate ticket (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Main entrance · Gate≈31.083, 73.967Approximate location of the park gate.Map ↗
- 2Lake and picnic area · Viewpoint≈31.080, 73.970Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Vulture breeding centre · Village≈31.085, 73.965Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Train station · Ranger station≈31.082, 73.968Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Lahore · Town≈31.550, 74.344City centre.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates for the park are approximate; the entrance is on the road from Bhai Pheru.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | PKR 20–50 | person | Check; rates change frequently and may differ for locals vs. visitors. |
| Park entry (child) | PKR 10–20 | person | Check. |
| Steam train ride | PKR 50–100 | person | Check; runs on weekends and public holidays. |
| Vulture breeding centre | PKR 20–50 | person | Check. |
| Car parking | PKR 20–50 | vehicle | Check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Vulture centre visit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- PKR 20–50
- PKR 10–20
- PKR 50–100
- PKR 20–50
- PKR 20–50
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Wild animals
- Do not feed or approach wild boar, deer or other mammals.
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated barbecue pits if available (check).
- Drones
- Check with park staff; likely not allowed without permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lahore hotels
All budgets; 1 hour drive from the park.
Near the park
Kasur guesthouses
Basic accommodation in Kasur city, 30 min away.
Safety
Mosquito-borne disease medium
Wild boar medium
Snakes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The main picnic area, lake and train station are flat and reachable by car.
- Forest trails are unpaved but level; may be difficult for wheelchairs after rain.
Visiting lightly
- The vulture centre is a genuine conservation effort; support it by visiting and donating if possible.
- Avoid the zoo if animal welfare concerns you; conditions are often poor.
- Carry reusable water bottles and avoid single-use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Changa Manga?
Entry is very cheap: about Rs 20–50 per adult and Rs 10–20 per child (2026 estimate). The steam train ride and vulture centre have separate tickets of Rs 20–100 each. Prices change often; check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Changa Manga?
There are no marked hiking trails. The best walk is a 1–2 hour stroll on the flat dirt paths through the forest plantation, starting from the lake area. It is easy and suitable for all ages.
When is the best time to visit Changa Manga?
November to February are the best months: cool, dry and comfortable for walking. Avoid June–August (extreme heat and monsoon) and weekends/public holidays when the park is crowded.
Is Changa Manga worth visiting from Lahore?
Yes, for a half-day trip if you want a quiet walk in the woods, the steam train ride, or to see the vulture centre. It is not a wilderness park — it is a planted forest with basic facilities.
Can I see wildlife in Changa Manga?
Wild boar are common; you may also see hog deer, nilgai, jackals and many bird species. The vulture centre has captive birds. Large mammals are shy and best seen early morning.
Is Changa Manga safe?
Yes during daylight. Carry mosquito repellent (malaria risk). Keep distance from wild boar and snakes. The park is safe for families on weekdays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Changa Manga
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