Thailand

During a nighttime journey, Chiang Mai Night Safari offers a unique immersion into the world of wildlife. Here's the scoop.

The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai continues to innovate and reinvent itself. With the opening of the Night Safari zoo, it adds animal safaris to its repertoire of leisure activities. Dreaming of an off-the-beaten-path adventure? You'll love experiencing something new beyond Chiang Mai's museums, temples, or golden stupas. A visit to the Chiang Mai Night Safari is an excellent idea. Located just west of the Royal Park Rajapruek, about twelve kilometers from downtown, under the dark sky, astonishing creatures awaken in the forest: packs of tigers, small rodents gathering seeds in the silence of the night, vultures, giraffes, llamas, and much more. What are you waiting for? Book a day or night excursion at Night Safari and capture images, encounters, and thrills.

History of the Zoo

The zoo was founded in 2006. The idea originated from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, inspired by Singapore's Night Safari, which pioneered nocturnal zoo expeditions in 1994. Thaksin aimed to replicate the concept in Chiang Mai, creating a similar park to boost international visibility and tourism revenue. He proposed the idea to the governor of Chiang Mai, and the site was chosen within the Doi Suthep National Park boundaries. Construction began in 2003, with a total cost of $32 million. Spanning 130 hectares, Chiang Mai Night Safari is the world's largest zoo offering nocturnal safari experiences, twice the size of Singapore Night Safari.

Today

Since its opening on February 6, 2006, Night Safari has delighted thousands of families and wildlife enthusiasts. The animal kingdom boasts nearly 2,000 specimens from five continents, including 200 native to Africa and Asia. Beyond wildlife observation, the park offers children's activities, a light-and-sound fountain show, and multimedia presentations. The Giraffe Restaurant serves gourmet buffets, making Night Safari a must-visit tourist attraction in Chiang Mai.

Exploring Chiang Mai Night Safari

The park is divided into thematic tours: the Jaguar Trail, Predator Prowl Zone, and Savanna Safari Zone are the most popular routes. Although opening hours have been adjusted for visitor convenience, the park's main draw remains its nighttime adventures. Large herds of herbivores roam freely, while dangerous predators are safely enclosed for visitors' protection.

The night hike starts at dusk.

Jaguar trail

A 1.2-kilometer walking trail around Swan Lake offers opportunities to photograph mammals such as monkeys, white tigers, jaguars, leopards, ponies, camels, and rare creatures like marsupials and tapirs. If walking seems daunting, electric gyroscopes are available.

Predator Prowl Zone

This 2.4-kilometer route east of Swan Lake allows visitors to observe and film predators in action from a tourist tram. It hosts 27 species, including bears, hyenas, wild dogs, Canadian wolves, crocodiles, Bengal tigers, and the king of the jungle, lions—a unique opportunity to get close to the planet's most formidable animals.

Savanna Safari Zone

South of the lake, Savanna Safari showcases African savannah stars like wildebeests, impalas, springboks, water buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and elegant gazelles. Unusual species like kangaroos and dingoes add to the diversity. Carnivores such as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs are kept behind enclosures. Like Predator Prowl, this 2.4-kilometer route uses a tram for transportation.

Practical information

Entrance fees

Note that each park zone has distinct opening hours and fees.

• Jaguar Trail operates from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Prices: 100 baht (€2.8) for adults, 50 baht (€1.4) for children.
• Predator Prowl and Savanna Safari are open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Prices: 800 baht (€22.4) for adults, 400 baht (€12.2) for children.

All zones have extended hours during peak season.

Getting there

As a popular attraction, most hotels offer shuttle services to the Night Safari. If traveling independently, you can take a songthaew (red minivan taxi) or taxi—local drivers are familiar with the zoo's location.

Nearby attractions

Have you enjoyed your visit to Chiang Mai Night Safari? Other leisure attractions worth exploring include:

• Chiang Mai Zoo is known for its pair of giant pandas.
• Doi Suthep National Park.
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, beautifully perched on the mountain of the same name.