In March 2025, we visited Chiang Mai Night Safari in Thailand with our 5-year-old daughter. This unique park allows visitors to observe nocturnal animals up close from a tram (bus) as it winds through the extensive grounds. However, prioritizing our 5-year-old’s sleep schedule, we decided to experience the safari in the early evening, while it was still bright (Day Safari). This was a brilliant move! As the intense heat of the day subsided, our exciting animal exploration began in the refreshing tropical air.
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Pros and Cons: Your Pre-Visit Checklist
Pros
- Perfect for Young Children: By visiting in the early evening, you can enjoy up-close animal encounters without worrying about the child’s late bedtime.
- Incredible Up-Close Feeding: Animals like giraffes and zebras approach the tram very closely, providing an exciting, high-impact feeding experience.
- Excellent Shows and Exhibits: Beyond the safari, the park offers a variety of attractions, including a tiger show, fountain show, and various tropical animal exhibits, ensuring a full day of fun.
- Language Options: The safari buses are separated by language (English and Thai), making the experience stress-free for international tourists.
Cons
- Transportation is Key: The safari is far from central Chiang Mai, making securing transportation for the return trip necessary.
- Planning is Essential: Because the grounds are vast, it can be hard to navigate efficiently unless you check the schedules for the tiger shows and other attractions in advance.
Access Guide: Getting to Chiang Mai Night Safari
Since the park is located away from the city center, securing transportation is crucial.
- Grab (Ride-Sharing) / Taxi: This is the most common way to get there. Finding a ride to the safari is usually easy, but finding a pickup for the return trip can sometimes take time since it’s outside the central zone. Luckily, we found a driver quickly, but booking a Grab in advance or negotiating a return fare with a driver is highly recommended.
- Shuttle Service: Public buses are not available. The most reliable alternative is to use a shuttle service provided by your hotel or a local tour operator.
Safari Highlights: Giraffes and Zebras Up Close!
We targeted the 4:00 PM tram ride for the SAVANNA ZONE. (Please check the official website for the latest schedule)
1. The High-Impact Safari Tram Experience
You can begin queuing for the bus slightly before the scheduled time. The buses were clearly separated by English and Thai guides, and we hopped onto the English tram. The tram was not overly crowded at this hour, making the ride smooth. Make sure to purchase animal feed beforehand.
The highlight of the Savanna Zone is the incredible proximity of the animals. Giraffes and zebras come so close they stick their heads right up to the bus windows! The feeding experience was thrilling! Our 5-year-old was ecstatic seeing such large animals appear right in front of her.
2. Attractions Beyond the Safari
In addition to the tram ride, the park offers various attractions:
- Animal Exhibits: There are exhibits featuring birds and snakes native to the tropics, offering a different view of wildlife than the safari.
- Shows: Various shows, including a Tiger Show, Fountain Show, and Dance Show, are held throughout the evening. We caught the Fountain Show and the Dance Show. The Fountain Show, with its dynamic water display synchronized to music and lights, was impressive, and our daughter loved it.
Our Advice: Popular shows like the Tiger Show have fixed schedules. If you can check the times in advance online, you can plan your route more smoothly and efficiently see all the attractions.
Family Tip: Dining and Snack Shop Essentials
The park has several facilities for meals and quick breaks.
- Dining Options: While there are a few restaurants and snack stands, one key feature is the gift/snack shop area.
- Large Gift Shop: We found a large gift shop on the grounds that stocked many options for snacks and drinks. This meant we had no trouble keeping our child hydrated or finding a quick treat, which is essential during a warm Chiang Mai visit.
Summary
Chiang Mai Night Safari is more than just a zoo; it’s an immersive, tropical theme park experience. By choosing the early evening slot, we were able to enjoy the park’s charm without any stress on our child’s schedule.
The thrill of feeding the giraffes and the excitement of the powerful fountain show became an unforgettable March memory for our 5-year-old daughter.
We still want to see the animals at night, so next time, when our daughter is a little older, we definitely want to visit around 6:00 PM when it gets dark.
If you are planning a family trip to Chiang Mai, confirm your transportation and showtimes in advance, and prepare for an exciting safari adventure!
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