Chiang Mai Night Safari Zoo

Address: 33 Moo 12, Tambon Mae Hia, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Website: https://www.chiangmainightsafari.com/

Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-10:00pm, closed Mondays (hours may vary seasonally)

Admission: Children 150 THB, Adults 170 THB (approx.) - check official site for seasonal changes

Chiang Mai Night Safari is a zoological park in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, designed around nocturnal and nighttime viewing of animals. The facility offers both daytime exhibits and organized night tours.

Guided tram rides through large enclosures, walking zones with animal demonstrations and opportunities for close-up feeding in managed settings. The park presents a mix of grazing animals, predators in secured enclosures, and curated shows and presentations.

The safari is located on the outskirts of Chiang Mai city, within Chiang Mai province, and is operated as a commercial wildlife attraction serving local and international visitors.

• Best time to visit: evening tram tours allow visitors to see nocturnal species in enclosures after dark; arrive before dusk for the best experience.

The Night Safari is about 10-15 km southwest of Chiang Mai city center. Visitors can take a taxi or tuk‑tuk; some hotels offer shuttle services. There is parking on site for private vehicles. Follow local signage from the Outer Ring Road and Chiang Mai-Hang Dong route.

• Arrive near opening to see more active animals and avoid the busiest evening tram runs.
• Book the tram (safari wagon) or walking trails in advance during peak season; night activities are scheduled and can sell out.
• Bring a light jacket for the indoor reptile house and cool-off areas.

Chiang Mai’s Night Safari opened in 2006 as a major tourist draw, though it attracted much controversy over its planning, execution and aims. The row was not helped by its director’s announcement of plans to serve ‘exotic meats’ such as elephant and crocodile in the restaurant; the worldwide media pounced, and the plan was hastily withdrawn. After opening, the facility continued to attract controversy, including a staff strike call to replace its Bangkok-selected administrators with Chiang Mai managers, complaints from local feed suppliers, and complaints from locals about escaped animals and environmental damage to a watershed area cleared to provide savannah conditions.

Despite these problems, the Night Safari has established itself as a popular attraction, especially with Thai visitors. Set along a ridge on Doi Suthep mountain near the Royal Flora Ratchapruek grounds, it is home to more than 50 species, including white and Bengal tigers, elephants, jaguars, tapirs, lemurs, pygmy hippos, hyenas, giraffes and cheetahs, all mixed together regardless of their region of origin.

As its name suggests, it is best visited at night, with visitors carried around the grounds in specially built trams. Other attractions include an illuminated musical fountain, a fun zone for children, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and a conference centre, plus activities such as elephant rides, tiger shows and cabaret. Thai-commentary trams depart every 15 minutes, while the four English-commentary trams run each evening at 19:45, 20:30, 21:30 and 22:10, with the tour taking about half an hour.