Chiang Mai Night Safari: Tickets, Animals and What to Expect

Chiang Mai has one of Thailand’s most unusual attractions sitting just 15 kilometres southwest of the old city: a wildlife park designed entirely for after-dark visits. The Chiang Mai Night Safari opened in 2006 as a government-run project on the edge of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, and it remains one of the few night zoos in Asia. Spotlighting lions, tigers, white rhinos and dozens of other species from an open tram as you wind through reconstructed savannah and forest habitats makes for an experience that feels genuinely different from a standard daytime zoo.

What Is the Chiang Mai Night Safari?

The official name is the Chiang Mai Night Safari, operated by the Night Safari Chiang Mai Co. Ltd under the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It sits at the base of the mountains along Route 1269, roughly a 30-minute songthaew or taxi ride from the Nimman Road area.

The park covers approximately 133 hectares and is divided into two main zones:

Predator Zone - Lions, spotted hyenas, Bengal tigers, clouded leopards and other carnivores. The tram moves through open enclosures where animals feed beside the vehicle.

Savannah Safari Zone - White rhinoceroses (one of Thailand’s most unexpected sights), giraffes, zebras, African buffalo, hippopotamuses, wildebeest and eland. The section feels like a condensed version of an East African game park.

A third section, Jaguar Trail, covers Asian wildlife including elephants, Asiatic black bears, Malayan tapirs, deer and various primate species.

Ticket Prices and Packages

Prices are set in Thai baht and updated periodically. As of 2026, the standard adult package runs approximately THB 800 (around USD 22 at current rates). This includes:

• Entry to the park
• One tram tour through the Predator Zone and Savannah Safari Zone
• Access to walking areas and the Jaguar Trail

Children under 12 typically pay around THB 400 (around USD 11), and children under 3 enter free. A premium package adding dinner at the lakeside restaurant costs approximately THB 1,200 to THB 1,500 per person and includes the buffet plus priority tram boarding.

You can book tickets directly at the gate or through operators such as Viator, GetYourGuide and Klook, which often bundle round-trip hotel transfers for around THB 1,200 to THB 1,500 total. Booking online is advisable during peak season (November to February) when queue times at the gate can run 45 minutes or more.

Tram Tours: How They Work

Trams depart continuously from two separate loading bays - one for the Predator Zone, one for the Savannah Safari. Each open-sided tram carries around 40 passengers and takes approximately 40 minutes to complete a circuit. Staff members with spotlights point out animals that wander close to the vehicle; on a good night, lions approach within a few metres.

The Savannah tram is arguably the more spectacular of the two. Giraffes feed from overhead platforms positioned so their heads drop to tram-roof height, and the white rhinoceroses are often active along the perimeter fencing. Hippo sightings depend on the animals’ mood but they are most active after dark.

Tram frequency peaks between 19:00 and 21:00. Arriving close to opening time (18:00) means a shorter wait and the bonus of watching the park transition from dusk to full dark.

Shows and Additional Activities

The Night Safari runs two main shows at the lakeside amphitheatre:

Predator Feeding Show - Staff feed lions and spotted hyenas in a fenced arena while a narrator explains predator behaviour. Runs at approximately 20:00 and 21:30. Included with park entry.

Lanna Cultural Show - Traditional northern Thai dance performances with a fire-show element. Timing varies by season; check the board at the park entrance.

The Jaguar Trail walking circuit connects several smaller habitats and is best walked before the main tram queue forms. Asian elephants here are housed in larger paddocks than the tram zones; this section is often quieter and worth spending 20 minutes exploring.

Dining Options

Three restaurants operate inside the park. The best for ambience is the Fireflies Lakeside Restaurant, a floating-deck buffet over the reservoir at the park’s centre. The spread runs heavily toward Thai dishes with some international options - expect to pay approximately THB 300 to THB 500 per person for the buffet alone. Quality is solid for a park restaurant. The smaller Cheetah Food Court near the main entrance serves grilled meats and noodles at street-food prices (THB 80 to THB 150 per dish).

Getting There

The Night Safari is located at 33 Moo 12, Nong Khwai, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai. From the old city:

• Songthaew - Shared red trucks departing from the Night Bazaar or Pratu Tha Phae can be negotiated for approximately THB 60 to THB 100 per seat to the Night Safari area. Return journeys are easier if you have the restaurant or gate staff call one.
• Grab or taxi - Typically THB 200 to THB 300 each way from Nimman Road. Grab is more reliable for the return trip after dark.
• Hotel transfer - Most Night Safari tour packages on Klook and GetYourGuide include round-trip transfers from central Chiang Mai hotels, which eliminates logistics entirely and is worth the slight premium on busy nights.
• Rental scooter - Straightforward via Route 1269; parking is free and ample at the park.

Best Time to Visit

The Night Safari runs year-round, but the experience varies significantly by season.

November to February is the coolest and driest period. Temperatures drop to around 15°C after dark in the mountains, so bring a light jacket. Crowds are at their highest, especially during the December holiday period.

March to May is hot - evenings settle around 28°C to 32°C, which makes the open trams sweaty but also encourages more animal activity. School holiday periods in April bring Thai families in large numbers.

June to October (monsoon season) brings lighter crowds and occasional showers. The park stays open in rain, and animals are often more active on cooler evenings after a downpour. Carry a light rain layer.

Practical Tips

• The park gates open at 18:00 and close at 23:00. Last tram boarding is around 22:00.
• Photography with camera flash is restricted in the Predator Zone - it disorients the animals and is actively enforced by staff. Phones set to night mode work well.
• Dress code is relaxed; there is no temple dress requirement. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for the walking zones due to uneven paths.
• Children under 12 enjoy the park thoroughly. The trams have low step heights and no age restrictions.
• The park sells insect repellent at the gift shop near the entrance, but bringing your own is cheaper.
• Allow 3 to 4 hours for the full experience: tram tours, one show and the Jaguar Trail.

Chiang Mai Night Safari vs Chiang Mai Zoo

The Chiang Mai Zoo, located closer to Doi Suthep temple, operates separately during daytime hours and offers a different animal roster including giant pandas on loan from China (entry fee approximately THB 150 for the zoo; THB 100 extra for the panda exhibit). The two parks are entirely separate operations. Most visitors do one or the other rather than both on the same trip. For families with young children, the daytime zoo is often easier logistically; for adults and older kids, the night safari experience is the more memorable option.