Chiang Mai Night Safari Complete Guide: Show Times, Transport, Itinerary Suggestions, and Ticket Comparisons
Chiang Mai Night Safari Complete Guide: Show Times, Transport, Itinerary Suggestions, and Ticket Comparisons
When you think of a zoo, images of lions and giraffes leisurely roaming during the day come to mind. But what happens in the animal world at night? The Chiang Mai Night Safari offers you a chance to explore the mysterious lives of nocturnal animals! Many people assume that night safaris only operate in the evening, but you can actually enter the park as early as 11 AM and enjoy the whole day! This guide will share ticket information, show timings, itinerary suggestions, and tips on how to experience the most shows in one day, with the opportunity to feed giraffes and even nurse baby tigers.
Introduction to Chiang Mai Night Safari
The Chiang Mai Night Safari is one of the largest night zoos in the world. Initially, it only opened at night, but it has since expanded to operate all day, allowing visitors to explore the animals’ behaviors at different times. As the only natural-themed park in Chiang Mai, the environment within the zoo is closely tied to nature, providing a unique experience that’s quite different from traditional zoos.
The park has a special tram that takes visitors up close to wild animals, along with interactive activities like feeding giraffes and nursing baby tigers. Visitors can also witness rare white lions—of which only about 200 remain globally. Additionally, the night safari features Thailand’s most spectacular music fountain and elaborate dance performances, offering a feast for the eyes and ears. Whether visiting with family or friends, this is an unforgettable animal adventure.
Chiang Mai Night Safari Map & Environment Overview
The main attraction of the night safari is its animal shows, which require additional tickets. We recommend confirming the showtimes for the tram ride, cute animal show, and white tiger show as soon as you arrive to plan your day accordingly.
- Cute Animal Show: Located outside the park entrance, not within the zoo itself.
- Safari Tram & White Tiger Show: Both are located on the right side of the park. The safari tram is similar to the wild animal zones in Taiwan’s Leofoo Village, allowing visitors to observe animals up close. The white tiger show features the rare white tigers performing after professional training.
Aside from the shows and tram ride, visitors can leisurely explore other animal areas. The walking range at Chiang Mai Night Safari is smaller than Taipei Zoo, and the main animal exhibits are centered around a large lake. A walk around the lake takes about an hour, making it perfect for a relaxing exploration of the animal world.
Before entering, note that the Chiang Mai Night Safari does not provide paper maps. It’s a good idea to take a photo of the map at the entrance or download a digital version from the website in advance. Staff will also provide a schedule with a Chinese version, which should be kept for reference. During shows, staff will mark the schedule with stamps or notes, helping you keep track of the activities you’ve attended.
Transport to Chiang Mai Night Safari
The Chiang Mai Night Safari is about 10 kilometers from the Old City, a 20-30 minute drive. We recommend arriving by 3 to 4 PM to have enough time to explore the daytime animal areas and take the safari tram, ensuring a full experience.
- Taxi: You can use the Grab app to order a ride directly from your hotel or the city center. It’s convenient and transparent.
- Hotel Shuttle: Some travel agencies and ticket websites offer tickets that include hotel pick-up, usually between 3:00-3:30 PM, with a return departure at 8:00 PM. This is perfect for visitors who want a hassle-free experience.
- Free Shuttle: There is a free shuttle service to the zoo every day, but it departs at around 5:00 PM. If you plan to arrive later, this could be an option, but for an earlier arrival, we recommend not waiting for the free shuttle as it will miss some of the daytime activities.
Ticket Options for Chiang Mai Night Safari (Trip.com, Klook, KKday)
- KKday: [Exclusive Offer] Foreign Tourist Ticket + Shared Shuttle HK$324 → HK$213
- KKday: Ticket (Foreign Tourists) Free Cancellation 2 Days in Advance HK$278 → HK$197
- Klook: Night Safari + Electric Safari HK$278 (Non-refundable HK$198)
- Trip.com: Ticket (Including Shows) + Park Tram: Adult HK$277.23 → HK$158.25 / Child HK$138.62 → HK$127.07
- Trip.com: Ticket (Including Shows) + Park Tram + Hotel Shuttle: Adult HK$177.90 (Non-refundable) / HK$187.98 (Conditional Cancellation) / Child Ticket HK$124.76 (Non-refundable)
Safari Tram Ride at Chiang Mai Night Safari
If you plan to spend the whole day at the zoo, we highly recommend experiencing the Safari Tram ride twice. The animal behavior during the day and night is completely different. During the day, the visibility is better, and it’s perfect for photos, allowing you to observe animals in detail. At night, it’s cooler, and the animals, especially nocturnal ones like lions and tigers, become more active. However, nighttime photography is difficult, and you’ll rely on the guide’s spotlight to see the animals. The atmosphere, however, is fantastic and feels like an authentic wilderness adventure.
The tram route covers both the carnivorous and herbivorous animal zones. In the herbivorous zone, you can see zebras, giraffes, kangaroos, and ostriches cohabiting. The carnivorous animal zone brings you up close to lions, tigers, and other big cats.
Safari Tram Times
- Daytime Tram: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM, every 30 minutes
- Nighttime Tram: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM, every 30 minutes
Wild Animal Performances
The Cute Animal Show is located outside the zoo’s entrance, which might surprise some visitors. The seating is semi-circular, so even if you’re seated at the back, you’ll have a clear view of the animals. The show features an engaging format where animals like hedgehogs walk past the audience, and the host explains their behaviors. Some animals are also displayed in a glass area with unique feeding routes, offering a chance to understand their habits better.
Note: Each show requires scanning your ticket upon entry (no re-entry), so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.
Show Times: 4:30 PM, 6:35 PM, 8:15 PM (times may vary, please check the official schedule).
Tiger Show at Chiang Mai Night Safari
The main highlight is the Tiger Show, located to the right as you enter the zoo. If you arrive early, you can visit Tiger World, where tigers, leopards, and other big cats perform. The animals are in glass enclosures, offering a close-up view.
The performance area isn’t ideal for photography due to reflections on the glass. However, the action is thrilling as the tigers jump, roll, and compete for food. Afterward, the tigers return to their resting areas, making for an impressive spectacle. The most special part is the lion’s debut performance! At the end of the show, staff also conduct fundraising for animal food, which adds a heartwarming touch.
Show Times: 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 7:35 PM (times may vary).
Dance Performance at Chiang Mai Night Safari
The Northern Thai Dance Performance is held at the grand square at the entrance, where benches are available for seating. However, if the area is crowded, you may need to stand. The performance lasts around 15 minutes, making it a perfect leisurely watch.
Dancers dressed in traditional Thai costumes and elegant fairy outfits move gracefully to soothing music. The performance also features fire torches and soap bubbles, which are especially popular with children, even if they don’t understand the dance.
Show Times: 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM (times may vary).
Fountain Show at Chiang Mai Night Safari
The Water and Light Fountain Show is a must-see after dark. It takes place by the lake, where colorful lights reflect off the water in a magical display. The 15-minute musical fountain show is synchronized with vibrant lights, creating a stunning visual and romantic atmosphere.
The finale features a large cartoon hippo and lively hip-hop letters dancing to the music—an exciting and fun light projection show that will leave you amazed.
Show Times: 6:15 PM, 7:15 PM, 8:45 PM (times may vary).
Lake Walk at Chiang Mai Night Safari
If time permits, we strongly recommend walking around the lake at the Chiang Mai Night Safari. This main trail loops around the lake, and the route is easy to follow with very few forks, so you won’t get lost. The walk takes about an hour, allowing you to take your time and enjoy the natural scenery.
If you missed seeing some animals on the tram, you can visit them on foot for a closer look from different angles. You can also see animals like white tigers, wildcats, leopards, and various bird species up close.
Feeding Zone at Chiang Mai Night Safari
The feeding zone for cute animals is located to the right of the entrance. Initially, there were no animals here, but now visitors can interact with adorable creatures. You can feed goats milk and offer corn and leaves to horses.
The tram ride is free, and you can take it multiple times. The tram takes you very close to the animals, allowing you to interact with them, especially during feeding time. It’s a unique experience for both adults and children. It’s recommended to sit at the front of the tram since the animals at the back often eat slower, and you may miss the feeding moments.
Suggested Itinerary for Chiang Mai Night Safari
Given the large size of the park, we suggest arriving by around 3:30 PM to fully explore the area. If coming from Chiang Mai city center, it’s about a 30-minute drive.
- 3:30 PM: Take the safari tram to explore the herbivorous and carnivorous animal zones, and take pictures with small animals.
- 4:30 PM: Walk around the park, observing animals closely while there’s still daylight for photos.
- 5:30 PM: Watch the tiger show, enjoy the tigers’ jumps and pool performances.
- 6:35 PM: Watch the Wild Animal Show and interact with different animals.
- 7:00 PM: Enjoy the Northern Thai Dance Performance and experience the local culture.
- 7:15 PM: Watch the Water and Light Fountain Show, a magical light and music display.
- 8:00-9:00 PM: Explore Tiger Kingdom and observe the big cats’ behavior at night.
Chiang Mai Night Safari Ticket
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