Chiang Mai Night Safari
Opened in mid-2005, the Night Safari is a piece of African savannah-cross-zoo which has been recreated as one of Chiang Mai’s newest and most ambitious projects. Although it is best enjoyed at night, you can visit it during the afternoon, and it offers a highly recommended family outing featuring more than 200 species from several continents.
The 320 acre site, annexed from the foot of the Doi Pui-Suithep National Park, includes a large lake surrounded by zoo-like enclosures and two ‘game drives’ where animals from Africa and Asia roam freely in larger fenced off areas. Some of the more docile species wander right up to the tram, but predators are kept behind security barriers. In addition, the Chiang Mai Night Safari has a very comfortable pavillion and the Lanna Village, with restaurant, Fun Plaza and colourful musical fountain.
The Chiang Mai Night Safari was developed under controversial circumstances (without proper environmental impact studies) as part of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s grand design for his hometown. It was opened in time for the much attended three-month Royal Flora Expo in December 2006, and modelled on a similar safari park on Singapore. Despite facing difficulties in securing animals from Kenya, the Night Safari is easily one of Chiang Mai‘s best new attractions, designed professionally to provide a complete experience for all ages.
The best time to visit is about an hour before dusk so that you can wander the Jaguar Trail – a more than one kilometre nature walk around the perimeter of the Swan Lake. Along the way you meet more than 50 different species in a zoo environment among lovely gardens and vistas across the lake. Some of these species include exotic mammals such as white tigers, miniature horses, jaguars, Malayan sun bears, tapirs, llamas, pygmy hippos and lemurs.
As it gets dark the trams begin to run on the Predator Prowl and Savannah Safari, each of them a two-kilometre drive by tram taking about 25 minutes. Among the more rare animals you are likely to see are; lions, hyena, springbok, Bengal tigers, maned wolves, kudu antelope, ostrich, giraffe, cheetah, wildebeest, kangaroo, and many species of deer. Animals from different regions and continents are seemingly all mixed together in the zones. Beams of light from the tram make it possible to view the animals which are close at hand, but photography is difficult.
English commentary guides are on the trams leaving at 19:45 and 21:30 (Predator Prowl) and 20:30 and 22:15 (Savannah Safari), although their pronunciation is sometimes difficult to comprehend. Although one private company on site offers supervised ATV rides through the park, it is not possible to leave the main pavillion area on your own.
Other attractions include the Musical Fountains – a centrepiece of the Swan Lake. Billed as the ‘biggest musical fountain and water screen in Southeast Asia’, it comprises of 1,509 water jets, 546 lights and 63 water pumps, creating a 15-metre high, 45-metre wide water screen as a backdrop for the colourful laser show that occurs at 20:00 and 21:10.
Then there is the Fun Zone which is a public water fountain right on the plaza floor for kids and the young at heart to play among. A restaurant, souvenir shop, photo corner and info centre are also found in the main plaza building. The Wari Kunchorn Building is set out on the water, and there is also a viewpoint area and large waterfront area for photo posing. In addition, there is a remotely located conference centre, accommodation bungalows and camping by arrangement.
Getting to the Night Safari
It is most advisable to arrange through a local travel agent for a tour to the Night Safari, including transfer. With your own transport you can drive there in less than 20 minutes from the city centre by following the southbound Hang Dong highway and following the well-signposted route, turning right at the second intersection after the end of the airport runway. This then leads directly to the Royal Flora grounds from where you will notice the large themed entrance gate. Ample safe parking is provided.
Entrance fees: 500 baht (all inclusive) for foreigners after 18:00, or 100 baht before (no tram rides), and 300/50 baht for kids under 140cms high. Rates for Thai nationals is half this.
Opening times: 13:00 to 22:30 Monday to Friday (partially open with limited attractions, but cheaper before 18:00); 10:00 to 22:30, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Trams
English Version: Predator Prowl: 19:45 and 21:30; Savannah Safari: 20:30 and 22:15
Otherwise departing every 15 minutes (Thai commentary).
Musical Fountain Show: 20:00 and 21:10
Update: Jan. 2010
on sale widely
