Safari Park Experience in Kanchanaburi

Having never been to Africa but always fascinated by safaris, we decided to try a more local version: Safari Park Kanchanaburi. This wildlife safari drive-through park in Thailand allows you to drive your own car or hop on a safari bus to explore.

You can’t compare it to an actual African safari, but honestly, it was a pretty fun experience nonetheless. In this post, I’ll share my adventure at Safari Park Kanchanaburi, a unique open-air zoo experience.

About Safari Park Kanchanaburi

Safari Park Kanchanaburi is an open zoo and home to a wide array of animals, including camels, tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, llamas, and many more. This park stands out because visitors can drive their own cars through the safari zones or hop aboard an open-air bus.

What makes it even more special is that many animals here have been rescued and are now cared for by park volunteers and zookeepers.

How to get to Safari Park Kanchanaburi

• Transportation to Safari Park:
  • No public transport (I might be wrong, let me know if you find options!)
  • Drive (about a 30-minute drive from central Kanchanaburi).
• Entrance Fees:
  • Thai: Adults 120 baht, Children 70 baht.
  • Foreigners: Adults 550 baht, Children 350 baht.

Do take note: while buses are available inside the park, you’re at your own risk if you choose to use personal vehicles, as they are not responsible for any damages.

Safari Park Highlights

Deer and Antelope Zone:
The bus ride started with an abundance of deer. It felt like Nara Park in Japan but on steroids! They roamed freely, and I was honestly afraid our bus would hit into them.

Big Cats Zone:
The next section housed Asian black bears, Bengal tigers, African lions, and leopards (and I heard some were rescues). This area was more thrilling due to the big carnivores. Windows had to remain rolled up for safety as these big boys roamed (but mostly lying down) in their enclosed habitats.

Rainy Interlude:
Midway through the tour, rain began to pour. It was fascinating to watch animals like camels and zebras scurry for cover under the trees. Seeing camels galloping from rain was especially amusing.

Feeding Giraffes & Zebra up-close

We were given a bucket of carrot strips each to feed the giraffes and zebras. The giraffes bent their long necks and poked their heads into the bus windows to grab the carrots! Zebras also joined the feeding frenzy, fighting for their share of carrots.

Feeding them was a first for me; usually, I’ve only had the opportunity to feed smaller farm animals like sheep and alpacas.

Initially, we thought driving our car would be better, but the bus’s elevated height made feeding the giraffes much easier. In a car, the experience wouldn’t have been the same.

For those willing to pay a bit extra, there’s a Giraffe Encounter package that allows for unforgettable photo opportunities with these gentle giants. A line of cars had formed for this experience, but since we opted for the bus, we missed out on that part.

Other Zoo Activities

After the safari, we explored the park’s additional attractions, including:

• Animal enclosures for species not suitable for the safari zones (like crocodiles).
• Scheduled shows featuring elephants and crocodiles (unfortunately, we missed these due to timing).

Things to consider before visiting

• What to Bring: Umbrellas in case of rain. Sunscreen and hats aren’t essential as the bus and the park is mostly sheltered.
• Ethical Considerations: Be mindful of how you interact with animals and follow park guidelines to ensure their safety and well-being.

Practical Tips for Visitors

• Best Time to Visit: Avoid the rainy season, as animals tend to hide during heavy rain (like what we experienced)
• Costs:
  • Entrance fee (Thai): 120 baht (adult) 70 baht (child).
  • Entrance fee (Foreigners): 300 baht (adult) 150 (adult)
  • Animal feed: 50-100 baht.
• Time Required: The safari bus tour takes about one hour. Plan additional time for walking around and enjoying other activities in the park.

Personal review

This was a refreshing experience compared to traditional zoos. While still technically a zoo, the open-safari concept allowed us to see animals in a more natural environment. Many herbivores shared open spaces, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere. The carnivores, understandably, were kept in separate enclosures for safety reasons.

Seeing animals that aren’t native to Thailand in a setting where they appear healthy and well-cared-for was a delight. Despite the rain, it was a memorable and unique adventure.

The only downside was the distance from Bangkok, but it’s a fantastic idea to spend a night in Kanchanaburi to explore other attractions in the area as well.

I’d highly recommend this park, especially for families with young children. If you’ve been to Safari Park Kanchanaburi or have questions, share them in the comments below – I’d love to hear your thoughts!