Chiang Mai Night Safari
The trams are what you come for. Two loops, roughly half an hour of riding in total, and most people report seeing everything the park advertises, close up and active in a way daytime zoos rarely manage. Add the walking trails, which are genuinely pleasant to wander, plus feeding giraffes and zebras, dancing shows and fountain displays, and you've got an evening rather than a quick tick-box stop.
It isn't uniformly good. Some enclosures draw criticism for being small, the tiger zone in particular, and the popular indoor animal viewings get crowded enough that you'll be shuffling past rather than lingering. If animal welfare is a sticking point for you, read a few reviews yourself before booking. Most people come away impressed by how healthy the animals look, but the dissenting voices are worth hearing.
Best plan is to arrive mid to late afternoon, walk the trails while it's light, then ride the trams once dark falls. It's about 16km southwest of the city centre in Hang Dong, so factor in the drive.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chiang Mai Night Safari, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
The best zoo I’ve been to. Which isn’t saying much, since I haven’t been to that many lol. Still, it’s a unique experience and not something I expected to find in Thailand. Most of the place is very well built and thoughtfully designed, and it’s packed with shows and activities. I really like the walking trails. They’re chill, nicely designed, and pleasant to walk through. The safari ride is a must. Feeding giraffes and zebras is great. That said, I really don’t like the tiger zone. It’s a bit depressing and poorly designed. The show requires large groups of visitors to move together from room to room, which feels dangerous when there are crowds and kids around, rushing to earn the best spot. And the enclosures are also too small for the tigers, and they don’t look happy at all. Honestly, Moo Deng has it better than Ava. The fountain show was… surprisingly great. I didn’t expect much, but it genuinely blew me away. As a Thai, I didn’t even know Thailand could pull off this kind of show. It’s not the biggest or best fountain show in the world, but it’s tall, impressive, and definitely surprising. Overall, I love this zoo. It’s modern, clean, and beautifully designed, easily better than most zoos I’ve visited in Thailand. The worst part is transportation after you’re done. Expect to pay almost as much as the zoo ticket itself, because there’s basically no taxi or Grab available. I waited almost an hour, gave up, and ended up calling the most expensive Grab tier just to get out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had an amazing evening at the Chiang Mai Night Safari — truly one of the best experiences in Thailand. The tram ride was incredible, seeing the animals up close in a natural setting at night made it feel really special, and everything was so well organised and family friendly. The staff were welcoming, the park was spotless, and the whole experience ran smoothly from start to finish. A must-visit if you’re in Chiang Mai — 10/10 and highly recommended.
I visited with my family. The parking lot is very very far. There were no shuttle bus to send us at the entrance at all which is dangerous for elders and young kids. The service are really really bad. The security guards are a bit rude too. We wanted to see nong Ava but the room was too crowded. Should limit people. The animals were kept in a very small cage. They looked really sad and lonely. During the safari tram, there were 2 elephants. One looked very sad and stressed. The environment for the elephants are really small and horrible. The tram guide was really funny and not boring which is the only thing I liked. The black panther was walking back and forth, panting which isn’t very good. The zoo was very small and it wasn’t worth the ticket price AT ALL. The Ava mini show should be more organized. Should have a bigger space for people to watch. People had to stand on chairs which is dangerous. The parking lot is really bad. No one was managing the cars. The cars were parking over the line which made it have lesser space. As a Thai person, I personally think that the foreigner ticket price is not fair at all. If you want more tourists then decrease the price not increase. Please take care of the animals better and organize the people better.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 11,803 reviews on Google.
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Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Get there around 7pm, before the crowds land, and browse the whole stretch before you buy anything.

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Chiang Mai Night Safari: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai Night Safari worth visiting?
Chiang Mai Night Safari holds a 4.3★ rating from 11,803 Google reviews — a strong rating for activities & tours in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Chiang Mai Night Safari?
Chiang Mai Night Safari is typically open 11:00-22:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai Night Safari?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Chiang Mai Night Safari located?
Chiang Mai Night Safari is at 33, Tambon Nong Kwai, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
33, Tambon Nong Kwai, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand+66 53 999 000chiangmainightsafari.com/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Chiang Mai Night Safari
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Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours
Vet Elephant Sanctuaries
Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.
Book Popular Activities Online
Booking platforms like GetYourGuide give you instant confirmation and, on many activities, free cancellation — and you can read recent reviews before committing. Compare with local agencies for multi-day trips where negotiation might save more.
Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning
Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.
Nearby Places

Siam Home Cooking Class
An intimate Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai led by Nancy, featuring market tours and small-group sessions.
Similar Activities & Tours Across Thailand

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
No rides, no shows, just feeding, mud and washing rescued elephants in the Kathu jungle.

Safari World
A full day out east of the city, and the shows are what people remember most.

Nongnooch Pattaya Garden
Half a day minimum, 500 acres of themed gardens and dinosaurs, and you'll want to be there by 8am.

Lumphini Park
Bangkok's green lung, free to enter, and full of water monitor lizards the size of your leg.
Where to stay near Chiang Mai Night Safari
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)