Visiting Safari Park Kanchanaburi for the first time? I’ve got you covered!
In this article, I’ll be showing you the best way to get there from Bangkok on a day trip, reservation tips, as well as things to see and do.
Safari Park Kanchanaburi is the only open zoo in Kanchanaburi, sheltering rescued monkeys, elephants, giraffes, big cats, and carnivores. Feeding giraffes out of a jeep has become the most sought-after thing to do here – and I’m about to show you exactly how to do that.
More on that below.
Read More: A Day in Kanchanaburi: Best Things to Do, How to Get There, and More
Getting To Safari Park Kanchanaburi From Bangkok
The best way to reach the park from Bangkok is by car. Since there are no direct buses or subway routes between the capital city and the park, you’ve gotta rent a charter car or sign up for a guided tour for a hassle-free day trip.
There are plenty of other great attractions in Kanchanaburi you may wanna combine in a day trip, including the Bridge On The River Kwai, Tham Than Lod Trek, Erawan National Park, and more.
Do You Need a Reservation For Safari Park Kanchanaburi?
The most common activity at the park is getting real close with the giraffes and zebras out of a jeep.
If you think you can just get there and reach out to them out of a random jeep that you pay at the entrance, it’s a big mistake!
I know it sounds cliche but if you wanna pet those giant “beanstalks”, come prepared with a reservation!
Book your tickets in advance if you wanna have photos like this to keep in your book memoir! Make sure to lock in your desired date and time slots months in advance for the jeep tours as availability is limited during the peak season from winter to spring.
The prices vary depending on where you book it. In the case of Safari Park Kanchanaburi, it’s not downright cheaper when you book it online. The biggest difference in the price range is whether you wanna have a pictorial with the giraffes or not.
Otherwise, a normal ticket can be purchased on-site directly once you’re there. The book direct ticket is THB 500 for an adult and 350 for children.
KLOOK offers a whopping rate of THB 2,526 for an adult for a joined group tour starting from Bangkok. If you prefer a charter trip for a group of one to three people, that would be THB 6,093 including a private car. These trips include a visit to the Kwai River Bridge.
Keep in mind that your reservation will be canceled if showing up late for the check-in. That means you’ve gotta plan ahead if you’re on a time-strapped day trip leaving Bangkok in the morning.
Spare at least 30 minutes before your check-in time. Show up at the ticket counter and present your reservation online. You may wait here for a while before the jeep arrives to pick you up.
All passengers have to board the sightseeing bus to tour around. When your reserved time slot has come, switch to the jeep from the tour bus and start your photoshoot.
Safari Park Kanchanaburi: Things To See And Do
Kanchanaburi’s only open zoo is split into six different zones:
- Deer and Antelope
- Bear
- Tiger
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Big Animals
Before hopping on the bus, grab some carrots for the deer and giraffes. The veggies section can be found right next to the ticket counter.
After passing the area with tame animals, the car heads through a gate. Once it opens, you’ll enter the ferocious animal zone, a spot to get close to lions, tigers, and other carnivores.
Now it’s time to marvel at the leopards and black panthers, a rare lively sight among carnivores! Along the way, you’ll encounter more felines. From lions and leopards to panthers, you name it!
Remember to shut the windows near these zones. The driver signaled in Thai and fellow passengers caught on.
The highlight? Feeding the giraffes!
As we re-entered the gate, the driver, speaking Thai, Chinese, and English, prompted us to grab carrots quickly.
The giraffes here are remarkably clean and elegant. They didn’t drool at all. Surprisingly, they are quite famished for carrots, stretching their necks into the car to share.
One giraffe dove into my carrot basket and polished them off! Fortunately, I noticed before they vanished.
Besides giraffes, you can feed zebras and camels. Though the camels stayed distant during our visit, the driver respected the animals’ habits, not compelling them to approach tourists. This is something I highly appreciated!
At the zebra area, with our group and the one behind us left with carrots, the zebras flocked to us. It was adorable seeing a zebra’s nose up close for the first time!
After the bus tour ended around 9:52, we had to wait until 10:50 for the jeep giraffe photos. Despite our request to change the time slot, they stuck to the original schedule. Yet, they compensated us with extra carrots due to the delay.
With a jeep, two staff members, and carrots, one staffer lured giraffes to a spot, while the other helped with photos.
The experienced photographers guided us on where to stand, positioning carrots or leaves for the perfect angle with the giraffe’s head.
Should You Really Watch The Crocodile And Elephant Show?
Some rescued animals are now cared for by park volunteers and experts. For big cat enthusiasts, spending half a day here offers an up-close interaction and insightful learning experience.
The daily elephant and crocodile show steals the spotlight, showcasing these creatures’ wit and talent. The only thing I’m skeptical about is the ethical concern. I didn’t sign up for this one in the first place and that’s why there’s no comment regarding this matter. Some say the elephants are chained up but I was not there to verify.
Final Words: Is Safari Park Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting?
Feeding giraffes on a bus or snapping photos with them on a jeep is incredible. The staff truly care for their giraffes, respecting their nature without coercion.
Taking photos with the giraffe in the jeep was a blast. Accidentally being nibbled by a giraffe made a lasting memory!
If you’re an animal enthusiast, don’t miss the Safari Park Kanchanaburi!