Safari World & Marine Park

Introduction: Bangkok's Premier Open Zoo & Entertainment Complex

Located in the Khlong Sam Wa District of northeastern Bangkok, approximately 40 kilometers from the city center, Safari World & Marine Park is Thailand's largest and most famous open-air wildlife park. Opened in 1988 and spanning over 470 acres, this massive attraction combines an open-air drive-through safari with a traditional marine and wildlife theme park.

Offering an immersive day-trip experience for families, nature enthusiasts, and photographers, the complex is split into two major zones: the 8-kilometer **Safari Park** drive-through and the bustling **Marine Park**. From watching free-roaming lions and giraffes from inside your vehicle to observing dolphin acrobatics and feeding exotic birds on high platforms, Safari World delivers an action-packed wildlife adventure.

Key Zones & Core Attractions

Safari World is divided into two distinct zones, each offering unique wildlife encounters and entertainment:

1. Safari Park (The Open-Air Drive-Through)

An 8-kilometer, 45-minute drive-through sanctuary where hundreds of wild animals roam freely across open grasslands and forested enclosures. Visitors travel inside air-conditioned tour buses or private cars through open habitats filled with herds of zebras, camels, ostriches, antelopes, and rhinos. The drive culminates at double-locked safety gates that enter the protected predator dens housing free-roaming Bengal tigers, lions, and bears.

2. Marine Park (Show Arenas & Walking Exhibits)

A sprawling walk-through theme park featuring shaded avenues, lake gardens, exotic animal enclosures, and seven world-class live performance arenas. Highlights include:

• Giraffe Terrace: An iconic wooden platform where visitors come eye-to-eye with over 200 giraffes and hand-feed them buckets of bananas.
• Mini World Aviary & Egg World: Interactive walk-through aviaries filled with hundreds of colorful Sun Conure parrots and educational egg-hatching incubators.
• Live Performance Shows: Seven daily live shows including the Dolphin Show, Sea Lion Show, Orangutan Boxing Show, Elephant Show, Bird Show, and action-packed Cowboy Stunt Show and Spy War Stunt Show.

Key Highlights & Attraction Summary

• 8 km Safari Drive-Through: Observe free-roaming lions, tigers, zebras, and rhinos from your vehicle.
• Giraffe Feeding Terrace: World's largest herd of giraffes on an open-air feeding deck.
• Seven Daily Live Shows: Action stunts, dolphin acrobatics, orangutan comedy, and exotic bird flights.
• Mini World Aviary: Up-close bird feeding encounters with colorful tropical parrots.

How to Reach Safari World Bangkok

Located at 99 Panya Indra Road, Khlong Sam Wa, the park is easily reached via multiple transit options:

By Taxi / Private Car (Most Direct Route)

Taking an air-conditioned taxi or ride-hailing vehicle (Grab/Bolt) via the Ramindra Expressway takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes from central Bangkok (approx. 350–500 THB depending on traffic and toll fees). Hiring a private car for the full day allows you to drive your own vehicle directly through the Safari Park zone.

By Shared Tour Transfer (Best Budget Value)

Most travelers booking online ticket packages (via platforms like Klook or Traveloka) add a round-trip shared minivan transfer departing from central pick-up points like CentralWorld or MBK Center. Shared minivans drive directly through the Safari Park drive-through zone before parking at the Marine Park gates, eliminating extra bus fees.

Best Time to Visit

Operating schedules and show timings dictate optimal daily planning.

Opening Hours & Schedule

The park is open **Tuesday through Sunday** (closed on Mondays). Safari Park operates from **09:00 AM to 04:30 PM**, and Marine Park operates from **09:00 AM to 05:00 PM** (extended to 05:30 PM on weekends).

Optimal Weekday Strategy

Visit on a **Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday** to avoid heavy weekend crowds. Arrive right at **09:00 AM** to complete the 45-minute Safari Park drive first, then head straight to the Marine Park entrance by 10:00 AM to catch the morning shows starting with the Orangutan Show at 10:15 AM.

Top Nearby Attractions

1. Siam Amazing Park (12 km south)

One of Southeast Asia's largest amusement and water parks, featuring giant wave pools, water slides, and thrill roller coasters.

2. Chocolate Ville (15 km southwest)

A famous European-themed outdoor dining village featuring windmill landscapes, light shows, and photo spots along artificial canals.

3. Dream World Bangkok (25 km northwest)

Thailand's premier amusement park, featuring thrill roller coasters, fairy-tale fantasy gardens, and indoor sub-zero Snow Town.

Things to Do at Safari World Bangkok

• Take the Safari Drive: Spot tigers, lions, bears, and zebras roaming free across open grasslands.
• Feed Giraffes on the Deck: Purchase banana buckets to hand-feed gentle giraffes at eye level.
• Watch the Dolphin & Sea Lion Shows: Marvel at high-jumping dolphins and playful sea lion tricks.
• Experience the Spy War & Cowboy Stunt Shows: Enjoy live explosions, jet ski chases, and western shootout stunts.

Local Food and Culinary Delights

Safari World features large buffet restaurants and numerous street food stalls across the grounds.

Must-Try Culinary Specialties

• International & Indian Buffet Lunch: Served at Savanna and Aviary Restaurants, offering Massaman curry, Pad Thai, chicken biryani, paneer curries, and fresh tropical fruits.
• Classic Park Snacks: Ice cream sundaes, popcorn, grilled chicken skewers, and chilled fresh coconut water sold at food stalls near the show arenas.

Where to Stay: Accommodation Options

Visitors typically stay in central Bangkok or near Don Mueang Airport for easy park access.

Hotels in Central Bangkok & Ramindra ($35 – $180 USD / 1,200 – 6,000 THB per night)

• Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsit / Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao / The Cross-Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit: Modern hotels offering swimming pools, international dining, and easy highway access to Safari World.

Budget Travel Guide & Ticket Deals

• Online Combo Ticket Savings: Walk-in gate prices for Safari Park + Marine Park combo tickets are 1,500 THB per adult. Pre-booking online combo packages (via Klook, Traveloka, or Trip.com) costs around **1,100 to 1,200 THB per person** ($30–$34 USD), which frequently includes an Indian/International buffet lunch for free.
• Safari Coach Fee: If you arrive by public taxi without a private car or tour van, riding the park's air-conditioned Safari Coach bus through the drive-through zone costs **100 THB per person**.
• Giraffe Feed Buckets: Giraffe feed buckets cost **100 to 200 THB** at the Giraffe Terrace.

Sample 1-Day Itinerary

• 08:00 AM: Depart central Bangkok via taxi, private car, or shared tour transfer.
• 09:00 AM: Arrive at **Safari World**; begin the 45-minute drive through the **Safari Park** open zone.
• 10:00 AM: Enter the **Marine Park** gates and head directly to the **Orangutan Boxing Show** (10:15 AM).
• 11:00 AM: Watch the **Elephant Show** and visit the **Giraffe Terrace** to hand-feed giraffes.
• 11:45 AM: Watch the action-packed **Spy War Stunt Show**.
• 12:30 PM: Enjoy an international/Indian buffet lunch at Savanna Restaurant.
• 01:45 PM: Watch the famous **Dolphin Show** arena performance.
• 02:45 PM: Explore **Mini World Aviary** and watch the **Sea Lion Show**.
• 03:30 PM: Watch the **Cowboy Stunt Show** and explore Egg World.
• 04:30 PM: Grab souvenirs and depart Safari World via return transfer back to central Bangkok.

Essential Rules and Visitor Guidelines

• Stay Inside Vehicles in Safari Park: Doors and windows must remain strictly closed and locked while driving through the predator section (lions and tigers).
• Beat the Show Queues: Arrive at popular show arenas (especially the Dolphin and Cowboy Stunt shows) 15 to 20 minutes before start times to secure good shaded seating.
• Sun Protection: The Marine Park involves extensive walking—bring a sun hat, sunglasses, light cotton clothing, and mineral sunscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where is Safari World Bangkok located?

It is located at 99 Panya Indra Road, Khlong Sam Wa District, Bangkok, Thailand, about 40 km northeast of the city center.

2. What are the park's operating hours?

Safari Park opens **09:00 AM – 04:30 PM** and Marine Park opens **09:00 AM – 05:00 PM** (Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays).

3. How much do tickets cost?

Walk-in counter tickets cost 1,500 THB. Pre-booking online combo tickets costs roughly **1,100 to 1,200 THB per adult**, which usually includes a buffet lunch.

4. What is the difference between Safari Park and Marine Park?

Safari Park is an 8 km open-air drive-through zone viewed from inside a vehicle. Marine Park is a walk-through theme park with enclosures, aviaries, and 7 live shows.

5. How do you drive through the Safari Park if you arrive by taxi?

You can purchase a ticket for the park's official air-conditioned Safari Coach bus for 100 THB per person.

6. How do you feed giraffes at Safari World?

Visit the Giraffe Terrace inside Marine Park, where you can buy buckets of bananas for 100–200 THB to feed giraffes on an open wooden platform.

7. What live shows take place inside Marine Park?

Dolphin Show, Sea Lion Show, Elephant Show, Orangutan Boxing, Bird Show, Cowboy Stunt Show, and Spy War Stunt Show.

8. Is lunch included in the ticket?

Standard counter tickets do not include lunch, but online pre-booked combo packages almost always include an international/Indian buffet lunch.

9. How long should you spend at Safari World?

Plan for a full-day visit of **6 to 8 hours** to complete the drive-through safari and watch all major shows.

10. What nearby attractions can be combined on the same day?

Siam Amazing Park or Chocolate Ville can be visited in the late afternoon/evening after Safari World closes.

Conclusion

Safari World & Marine Park stands out as Bangkok's ultimate wildlife destination, where 8-kilometer open-air drive-through safaris, free-roaming tigers, world-record giraffe feeding decks, dolphin acrobatics, and live action stunt shows converge in Khlong Sam Wa. From driving past free-roaming lions and feeding giraffes on high platforms to watching live action shows and enjoying international buffets, Safari World delivers an unmissable full-day family adventure. Pre-book online combo tickets, arrive at 09:00 AM, and explore Safari World Bangkok!