Safari World, Bangkok

[Jaime]

Safari World is not the easiest place to find but well worth it - unless you have an objection in principle to the idea of zoos of course.

Take the Minburi turn off from the Rama II highway heading towards Bang Na and then take a left up Soi 109 on the Minburi 'high street'. Turn right at a set of traffic lights and sign posts to Safari World start to appear.

There is more than enough to fill a full day, with well organised shows featuring both animal and human entertainers running like clockwork. We only managed a half day as we had driven up from Hua Hin but took in the whale and dolphin show, orangutan show, 'Spy Wars show' and safari drive, as well as wandering around the many zoo exhibits on the 'jungle walk.'

After seeing what can only be described as horrific conditions and 'shows' at a different zoo in Bangkok some years ago my fears about Safari World were soon quelled as conditions and treatment of the animals was completely different.

The whale and dolphin show was the highlight for me - the Beluga Whales being the only examples in mainland East Asia (the others being in Japan).

The Spy Wars show - a thinly veiled take on James Bond - is performed on a huge purpose built set with lots of explosions, jet ski chases, gun fights and other action. There is a lot of Thai dialogue but it is so hammed up it's easy to follow - my boy loved it!

The orangutan show, including a mock muay Thai bout and various other slapstick was very entertaining although I suspect this is the show that most westerners will be wrestling with their consciences about.

The safari drive lasts about 45 minutes and really allows you to get up close and personal to all sorts of large animals including tigers, lions, rhino and buffalo etc. My personal favourite was driving through a herd of giraffe - amazing!

Some of the shows we didn't have time for included a wild west stunt show, sea lion show, bird show and jungle cruise ride but we will certainly be back!

As you might expect, there is a dual pricing policy with prices for Thais roughly half those of foreigners, although foreigners with a valid work permit can get in at the local price. It was 800 baht for me as an adult foreign tourist and my boy's ticket cost about 300 baht as a Thai kid. Considering that all shows (and photos with the animals) were included in the price I thought it was very good value for money as you can easily fill a whole day at Safari World.

If you have kids and are spending some time in Bangkok and are looking for something different to do then I would thoroughly recommend a visit.

[BaaBaa.]

Cool, that's news to me.

Website: http://www.safariworld.com/

[Super Joe]

Yes, thanks for taking the time with such a comprehensive review. Will make the effort to take the kid there sometime.



SJ

[VincentD]

Safari World has been around for ages.

I used to go there more than ten years ago - the prices may have increased, but not exponentially. Used to be about 200++ for Thais and 400++ for others back then. For another 300 baht you could convert your day ticket to a yearly pass - 365 days, no extra charges.
I had this membership card for 4 years while the kids were growing up; it was great to just drive there whenever and just spend a lazy afternoon or three without having to fork out any more. Obviously I had to get membership for the kids, but it was a once a year expense with all the priveliges included. Plus I lived just down the road so it was a fifteen minute drive there and back.

If you want to get around the 'extra' pricing, go with a tour, the extras are factored into the cost. I get local pricing as I have PR.

They keep changing shows and the place is well maintained - they even had some performing troupe come from Papua New Guinea once! The ski show used to start really early in the morning, but think they've moved on.The elephant show was good, too, but haven't been for a while so don't know.

Highly recommended.
Website: http://www.safariworld.com/

[The understudy]

I had been to Safari World many times and when it this Area was considered to be on the very outer outskirts of Bangkok City Limits.
Now Eons later of opening Safari World. What had been considered outskirts had been overtime slowly encroached by local Communities spread and surrendered Safari World and moved the city Limits further outward!
I personally like Safari World for whatever reason it been there!!

Your's The understudy!!!