When one hears ‘Bangkok’, one thinks of night markets, cheap shopping, floating markets – to the point where everyone’s Bangkok itinerary looks like a copy-and-paste situation.
One would hardly care to think of going to an animal enclosure, but that’s precisely why it’s worth considering.
After navigating through bustling crowds and jampacking days with shopping expenditures, a change in scenery is necessary—and severely underrated.
About Safari World
Safari World is split into two parts: Safari Park and Marine Park.
At Safari Park, visitors can drive through an area where animals roam freely.
Meanwhile, the deceivingly named Marine Park offers animal shows starring elephants, dolphins, sea lions, and more.
I say deceivingly named because there isn’t actually an abundance of marine animals. But I suppose it’s because half of the creatures reside in or near some body of water.
Tickets
The tickets are rather pricey compared to what you’d normally pay for in Bangkok.
Nevertheless, the sights you get to behold make it worth every penny.
| Price / Park | Safari Park | Marine Park | Safari + Marine Park |
| Adult | 1000 baht | AUD41 | 1200 baht | AUD49 | 1400 baht | AUD55 |
| Child | 900 baht |AUD37 | 1000 baht | AUD41 | 1100 baht | AUD45 |
It goes without saying, but the Safari + Marine Park package would offer the most value.
Safari Park
I’ll be real: Safari Park doesn’t sound that spectacular. The concept is familiar – Werribee Open Range Zoo, Monarto Safari Park, etc.
I’m not claiming it’ll be the most awe-inspiring experience you’ve had either. But it does offer plenty of photo opportunities of the animals in their natural habitat.
Taking the coach
Entering Safari Park costs 1000 baht for adults. But taking the coach in costs an additional 30 baht (AUD1.23).
All this means is that you’ll have to arrange for a van to enter the park or drive your own car in if you choose to forego the coach.
The biggest advantage to opting for the coach is that the windows are far wider than standard car windows, making it a lot easier to capture unobstructed pictures for the ‘gram.
On the downside, the coach arrives in 30-minute intervals. But the patience will pay off once the coach departs and you get so preoccupied with the wondrous sights.
And because the deal is we are visiting their home, the coach will stop as and when animals are crossing its path.
A small price to pay for the residents’ comfort, in my opinion. Just note that because of this, tours may be delayed slightly.
All in all, taking the coach will only set you back about a dollar (in both AUD and SGD), so it’s worth considering if you didn’t rent a car.
Marine Park
It’s worth mentioning that Marine Park is huge, and so it might be in your best interest to refuel with some snacks.
If you didn’t bring any, simply peruse the few snack booths conveniently located at the entrance. They admittedly look more enticing and are fresher than supermarket grub.
Some options are the Fried Shrimp Ball (30 baht) and Straw Chips (35 baht).
Highlights at Marine Park include the Elephant Show, Egg World and Giraffe Feeding Terrace. But perhaps the most impressive of them all is the feeding terrace.
What to expect at the Elephant Show
The husked talents will perform tricks like walking on a tightrope, playing football, basketball, even spinning rings using their trunks and dancing. It’s almost akin to a circus, really.
At the end of the show, they show off their painting skills – which are embarrassingly enough, better than mine – and the pieces are put up for sale at 750 baht (AUD31).
What to expect at Egg World
Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to obtain pictures at this exhibit as my camera ran out of battery. So you’ll just have to take my word for it when I say it’s worth the visit.
While Singapore has their own version of an egg world (in Science Centre, for example), none of them really compare to Marine Park’s.
Apart from chicken eggs, they showcase other bird eggs that might be harder to come by.
It comprises a substantial range of real-life displays including the following: a bird egg incubator, cleaning & disinfecting station, baby nursery care, young & weaning care, ostrich egg preparation room display and an ostrich eggshell (which you can touch!)
What to expect at the Giraffe Feeding Terrace
Another familiar feature, the feeding terrace allows visitors to get up close and personal with giraffes and feed them.
To be frank, I didn’t expect much from it as the Singapore Zoo has a similar exhibit. But I was proven so incredibly wrong with a spectacular view of the entire Safari Park from the feeding terrace.
It contains a whopping 250 giraffes, which is an inexplicably majestic sight and certainly a lot more long-necked creatures than you’d ever get at Singapore Zoo.
All things considered, a trip to Safari World may be costly, but I believe it’s well worth it for a change in scenery.
How to get there
Address: พระยาสุเรนทร์ 40 Sam Wa Tawan Tok, Khlong Sam Wa, Bangkok 10510
Directions: Take a taxi from Mo Chit BTS station. Taxis will be available to chauffeur you back to the city from Safari World.
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