Khao Kheow Open Zoo

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Khao Kheow Open Zoo sprawls across a forested hillside in Si Racha district, Chonburi province, between Bangkok and Pattaya. Run by Thailand's zoological park organisation, it is one of the country's largest open-style zoos, keeping animals in spacious naturalistic enclosures spread through genuine tropical woodland.

The open layout sets Khao Kheow apart from city zoos: visitors drive or ride between large enclosures where deer roam free, giraffes feed at raised platforms and the surrounding hills belong to a real wildlife sanctuary. It is a rewarding half-day for families and animal lovers travelling the Bangkok-Pattaya corridor.

Feeding giraffes from the elevated deck is the signature moment, alongside walk-through aviaries, the penguin and hippo exhibits and free-roaming deer that wander the roadways. Animal presentations run through the day, and the forest setting itself, part of a larger reserve, is a highlight in its own right.

Tour the enclosures by private car, rented golf cart or the zoo's shuttle, stopping for giraffe feeding, aviary walks and scheduled animal talks. Children enjoy the petting and feeding stations, and energetic visitors can add nature trails on the forested fringes of the reserve.

The giraffe feeding terrace, the large open savannah-style paddocks and the walk-through aviary rank as the essential stops. Popular residents have included hippos famous on Thai social media, and the night-safari style evening programmes, when offered, show nocturnal species at their liveliest.

The upper roads of the zoo, farther from the entrance, are noticeably quieter and back onto the wild forest of the Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu sanctuary, where wild birds and butterflies drift across the paths. Weekday afternoons can feel like a private safari.

The zoo is a favourite outing for Thai school groups and families, offering a glimpse of local weekend life alongside the animals. Signage tells conservation stories from a Thai perspective, and small shrines near the grounds reflect the everyday spirituality found at most Thai institutions.

Set against a genuine protected forest, the zoo doubles as an outdoor day: hilly roads wind beneath big trees, hornbills and other wild birds pass overhead, and the air is cooler than on the coast. The adjoining sanctuary hills give the whole visit a green, un-urban feel.

Khao Kheow is built for families, with feeding stations, close-up animal encounters, playgrounds and easy transport between zones. Golf-cart rental spares young children long walks on the hilly site, and shaded picnic spots make a full day manageable.

The zoo itself has offered evening night-safari programmes in some seasons, letting visitors see nocturnal animals by tram; check current availability. Conventional nightlife means driving to Si Racha, Bang Saen or Pattaya, each within roughly an hour.

The giraffe deck delivers close-range portraits with forest backdrops, and the open paddocks allow long-lens shots that hide any fencing. Morning light on the hillside enclosures and the walk-through aviary's free-flying birds are the other reliable subjects.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo was established in the 1970s under the state zoological organisation, conceived as a spacious alternative to Bangkok's crowded city zoo. Its role has grown to include breeding and conservation programmes, and it gained international attention when clips of its animals spread widely online.

The zoo sits among the orchards and villages of inland Chonburi, and its visitors are predominantly Thai families and school parties. The unhurried, picnic-oriented local style of zoo-going, with plenty of snacks and shade breaks, is worth adopting.

November to February offers the coolest touring weather on the exposed hillside roads. Arrive at opening for active animals and empty paths, and avoid Thai school holidays and long weekends if crowds concern you.

The site is hot from March to May, green and showery from June to October, and dry and pleasant from November to February. The forest setting gives more shade than coastal attractions, but midday heat still slows both animals and visitors.

The zoo marks Thai holidays with special activities, and national festivals such as Songkran in April bring peak family crowds. Conservation-themed event days and animal birthdays are celebrated periodically through the year.

Arrive early, rent a golf cart or plan the shuttle route, and work uphill through the big paddocks while temperatures are low. Time the giraffe deck and an animal presentation before lunch at the on-site cafes, then finish with the aviary and quieter upper roads in the afternoon.

Half a day covers the highlights comfortably, while animal-loving families easily fill a full day. Add extra time if an evening programme is running.

The zoo lies inland from Si Racha, roughly ninety minutes from Bangkok and forty-five minutes from Pattaya by road, signposted off the motorway corridor. Private car, taxi or tour transport is the practical choice, as public transport reaches only the nearest towns, leaving a long final leg.

Inside, distances are too great to walk comfortably, so visitors use private cars, rented golf carts, bicycles where offered, or the zoo shuttle between zones. Roads are one-way in sections and clearly mapped at the entrance.

Buses and vans on the Bangkok-Pattaya routes stop at Si Racha and Bang Saen, from where taxis or arranged transfers cover the final stretch into the hills. There is no rail or songthaew service to the gate itself.

The zoo is typically open daily during daytime hours, with animal presentations at scheduled times and occasional evening programmes. Check the current timetable locally before planning your day around specific feedings.

Entry is ticketed at moderate rates, with separate pricing for Thais and foreigners as at many state attractions, plus charges for golf carts, shuttles and animal-feeding portions. Children's discounts are standard; confirm current prices at the gate.

Cafes, kiosks and simple Thai restaurants operate inside the zoo near the main zones, selling noodle dishes, fried rice, snacks and drinks. Outside the gates options are rural and sparse, so most visitors eat on site or picnic in designated areas.

Expect straightforward Thai staples rather than fine dining: noodle soups, som tam, grilled chicken and fresh fruit. The wider Chonburi region adds excellent seafood down on the coast at Si Racha and Bang Saen for the journey home.

Lodging close to the zoo is limited to a few resorts and camps in the surrounding countryside, and the zoo itself has offered stay-over experiences at times. Most visitors base in Si Racha, Bang Saen or Pattaya, all within an hour.

Costs comprise moderate entry fees, optional cart rental and feeding extras, and private transport, which is the largest expense for those without a car. As a half-day outing it remains affordable compared with Pattaya's big private attractions.

Souvenir shops near the entrance sell plush animals, T-shirts and conservation-themed gifts. There is little else to buy nearby, so treat shopping as incidental to the visit.

Follow keeper instructions at all encounters, feed animals only official food at designated points, and keep car windows managed as advised in drive-through areas. The hilly roads demand careful golf-cart driving, and sun protection matters between the shaded stretches.

Golf carts and shuttles make the sprawling, hilly site workable for visitors with limited mobility, and key exhibits such as the giraffe deck have ramped access. Some trails and older enclosures involve steps and slopes, so planning a cart-based route helps wheelchair users.

Signage is bilingual Thai-English at major exhibits, and staff at ticketing and encounters manage basic English. Animal presentation commentary may be primarily in Thai, with the visual spectacle carrying the show for non-speakers.

Book or arrive early for golf carts, which run out on busy days, and carry water on the hill roads. Check presentation times immediately at the gate to build an efficient loop, and keep valuables secured around inquisitive free-roaming deer and monkeys.

Bring sunscreen, hats, water bottles and comfortable shoes, plus cash for feeding stations and kiosks. Insect repellent is useful at the forest edges, and a long camera lens rewards wildlife photographers.

Feed animals only approved food, never litter along the forest roads, and respect barriers that protect both animals and the adjoining sanctuary. Entry fees support the state conservation and breeding programmes, making the visit itself a contribution.

Si Racha's waterfront and its island temple at Koh Loy, Bang Saen Beach and the Khao Sam Muk viewpoint are all within about forty-five minutes. Continuing south reaches Pattaya's full run of attractions, from the Sanctuary of Truth to Koh Larn boat trips.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is operated by Thailand's state Zoological Park Organization, which manages tickets, programmes and conservation work. The Tourism Authority of Thailand office for Chonburi province can provide current visiting information.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.