Yesterday we visited the Zoo in Khon Kaen.
It was the first time for my nephew (12) to see any of these kinds of animals.
The zoo is very spacious.
You can ride around in the large club cars for free, or rent a personal golf cart and go at your leisure for 300 thb per hour.
We chose to drive ourselves which allowed us to stop when and for how long we wanted without rushing.
Khon Kaen Zoo (Thailand) — Full 2026 Guide
📍 Location & Overview
- 📌 Address: 88 Moo 8, Kham Muang, Khao Suan Kwang District, Khon Kaen 40280
- 🌍 About 50 km north of Khon Kaen city
- 🌄 Size: ~3,300–4,600 rai (massive mountain zoo)
- 🌐 Website: http://www.khonkaenzoo.com/
- 🕒 Hours:
- Zoo: 08:00–18:00 daily
- Water park: 10:00–18:00
👉 It’s not just a zoo — it’s a mountain wildlife park + water park + eco-tourism site focused on conservation and education.
🎟️ Ticket Prices (2026)
- Foreign adult: 150 THB
- Foreign child: 70 THB
- Thai/local pricing cheaper
- Free: kids under 120 cm, seniors 60+
🚗 Parking:
- Car: 50 THB
- Motorbike: 10 THB
👉 Ticket includes water park access, but NOT:
- Tram/bus ride
- Golf cart rental
- Swimwear rental
🚗 How to Get There
From Khon Kaen City:
- Take Mittraphap Road (Highway 2)
- Drive toward Nam Phong → Khao Suan Kwang
- Turn right at intersection
- Follow signs ~7 km to zoo entrance
⏱️ Travel time: ~45–60 minutes
👉 From your area (Nakhon Ratchasima region): ~2–3 hours by car.
🐾 Animals at Khon Kaen Zoo
🦁 Major Species (Confirmed)
- Lions (including white lions)
- Tigers (including white tigers)
- Orangutans
- Camels
- White rhinoceros
- Hippopotamus (including pygmy hippo)
- Giraffes
- Elephants
- Deer species (large populations)
- Barking deer (including albino)
- Monkeys (various species)
- Lemurs (ring-tailed, ruffed)
- Meerkats
- Ostrich & emu
- Flamingos
- Parrots (sun conures)
- Penguins
📊 Estimated Species & Population
⚠️ Based on aggregated data + zoo size (not official release):
- 🧬 Estimated species: ~100–200+ species
- 🐾 Estimated animals: 1,000+ individuals
👉 Why no exact number?
- Thai zoos rarely publish full inventories
- Animals rotate (breeding, transfers, conservation)
🗺️ Zones & Attractions
🦒 1. African Zone / Open Safari Views
- Giraffes, rhinos, zebras, lions
- Elevated Skywalk viewing bridge
- Comment: This was a disappointment as nothing to see from the Skywalk and only 2 Giraffes and 2 Zebras in the safari with some Ostriches.
🦌 2. Deer Park (Huge highlight)
- Large free-roaming deer feeding area
- Comment: Lots of land was used for this deer area, which I think is just too much for a simple animal like a deer.
🐒 3. Primate Zones
- Lemurs, monkeys, orangutans
- Comment: Did NOT see an orangutan. Did see one Gibbon and lemurs were asleep.
🐧 4. Specialty Exhibits
- Penguins
- Hippos
- Birds
- Comment: Bird Avery takes up a large area, however, most of the cages were locked.
🌉 5. Skywalk & Glass Bridge
- Scenic overlook of animals and forest
💦 6. Water Park (Included)
- Pools + slides on mountain
- Lazy river + kids zones
🎭 7. Shows & Activities
- Seal shows
- Animal feeding sessions
- Capybara parade (new attraction)
🚙 Getting Around Inside
The zoo is huge and hilly, so walking everything is tough.
Options:
- 🚋 Tram/bus tour (recommended)
- 🚗 Golf cart rental (~300 THB/hour)
- 🚶 Walking (limited areas)
🏕️ Facilities
- Restaurants & food court
- Comment: Food in the food court was very good.
- Souvenir shops
- Camping & cabins
- Toilets & WiFi
- Disability access (ramps, parking)
⚠️ Important Things Foreigners Should Know
👍 Pros
- Very large natural setting
- Cheap entry price
- Mix of zoo + water park
- Good for families
- Unique mountain views
⚠️ Cons / Reality
- Some enclosures are basic compared to Western zoos
- Very spread out → transport needed
- Hot climate (plan early visit)
- English signage is limited in some areas
- Animal welfare standards are mixed depending on enclosure
💡 Pro Tips (2026)
- Go early (8–10 AM) → animals more active
- Rent a golf cart if staying >2 hours
- Bring sunscreen + water
- Combine with nearby attractions (Khao Suan Kwang area)
- Feeding activities are worth it
🧭 Is It Worth Visiting?
👉 YES if you want:
- A cheap full-day activity
- A mix of zoo + nature + water park
- Something different from typical Thai attractions
👉 MAYBE SKIP if:
- You want world-class zoo standards
- You prefer ethical sanctuaries only
📌 Quick Summary
- 💰 Cheap: 150 THB foreign entry
- 🐾 Large zoo (~100–200 species estimated)
- 🗺️ Massive mountain park (needs transport)
- 🎢 Unique combo: zoo + water park
- 🚗 50 km from Khon Kaen city