Khao Kheow Open Zoo is Thailand’s best zoo, on 2,000 forested acres about 45 minutes north of Pattaya, and home of Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who became a global meme in late 2024. Foreigner tickets are 350 THB for adults and 120 THB for children; open 08:00–17:00 daily, with a night safari Friday to Sunday. Allow at least four hours.
Tour Highlights
- Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippo, at her scheduled viewing times
- Open-concept enclosures across some 2,000 forested acres
- Drive your own car through, rent a golf cart or ride the tram
- African savannah zone, gibbon islands and keeper feeding talks
- Night safari programme Friday to Sunday evenings
Itinerary
- 107:45Leave Pattaya — the zoo is about 45 minutes north toward Si Racha, and there is no public transport, so arrange a driver, Bolt round trip or rental car.
- 208:30Arrive as the gates open (08:00) — the animals are most active and the Bangkok weekend crowds have not arrived yet.
- 309:00Head to the hippo enclosure first: Moo Deng’s viewing slots draw the longest queues of the day.
- 410:00Golf cart or tram through the African savannah, deer park and gibbon islands; keeper talks and feeding sessions run through the day.
- 512:30Lunch at one of the simple restaurants inside the park.
- 613:30Nocturnal house, aviary and whatever you missed; most families are done by mid-afternoon.
- 714:30Drive back to Pattaya — or stay for the night safari if it is a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
What's included
- Zoo admission (foreigner ticket)
Not included
- Transport (no public option — budget a driver or rental car)
- Golf cart or tram
- Night safari (separate ticket, Fri–Sun)
- Food and drinks
Who is this tour best for?
- Moo Deng pilgrims — she has scheduled viewing times and remains the star attraction
- Families: the drive-through and walk-through zones beat any cage zoo for kids
- Animal lovers who skipped Sriracha Tiger Zoo-style shows on ethical grounds — this is the state-run, conservation-led alternative
- Weekday visitors — weekends bring Bangkok families in force
Where to book & compare
| Provider | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gate ticket (foreigner) | 350 THB adult / 120 THB child | Thai rate is lower — dual pricing is standard at state attractions. Under 95 cm free. |
| Online e-ticket (Klook) | usually below gate | Same ticket, small discount, instant confirmation — book the night before. |
| Private driver round trip | ~1,500–2,500 THB per car | The realistic transport option: no public transport reaches the zoo, and you want the car waiting for the return. |
| GetYourGuide | from $59.31 | Private zoo tour with hotel pickup — solves the transport problem and the ticket in one booking. |
Frequently asked questions
How much are Khao Kheow Open Zoo tickets?
Foreign visitors pay 350 THB per adult and 120 THB per child at the gate, with children under 95 cm free; the posted Thai rate is lower. Golf cart rental, the tram and the Friday–Sunday night safari cost extra. Online platforms sell the foreigner ticket at a small discount.
Can I actually see Moo Deng?
Yes — she lives at the pygmy hippo enclosure and the zoo posts viewing schedules so the crowd rotates through. Since her late-2024 viral fame roughly doubled visitor numbers, weekends mean real queues at her pen; go on a weekday morning and you may have her almost to yourself.
How do I get there from Pattaya without a tour?
There is no public transport. Your options are a rental car (the drive-through zones make this genuinely fun), a Bolt/Grab arranged as a round trip with waiting time, or a private driver for roughly 1,500–2,500 THB for the half day. It is about 45 minutes each way toward Si Racha.
How long do you need, and how do you get around inside?
At least four hours — the grounds cover some 2,000 acres of real hillside and walking the whole zoo is not realistic. Rent a golf cart, use the hop-on tram, or drive your own car between zones. With kids, plan a full morning into mid-afternoon.
What is the night safari?
A separate evening programme on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from around 18:30, touring the nocturnal-active animals by tram. It needs its own ticket and its own plan for the late drive back to Pattaya — most visitors do either the day zoo or the night safari, not both.