Hua Hin Safari & Adventure Park — Attraction in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

To start with there is very little in the park, every three steps you are bombarded with people wanting to take photos of you & charge you for them or asking you to pay more money to feed the animals etc. I expect a certain amount of this but it’s constant. There is also nothing there apart from these ‘shows’. I have been to safari parks & zoos all over the world & this is the smallest. It’s very prescribed, the staff kept trying to go get us to stay with their one-show-after-another itinerary (although there really was no need) as we wanted to see things in a slightly different order to keep our kids out of the midday sun. It was really odd. Like a conveyer belt.

This would be enough of a reason to review based on it being poor value for money but what left me, my husband and my daughter so upset was that THE TREATMENT OF THE ANIMALS IN THESE ‘SHOWS’ IS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING.

The tigers are clearly and visibly upset, cowering from the ‘trainers’, crying out, swiping at the trainers. One of the trainers repeatedly tapped heavily on the tigers nose and head to evoke a reaction - it was disgusting. I have never been so angry, it would have served them right if the tiger lashed out. The sad thing is, the tiger would have been the only one to suffer. You can see they are very unhappy and do not want to take part in any of it. The trainers also have these long metal rods (a bit like a riding crop) which at first we thought was to just feed the lions at arms length but saw when they bought it up to the lions, they were cowering from it…. Pretty clear what they were used to. On top of this, the ‘content’ of the tiger show was ridiculous - why would anyone want to see one the most majestic creatures in the world walking forward and backward on two legs? Or being spun around to some stupid, loud music? I thought maybe I was missing something, but I looked back at the rest of the people & they looked just as unamused. So why? I then had to try explain to my 4 year old when she asked “why the man kept hitting the tiger in the face making her sad”… just heartbreaking …

Then walking around the enclosures of the tigers was disturbing & bought me to tears. Seeing them chained up for a ‘photo op’… by what I saw of the treatment & how unhappy the tigers where in the show, swiping out at the trainers… I wouldn’t be surprised if these ones for photos were tranquilized. I’ve now looked at more of the Facebook and google pictures and I have to wonder if they are drugged? How would someone have a photo of their very young baby on its own with a cheeta or laying on the chest of a young tiger? It’s not natural. It would be an insurance nightmare for a company with the slightest chance they would bite, so how else?

Then the elephant show, luckily not as bad from a treatment perspective by what we could see however why I would ever want to see an elephant ‘twerk’ is beyond me. I’m in my early 30s- surely I am not that old? Or I’m missing something again?

The elephant ride was… eye opening. Not only a waste of money to be walked around to get a really good view of their rubbish dump and all the elephants chained up on concrete slabs…Plus the elephant trainer (driver?) pulling to one side to try and sell my husband some tacky jewellery, claiming it’s to look after the elephants (ummm really?!) There really was no escape.

Then there was the crocodile show… after the ‘trainer’ repeatedly hit & jabbed the crocodiles with a big stick, making sure he was getting right in around their arm/shoulder joints to get a reaction from them, repeatedly dragging the crocodiles around by the tail (an excessive amount, it was so uncomfortable to see), we couldn’t take it any more & we left. Our daughter was upset, we were upset & angry that we had paid money to this disgusting excuse of a company.

There is no love of animals here. PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE. For the sake of the animals, please do not support places like this. To you, Hau hin Safari -give these animals the respect they deserve,...

If you are in Hua Hin and want to interact with elephants and tigers, this is a good option. The animals look healthy and I did not see any indication of animal cruelty (If you are against any type of animal performance... don't go. This place is definately not for you). Staff were very nice and helpful. They have a website but it only has photos, zero information about pricing, facilities or show content. So I rang directly to get pricing and decided on the Elephant ride (1hr) + Elephant show + Tiger show + Crocodile show + Cobra show. This was 2,500 baht per person. In my opinion, it was excellent value. On your way to the elephant ride, you will be offered bananas at 200 baht per basket. Buy at least one as the elephant expects to be fed along the journey. In fact, be generous and buy two. I wish I did. My elephant handler only coaxed the elephant by touching his feet and knees behind the ears and allowed him to eat the vegetation along the way. He never used the Ankusha which I was pleased about. There are a couple of photos taken by staff that are framed in recycled elephant dung for 250 baht each once the ride is complete (it looks like recycled cardboard and a nice touch for authenticity). Be mindful the ride is in full sun, so be prepared eg sunblock, hat etc. Next was the Tiger Show. They have 40 Bengal tigers (a few white) here as well as Ligers and at least one Siberian tiger and a lion. The tiger show was undercover and entertaining. The animals looked in good condition. Photo opportunities in front of the perfoming cast (with a fench between) is offered at no charge once the show is complete. There is also an opportunity to spend time directly with small, medium or large tigers (1,800 baht from memory). Next was the elephant show. Seating was undercover and baskets of bananas were again available at 100 baht each. Good value for getting the attention of these beautiful animals. Photo opportunities are again offered at no charge. The staff also take photos and come framed in recycled elephant dung at 250 baht each but there is no obligation to buy. The show is entertaining and the animals look in good health. Seeing an elephant throw darts accurately is just amazing. The agility and motor skills they display throughout the show is astounding. They regularly taken off stage where they are hosed down to keep cool. Next was the crocodile show which was also undercover. The handlers are quite funny which offsets the tension of putting their hands and head in the crocodiles mouth. Before the show there is a free photo opportunity holding a small (40cm) crocodile. Last on our list was the Cobra show. Undercover and intimate. A bit too close for the liking of a grandmother attending. It was fascinating and entertaining. I enjoyed it. There was also a free photo opportunity with a Burmese python after the show. Simon, the snake handler, is a genuine snake lover. He has travelled to Australia a few times to spend time with renowned snake handlers there. He even had a great story of when he introduced Steve Irwin (RIP) to Thailand's spitting cobras in the wild. Overall this was a great day out. I spent 3-4 hours here. The place is very clean and nicely laid out with non-slip pathways. I even fed the Koi....100 baht for 3 x baby bottles of slime which they voraciously gobbled down. Cold drinks and ice creams are available at good prices. Only slightly higher than 7Eleven. It is about 30 minutes drive south west of Hua Hin. I was staying near Hua Hin beach and used Grab (Asia's Uber) to get there and home @ 250 baht each way. There is also Quad Bike riding there. Larger 700cc machines with a few set up with a seat backrest for a passenger. They looked in good condition but I do not know...

Pleasantly surprised with the enjoyment I got out of the Hua Hin Safari.

I didn’t have any expectations when I arrived at the safari. It’s a place I’ve never been to and thought why not. The first thing I noticed was the quality of the facilities. Everything was very well done.

ℹ️ the grounds are all very clean and organized.

There are different tickets available, and yes, they do have dual pricing for Thais and non-Thais, which I generally don’t accept. They also use Thai numerals for their pricing which is only done in Thailand when they want to deceive the foreigners.

There are three packages. Entrance to the park and all shows. Thai Adults: 250฿ Everything in 1 plus elephant rides. Thai Adults: 450฿ Everything in 1 and 2 plus pictures with four species of big cats. Thai Adults: 800฿

Then there are add-ons. If you want the safari experience that will cost 1200฿ up to four people and 300฿ each additional person.

The safari experience is essentially a photo op. Your group will get in one of the vehicles, drive 1-2 minutes to the middle of the “scene” and park where you’ll take photos with the giraffes. After the photos you’ll return to the beginning. It’s really not much of a safari, but it was still worth it to me. My group really enjoyed it.

📸 Photo ops are available throughout the park.

Following are the show’s schedules Tiger show 9:50 | 12:20 | 14:30 | 16:35 Elephant show 10:30 | 13:00 | 15:00 Crocodile show 11:15 | 13:45 | 15:45 Cobra show Immediately following Crocodile show

The schedule is arranged so that you can hit them all back to back.

The shows are all good, but the Elephant show was the most entertaining. I especially liked the dancing elephants. During the show you can purchase small buckets of bananas for 100฿ and feed the elephants or you can tip them ฿.

ℹ️ Pictures are taken of you regularly and placed strategically for sale in a themed frame. 200฿

There are restrooms on site and a small shop selling drinks and snacks.

Original Review: December 2024

FOUR STARS (Excellent) Superior. Memorable, high-quality food; unique environment; notable service.

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