Take a tour of the night animal observation activity at Khao Yai National Park.

Traveling in the wild will never get old! Especially if you are someone who lives in the city and only sees tall buildings and chaos. Wandering in the forest and mountains helps you relax and recharge. However, regular forest and mountain trips may not excite you much. To add more excitement and experience the atmosphere of nature altogether, it’s great to go on an adventure tour.

We recommend going on a night safari in Khao Yai. There, you will see wild animals that come out to hunt during that time. However, if you are not comfortable going out at night, there are also backup plans because there are places recommended for daytime wildlife observation as well. If you are ready to travel, let’s go on a safari together.

 

Prepare yourself before going on a wildlife safari

This activity is very popular at Khao Yai National Park, providing opportunities for tourists to enjoy nature during both day and night. Therefore, preparing for the trip may differ slightly, as follows:

• Preparing for a wildlife safari at night: What you should prepare is to wear tight-fitting clothes, long-sleeved shirts, or long pants to prevent insects from biting your body and to protect you from the cold weather. In addition, you can bring a camera with you, but it is necessary to turn off the flash so as not to affect the eyesight of the animals.
• Preparing for wildlife observation during the daytime: For observing large animals during the day, it’s recommended to wear clothing that helps you stay cool in hot weather. You should also bring binoculars and carry a water bottle to prevent dehydration due to heat exhaustion.

Important information! Before observing animals in Khao Yai National Park at night

The format for observing animals in Khao Yai National Park at night involves riding in a pickup truck around areas where wild animals come out for food. The truck will be driven by park rangers who also provide information about the various types of wildlife that are encountered. They will also control a large spotlight at the front of the truck to provide clear visibility of the animals for tourists.

The nighttime wildlife observation in Khao Yai National Park is divided into two rounds: 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, each lasting for 1 hour and covering a distance of approximately 10 kilometers. The process of wildlife observersion service in Khao Yai National Park is as follows:

• To book and pay for the wildlife safari, you must do so at the tourist service center before 6:00 pm. After booking, you will receive a receipt to present to the staff. The cost of the service is 500 baht per vehicle for up to 10 people. This means that you can combine the number of people with other tourists. 
• It is necessary to gather at the service center or the safari coordination center at least 15 minutes before the reserved time.

For safety, Khao Yai National Park does not allow tourists to drive their own vehicles for night safari. If the officials find tourists doing so, they will be fined 500 baht.

Be amazed by the thrilling experience of night safari at Khao Yai 

Khao Yai National Park is the third largest national park in Thailand, with a vast area filled with diverse wildlife. Here, both small and large animals come out to forage by the streams and in the cover of night. Embarking on a night safari at Khao Yai is a fun activity where you can observe the natural behavior of animals. Some of the wildlife species that you may encounter during the night safari include:

 

• Deer 

Deer are cute and friendly animals that like to come out and greet people frequently, whether during the day or at night. You can encounter them walking around and showing off. You can determine the gender of a deer by its fur. If a deer has short, rough, dark brown fur, it’s a male. However, as deer may seem friendly and cute, it’s important to be cautious and not get too close, as they may perceive you as a threat.

• Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are cute and friendly wild animals with small bodies and long, adorable snouts. They are covered in small, hidden quills on their backs to protect themselves from danger. Usually, they forage for food at night and sleep in underground burrows during the day. 

However, be cautious when approaching a hedgehog. If you encounter one, avoid getting too close or trying to touch it, as it may release its quills and harm you.

 

• Elephants

Embark on a nocturnal wildlife adventure and experience the thrill of encountering elephants, the majestic and sociable giants that roam in herds throughout Khao Yai National Park. These magnificent creatures can be found grazing in grassy fields and open plains, which are plentiful throughout the park. The elephant population in Khao Yai 

National Park is estimated to be between 140-200, all of which are Asian elephants native to India. They spend around 16-18 hours a day foraging for food, so there’s a good chance you’ll catch a glimpse of them as they come out.

• Asian black bear 

When exploring the wilderness, one might come across the fearsome creature known as the asian black bear, a large animal that weighs between 100-160 kilograms. Asian black bears have a keen sense of smell, hearing, and sight. They are easily recognizable by their black fur, long snouts, and short tails. They have a particular fondness for honey and bee larvae.

During the day, Asian black bears tend to rest, and search for food during the night. Therefore, encountering one in the wild can be an exciting opportunity.

· Foxes and jackals

Foxes and jackals are commonly seen in the national park. Areas where you can encounter these wildlife species include herb fields, reservoirs, swamps, and grassy riverbanks, and they often gather together in packs. The jackals are larger in size compared to foxes and sometimes hunt for prey such as deer, goats, and more, making it possible for you to witness a hunt during your wildlife watching excursion.

 

• Clouded Leopards and Wildcats 

According to the accounts of park rangers, sometimes during nighttime wildlife surveys in Khao Yai National Park, it is possible to come across elusive and frightening wild animals such as clouded leopards and wildcats. Its eyes will reflect the light of the flashlight, just like the rare leopard cat and  protected wildlife that likes to hunt for food during the night. 

Its body size is similar to that of an average house cat, but it is more aggressive. Its striking pattern resembles a rose and has black stripes on its head. If you happen to spot it, it can certainly create a lot of excitement.

 

When is the best time to go wildlife spotting at Khao Yai?

Actually, you’re in luck because you can go visit the mountains for sightseeing any time of the year. However, if you’re planning on wildlife spotting, it’s best to avoid going during the rainy season from June to October. During this time, the animals in the forest tend to stay hidden, making it difficult to spot them. Therefore, the best time to go animal spotting is during the hot and cold seasons from November to May. You will have fun with the nighttime animal spotting activities in Khao Yai during this time.

 

Not convenient to observe animals at night? Visit Nong Phak Chi during the daytime.

Although the activity of observing animals at night in Khao Yai may be exciting, there may be limitations for those who are not comfortable going out to observe animals at night, such as having young children to take care of or not having enough time because of scheduling morning and evening trips. To avoid missing the opportunity, you can also stop by to observe animals at Khao Yai during the daytime at Nong Phak Chi. The area around Nong Pak Chi is an open forest area in this national park. There is a tall wildlife observation tower that stands out majestically in the middle of a vast grassy field. To get there, it is necessary to walk for about 1 kilometer on both sides of the path, which is full of various types of forest vegetation, providing a delightful view. Being on top of the observation tower, you will see a large stream that provides water for wildlife passing by. The animals that are commonly found in this area include deer, elephants, gibbons, foxes, and rare birds. The observation tower is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, but it is recommended to check with Khao Yai National Park before traveling.

 

Things that should not be doing while observing the wildlife

It is necessary to respect the regulations of the national park. Khao Yai National Park has established rules and regulations that must be followed. They are as follows: 

• Do not feed animals.
• Do not make loud noises.
• Do not shine personal flashlights at animals.
• Do not use flash while taking photos.
• Do not litter on the trail.
• Do not bring or drink alcoholic beverages.
• Do not collect plants or flowers along the trail.

Tourists should not ignore the above rules, as the rules are not just to protect ourselves, but also to protect the wildlife that live naturally. If we ignore the rules, it may prevent these wildlife from coming out for people to see, and Khaoyai wildlife watching activities may not occur. Therefore, in order to preserve nature and make wildlife feel safe, we should follow the above rules.

Nighttime wildlife watching is an activity that tourists shouldn’t miss, because you can see many types of wild animals, and it’s also safe because there are officers who will accompany and explain about the animals you encounter. Of course, this kind of activity is also suitable for families to have fun together. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you can see wild animals foraging and living in their natural habitats. Surely, it will be an exciting experience that you won’t forget.