Dusit Zoo in Bangkok is situated in the Khao Din Park in the country’s Dusit district. It was built by King Chulalongkorn in 1938 as his private garden. Today, it is the country’s most popular zoo with over 2.5 million visitors annually.
Bangkok boasts numerous attractions and many tourists prefer staying at Sukhumvit Hotelsas Sukhumvit is one of the four major highways in Bangkok. Luxury hotels such as Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18 offer comfort and convenience as it is located in the city centre. The zoo itself is located less than half hour away and is surrounded by important landmarks such as the Parliament, The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and King Rama IX’s official residence, Chitralada Palace.
Dusit Zoo is home to over 1,600 species of animals including, 331 mammals, 842 birds and 170 reptiles. It is no surprise that it is one of the most popular zoos in Asia. Spanning over 50 acres, it also boasts many rare, indigenous species. The albino barking deer and the white Bengal tigers are very popular attractions. Other creatures residing here are a variety of monkeys, alligators, hippos, tigers and lions. Animals not found in Thailand, such as, camels, penguins and kangaroos too are kept here with their respective habitats customised accordingly.
The zoo is well organised with a variety of categories such as the African Savannah, Nocturnal House, Reptile House, Hawk Section, Elephant Home and Pheasants Aviary. You will find a WWII bunker close to the Hippo section. The man-made lake in the middle of the zoo is very picturesque and a relaxing boat ride will set you back by very little in terms of money.
Since the zoo is large, grab yourself a map as soon as you enter. That way, you can plan your journey. There is also a tram service that takes you from station to station within the zoo. However, for the best experience, spend the entire day there strolling from place to place amid the shady trees.
Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.