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Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari are among the city's best and most recommended attractions.
The beautiful zoo lies along the shores of the Seletar Reservoir, surrounded by green parks and woodland that give a true feeling of being connected to nature...
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Opened in 1973, the zoo occupies an area of 70 acres and is famous for its "open zoo concept", which means that most of the animals dwell in open spaces, designed as close as possible to their natural habitat. The visitors are watching the animals from a safe distance, behind deep trenches that are nicely hidden by vegetation and shrubs.
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An insight from 'Metropolasia-Man':
Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari are both known for implementing the "open zoo concept"... which means that most of the animals dwell in open spaces, designed as close as possible to their natural habitat.
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The zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals, belonging to 315 species, of which at least 50 are rare and threatened ...
It's advisable to spend at least 2 - 3 hours in this lovely place and, in any case, there are some "not to be missed" attractions here, especially those that involve the indigenous species of Southeast Asia:
- The two Orang Utan compounds (Free ranging Orang Utan) are not far from the gate. Here you can see the world's largest group of these intelligent Hominids, living their lives in an open area that resembles their natural habitat in the jungles of Borneo Island. The Jungle Breakfast with Orang Utans is one of the zoo's best known attractions.
- After visiting the Orang Utans, proceed via the Polar Bears area to the Wild Africa zone, where you can watch some of the Dark Continent's beasts... the lions' area is fenced by a glass wall that makes the visitor fill very close to the predators... The nearby "Cat country" boasts some other representatives of this carnivores family, including Leopard, Jaguar and Puma.
- Next in line is the Reptile Garden, where you can meet one of the world's rarest and most fierceful lizards, the famous Komodo Dragon. Named after the legendary monster, this is the world's largest lizard and can reach a length of up to 3 meters and a weight of more than 150 kilos. This extremely rare animal is on the verge of extinction and its population in nature is estimated at no more than 3000 individuals, living in national parks and nature reserves on small islands within Indonesia (mostly on Komodo Island, that gave the lizard its name). The 'dragon' is a vicious predator that ambushes its pray from a hideaway... Its excellent camouflage compensates for its disability to run fast for a long time... Its saliva contains different kinds of deadly microbes, which means that even if it doesn't manage to kill its pray instantly, it can wait for him to die and feast on him comfortably afterwards... Singapore Zoo is one of the only places in the world where the Komodo Dragon can be seen.
- The Fragile Forest area, next to the Reptile Garden, showcases the extremely vulnerable ecosystem of the rainforests (especially those of Southeast Asia). Here you can see plenty of rare and interesting creatures... from gigantic insects and spiders, via incredibly beautiful butterflies, to monkeys, Tree-Kangaroos and Sloths.
- The Elephants of Asia zone gives a glimpse into the lives of those giant mammals and the way they co-operate with humans... the Elephants at work & play show is held daily, at 11:30am and 3:30pm
- In the Primate Kingdom, opposite Elephants of Asia, you can see different species of monkeys, some of which are quite rare.
- Further on, the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia area, with its large population of Hamadryas Baboons, and the Australian Outback area, are two themed areas that feature slightly-less-known habitats.
- The Bengal White Tiger is a very rare animal and Singapore Zoo is one of the only places in the world where you can see it. As opposed to popular belief, white tigers are not albinos (true albino tigers would have pinkish eyes and very fainted stripes), but genetically mutated ordinary tiger, with a permanent genetic condition that nearly eliminates pigment in the normally orange fur, although they still have dark stripes.
The zoo is open daily, 8:30am - 6pm.
Entrance fees are SG$ 20 for an adult and SG$ 13 for a child.
There are two types of "Park Hopper" combo tickets that are available: A Zoo + Night Safari combo can be purchased at a price of SG$ 42 for an adult and SG$ 28 for a child, while the Zoo + Night Safari + Jurong Bird Park combo costs SG$ 58 for an adult and SG$ 38 for a child.
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For up-to-date information about tickets (and promotions), visit this webpage.
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A small tip from 'Metropolasia-Man':
Many visitors spend the afternoon at the zoo, finish the visit when the zoo is about to close, and move onwards to the neighboring Night Safari...
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The zoo offers a full plethora of activities, for adults and children alike... from Tram to Elephant rides, and from behind-the-scene tours, at the various themed areas, to animal shows and feeding sessions... activities and schedules keep on changing all the time, so its really advisable to give them a call on 6269 3411 before coming or, even better, to visit their website and see what's on: www.zoo.com.sg
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The Night Safari is the world's first Nocturnals-only zoo. It opened in 1994, occupies an area of approximately 100 acres and unlike other zoos, that try to 'modify' nocturnal animals' behavior (so it will suit their daytime visitors) or to build semi-dark areas for them, this zoo operates only at night. The Night safari is home to almost a thousand animals belonging to 130 species, of which a third are endangered.
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Just like at the neighboring zoo, the "open zoo concept" is the order of the day here ... Most of the animals dwell in open spaces, designed as close as possible to their natural habitat, so the visitor feels a bit like walking in the forest at night... (the themed areas are partially lit, in a way that doesn't disturb their 'residents'). Singapore's tropical weather is an advantage for this type of a zoo: Firstly, because most nocturnal animals come from the tropics, and secondly, because the pre-midnight hours are also the least rainy...
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A small note from 'Metropolasia-Man':
Singapore's Night Safari is the world's first Nocturnals-only zoo, and unlike other zoos that try to 'modify' nocturnal animals' behavior (so it will suit their daytime visitors) or to build semi-dark areas for them... this zoo operates only at night.
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The Night Safari is divided into eight different habitats and can be explored by foot or with the small train that runs through the zoo's paths and stops at places of importance.
Among the Night safari's most notable animals, you can find many members of the cats family, like Lions, Tigers, Leopards and various wild cats, alongside Hyenas and Canids, like Foxes, Jackals and Wolfs. Obviously, there are many other interesting night animals that are not carnivores, from Rhinos and Hippos to Tapirs, Anteaters and giant bats (flying foxes)
The Night Safari open daily, 7:30pm - 12 midnight (last admission is on 11pm), Admission fees are SG$ 32 for an adult and SG$ 21 for a child (3-12) and, as mentioned above, there are all sorts of "combo tickets" worth considering.
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A miniature train ride around the park is included in the ticket. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes and includes some commentary.
Animal shows are held at 8, 9 and 10pm at the amphitheatre and do not involve additional costs.
For more information, you can call the Night Safari on 6269 3411 or visit their website: www.nightsafari.com.sg
How to get there ? The Zoo and the Night Safari can be reached in several ways:
1) BusHub operates a bus service called "SINGAPORE ATTRACTIONS EXPRESS", which takes passengers directly from their town centre hotel, or from Little India to Jurong Bird Park
and Singapore Zoo / Night Safari.
Currently, there are four buses a day to the zoo, at 8am, 10am, 11am and 1pm. They depart from the station next to Delfi Orchard and move through Scotts Road (Next to DFS Galleria and also outside the Grand Hyatt), Orchard Road (opposite Meritus Mandarin, as well as behind Concorde Hotel) and onwards, to Little India's Serangoon Road (stops near "the Verge", at the begining of the street and next to Fortuna Hotel - opposite Mustafa Centre).
From Jurong Bird Park, buses leave at 1pm and 2pm
Buses depart from the zoo's gate, on their way back town on 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm
Buses to the 'Night Safari' depart from the station next to Delfi Orchard at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm and pass through the same station, as above (From Jurong Bird Park, buses leave at 4:45pm and 5:30pm, on their way to the 'Night Safari')/
Back to town, buses depart from the 'Night Safari' at 9:30pm, 10pm, 10:30pm, 11pm and 11:30pm
For the exact timetable (and list of the stops), please visit Bus Hub website or call them on 6753 0506
2) You can also use ordinary public transport to get to Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari, although it wil probably consume more of your time...
- From MRT-Ang Mo Kio, take SBS bus No. 138
- From MRT-Chua Chu Kang, Take SBS No. 927 (and also 926, on weekends)
Those of you who love flowers and gardening must not miss the magnificent Mandai Orchid Garden, near the Zoo and the Night Safari (halfway between them and the main road). The lovely garden boasts a variety of hundreds of Orchid species, alongside the beautifully groomed water gardens.
Some of you might think that visiting the Botanic Gardens was enough for them... Nonetheless, if you are there anyhow (for the zoo), you love gardening, and you've got the time... Go there!
The garden is open daily, 8am - 7pm (till 6pm on Monday), Admission fees are SG$ 3.50 for an adult, SG$ 1.5 for over 60s and SG$ 1 for a child (below 12).
For more information, call them on 6269 1036 or visit their website: www.mandai.com.sg
How to get there? Bus Nos. 138, 926 and 927 come here from/to Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari (138 also travels from/to the bus interchange, next to MRT- Ang Mo Kio)
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Shop Where the "locals" shop...
If you are planning to visit Singapore Zoo or the Night Safari, you might pass through Ang mo Kio, another large public housing town along the red marked North-South(NS) MRT line.
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Just like in Toa Payoh, Ang mo Kio's "Town Centre" comprises a few open-air pedestrian malls near the MRT station, so you wouldn't have to challenge your navigation skills to find the shops and the eating places...
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Other tours & Places of interest along the MRT North-South(NS) line:
Monasteries and Pagodas near Toa Payoh
MacRitchie Reservoir - A jungle suspension bridge and nature trails
Sungei Buloh Wetland & Little Gwilin - Dramatic natural landscapes
