What to see at the Singapore Zoo
If you asked me what the best zoo that I’ve been to was, the answer would come within seconds – Singapore Zoo. One of Singapore‘s major tourist attractions, this sprawling wonderland of tropical rainforest is a zoo like no other. Singapore Zoo covers over 26 hectares along the Upper Seletar Reservoir and is renowned across the world for its freely roaming animals in spacious, open enclosures. You won’t see any cages or steel fences at this Zoo. Instead, moats and barriers made of vegetation and waterfalls separate visitors from the plethora of animals in a way that makes you feel as though you’re visiting their habitats.
Singapore Zoo is home to over 2,800 animals of approximately 315 species. Many of these animals are endangered, and the Zoo plays a key part in conservation and preservation of these species. Since opening the Zoo in 1973, Wildlife Reserves Singapore also administers two separate wildlife parks adjacent to the Zoo – the River Safari and Night Safari. In this post I will only focus on the Singapore Zoo itself, but I highly recommending going to either (or both!) of these when visiting the Zoo given how close they are.
The Basics:
- Where? 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
- When? Open daily from 8.30AM – 6.00PM
- How much? Single admission to Singapore Zoo is $39.00 SGD (adults) and $26.00 SGD (children). There are discounts available if you pre-purchase a Park Hopper ticket which allows you to visit the other attractions run by Wildlife Reserves Singapore within 7 days of your visit. See HERE for details.
- How to get there? The Zoo is not well connected to the city by Singapore’s MRT service. I recommend getting a taxi or GRAB (about 30 minutes away from the city). Alternatively, the Zoo operates a shuttle from the Khatib MRT station on the North-South Line.
- Website: https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/singapore-zoo.html
How long to spend at Singapore Zoo?
This is a really subjective question and will depend how long you can spend watching the animals. I visited Singapore Zoo, along with the River Safari and Night Safari all within the space of a day. It was a long day, but I think its the best way to take in these attractions when you’re in Singapore for a short period of time, given their close proximity.
If you plan on doing this, I recommend visiting Singapore Zoo first of the three. Its easily the largest and has the most going on. Get there early in the day. Allow yourself at least 5 hours for a comprehensive tour of the Zoo, taking you through to early afternoon.
If you’re wondering how to spend time seeing all of Singapore’s hottest attractions during your visit, check out my recommended 3 day Singapore itinerary HERE.
Singapore Zoo’s “Star Attractions”
There is so much to see at Singapore Zoo. Perhaps the best way to make the most of your time is to focus on what the Zoo regards its “Star Attractions” to assist you in planning the key exhibits to visit. From there you can make your way around to the other nearby animals.
Lets take a look at each of the Star Attractions:
1. Elephants of Asia
Whats a Zoo without Elephants? Singapore Zoo is home to a family of five rare Asian Elephants. These massive herbivores are iconic to numerous Asian cultures, celebrated in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Less than 50,000 of these beautiful behemoths are left in the world however. At Singapore Zoo, the elephants occupy a large area nestled away towards the back of the park. Interestingly, all five of the elephants at the Zoo are females. The current matriarch of the herd is a Sri Lankan elephant (named Komali), but you’ll also find Sumatran elephants here.
The best time to visit this exhibit is around the Elephant Presentation times. Running twice a day (normally at 11.30AM and 3.30PM) this talk sees zookeepers explain the distinct personalities and mannerisms of each of the elephants living at the Zoo and allows you to witness them feeding and frolicking with one another.
2. The Great Rift of Ethiopia – Hamadryas Baboons
The Great Rift of Ethiopia (the real one) formed over 40 million years ago due to seismic forces causing shifts in the earth’s tectonic plates. This resulted in a huge continental crack filled with steep cliffs and rock walls, the rugged terrain which has become home to a myriad of forms of wildlife. This exhibit showcases that wildlife, ranging from Meerkats to Nubian Ibexes, and of course, the star player, the Hamadryas Baboon.
Singapore’s Ethiopian Rift exhibit is home to over 90 Hamadryas Baboons. No matter what time you visit this exhibit, you’re bound to see them up to something. The Baboons seem to have constant energy, always running around, picking fights, grooming and…yes, exhibiting their extreme sex drives. Their antics are not to be missed!
3. Orang-utan Island
One of the most popular exhibits in Singapore Zoo is also home to another of the world’s most endangered species. The Orang-utan is our closest animal ancestor and is accordingly the most intelligent of the primate species, making them a joy to watch as they explore the world around them and go about their lives. The orang-utan exhibit is the shining example of Singapore Zoo’s philosophy when it comes to animal exhibits. Here the animals are completely free-range, swinging from tree to tree above guests. You’ll explore their home along a boardwalk that takes you among the trees for a closer look at the orang-utans around you. Its the first exhibit of its kind in the world.
If you want to get a closer look at the orange apes, stop by this exhibit around feeding time (11AM or 3.30PM). You’ll also have the chance to get a photo taken with an orang-utan for an additional fee.
Singapore Zoo also offers a special Jungle Breakfast package where you can enjoy a buffet breakfast at the Ah Meng Restaurant in the presence of the orang-utans. You can find more details about this HERE.
4. Fragile Forest
The Fragile Forest is a 20,000 cubic metre biodome allowing visitors to explore a tropical rainforest environment, complete with all of its varying inhabitants. Rainforests are home to approximately half of the earth’s biodiversity, despite only covering about 2% of the earth’s surface. Walking through the exhibit, you’ll come face to face with the sloths, lemurs, flying foxes, mousedeer and so much more that call these ecosystems their homes. As you explore the dome you will make your way through the different stratas of the forest, ascending up into the canopy and seeing your surroundings change.
The viewing platform in the middle of the Fragile Forest exhibit puts you right in the heart of the equatorial rainforest. Up here you’ll be surrounded by differing walks of animal life, with lemurs and sloths right next to you. While I visited the Fragile Forest towards the end of my day at Singapore Zoo, just experiencing the living, breathing forest recreation here was one of the highlights of the whole Zoo.
Other exhibits worth seeing at Singapore Zoo
There’s a lot more to see in Singapore Zoo than the above exhibits. Here are just a few of the other themed areas you’ll be able to explore during your visit:
- Treetops Trail: the first immersive habitat as you enter the Zoo, home to the Siamang. Nearby you’ll also find Malayan tapirs, Babirosas and the famous Bengal (white) Tiger.
- Reptobia: this reptile house hosts all kinds of snakes, lizards and other scaly specimens. The nearby Reptile Garden is home to Giant Tortoises and Komodo Dragons.
- Primate Kingdom: see countless monkeys swinging high above you in the tree-tops of this free ranging area. Here you’ll find the Crested Macaque, Colobus Monkey, Douc Langu and Black and White Ruffled Lemur.
- Australasia: all my home country’s favourites are here – kangaroos, wallabies and cassowaries (although surprisingly no koalas!).
- Wild Africa: see the endangered White Rhinoceros, along with African favourites such as the Giraffe, Zebra and Cheetah. Nearby in Cat Country you’ll see the King of the Jungle himself, the African Lion.
Shows at Singapore Zoo
Each day, Singapore Zoo also hosts two different animal shows that take place at the Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre. Both run twice a day and I recommend trying to see both to break up your day exploring the Zoo.
- Splash Safari: taking place daily at 10.30AM and 5.00PM, this show is all about the Zoo’s resident Californian Sea-Lion demonstrating its swimming skills (and likely soaking the front rows of the audience).
- Rainforest Fights Back: taking place daily at 12.30PM and 2.30PM, this show features various species found in the rainforest and explores the important role they all play in this highly diverse ecosystem.
The animals at Singapore Zoo all appear to be extremely well cared for (there’s a reason this Zoo is regarded so highly around the world) and the animals are not exploited in these shows. They are more about educating the audience and showcasing the animal’s natural behaviours rather than rehearsed entertainment routines.
Wrapping Up
There is a lot to see at Singapore Zoo. While its not the most convenient place to get to (particularly considering how easy it is to get around most of Singapore), I have no hesitation in recommending a visit to the Zoo and the other parks operated by Wildlife Reserves Singapore. In my mind, this will be the Zoo to which I compare any others I visit in the future. I was very impressed with the exhibits, even after hearing about the Zoo’s reputation beforehand. There’s just something about this Zoo that sets it apart from any other that I’ve visited and I think the immersive rainforest atmosphere is a big part of that. Spend a half day exploring Singapore Zoo. You won’t be disappointed.
