Explore Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore in 2 days
In a city known for its hustle and bustle, towering skyline and diverse cultures, you’ll find a green haven tucked away in Singapore’s north. Mandai Wildlife Reserve is a sprawling natural and wildlife destination spanning 126 hectares and featuring four separate parks. With so much to see, we’ve put together a 2-day itinerary to make your visit seamless.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your visit, including an overview of the reserve’s four parks, a full 2-day itinerary, and how to get your tickets. So let’s dive right into the Mandai Wildlife Reserve adventure!
Overview of Mandai Wildlife Reserve
There Mandai Wildlife Reserve has four distinct parks with new features set to open in the next two years, including an eco-resort, a fifth wildlife park and indoor attractions. These four parks include Singapore Zoo, considered the world’s best rainforest zoo and renowned for its open-concept habitats and diverse collection of over 4,200 animals. River Wonders, Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park, is home to over 11,000 terrestrial and aquatic animals. Bird Paradise, opening in May 2023, is Asia’s largest bird park and is home to over 3,500 birds in 10 immersive zones, including eight large aviaries. Finally, Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo, offers a unique experience by revealing the mysteries of the animal kingdom at night. Mandai Wildlife Reserve was recently recognized by the Singapore Tourism Board as an Outstanding Attraction in 2024.
2 Day Itinerary: Mandai Wildlife Reserve
With so much to see at each wildlife park, it’s impossible to cover everything in one day. The best way to see it all is to spread your visit over 2 days. So, we’ve put together a 2-day itinerary to help you visit all the parks and make the most of your time at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. On the first day, you’ll explore Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, and on the second day, you’ll visit Bird Paradise and River Wonders.
Day 1: Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
Start your adventure at Singapore Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with animals in open environments that replicate their natural habitat. Here are our top recommendations for Singapore Zoo:
– Attend the famous nature breakfast on Armen’s terrace, where you can enjoy a delicious local and international buffet in a charming rainforest zoo and meet cute animal ambassadors. The food is sustainably sourced, which is good for both you and the planet.
– Catch Splash Safari at the Shaw Foundation Amphitheater, where an animated California sea lion will wow you with his aquatic skills. The show is suitable for all ages.
– To cover more ground without getting tired, hop on the free tram that takes you through different areas. The tram is included in your ticket and offers informative commentary about the exhibits.
– Explore a multitude of fascinating areas on your tram ride. Hop off to explore the Fragile Forest, a vast 20,000 cubic metre biodome that replicates the rainforest environment. In the Wild Africa section, feed the giraffes and admire the majesty of the white rhinos and lions. Enjoy up-close encounters with farm animals at Kid’s World and don’t forget to stop by the Singapore Zoo Shop for a souvenir of your visit.
– At the end of the day, head to the final stop of this first day of sightseeing: the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. Start your evening with dinner at the ULU ULU Safari Restaurant, where you can enjoy sustainable local dishes in a charming rustic atmosphere.
– What makes the Night Safari fascinating is the four interconnected trails like the East Lodge Trail and the Tasmanian Devil Trail. On the East Lodge Trail, you also get the opportunity to feed the magnificent Indian Rhino for a fee of S$12 per serving.
– To explore the Night Safari, you have two great options: the free Safari Adventure Tram ride or walking along the Safari Trails, where you can encounter more nocturnal animals that are not visible from the tram.
– End your evening with the Creatures of the Night presentation in the 2,000-seat amphitheater, featuring nocturnal animals such as the Asian short-clawed otter, fennec fox and bearded porcupine.
Day 2: Bird Paradise and River Wonders
Start your second day with a visit to Bird Paradise, where you can admire more than 3,500 birds spread across 17 hectares and 10 immersive zones including eight large aviaries. The birds roam in recreated natural habitats. Here are some of the areas not to be missed:
– Explore Ocean Network Express’ Penguin Cove, home to one of the largest inland sub-Antarctic penguin habitats.
– Next, head to the Kuok Group’s Wings of Asia, where Asian birds are showcased in a stunning setting of Bali-inspired bamboo groves and rice fields.
– The Hong Leong Foundation’s Crimson Wetlands is vibrant and colourful with its flamingos, scarlet ibis, roseate spoonbills and roseate spoonbills. – Take a quick break at the Crimson Restaurant, nestled in the beautiful greenery of the aviary, and enjoy stunning views of the wetlands and a menu curated by a local celebrity chef.
– Check out the Lorikeet Loft, where you can feed lorises and lorikeets with homemade nectar for just S$8 per serving while supporting their conservation efforts. – Another must-see is the Wings of the World display, which showcases colourful birds, their flights and natural behaviours. Don’t forget to stop by the Bird Paradise Boutique to take a piece of paradise home with you.
– End your trip with a visit to River Wonders, where you can explore exhibits inspired by famous rivers, encounter diverse wildlife, and learn about river conservation. – Start at River Gems to discover aquatic animals from the Mississippi, Congo, and Nile rivers, including an alligator snapping turtle and a tiger fish.
– Visit the Giant Panda Forest at Pavilion Capital to see giant pandas and red pandas in a habitat that replicates their natural environment.
– For a quiet break, embark on the Amazon River Quest, a boat ride along a simulated Amazon river where you can observe wildlife such as the Brazilian tapir, jaguar and giant anteater.
– Don’t miss the Once Upon a River presentation to learn more about the fascinating aquatic creatures. Tickets for the presentation can be reserved via Mandai’s website or app.
Book tickets with Headout!
Now that we have discussed your trip to Mandai Wildlife Reserve, let’s talk about your ticket options and how to get them to maximize your experience. We recommend you to go for the combo ticket that gives you access to all four parks. If you are short on time, opt for single park tickets or packages that combine two parks of your choice. Also, book your tickets in advance for a seamless experience at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. You can book your tickets for Mandai Wildlife Reserve using the link in the description below. Once you have booked your tickets, also book your entry time slots through the link provided in your confirmation email. Select your preferred dates and times using your booking code and voila, with your tickets and time slots booked, you are all set for an unforgettable adventure at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
And there you have it, an unforgettable adventure through the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Whether you want to explore everything in the destination or spend a few hours among the animals, this video has it covered. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets with Headout today and embark on an extraordinary adventure.
