Zoo & Night Safari

Whatever you do while you’re in town, don’t miss the Singapore Zoo and its next-door neighbour, the Night Safari While Singapore is a tiny island on the world map, the city’s lack of land hasn’t stopped it creating some of the most beautiful nature areas in Asia. Possibly two of the best examples of this are the Singapore Zoo and its next-door neighbour the Night Safari. Playing host to over 1.3 million visitors a year, the Singapore Zoo is one of the Lion City’s most popular attractions. It’s not hard to see why either, as open and natural enclosures mix with lush greenery and an amazing array of animals. Opened in 1973, the Singapore Zoo covers 28 hectares and is home to 3050 animals from 290 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. It’s not the numbers however that make the Singapore Zoo a brilliant place to visit while in town, rather it’s the way the zoo is presented. Gone are the ugly cages of old-style zoos, and in are the open enclosures that allow the animals to roam freely. So successful have these enclosures been, and the resulting contentedness of the animals, that the Singapore Zoo is hugely successful at breeding endangered species. One notable example of the Zoo’s breeding programme is the birth of Inuka – the first and only polar bear to be born in the tropics! Others to have been bred here include rare Proboscis monkeys and white rhinoceros. Of the exhibits, one of the best has to be the eco-exhibit, Hamadryas Baboons – The Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, which showcases the entire ecosystem – with animals, human culture, plants and geology – typical of Ethiopia. Covering the area of about 1.5 football fields, this exhibit has been transformed into a multitude of habitats for a wide range of animals, rock formations and tribal villages. Meet the orang utans Of all the animals, the Singapore Zoo is especially famous for its Orang utans. Home to 24 orang utans, the Singapore Zoo has created the first free-ranging facitlity for these creatures anywhere, letting visitors better observe these primates up close and witness their natural behaviours. The free-ranging area comprises tall trees, thick branches, abundant foliage and vines which replicate the animals’ natural environment. The Orang utans’ free-ranging area is open from 10.30am to 5.30pm daily and about five orang utans will be on display each time.   Night Safari Next-door to the Singapore Zoo, you’ll find the Night Safari. Home to over 900 animals, the Night Safari opens from 6pm to midnight daily allowing you to observe the animals in their nocturnal habitats. Also, while you’re here, try the alfresco dining under the stars at Bongo Burgers. Alternatively, for group bookings, try the Gourmet Safari Express. On the Gourmet Safari Express, dinner is served on board a specially decorated tram which winds its way through the lush secondary forest of the Night Safari. While savouring the four-course meal with wine, listen to the “live” commentary as the tram guide regales you with tales and facts on the denizens of the night. Reservations: call (65) 6360 8500 or email catering_sales@zoo.com.sg.   Getting to the Singapore Zoo & Nigh You can take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio, then bus 138 to the Zoo or you can also take the MRT to Choa Chu Kang Station then take bus 927. For more information (including prices, telephone numbers etc...) about both the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, see The Zoo & Night Safari listing in the Central Singapore section.