Singapore Night Safari – The World’s First

General Description

Another place you must visit even if you don’t have an interest in animals is the Night Safari. It is the World’s first nocturnal zoo and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore (> 1.1 million visitors per year). The Night Safari occupies 40 hectares of secondary rainforest, and it is adjacent to the Upper Seletar Reservoir and just next to the Singapore Zoo.   We often hear people joke that the animals work 2 shifts and come here after their day job in the Zoo. 😉

You and your family will definitely enjoy the different kind of zoo that operates at night.  As many animals are actually more active at night, you will be able to see how they come to live in their natural habitats at night.   In fact, around 90% of tropical animals are nocturnal and active after dusk. The Night Safari houses around 1040 animals of around 120 different species and 29% of them are threatened. 

The Night Safari has an “open concept” in which you could not find a cage that traditionally houses the animals.  It is open-air and set in a tropical rainforest.  For children and for the family, it will easily be the highlight of your trips.   Even for many Singaporeans, this is a definite-repeated place to visit year after year as there is so much to be offered and children are nagging to come back from time to time.   The Night Safari constantly finds new ways to entertain its visitors.

 

Why this is the top attraction for many visitors, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents?

 

For many visitors who are used to going to zoos where the animals are sleeping during the day and kept 50ft (ca. 15 meters) away from you, this will be a totally different and amazing experience.   Many of my overseas friends are totally thrilled by the ability to see the true characteristics of the wild animals being active at night and being able to just “brushing by” next to them.  

There are so many nocturnal animals, ranging from bats to Indian rhinoceros, and you will surely find one that amuses you.  The atmosphere of the night is not disturbed by the clever design of the lightning, which resembles moonlight and provides enough visibility to see the activities of the animals at night.

 

The Night Safari is only open at night, and it is divided into 8 geographical zones, which you can explore either on foot via the 3 walking trails or by tram.   I would strongly suggest you do both, as each provides a different experience.   I recommend you hop on the tram for a round trip to then decide how to explore later by foot.   The 3 walking trails are the Fishing Cat trail, the Forest Giants trail, and the Leopard trail.   There are 41 exhibits that can be observed on foot, and 18 exhibits could be observed on the tram.  So do both!




Like the Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari is well-known for creating natural habitats and its “Open Concept” where the animals are allowed to roam freely in their “enclosures” which resemble their natural habitat.  You could hardly feel that the animals are enclosed and kept safe away from you, as they seem so close and roaming so wildly.  They’re done that with cleverly designed natural barriers such as the cattle grids that do not obstruct your views and allow the animals to run freely, at the same time keeping the dangerous animals safely away from you.

 

You could take photos with your favorite animals at Night Safari, such as owls and snakes.  It will be a contribution of $5 and proceeds go towards animal conservation.

 

 

One highlight you should not miss is the “Creatures of the Night” show.  It is a performance presented by the animals of the Night Safari.   Cultural performances such as tribal dances, blowpipe demonstrations, and fire-eating are also regularly featured here.

There are food and beverage outlets in the Night Safari such as UIu Ulu Safari Restaurant, Bongo Burgers and Ben & Jerry’s Scoop shop.   There are also Cocktail Safari Express and Gourmet Safari Express.

After visiting it yourselves, you will understand why Singapore Night Safari is the top attraction that offers you the opportunity to experience and be mesmerized by the wonders of the animal kingdom which is wild at night!

Time spent: At least 3-4 hours to enjoy the wonder of nature. Read the suggested itineraries.

Day to visit:

Avoid School Holidays and Public Holidays, as these days tend to be packed with school children and visitors. 

Combined with:  Visits to Singapore Zoo in the Day.

• Get the tram ticket to go around the Safari, which save some energy for your children and have a different experience of the trip.
  
• Many exhibits are best traveled by foot if you have time as you get to see more along the way.
• Be prepared.  Bring an umbrella (for rain), insect repellent and a camera.
• For Singaporean and PR, if your family is really keen to come back more than once a year, it is best to sign up the “Friends of the Zoo” membership which allows free entry to the Zoo, Free parking, Free tram rides and other discounts.
• Before leaving, visit the interesting souvenir shop to get something for your loved ones.

7.00pm to 12.00 mdnight – daily
Resturants and retail shops open from 6.00pm daily.


* Last admission at 11.00pm

Adult: SGD$22.00
Child: SGD$11.00 (3-12 years old)

1. Check the different exhibits with this map.
2. Creatures of the Night Show. Check the time of the show.
3. Cultural Performances. Check the time of the show

By MRT

Depends on where you come from you might decide which is the best route.  For Visitors who stay in the city, choose the first one.

• Alight at Ang Mo Kio station (NS 16) and take bus service 138.
• Alight at Choa Chu Kang station (NS4/BP1) and take bus service 927.
• Alight at Woodlands station  (NS9) or Marsiling station (NS8) and take bus service 926 (only on Sundays and Public Holidays).
• From Changi Airport station (CG2), board the train and alight at Tanah Merah Interchage station (EW4), swith to west-bound train to Jurong East interchage station (BP1/NS4).  Switch again to north-bound train to Choa Chu Kang Interchage station (BP1/SN4) and take bus service 927.
  

By Bus

• From City, take 171 to Mandai Road then alight at the first bus stop (ask the driver) and tranfer to bus service 927.
• From Ang Mo Kio MRT, take bus service 138.
• From Choa Chu Kang MRT, take bus service 927.