Name: Singapore
Rating: 4.5

The Singapore Zoo, Singapore Overview

Regarded as one of the best zoos in the world, the Singapore Zoo is spread across a vast area of 70 acres in the Upper Seletar Region. Formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Garden or Mandai Zoo, it is famed for housing the largest captive colony of Orangutans in the world. Another major highlight is the Rainforest Kidzworld, a technicolour play area for the little ones.

Accommodating around 315 species, 16 per cent of which are considered endangered, the Singapore Zoo is divided into 11 zones. Attractions at Singapore Zoo include Fragile Forest (a bio-dome replicating the environs of a rainforest), Great Rift Valley Exhibit (home to exotic species like Nubian ibexes, black-backed jackals, banded mongoose, complete with cliffs and a waterfall), a replica of Ethiopian villages, and encounters with free-roaming butterflies, Malayan flying foxes, two-toes sloths and a myriad of other wildlife.

Activities

Keeper’ Chit Chat: Get to interact with the animal keepers at the Singapore Zoo and learn about different animals. From their history to eating habits, the keepers educate you on plenty of things related to the lifestyle of the animals at the zoo.

Feed the Animals: At the Singapore Zoo, one can indulge in a variety of animal feeding sessions that are interactive and fun. Visitors can buy animal food onsite and enjoy feeding various inhabitants of the zoo like elephants, white rhinoceros, giraffe, and goats.

For Kids: Children can indulge in an array of joyful activities at the Singapore Zoo. They can visit the Bunny Barn and play with furry bunnies and feed them. They can experience the life of cowboys by going on a pony ride that costs SGD 6. Kids can relax and play in the Wet Play Area full of water slides and climbers. They can also enjoy merry go rounds and hang out with zookeepers for learning about the daily routines of the animals at the zoo.

Camping: There are 3 different camps at the zoo that offers a truly unique experience to everyone from adults to young children. The Junio Zoo Keeper camp lets kids between the age of 11 and 14 take up the responsibility of zookeepers and care for the animals for SGD 300. The Sleep with the Beasts Camp is an ideal choice for families travelling with children. Set camp under the open sky and enjoy many perks like night safari for a cost of SGD 190. Lastly, the zoo offers a Zoo Explorer Camp that lasts for 3 days and costs SGD 420, lets kids acquire knowledge animals by interacting and looking after them.

Shows at the Singapore Zoo

Show	Location	Timings
Splash Safari	Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre	Morning: 10:30 AM Afternoon: 5:00 PM
Rainforest Fights Back	Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre	Morning: 12:30 PM Afternoon: 2:30 PM
Animal Friends	Rainforest Kidzworld Amphitheatre	Morning: 11:00 AM Afternoon: 4:00 PM
Elephant Presentation	Elephants of Asia	Morning: 11:30 AM Afternoon: 3:30 PM

Singapore Zoo Tours

Wild Discoverer Tour: A guided tour that takes one through the most popular exhibits of the zoo, along with fun facts about the animals. Tourists are also given the opportunity to feed and interact with rhinos and giant tortoises.
Timings: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM,
Cost:
Adults: SGD 38,
Children (3 - 12 years): SGD 25,

Fragile Forest Tour: This tour involves an in-depth look at the insects of the zoo. One also has the opportunity of feeding the animals of the biodome, especially the bats.
Timings: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM,
Cost:
Adults: SGD 98,
Children (3 - 12 years): SGD 65,

RepTopia Tour: This tour allows visitors to get up close with the reptiles and amphibians of RepTopia, including the sleek snakes and exotic dragons. One will also have the opportunity to feed these creatures.
Timings: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM,
Cost:
Adults: SGD 98,
Children (3 - 12 years): SGD 65

Getting Around the Zoo

Tram: Singapore Zoo is spread over 28 hectares and covering the entire distance on feet can be exhausting for anyone. The best way to explore the area by taking a guided tram ride. Adults need to pay SGD 5 for a tram ride while the ticket for a child between the age of 3 and 12 costs SGD 3. The comfortable tram takes one through different parts of the zoo along with narrating interesting stories about the animals residing there. The unlimited tram rides operate every day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Some of the trams feature wheelchair-accessibility. Head to either of the 4 tram stations to board a tram that offers a relaxing and informative trip.

Stroller: Families travelling with infants or toddlers can rent strollers for a fee of SGD 9. For young children, parents can rent a wagon for SGD 15 that is big enough to accommodate 2 children.

Electric Scooter: Anyone over the age of 16 can rent an electric scooter and enjoy ultimate convenience while exploring the zoo. For the first 3 hours, SGD 20 has to be paid for an electric scooter and SGD 5 every succeeding hour.

Free Wheelchair: The zoo also offers wheelchairs for free to guests.

How to Reach Singapore Zoo

MRT: The north-south MRT line connects different parts of the city with the Singapore Zoo. After reaching the station, board a connecting bus to the multiple MRT stations that are located within close proximity of the Singapore Zoo. These are some options that can be opted:

Khatib MRT Station (NS14) - Mandai Khatib Shuttle
Cho Chua Kang MRT Station (NS4) - Bus no.927
Ang Mo Kio MRT Station (NS16) - Bus no.138
Woodlands MRT Station (NS9) - Bus no.926 (only runs on Sundays and public holidays)
Marsiling MRT Station (NS8) - Bus no.926 ((only runs on Sundays and public holidays)

Mandai Khatib Shuttle: This shuttle service operates to and from the Singapore Zoo to the Khatib MRT Station, the nearest to the zoo. The first shuttle service from the station leaves at 8:00 AM while the last bus departs from the Singapore Zoo Coach Bay at 10:40 PM. In general, it takes approximately 15 mins to cover the distance between the places and the buses run at frequent intervals. The ticket price of a one-way shuttle service is SGD 1 and the ride is free of cost for young children who are 3 years or younger. For purchasing the ticket, either use EZlink or FlashPay card.

Mandai Express: The affordable Mandai Express is the best way to travel from the outskirts of Singapore. This service operates specifically during weekends and on school and public holidays. If traveling from Sengkang, head to the Exit C pick-up point at Sengkang to hop on a bus. The buses from Sengkang run at 8:45 AM and 10:15 AM while the ones from Singapore Zoo operate at 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM. The ticket price for a one-way trip from and to Singapore Zoo is SGD for an adult and SGD for a child.

Direct Bus Services: From the city, either get on the Safari Gate bus, Singapore Attractions Express bus or take private services like StarIsland Travel. The Safari Gate Bus charges SGD 7 for a one-way trip to the zoo, while the cost for a round trip is SGD 12. Singapore Extractions Express connects various hotels to the zoo and the price for a one-way ticket for an adult is SGD 6 and SGD 4 for a child. These fares are the same for the Starland Travel buses.

Taxi or Rental Cars: If looking for a convenient mode of transport, either book a private taxi or rent a car and drive to the Singapore Zoo. The establishment offers a parking facility. The parking rate is set at SGD 3 for the first-hour which rises by SGD2 for every additional hour.