Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise: The Mandai Guide

Singapore's wildlife parks are among the best in the world, and all four sit together in Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a green corner in the north of the island. The Singapore Zoo pioneered open, cage-free habitats; the Night Safari was the world's first nocturnal wildlife park; River Wonders is home to giant pandas; and Bird Paradise, which replaced Jurong Bird Park in 2023, is the largest bird park in Asia.

This guide covers what to see at each park, ticket prices, timings and how to combine them, with tips for families and senior travellers.

These are standard tourist prices on regular days in 2026; peak days can cost more. Multi-park passes reduce the cost when you visit two or more parks. Our wildlife packages include a two-park Zoo and River Wonders combo, Night Safari admission with the tram ride and, on the 4-night trip, Bird Paradise.

The Singapore Zoo is famous for its 'open concept': animals live in landscaped habitats separated from visitors by moats, streams and glass rather than bars. Highlights include the orangutans (you may see them swinging overhead), white tigers, the Fragile Forest walk-through biodome with lemurs and butterflies, the giraffes and the Rainforest KidzWorld play and water area for young children. Animal presentations and feeding times run through the day; check the schedule at the entrance. Allow 3 to 4 hours.

Next door to the zoo, River Wonders takes you along eight of the world's great rivers, from the Mississippi to the Mekong. The stars are the giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia, in their temperature-controlled home, and the gentle manatees in the Amazon Flooded Forest, one of the world's largest freshwater aquariums. Allow 2 to 3 hours. Because the two parks are side by side, most visitors combine the zoo and River Wonders in one day.

The Night Safari opens in the evening, at around 7:15 pm on most nights. A tram ride with live commentary, about 40 minutes long, takes you through habitats modelled on the Himalayan foothills, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asian forests, where you may see Asian elephants, tigers, rhinos, hyenas and deer under soft lighting. After the tram, walk the four trails for close encounters with smaller animals such as the fishing cat, Malayan tapir and flying squirrels, and watch the Creatures of the Night show.

Flash photography is not allowed, as it disturbs the animals. Wear comfortable shoes and carry insect repellent. Weekend evenings are busiest; arrive at opening time for shorter tram queues.

Bird Paradise opened at Mandai in 2023, replacing the old Jurong Bird Park, which closed in January 2023. It has eight walk-through aviaries themed on habitats from the Amazon rainforest to African wetlands and the Australian outback, home to thousands of birds. Highlights include the Penguin Cove, the Crimson Wetlands with scarlet ibises and flamingos, and the bird shows. Go in the morning, when the birds are most active and it is cooler. Allow 3 hours.

• One day: the Zoo and River Wonders during the day, then the Night Safari in the evening. It is a long day, but there is no travel between parks.
• Two days: the Zoo and River Wonders on one day, Bird Paradise and the Night Safari on another, for a gentler pace.
• With other sights: the Night Safari can be added to a city-tour day, as in our City, Safari & Sentosa Escape.

Mandai is about 30 to 40 minutes by road from the city centre. On our packages, shared transfers take you there and back.

The parks are well shaded, stroller-friendly and full of rest areas, cafés and toilets. Strollers and wheelchairs can be rented at the entrances. Small children love the zoo's water play area and the tram at the Night Safari; senior travellers can see most of the Night Safari from the tram without walking much. Carry water, caps and sunscreen for the day parks.

Each park has restaurants and kiosks, and the Mandai entrance area has more choices, including Asian and international food with vegetarian options. Indian food is available at some outlets. On our Singapore honeymoon package, the Night Safari evening includes dinner at The Courtyard.

Mandai keeps adding new attractions. Rainforest Wild Adventure, part of the newest park, takes visitors through rainforest habitats with treetop trails and close encounters, and can be added to a Mandai day. Each park also runs paid experiences such as breakfast with orangutans, animal feeding sessions and behind-the-scenes tours, which sell out on weekends. Ask us if you would like any of these added to your package; we will check availability for your dates.

• 9:00 am: arrive at the Singapore Zoo as it opens, when animals are active and it is cooler. See the orangutans, white tigers and Fragile Forest.
• 12:30 pm: lunch at the zoo or the Mandai entrance plaza.
• 2:00 pm: River Wonders, with the giant pandas and the Amazon Flooded Forest's manatees.
• 5:00 pm: rest, snacks and an early dinner at the entrance plaza.
• 7:15 pm: Night Safari tram ride, followed by the walking trails and the Creatures of the Night show.

It is a long day, so families with young children often split it across two days, as in our Wildlife Discovery package.

Mandai Wildlife Group runs breeding and conservation programmes for endangered species of Southeast Asia, such as the pangolin, the Bornean orangutan and many bird species. Part of every ticket supports this work, which makes a visit both fun and meaningful, and the parks are a great way to teach children about wildlife and protecting habitats.

For all four parks at a gentle pace, choose the Ultimate Wildlife Escape (4 nights). For the Zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari in 3 nights, choose the Wildlife Discovery. Families who want a mix of animals and theme parks often pick the City, Zoo & Theme Park Getaway or the Singapore Grand Family Holiday.