12 best zoos, nature reserves & parks in Singapore to spot wildlife
While Singapore is not known for its wildlife because of its lack of forested land, there are several zoos, nature reserves, parks and other animal hotspots in the urbanised city-state where you can catch a glimpse of wildlife.
These protected areas offer opportunities to see native species in their natural habitats. Wildlife hunters often spot otters, birds, and even large mammals such as the wild boar.
Check out our list of the 12 best zoos, nature reserves and parks in Singapore to spot wildlife.
1. Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo is a 28-hectare zoo at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. It is known for its naturalistic, open exhibits and houses over 4,200 animals from 300 species.
Fragile Forest teems with wildlife from the different equatorial rainforests, which house more than half of all terrestrial life forms on Earth. As you enter the 20,000 cubic metre biodome and walk by the ocellate river stingrays and ducks in the pond, be greeted by Malayan flying foxes swooping above or stopped in your tracks by the crowned pigeon.
RepTopia has over 60 species of reptiles and amphibians from 4 geographical zones, a third of which have never been seen here before. Species include the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard with a poisonous bite, the Aldabra giant tortoise, one of the largest tortoises in the world and the Estuarine crocodile, the crocodile with the widest distribution.
Adult Resident Ticket from S$44.10 & Child (Aged 3 to 12) Ticket from S$30.60 at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
+65 6269 3411
Daily: 8.30am – 6pm
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2. River Wonders
River Wonders, formerly known as the River Safari, is a river-themed zoo and aquarium located in Mandai. Discover over 11,000 land and aquatic animals from 260 species there.
The Amazon Flooded Forest sees forests along its banks submerged in over 10 metres of water. On display for the first time in Asia, the giant river otters are social creatures that form close-knit groups. Other species include the Altum angelfish distinguished by 3 black and brownish stripes, and the Arapaima with copperish-green heads and upturned mouths.
Another must-visit zone is the Mekong River, which houses the world’s largest freshwater animal species. At this exhibit, which is the size of 4 double-decker buses, get up close to river giants such as the Mekong giant catfish, giant freshwater stingray and Siamese carp.
Adult Resident Ticket from S$38.70 & Child (Aged 3 to 12) Ticket from S$27.90 at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
+65 6269 3411
Daily: 10am – 7pm
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3. S.E.A Aquarium
The S.E.A. Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums. The aquarium houses over 100,000 marine animals representing 1,000 species across more than 40 diverse habitats.
Find out how shipwrecks become artificial reefs and house sea creatures at Shipwrecked, one of its largest habitats. Species in the exhibit include the Zebra Shark, which starts life with zebra-like stripes but, as they mature, they develop spots on a yellow-coloured body.
Their Open Ocean Habitat is teeming with life with over 40,000 marine creatures across 120 different breeds. The species include the Giant Grouper, one of the world’s largest reef-dwelling bony fish that can grow up to 2.7 metres, and the Leopard Whipray, which is aptly named after the leopard patterns on its body. These bottom-dwellers are found near reefs.
Ticket from S$31 at Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
+65 6577 9977
Daily: 10am – 7pm
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4. Night Safari
Situated within Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. It has over 900 animals from 100 species, of which nearly 41 percent are threatened.
The Tasmanian Devil Trail brings you down under to the natural wonders of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea. Set off to meet marsupials including the Tasmanian devil, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, the sugar glider, which can glide through the air, much like a flying squirrel and the brush-tailed possum, the second-largest of the possums.
Another must-visit zone is the Pangolin Trail. Here, get up close with some of Southeast Asia’s native animals, including the Sunda pangolin, the Asian small-clawed otter and the Sunda slow loris. We bet you didn’t know that the Night Safari was the world’s first facility to successfully breed the Sunda pangolin in 2011, with 2 more successful births since then.
Adult Resident Ticket from S$44.80 & Child (Aged 3 to 12) Ticket from S$31.20 at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
+65 6269 3411
Daily: 7.15pm – 12am
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5. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is a major park in Singapore, located in the popular heartland of Bishan. The “Bishan otter family,” a group of smooth-coated otters, is also known to reside at the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. The otters frequently swim in the river that runs through it.
At this nature reserve, spot birds of the likes of the Purple Heron, White-Breasted Waterhens and the Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker. The slow-moving waters also make the park the ideal home for dragonflies, including the Common Bluetail and the Yellow-Tailed Ashy Skimmer.
The Butterfly Habitat, which was established by a group of students, houses more than 30 species of butterflies. These include the orange Tawny Coster, which has deep orange wings with narrow black outer borders and black wing spots and the Plain Tiger Butterfly, which has orange wings with a broad black apical border that bears a series of white spots.
Entry to the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is free.
1384 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569932
1800 471 7300
Daily: 24 hours
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6. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a 1.7-square-kilometre nature reserve in Singapore’s geographic centre, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, the city’s highest natural peak.
Smaller animals within the reserve include millipedes, carpenter bees, and many different types of insects and spiders. Common insect species include cicadas and giant forest ants.
The crab-eating macaque, a species of monkey, is common in the reserve. The monkeys also enter the area surrounding the park and are common enough that there are worries that interactions with people will alter their behaviour. Feeding the monkeys is prohibited.
Monkeys are not the only mammals found in the park. Other mammals include the Malayan pangolin, Malayan flying lemurs, the plantain squirrel and the slender squirrel. The lemurs, which are generally nocturnal, can be seen clinging to trees during the day every so often.
Entry to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is free.
Hindhede Drive, Singapore 58931
1800 471 7300
Daily: 7am – 7pm
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7. Kranji Marshes
One of the country’s largest freshwater marshes, Kranji Marshes, is situated on the northwestern shore of Kranji Reservoir. It features a diverse set of plants and animals.
Located just 15 minutes from the visitor entrance, the 15m-high Raptor Tower gives a panoramic view of Kranji Marshes and Kranji Reservoir. There are also various hideout shelters and blinds along the trails where you can observe the wildlife, especially birds.
Look out for the Black Bazas and Japanese Sparrowhawks during the migratory period from November to March, or raptors such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle. Spot marsh birds such as the Common Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, kingfishers and bitterns at the Marsh Station.
Admission to the Kranji Marshes is free.
11 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Singapore 718814
+65 6794 1401
Daily: 7am – 7pm
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8. Labrador Nature Reserve
The Labrador Nature Reserve, also known locally as Labrador Park, located in southern Singapore, houses the sole rocky sea-cliff on the mainland island that the public can enter.
If you like birdwatching, keep a lookout for the Oriental Magpie Robin, a distinctive black-and-white bird with a long tail that is held upright as it forages on the ground or perches and the Black-Naped Oriole, a golden-yellow bird with a band on its eye and its hindcrown.
Raptors include the Brahminy Kite, which has a white head and breast that contrasts with otherwise brown plumage, the Oriental Honey-Buzzard, a brown raptor with a small head, and the Black Baza, a raptor with a white breast and discoloured white stripes on its belly.
Entry to Labrador Nature Reserve is free.
91 Labrador Villa Road, Singapore 119190
1800 471 7300
Daily: 7am – 7pm
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9. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, known for its mangroves, is the country’s first ASEAN Heritage Park, a protected area which has unique biodiversity and ecosystems.
During the migratory season from August to April yearly, catch sight of flocks of Whimbrels, Common Greenshanks, Common Redshanks and Pacific Golden Plovers. If you can’t make it, take in the beauty of resident birds, including herons, egrets, kingfishers and sunbirds.
The reserve is also home to reptiles. Keep your eyes out for the Malayan Water Monitor and rarer species such as the Clouded Monitor and the Dumeril’s Monitor. Also, look out for the Estuarine Crocodile. It can be seen basking on land or floating on the surface of the water.
The smooth-coated otter has also been known to appear at the park. Usually spotted in pairs or small families, the creature is active during the day and night and feeds on fish.
Entry to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is free.
301 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718925
+65 6794 1401
Daily: 7am – 7pm
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10. Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 166-year-old tropical garden situated at the fringe of the Orchard Road shopping district in Singapore. The park is one of three gardens, and the only tropical garden worldwide, to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Gardens serve as an important habitat for both migratory and resident birds. Spot birds such as the Buffy Fish-Owl and the Oriental Pied-Hornbill, mammals including the long-tailed macaques, otters, and reptiles of the likes of the Malayan water monitor lizard.
The Gardens is also home to sightings of rare wildlife. These include the endangered Sunda pangolin and the cinnamon bush frog, and unique species such as the Blue Nawab butterfly.
Entry to the Singapore Botanic Gardens itself is free. But admission to the National Orchid Garden, within the park, requires a ticket (S$15 for adults & S$3 for students) to enter.
1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
+65 6471 7138
Daily: 5am – 12am
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11. Chestnut Nature Park
The Chestnut Nature Park is a community space for cyclists, hikers and birdwatchers. Suitable for adrenaline junkies, the reserve features rustic hiking trails and biking routes.
The Chestnut Nature Park houses endangered birds such as the Straw-headed Bulbul and Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher, and species such as the Banded Woodpeckers and Little Spiderhunters. You won’t miss the latter 2 thanks to their bright colours and distinct cries.
If you are not a birdwatcher, there are more than feathered creatures at the park. Watchful hikers have reported seeing not just squirrels but also mouse-deers and even flying lemurs.
Chestnut Nature Park, with its forested areas and streams, is a great place to spot insects, including butterflies, caterpillars, beetles, dragonflies, spiders, and even praying mantises.
Admission to the Chestnut Nature Park is free.
Chestnut Avenue, Singapore 679514
1800 471 7300
Daily: 7am – 7pm
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12. Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin is an island northeast of mainland Singapore. Cycling trails and footpaths crisscross the hills, going past the abandoned granite mines and traditional kampongs.
Among the attractions on the island is Chek Jawa, an intertidal area that supports various ecosystems. It houses marine wildlife comparable to other islands, such as sea hares, sea squirts, octopuses, starfishes, sand dollars, fishes, sponges, cuttlefishes and nudibranches.
Pulau Ubin also houses diverse bird species, both common and rare. These include shamas, barbets, dollarbirds, bee-eaters, coucals, parakeets, pittas, shrikes, and bulbuls. The island is also one of the sole places in Singapore where the Southern Pied Hornbill can be sighted.
To reach Pulau Ubin, catch a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, which operates from 6am – 7pm, for a 10-minute ride at S$4 per person (with an extra $2 for bicycles).
Entry to Pulau Ubin is free.
51 Lorong Bekukong, Singapore 499172
1800 471 7300
Daily: 6am – 7pm (Bumboat)
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