It’s been over 2 years since we mournfully bade farewell to Jurong Bird Park. In its place, Bird Paradise at Mandai has been beak-oning since its soft launch on 8th May 2023. Visitors can also explore the free-entry public node of the park, Mandai Wildlife West, that’s connected to Bird Paradise. It’s got 3 play areas and a handful of F&B eateries, including Gelato Boutique and Sandwich Bar by Birds of Paradise.
Let’s first talk about Mandai Wildlife West, which is open to the public, with no entry fee. Directly connected to Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild ASIA, this section of the park has 3 play areas, the Pangolin Adventure, Pangolin Hideout, and the Forest Steam Trail for the little ones to run amok.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
There are also 3 themed sections of the park, including the mangrove-themed Forest Stream, canopy-inspired Epiphytic Cluster, as well as a Foraging Trail that’s based on the medicinal resources within rainforests.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Also look out for the Green Roof, a sheltered linkway connected to the car park that has flowering plants that should soon attract plenty of bees and butterflies.
A&W hotdogs.
Image credit: Eatbook
Of course, a day out in the sun is incomplete without some food. Once you’re famished from all the exploring, tuck into plenty of new eateries, including A&W, Collins, and Gelato Boutique and Sandwich Bar by Birds of Paradise. Other F&B options include:
In line with their sustainability efforts, there’ll also be a local zero-waste store, Unpackt – a retail, cafe, grocery, and event space that promotes zero-waste. Plus, food waste will be processed in a “food digester” within Mandai Wildlife West. Throughout the park, you’ll also be able to find bike racks, charging stations for electric vehicles, plenty of recycling bins, and water points to stay hydrated.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
There’s plenty to look out for before you even enter the park, starting with the 84m-long archway at the entrance of Mandai Lake Road, adorned with carvings of animals.
The main arrival area is also not to be missed, with a cascading 10m-tall waterfall welcoming you to Bird Paradise. Visitors will be able to take a close-up shot from the foot of the waterfall as well as walk to the top via a winding path for a wide-angle, top-down shot. Those who have been to Indonesia may also realise that this was inspired by the Madakaripura waterfall.
Now on to what the lot of us are the most curious about: the main attractions at this bird park in Singapore. Some highlights and must-knows about the 17-hectare wildlife wonderland at a glance:
Bird Paradise joined 3 other existing wildlife parks – Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Wonders – at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, alongside the all-new Rainforest Wild ASIA. There are also more green spaces, and the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree that opened in April.
The park spans around 17 hectares, significantly smaller than the 20.2-hectare Jurong Bird Park. Yet, it remains the largest of its kind in Asia, home to 3,500 birds from more than 400 species.
Think you can’t go around the world in a couple of hours? Think again.
Bird Paradise will take bird-watching to a whole new level. If you’re a nature lover who has always dreamt of going to different countries to marvel at animals in the wild but just can’t muster enough leave days, you can traverse different geographical regions within this bird park in Singapore.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
There are 8 walk-through aviaries with different immersive environments showcasing geographically-appropriate features, vegetation, and bird species of each region:
Each aviary begins and ends with an informational hub that doubles as a resting point with interactive photo ops. Now you know exactly where to go when you need to escape into an air-conditioned place.
That said, there are no bins in the aviaries, so please keep your rubbish with you and dispose of it once you’ve exited the premises.
One of the park’s main highlights, which you’ll find closest to the entrance, is the Heart of Africa, a 1.55-hectare aviary with over 800 African birds spanning across 70 species. It’s the largest walk-through aviary dedicated to the colourful birds of the continent. The bird you’re most likely to spot here is 1 of the 8 species of Turacos.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Those familiar with the birds of continental Africa would’ve probably heard of bee-eaters, a group of colourful birds that eat bees and other flying insects such as dragonflies. At Heart of Africa, you’ll get to see them in action as they dive and swoop to catch insects mid-air in the aviary.
Animal lovers looking for close encounters can sign up for the feeding sessions (from $8), during which you’ll get to interact with Starlings, African Hornbills, Barbets, and Pelicans.
If young ones want to have a go, perhaps the most gentle of the lot is the flock of Lories and Lorikeets found at Lory Loft. The bird keepers will hand you some homemade nectar to attract these colourful birds.
Here’s another tip: there are feeding bowls all over the park, so if you want to capture a zoomed-in video of the birds in action, this is where you need to camp with your cameras ready. Do remember to book a feeding session online before your trip.
Starlings feeding at Bird Paradise
Feeding times: 9.30am & 2pm, Daily
Location: Heart of Africa
Lories & Lorikeets feeding at Bird Paradise
Feeding times: 11am & 3.30pm, Daily
Location: Lory Loft
Cassowary feeding at Bird Paradise
Feeding times: 1pm, Daily
Location: Mysterious Papua
Shorebird feeding at Bird Paradise
Feeding times: 10am & 4.30pm, Daily
Location: Wings of Asia
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
If you’d like a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the ins and outs of the park, sign up for a Backstage Pass to the Avian Healthcare (from $78.40/pax) or meet the penguins at the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove (from $118.40/pax).
Backstage Pass: Avian Healthcare
Tour times: 2pm – 3pm, Daily
Locations: Avian Hospital, Avian Nutrition Centre & Breeding Centre
Backstage Pass: Penguin Encounters
Tour times: 10.30am – 11.30am, Fri – Mon
Location: Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove
Those who have visited Jurong Bird Park would probably be familiar with its iconic Waterfall Aviary. Well, you can find a tribute to it at Crimson Wetlands, where a 20-metre-tall waterfall lies, inspired by one of the highest waterfalls in Colombia.
This is home to the Scarlet Ibises and Roseate Spoonbills, alongside the fan-favourite colourful macaws, who can be found here.
Here’s your chance to get really close to the parrots and snap your ‘Gram-worthy shot.
Of course, how could we miss out the birds of Southeast Asia? Transport yourself to the bamboo forests and sloping rice terraces of the region at Wings of Asia. Beyond aesthetics, the landscaping with a labyrinth of bamboo provides sustenance for the animals living in the habitat.
Here’s where you can find 20 different species of hornbills, including new ones such as the Knobbed Hornbill and Sulawesi Hornbill – both native to Indonesia. This area is dubbed “the world’s largest living genetic reserve of hornbills under human care”.
This is also the section where you have the opportunity to feed fish to the pelicans. Fun fact: they’re all named after characters from Finding Nemo.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
If the weather’s too humid for you, head into the Penguin Cove. It’s a cold saltwater habitat that mimics the living environments of different species of penguins, such as the Gentoo Penguin, King Penguin, Humboldt Penguin, and Northern Rockhopper Penguin.
It’s a penguin parade!
There are 2 dining experiences: Penguin Cove Cafe and Shop, a casual cafe overlooking the surface of the “Arctic”, and Penguin Cove Restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant below from where you can observe the penguins diving underwater while enjoying a meal.
Here’s an uber-cool fact: 24% of the residents at Bird Paradise, Singapore are said to be threatened species – the highest percentage listed under human care in a single zoological park. After all, the topic of avian conservation is a huge part of Jurong Bird Park’s ethos.
Get the rare chance to marvel at these endangered birds with your own eyes at the Winged Sanctuary, a zone specially dedicated to birds of high conservation value. This includes critically endangered species like the Philippine Eagle, Vietnam Pheasant, and Negros Bleeding-heart.
Remember the iconic Kings of the Skies and High Flyers from Jurong Bird Park? There are similar shows here as well – Predators on Wings and Wings of the World – with new surprises for visitors. As the name suggests, Predators on Wings will feature predatory birds, such as eagles, vultures, hawks, and owls.
We all know parrots can talk, but you might be surprised at how intelligent these creatures really are, and you can learn more by attending the Wings of the World presentation. No bookings are required for either of these live shows, but seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Here are the show times available at Bird Paradise park.
Predators on Wings
Show times: 10.30am & 2.30pm, Daily
Location: Sky Amphitheatre
Wings of the World
Show times: 12.30pm & 5pm, Daily
Location: Sky Amphitheatre
As you make your way out of the bird park, you’ll encounter the Bird Paradise gift shop. It’s the spot to shop for colourful souvenirs that are actually useful. In addition to cute plushies in the shapes of all sorts of birds, you’ll find wearables such as caps and tees.
Penguin Cove retail store.
Folks who are all about the green lifestyle can head to the sustainable section featuring merch made from recycled materials. Btw, there’s also a gift shop at Penguin Cove.
You must have realised by now that this bird park in Singapore is ginormous and you’re going to be on your feet most of the time, so wear comfortable shoes. If you do get tired of walking around, however, there is a free in-park tram that can ferry you from the entrance to the Central Plaza.
Those travelling by public transport can hop on to the $2.50 shuttle service that picks you up from Khatib MRT Station and drops you off at Bird Paradise. If you’re driving, the parking charges are $3/first-hour, but capped at $10/entry, so you can even stay all the way till the park closes.
Parents with kiddos can rent a trike or wagon at $18 for the full day to drag their kids around. The wagon even has enough space to hold small items. And if you don’t want to be lugging around your stuff all day, rent a locker from $12 to store your belongings and just bring along the essentials.
Given Singapore’s unpredictable weather, we’d say you should pack a poncho or umbrella as well as snacks and a water bottle to hydrate on the go. Don’t forget to lather on sunscreen and wear a hat to protect from the sun and potential bird poop.
Last, but not least, plan your route in advance and check out the timings for each activity so you won’t miss out on important highlights such as the shows and feeding sessions. This can easily be done via the Mandai App which also has the map and all the park information you may need.
This SG60, the park has a promotion from now until 31st August 2025. You and a friend can enjoy 2 tickets for $60, and youths, 13 to 17 years old, can snag 3 tickets for $60. From September, tickets at Bird Paradise will revert to the usual prices of $49/adult, $34/child, and $20/senior citizen.
To enjoy even more benefits and discounts of up to 20% off, sign up for a free WildPass. This pass can be used across all Mandai wildlife parks and includes discounts on the admission ticket.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
It doesn’t matter if you’re a bird lover or an average Singaporean looking for new things to do in Singapore. Bird Paradise has plenty to anticipate, from eateries to fascinating enclosures to explore.
Admission: $49/adult | $34/child | $20/senior citizen
For more animal reads:
Photography by Gavin Chua.
Originally published by Dewi Nurjuwita on 11 October 2022. Last updated by Nathan Koh on 5th August 2025.
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