Mandai Boardwalk at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve is finally nearing its full completion, with Rainforest Wild Asia set to open in March and the highly anticipated Mandai Rainforest Resort promising an amazing staycay experience.
But while everyone’s hyped about these new attractions, there’s one that’s equally worth exploring that might fly under the radar – the Mandai Boardwalk. This 3.3km walking trail lines the perimeter of River Wonders and Singapore Zoo, offering a peaceful stroll for free. So if you’re heading to Mandai, don’t just zoom straight into the zoo – here’s what you can expect when you take a detour and head to Mandai Boardwalk:
Preparing for the Mandai Boardwalk trail
Mandai Boardwalk is a scenic trail, but tackling it in Singapore’s unpredictable weather can be a challenge. Before making plans, check the weather forecast to dodge sudden downpours and gear up accordingly. We recommend essentials like a trusty portable fan, sunscreen, and a bottle of water. It wouldn’t hurt to bring along an umbrella, for added shade and in case it rains.
The boardwalk is designed to circle the Mandai East area, so you won’t have any access to restrooms, water coolers, or restaurants while on the trail. Once you’ve embarked, it’s just you and nature – so make sure you have a hearty meal, a full bottle, and an empty bladder before you begin your journey.
Iora’s Nest
The best spot for reservoir views & birdwatching
The boardwalk has 2 entrances – Kingfisher’s Cave from the Mandai Wildlife EAST entrance and Tree Frog’s Hangout near the River Wonders entrance.
The Kingfisher’s Cave entrance is a little hidden, so keep an eye out for the sign that points to the boardwalk.
If you decide to start from Tree Frog’s Hangout, you’ll hit a fork in the trail about 5 minutes in.
Marked by a huge tree, the path on the left leads to the rest of the trail while the path on the right leads to Iora’s Nest. But if you’re starting from Kingfisher’s Cave, you’ll walk an uninterrupted trail to this very spot.
Turn right and head to Iora’s Nest first as it’s a lookout point – the highlight of the boardwalk that promises stunning views of the reservoir.
You’ll be treated to scenic views all around you, even if you aren’t at the prime lookout spot yet. Take some time to peer into the shallow waters below to try and spot aquatic life.
Keep an eye out for stingrays playfully gliding in the water, circling the shade and sun, as though trying to say hello. Other animals you could potentially find in the water are mudskippers and the occasional water monitor lizard.
Don’t just focus on the stingrays – take a moment to soak in the lush greenery on both sides of the trail. If you’re lucky, you could spot the star of the show, the Common Iora, hidden amongst the trees.
Iora’s Nest is a visual treat after the long, flat lines of the boardwalk. The curved railings are designed to mimic the Iora bird’s complex nest formations. While the view from the lookout is beautiful, the real highlight is the cooling breeze that’s sure to make the stop even more enjoyable.
The rest stop has plenty of seating, so feel free to rest your feet for as long as you need to enjoy the view.
It’s time to tackle the rest of the trail after a well-deserved break. If you already feel like you had your fill of nature, feel free to leave the way you came, instead of continuing on the path to the left.
Something interesting about this boardwalk is that it isn’t marked by how far you’ve walked, but by the rest stops it has along the way. It’s a great way to take the pressure off and focus less on how much further there is to go. With each stop, you’ll have more time to relax and take in the scenery around you.
Lizard’s Lounge
A rest station inspired by the Malayan Water Monitor
The boardwalk isn’t just a scenic trail – it’s designed with carefully curated plants and vegetation to attract and preserve the natural habitats of the wildlife living in the area. You’re sure to find some sort of wildlife chilling nearby with some patience and a keen eye.
Sure enough, we spotted this spider – no bigger than my thumb – on the way to Lizard’s Lounge. With its legs neatly resting in 4 pairs, it could very well be an Argiope Katherina, a type of orb spider. This is just one of the many cool critters you might encounter along the boardwalk, with the added benefit of being up-close, without a glass wall between you and nature.
One part of this station’s name is right – it’s definitely ideal for lounging. This clearing will treat you to a completely different view of the reservoir, parking you right in the middle. You might even spot a Malayan Water Monitor swimming or basking in the cool water.
The rest stops are not sheltered, so remember to bring an umbrella that’s suitable for both rain and sun.
On your way to the next rest stop, look out for this gigantic leaf that looks like something out of Jurassic Park and take a cute photo beside it before continuing on your journey.
And if that short break at Lizard’s Lounge wasn’t enough, seek respite at this sheltered dock that’s giving serious Pinterest vibes. It’s perfect for photo ops and a break from the unforgiving sun. Plus, photos taken from this angle don’t look like you’re in Singapore at all, so you can pretend you’re overseas to make your friends jealous.
This dock marks the halfway point of the boardwalk, as there are 2 rest stops – Eagle’s Perch and Damselfly’s Wing – left to go.
Eagle’s Perch
Spot wildlife & birdwatch at this rest stop
The path towards Eagle’s Perch appears to be where a family of monkeys live. Keep a lookout for these cheeky primates as they hang out on the boardwalk railings, swinging from tree to tree or even sitting casually right in the middle of the path.
The monkeys we saw were calm and docile, but it’s still best to observe them from a distance and refrain from petting them. Monkeys are also known to be scavengers, so keep plastic and food away from their sight. Feeding them is a big no-no as well.
Don’t fret if you happen to only see 1 or 2 monkeys on your walk; stay a little longer and you might just be rewarded for your patience. We did just that and managed to spot a whole family of them.
Spend some time taking pictures and observing their behaviour. There are even baby monkeys playfully pulling branches down to the boardwalk and adult monkeys munching on berries.
As you venture further down the boardwalk, you’ll notice that the path is lined with metal overhead railings that allow plants to grow into a shaded shelter. It’s a true representation of Singapore – how nature and urban life interact and co-exist.
Eagle’s Perch is probably our favourite rest stop of the bunch. Designed with optimal birdwatching angles in mind, you could spend hours here just waiting to catch a glimpse of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle. Logs are strategically scattered across the area to encourage wildlife perching and double up as a closer viewing point by the reservoir for you to bird watch. If that is your intention, don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars.
And even if you don’t see any eagles, the view is spectacular enough to make the trek worth it. If you reach Eagle’s Perch around 4.30pm as we did, you’ll be glad to know that the weather’s cooler at this time, and you’ll feel a constant breeze picking up at the boardwalk.
Damselfly’s Wing
The final rest station inspired by damselflies & dragonflies
Image credit: Khalisah Zulkarnain
While taking in the scenic views and spotting wildlife is great, your safety is equally important. That’s why this lightning alert pillar lights up during storms, alerting you to leave the boardwalk ASAP. But don’t panic if you’re caught in the middle – there are shelters along the way for you to wait it out until it’s safe to continue.
Before you arrive at the Damselfly’s Wing rest station, you’ll walk through this arch formed completely out of leaves. The branches bend delicately over the path and you’ll be able to take cool sunlight shots through the leaves.
The flora planted around this area are specifically chosen to attract damselflies and dragonflies, so if you’re interested in these winged insects, this stop’s for you.
Take a much-needed break at this rest station – it’s about a 30-minute stroll from Eagle’s Perch to Damselfly’s Wing.
This hut by the reservoir marks the end of the trail if you start your journey from the Tree Frog’s Hangout.
Kingfisher’s Cave
An entrance & exit with cool architecture
There’s still 1 final sight to see as you bid the boardwalk goodbye. The Kingfisher’s Cave is an entry and exit point that features wooden arches mimicking the nesting habits of the Kingfisher.
Is it worth visiting the Mandai Boardwalk?
Mandai Boardwalk is an accessible destination thanks to the gentle slopes and largely flat terrain. This means that anyone from families with young kids to those who don’t do cardio, can all enjoy walking through the space. Plus, admission to the trail is completely free.
For those curious about the rest stops, they are littered throughout the trail and within a manageable distance from each other, so you’ll be able to rest your feet before they start aching.
While we breezed through the trail, feel free to take your time and keep a lookout for critters along your hike. After all, the boardwalk was built to attract biodiversity to the area by enhancing the water-edge vegetation over which it was constructed.
With Mandai Boardwalk’s proximity to Singapore Zoo and River Wonders, you could easily spend a whole day here with an itinerary chock-full of nature, animals, and trekking. You could head to the boardwalk first, or wind down at the trail after a day at the zoo.
Enjoy a stroll along Mandai Boardwalk
With a scenic lookout point and convenient rest stops along the way, the new Mandai Boardwalk is the perfect way to get your steps in, whether you’re a frequent hiker or a nature lover. A full hike around the trail is estimated to take 70 to 85 minutes – be sure to head down early if you’re looking to scale the entire boardwalk as the last entry is at 6pm.
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Photography by Brad Lee.