New things to do at Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
While the thought of an overseas year-end holiday is undeniably tempting, the socially responsible – and cautious – among us are still more than happy to stay on Singapore’s shores a little longer. But that doesn’t mean that we’re resigning ourselves to a quiet and boring Christmas.
If you’re still scouting for novel things to do to end the year on a high note, Mandai Wildlife Reserve is giving you more than one reason to make a trip down for Christmas: Wild About Twilight – A Pangolin’s Tale at Night Safari, and the final season of Rainforest Lumina at the Singapore Zoo.
From augmented reality walking trails to a snowy rainforest experience, here’s what in store:
Go on a Pangolin-themed adventure at the Night Safari
Night Safari is back again with Wild About Twilight – A Pangolin’s Tale, with the spotlight this year on Berani, their rescued Sunda Pangolin that has recovered from orthopaedic surgery – the world’s first for a Pangolin – and moved into a new home.
Sunda Pangolins are a species of critically endangered mammals that lowkey resemble anteaters and are native to our shores. Discover fun facts about these unusual mammals and how you can play a part in their conservation through fun interactive activities.
You’ll even get an opportunity to meet a pangolin mascot up close
There’s much more to do at Night Safari than just marvelling at the sight of nocturnal animals. If you’re the sort who likes to take charge of your adventure, then download the Animal Quest app and follow Berani the Sunda Pangolin on two walking trails around the park to uncover other endangered species in a series of challenges.
Interact and take pictures and videos of the Augmented Reality (AR) animals you meet along the way, and complete the two trails to unlock rewards.
Look forward to “bumping into” hidden endangered animals such as the Asiatic Lion and Striped Hyena – Pokemon Go style.
Uncover IG-worthy photo spots around the park
Pics or it didn’t happen. The animals – real and augmented ones – won’t be the only stars this time round. You’ll find that little nooks of the park are fully decked out with twinkling fairy lights – perfect for romantic photo spots with your +1 or dreamy OOTDs.
Use the exclusive Night Safari themed stickers to spruce up your IG stories
For the full experience, we highly recommend topping up an additional $15 to access the event’s special features such as a VR movie, Wild Explorer Panels, Animal Doodles and AR photo booth.
Journey with Pangolin – VR movie, sensory zones and AR photo booth
We might not be hopping on a plane down under, but you can still take a little virtual trip around the world with the help of some VR goggles. Put on your explorer boots and journey with Kirra, an Australian explorer, through Tasmania to Singapore on a mission to find the Sunda Pangolin.
Get ready to meet native animals of the different countries such as the Echidnas and Wallaby from Australia, and the Orang Utan from Indonesia as you journey along. Observe them in their natural habitats to find out more about their respective quirks from unique looking snouts to far jumps.
Besides getting up close and personal with the animals, the fun of going to Night Safari is in reading all those information panels to get little tidbits of fun facts about each species.
Look out for the Wild Explorer Panels to unlock extra knowledge and take quizzes on the animals encountered during your VR journey. In addition, you’ll also be educating yourself on how you can help in the fight against the extinction of pangolins.
For a more hands-on experience, head to the Wall of Senses that features a multi-sensory wall tapping on your sense of touch, hearing and sight. Dip your hand into the individual boxes and try guessing which animal it’s meant to represent.
Unleash your inner artist with Animal Doodles where you get to colour printed animal drawings and see them come to life on an LED screen. Thereafter, head to the AR photo booth for a photo opportunity with an AR Sunda Pangolin to immortalise your trip to Night Safari.
What’s even better is that the digital pictures are absolutely free to keep so snap away and pose along with the virtual animals. You’ll also have the option to send the pictures to your personal emails for keepsakes.
Get your hands on limited edition Pangolin merch
What’s a trip to Night Safari without picking up a little souvenir from the gift store? Get your hands on an exclusive range of Pangolin-themed lifestyle products like pouches and tote bags designed by artist Thong Keen.
Merch designs are done by The Animal Project, a social enterprise that supports and features work by artists on the autism spectrum who are passionate about animals.
Dates: Now till 31st December 2021
Explore the magical Rainforest Lumina at night with upgraded zones
Even if you haven’t been to Rainforest Lumina, you’ve surely heard about it and seen aesthetic pictures of an illuminated Singapore Zoo on your social media feeds. Back for a third and final season, this year’s Rainforest Lumina is all set to impress with its line-up of mesmerising exhibits and trails showcasing the luminescent beauty of the rainforest at night.
From now till 13th February 2022, go on an enchanting walk through the different zones – now with new upgrades.
At Shimmering Islands, dance along to music and dazzling, pulsating lights – with more bulbs added for an even more epic show.
Get your photo ops at Garden of Virtues where you’d get to pose with each of the Creature Crew – the Zoo’s animal characters – at each zone
At Sing Like An Animal, clap as loud as you can into the sensors located at the exhibit and watch the forest come to life in a display of light and sound.
You’ll be treated to an explosion of colours as the Creature Crew emerges to greet you
Wave goodbye to the Creature Crew while enjoying the laser light display at the Farewell zone
To wrap up your trip to Rainforest Lumina, enjoy a trippy audio-visual cosmic laser light show at the new Farewell zone, which was previously known as the Wall of Fame.
Get into the Christmas spirit with “snowfall” and craft activities
If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, you’re in luck. For the first time ever at Singapore Zoo, you’ll be able to experience “snowfall”. This surreal experience will take place between 7.45PM – 11.15PM, so you’ll have plenty of time to bask under snowflakes in a winter wonderland.
Dates: Every Friday to Sunday from 10th – 26th December 2021
For an additional fee starting from $5, you can also try your hand at making Christmas ornaments and wreaths at craft workshops happening in the evenings from 7.30PM-11.30PM.
Dates: Every Tuesday to Sunday from 18th November 2021 to 2nd January 2022
Celebrate Christmas at Night Safari & Singapore Zoo
Whether it’s rubbing shoulders with pangolins and other endangered species or documenting the last of 2021 in all of Rainforest Lumina’s fairy light glory, there’ll be lots to see and do at Night Safari and Singapore Zoo this year-end.
Wild About Twilight: A Pangolin’s Tale runs until 31st December 2021 and Rainforest Lumina runs until the 13th Feb 2022 so there’s plenty of time for you to book your tickets and check it off your bucket list!
Better yet, if you’ve got your sights set on hitting up Night Safari, purchase your admission tickets by 17th November and visit by 18th November 2021, and you’ll be privy to 40% off your total bill when you go in a group of two.
Those still hoarding their SingapoRediscovers Vouchers can take this opportunity to utilise them before they expire at the end of the year!
Find out more about Wild About Twilight: A Pangolin’s Tale & Rainforest Lumina here
Night Safari
Price: $63.60 (For two adults) | $43.20 (For two children) from now till 17th November 2021
Getting there: Take bus 138 from Ang Mo Kio MRT Station or pay $1 to take the Mandai-Khatib shuttle from Khatib MRT
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Opening hours: 6.30PM-12AM, Daily
Rainforest Lumina at Singapore Zoo
Regular Price: $18 (Adult) | $14 (Child) | $14 (Senior Citizen)
Promo Price: If you’ve purchased tickets to Night Safari, top up $10 (Adult & Senior Citizen) | $8 (Child) for entry
Opening hours: Thu – Sun, eve of PH & PH, 7.15PM-12AM
This post was brought to you by Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Photography by Clement Sim.
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
