As far as family-friendly attractions go, the Mandai Wildlife Reserve is pretty hard to top. After all, the wonders of the animal kingdom enthrals visitors of all ages, from feeding giraffes and zebras over at the Singapore Zoo to snapping pics of vividly-coloured macaws at Bird Paradise.
Come this year-end, Santa Claus is not the only one coming to town, as Snoopy and friends are paying a visit to these 2 wildlife parks too. At Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s Festive Wild-erland, the PEANUTS cast will be making cameos in the form of photo spots, interactive activities, and digital and physical trails to complete. Here’s what fans of the beloved beagle can expect:
The festive vibes are aplenty, as the Snoopy Beagle Scouts are also celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Arriving just in time for the school holidays, the upcoming Festive Wild-erland will be sprucing up the Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise with various PEANUTS-themed activities and decor. Spanning over Christmas and New Year’s, it’ll be taking place from 2nd November 2024 to 5th January 2025, giving you plenty of time to swing by.
For starters, kids aged 3-12 can pick up their Snoopy Beagle Scouts Mission Booklet at the Treetops Trail near the Singapore Zoo’s entrance, or at Bird Paradise’s entrance. By referring to a map, budding Beagle Scouts can then take part in a physical trail by visiting a total of 4 checkpoints at each wildlife park.
The little ones will get to wave hello to animals such as orangutans, giraffes, and penguins as they go around completing the activities in their booklets. Aspiring wildlife enthusiasts will learn about how they can work hand-in-hand with the Singapore Zoo to care for animals, while visitors to Bird Paradise get to discover interesting facts about their feathered friends.
Once they’ve completed their trail, they’ll be rewarded with exclusive Mandai Wildlife Reserve x Snoopy Scout badges, serving as keepsakes of their time at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
On the other hand, both kids and adults alike can set off on a digital trail too, and will feature 10 digital checkpoints at both the Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise. You’ll make stops at various animal habitats, like the stunning Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands at Bird Paradise and KidzWorld at the Singapore Zoo.
To embark on the digital trail, visitors will have to download the Mandai App (App Store | Google Play) which will be your handy guide on your journey. Intrepid explorers who complete this trail will receive nifty trinkets too, such as Mandai Wildlife Reserve x Snoopy Scout badges.
Other than the 2 trails, there are a plethora of interactive activities to dip your toes into.
Fans of the OG comic by Charles Schulz can try their hand at drawing comic panels and strips of their own at the Pavilion by the Lake in the Singapore Zoo. When you’re done with your masterpiece, shimmy over to KidzWorld to get a caricature portrait (from $12/pax) of the whole fam, as an artist will be on-site to draw one live within minutes.
Image credit: Singapore Red Cross
Located at Singapore Zoo’s Pavilion by the Lake, there’ll also be activities like a CPR Sprint game conducted by Singapore Red Cross, and bandage technique lessons from Red Cross Youth volunteers. There’s fun and laughter to be had at the mini-games station by CHUMS Singapore too, where you can partake in various games to score sweet prizes.
For those who can’t bear to say goodbye to Charlie Brown and the zoo’s furry inhabitants just yet, consider the Glamping in the Wild: Snoopy Edition ($1,699/tent) experience.
You’ll get to enjoy special Snoopy-themed activities in the day and when the sun sets, unwind for the night in a luxurious air-conditioned dome tent; a special Breakfast in the Wild experience awaits you in the morning, where you’ll get to meet animal ambassadors like the Bengal Eagle Owl.
By the way, it’s the holidays for the denizens of Bird Paradise too, so bless them with new toys this Season of Giving at the Festive Fun for Our Feathered Friends activity.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Happening at the Learning Centre, from 24th-29th December 2024, 11am-11.30am daily, participants will get to craft festive enrichments for the birds. You might even get to see macaws interacting with your handmade creations during the park’s keeper talks; one’s happening at the Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands at 12pm.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
To further flex your creative muscles, Faber-Castell is hosting the ARt Alive activity at the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove too. Visitors can colour in a paper template and watch it come to life in the form of an AR projection.
Afterwards, revel in the holiday spirit at the Wild-erful Christmas Market that’s taking place at Mandai Wildlife WEST, from 20th-22nd December 2024, 11am-7pm daily.
It’ll play host to holiday-themed workshops, live performances, and even a Best Dressed Dog competition. Do take your time to check out the various stores selling festive goods too, which are perfect if you’re planning to do some last-minute gift shopping.
When you’re out and about exploring the 2 wildlife parks, do have your cameras at the ready, as there’ll be adorable photo ops with the entire PEANUTS crew. One can be found at Mandai Wildlife WEST’s event lawn, where a larger-than-life Snoopy inflatable awaits you.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Otherwise, head on over to the Frozen Tundra in Singapore Zoo or the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove in Bird Paradise for a meet-and-greet session with the iconic trio of Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. The sessions will be held on 24th, 25th, 31st December 2024, as well as 1st January 2025, at 11am in the Singapore Zoo and 1pm at Bird Paradise.
There are also a couple of thematic photo spots available to wow your IG audience with. For example, the instantly recognisable red doghouse that Snoopy resides in is recreated at Winged Sanctuary at Bird Paradise, while the kite-eating tree can be spotted at Orangutan Island at the Singapore Zoo.
Should you get peckish on your visit, make a beeline for joints like The Wild Mart at Singapore Zoo, or Bird Bakery and Crimson Restaurant at Bird Paradise. You’ll be able to take a breather at these pit stops, by snacking on Snoopy-themed delicacies.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
These include Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes ($5.90), an Assorted Pizza with Root Beer Combo (from $7.90), and a 3-course Snoopy-inspired Lunch (from $58) at Crimson Restaurant.
As a thoughtful cherry on top, every purchase also comes with conservation included.
Before you head off, do visit either the Singapore Zoo or Bird Paradise Entrance Shop to take home a memento or 2. They’ve got special Mandai x Snoopy merchandise (from $19) to surprise those back at home with, which include apparel, plushies, and drinkware.
Sign up for the Friends of Wildlife membership to get this exclusive Mandai Wildlife Reserve x Snoopy camper Hat.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
For even more Snoopy-related knick-knacks to bring home, sign up for a Friends of Wildlife or Friends of Wildlife Plus membership with promo code <FOWWILD15>. It’s valid from 1st-30th November 2024, and you’ll receive a 15% discount on your membership, along with an exclusive Mandai Wildlife Reserve x Snoopy camper hat that’s limited to the first 500 new sign-ups only.
If you can’t get enough of Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s parks, you’re in luck. They’re running an ongoing admission promotion which allows animal lovers to visit 2 parks for the price of 1. From now till 5th January 2025, visitors who purchase tickets to the Singapore Zoo or Bird Paradise will be able to visit River Wonders for free as well.
Friends of Wildlife members get perks such as annual admission to Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s parks, as well as a slew of discounts when you visit shops within their premises.
Do note that your visit dates will have to be between 2nd November 2024 and 5th January 2025, and cannot fall on 24th, 25th, and 31st December 2024, as well as 1st January 2025.
Since the Festive Wild-erland is here to stay till January of next year, you’ve got plenty of time to plan a visit after your EOY vacations. As such, set aside a day to say hi to Snoopy and gang at the Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise, before we head into 2025 with renewed vigour. We can’t all afford to be as perpetually drowsy as the droopy-eared dog, y’know.
This post was brought to you by Mandai Wildlife Group.
Cover image adapted from: Mandai Wildlife Group
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