Picture this: 9-year-old me with a backpack full of snacks, a disposable camera, and a good dose of insect repellent to boot. Where was I off to? None other than Singapore Zoo, which remains my favourite school excursion to date.
It’s been well beyond a decade since I – along with many fellow millennials – have stepped into the magical animal kingdom tucked away in the wilderness of Mandai, along with other wildlife parks like River Safari that’s a stone’s throw away, and Jurong Bird Park.
There’s a good reason to pay them a visit again this July, ‘cuz Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) will be holding a youth-exclusive* 1-for-1 offer for their parks this month! With an arsenal of new photo-worthy spots and classic exhibits we know and love, here’s what to look forward to:
*For ages 13-30. More information below!
Alas, the legendary Ah Meng left an orangutan-shaped hole in our hearts when she passed 10 years ago. Today, her legacy lives on in the form of her granddaughter – the new Ah Meng – whom you can find at none other than Orangutan Island.
Catch Singapore Zoo’s animal icon and her family swing from vine to vine in their free-ranging habitat – the world’s first in fact – that also comes with multi-tier platforms and hammocks for a midday snooze.
The entire area is connected via a boardwalk where visitors can expect a 360° view of the orangutans in their element – perfect for a panoramic shot.
For an extra special picture with the animals, make sure to be there during feeding time. It’ll be held at orangutan photo spots, so see if you can score a selfie for the ‘gram.
Photo Spots: Free-ranging Orangutan Island
Time: 11AM, 3:30PM, 4:30PM
Location: Orangutan Island
Good ol’ 2005. The year international icon King Julien blessed our screens with his appearance on the hit movie Madagascar. Fast forward 13 years and the kids of the 00’s can finally meet him IRL right here at Singapore Zoo…um, his distant relatives at least.
Enter Fragile Forest; a biodome that simulates the different environmental “layers” of the rainforest habitat. From shy mousedeers peeking from the bushes below to rainbow-hued parrots flying up above, you’ll definitely spot a critter no matter the direction you’re looking in.
BRB, fangirling.
And of course, get ready to move it, move it with adorable ring-tailed lemurs akin to King Julien. Keep your eyes peeled and if you’re lucky enough to have the lemurs near enough, you’ll be able to catch a selfie with them. Be sure to have your phones ready for a Boomerang!
Selfie with Ring-Tailed Lemurs
Location: Fragile Forest
Transport yourselves from the tropical rainforest to the grasslands of Singapore at Wild Africa, where the zoo’s resident giraffes, Marco, Lucy and little Jubilee, can be spotted. Arrive on time and you’ll even get to give them a treat – there are 3 giraffe feeding time-slots throughout the day. All proceeds from feeding sessions go towards conservation efforts too! :’)
Image credit: @___zolya___
Visitors can feed them on an elevated platform, so there’s no need to be on your tip-toes here. Here’s a trick: Hold the carrot by your face to get a little “kiss” from the giraffes as they try to take the carrot – just make sure to ask the keepers if you can try it first.
Giraffe Feeding
Time: 10:45AM, 1:50PM, 3:45PM
Price: $5 per basket
Location: Wild Africa
Bouquets? Aww.
A handmade card? Awwww.
Giant otters swimming around you? *crowd goes wild*
Special day or not, put that 1-for-1 offer to good use by bringing bae on a date to the River Safari, where a family of giant river otters awaits. Watch them swim around you in an acrylic tank, through which you can interact with them. If you’re lucky, you might catch the lil pups playing with rocks or chasing bubbles in the water!
“Play” with the otters by sliding your hands around the tunnel. We did NOT wanna leave after this!
These cheeky animals are actually an endangered species worldwide. However, River Safari’s special breeding programme plays a part to ensure the future of giant otter populations are secured. Phew.
Fun fact: Otters are 10/10 cute across the board, but they actually come in many different species. The riverbanks of Pasir Ris and Bishan are teeming with smooth-coated otters, and the ones you see at River Safari are giant river otters native to the lands of South America.
Location: Amazon Flooded Forest
You’ll meet 3 capybaras at the show – Moe, Jelly, and Peanut.
Animal shows were the highlight of every trip to the zoo as a child, and it doesn’t have to stop at that. In the park’s newest presentation Once Upon a River, guests can look forward to learning all about the aquatic world of river animals such as great white pelicans and the largest rodent in the world, the capybara, which can be fed after the show, which runs daily for no charge.
Bravehearts can also have a go at coming face to face with reptiles like pythons and iguanas.
Once Upon a River
Time: 11:30AM, 3:30PM
Location: Boat Plaza
Are you thinking what I’m thinking? That’s right. Penguins…in Africa. Not exactly 2 words you’d expect to see together, but here’s a fun fact for ya: Not all penguins live in the sub-zero climate of Antarctica.
Hailing from the south-western coast of Africa, these little fellas now call our sunny shores home – spot them swimming in their pool or lazing indoors with some extra air-con to boot. Visitors can also learn more about African penguins during an interactive feeding session with the keepers, where you’ll get a plate of 4 fish for just $2.
Fun fact: Their lifespan ranges from 15-20 years in the wild, and up to 40 years in captivity.
African Penguin Feeding
Time: 10:30AM, 3:30PM
Price: $2 per tray
Location: Penguin Coast
Stepping into Lory Loft is like watching a rainbow come to life. With up to 7 species of brightly-coloured lories and lorikeets, this walk-in aviary makes for a stunning visual treat.
Speaking of treats, you’ll be in for a one-of-a-kind experience here too; hand-feeding hungry lories. They’re quite a friendly lot, so there’s no need to worry about fighting for their attention.
This 2-tier feeding tower comes with a 360° view and is accompanied by various photo spots like a spiral staircase and this suspension bridge.
Feeding @ Lory Loft
Price: $3 per cup
We may no longer be primary schoolers with an excursion coming up, but that doesn’t mean Singapore’s parks shouldn’t be a part of our plans anymore. This July, Wildlife Reserves Singapore is bringing youths* an exclusive 1-for-1 promotion for admissions into Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park.
*Note: Valid for local residents ages 13-30, weekday admissions only. Terms and conditions apply.
Image credit: Wildlife Reserves Singapore
So whether it’s to go paktor with the Kai Kai to your Jia Jia, or to relive your childhood with a BFF, we can assure you’ll be having an otter-ly good time while you’re at it.
Singapore Zoo
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore (729826)
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 6PM (Daily, Last entry at 5:30PM)
River Safari
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore (729826)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 7PM (Daily, Last entry at 6:30PM)
Jurong Bird Park
Address: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore (628925)
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 6PM (Daily, Last entry at 5:30PM)
This post was brought to you by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
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