Besides its natural habitats, wealth of diverse flora and lush green spaces, Singapore is home to a multitude of ecological parks, aquariums and farms, making it a great destination for animal-lovers in search of adventure and discovery.
Whether you’re journeying beneath the waves at S.E.A. Aquarium™ or discovering teeming wildlife amidst the natural habitats of the Singapore Zoo, these locales are bound to deepen your love for all creatures and the rich habitats they inhabit.
Singapore Zoo—To walk with majestic wildlife
Kickstart your journey of discovery at the Singapore Zoo, a 26-hectare, rainforest-themed environment that’s home to over 2,400 animals.
Unlike conventional zoos, the denizens of the Singapore Zoo are housed in “open concept” environments, with habitats simulating their homes in the wild. The zoo’s 11 zones include Primate Kingdom—home to chimps of all shapes and sizes—and the Australasia exhibit, which features fascinating creatures like wallabies and kangaroos.
To bolster your understanding of animals through face-to-face encounters, be sure to participate in the Jungle Breakfast With Wildlife program, where you’ll get to have a meal alongside snakes, orangutans and cotton-top tamarinds.
Alternatively, inculcate an early love for nature and wildlife in your little ones by paying a visit to Rainforest Lumina. This multimedia night walk melds light, sound and story into an enchanting nocturnal display across ten interactive zones.
Singapore Zoo. 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. +65 6269 3411.
Daily 8.30am-6pm.
Night Safari—To romp with creatures of the night
Creatures of the night are brought to light at Singapore’s Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal theme park. Perfect for animal-lovers looking for an after-dark adventure, the establishment is home to 2,500 animals that hunt and roam at twilight, and under the cover of night.
The park’s 35 hectares of dense rainforest are home to many species native to the region, making it a great place for aspiring zoologists to learn more about Southeast Asian wildlife. Animals that call the Night Safari home include tapirs, flying foxes and Malayan tigers.
Visitors travelling with children or the elderly should consider embarking on the tram ride instead of hoofing it across the safari’s compound. The trip will last for approximately 40-minutes, weaving through six regions that evoke the Himalayan foothills and jungles of Southeast Asia.
Night Safari. 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. +65 6269 3411.
Daily 7.15pm-midnight.
S.E.A Aquarium™—To uncover aquatic treasures
Make the depths of the ocean your new world to explore at S.E.A Aquarium™, which comprises of 50 different oceanic habitats and 100,000 aquatic creatures, from leopard sharks to manta rays.
The establishment’s various attractions include the interactive Coral Garden, the Shark Seas Habitat and the Open Ocean Gallery. The latter is one of the world’s largest aquariums and home to over 800 species of marine life, from outgoing bottlenose dolphins to deadly hammerhead sharks.
Resorts World™ Sentosa. 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269.
Opens daily 10am, closing time varies. Please visit the official website for more information.
River Safari—To voyage along rivers
Freshwater habitats are as fascinating as their briny counterparts, as evidenced by the myriad charms of the River Safari. Asia’s first-and-only themed wildlife park is inspired by many of the world’s most famous rivers, ranging from the Mississippi to the Yangtze.
The park’s inhabitants—some 240 species of amphibians, mammals and reptiles—are spread across these themed areas. You’ll be able to espy giant pandas, feed manatees, and embark on the Amazon River Quest. As you cruise past habitats inspired by the world’s largest tropical rainforest, you’ll come face-to-face with jaguars, maned wolves and giant anteaters.
River Safari. 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. +65 6269 3411.
Daily 10am-7pm.
Gallop Stable—To hone your horse-riding skills
If you’ve always dreamed of being a cowboy or a knight on horseback, Gallop Stable will bring you one step closer to achieving your goal.
While revolvers and medieval armour aren’t included, this beloved establishment is a popular destination for those looking to hone their horse-back riding skills. You’ll find a plethora of horse-related activities to embark in, including lessons, trail rides and pony feeding for the little ones.
Gallop Stable at Horsecity (Bukit Timah). 100 Turf Club Road Singapore 287992. +65 6463 6012.
Tue-Sun 8am-8pm.
Gallop Stable at Pasir Ris. 61 Pasir Ris Green Carpark C, Singapore 518225. +65 6589 9665.
Tue-Sun 8am-8pm.
The Cat Café—To befriend cats over a cup of coffee
If your notion of a peaceful afternoon involves a cup of hot coffee and a feline curled up in your lap, you need to pay The Cat Café a visit.
A tranquil eatery that doubles up as a home for stray kittens and abandoned moggies, this charming little realm of adorable felines is the perfect destination for cat lovers. The café comes stoked with toys and treats to entertain the cats, and you won’t have to bring anything to befriend your new furry acquaintances. Parents should take note that there’s a minimum age restriction of six and above for visitors to the café.
The Cat Café. 241B Victoria Street Level 3, Singapore 188030. +65 6338 6815.
Mon 3-10pm; Tue-Sun 10am-10pm.
The Animal Resort—To encounter a menagerie of farm animals
You’ll want to hail a cab if you’re looking to visit the Animal Resort, nestled along Seletar West Farmway. A hidden gem that has its own rustic appeal, this animal-lover’s haven will give you an authentic taste of kampong (traditional village) life during the early stages of Singapore’s development.
The animals who make their abode here are a charming assortment of avian, domestic and farm creatures, from ducks and rabbits to a retired race horse. Most of the animals here roam the ground freely, and visitors are welcome to feed them with packs of food from the counter.
The Animal Resort. 81 Seletar West Farmway 5, Singapore 798061. +65 6482 1160.
Daily 10am-5pm.