Singapore Night Safari ~ world's first safari park for nocturnal animals

80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore 729826

This huge signage awaits when you arrived in Mandai Lake.

Before we visit Singapore, Balong and I went on several discussions about the list of attractions to visit in here. We came up to an idea that all the top 20 best attractions of Singapore should be on our bucket list in order not to fell gutted if we missed it up. There are some attractions here that are absolutely free but there are also some spots that require spending a few bucks to experience it.

Waiting for our bus 138 in Ang Mo Kio station which direct us to Singapore Night Safari.

Supposed to be our main concern was just 20 attractions but we came up with the list of around 30 as we were in doubts about which attractions to choose. There are some areas that put us in reservations because usually both have the same purpose but different perception like our trip to Singapore's 'The Flyer' and the 'Marina Bay Sands SkyPark' in Bayfront Avenue. They both encompass the bird’s eye view of Singapore's signature skyline but we don't know which spot to pick. 'The Flyer' is considered as the world's largest observations wheel but when you’re in 'Sands SkyPark', it is a bit dwarfed in terms of structure. And wanna know what our verdict was?  We ended up selecting both attractions then, they may have the same panoramic view 'at some point' but seeing Singapore in two different platforms is way more than words can say.

Our bus 138 seems empty; however, when we arrived at the park, there were already many tourist queuing to buy the tickets.

We thought that it was the only issue we have to solve but the qualms happen again between Singapore Zoo and Singapore Night Safari. Both are zoological garden and the only difference is the day and night setting of the park. To solve the dilemma, when we checked-in the first night in our hotel, we asked our receptionist what he thought about Night Safari. He clearly said 'a visit to Singapore is incomplete if Night Safari is not on top of our list'; so, here we go again, we decided to visit both attractions, that's why we bought the 'Park Hopper 3-in-1 combo ticket' in Jurong bird Park 4 days ago.

One of the signage in the entrance that briefly explains about the biodiversity of  tropical animals.

Our visit to Night Safari started from Sentosa Island right after our siesta in Tiger Sky Cafe. Balong and I asked BFF Lemwuel, who is based in Singapore to go to Mandai Lake coz after 3 days we will be leaving SG and we need to use the 3-in-1 ticket which includes entrance to Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and Singapore Night Safari that cost us SGD 69 each around P2,300.oo or USD 53 per person. We already visited the Bird Park and the Zoo the other day and Night Safari is the last attractions we haven’t visited yet. After BFF agreed that he is willing to accompany us; we traveled instantly via MRT to Ang Mo Kio (NS16), then alight Bus 138 to Mandai Lake for 40 minutes I guess.

Sculptures of endangered animals in the vicinity that seems real.

I like the mode of transportation here in Singapore. It’s easy, convenient and tourist friendly as most of the attractions here is accessible by MRT. Night Safari is way out of the city center but traveling is just a piece of cake sans the traffic. If you messed up and got lost, you don’t need to worry as everyone knows where the location is and there are so many signage that will help you out. Singapore is an English speaking country, therefore asking questions is the least of your worries too.

Brochures are available in the entrance but Balong brought this  fresh from the hotel.

We already visited Singapore Zoo two days ago and we supposed to visit Night Safari right after but since that day is our first meeting with BFF Lemwuel; he invited us to have dinner in Makansutra in Marina Bay.

The park usually open at 5:30 PM and we arrived an hour earlier, we decided to have a cup of coffee first at the nearby Singapore Zoo because there are so many café and restaurant just at the entrance. 

The preserved replica of the pangolin and the anteater.

After a few minutes of chitchat, we headed to the entrance of Night Safari which is filled with many information about conservation and protection of our environment. There are explanations how this park was created and how we need to support their cause. Several sculptures of crocodile, rhinoceros, elephant family, pangolin, and a replica of a group of 'malay ancestors' that seems reals are also scattered outside of the park. I haven't seen an 'anteater' for real and the closest experience we can get is their preserved body enclosed in a glass.

The three tickets we bought that cost SGD 35 each.

At exactly 5:30, the park opened and there were already so many tourists queuing to buy tickets. Since Balong and I already bought ours in Jurong Bird Park, we waited for Lemwuel to buy his which cost him SGD 35 that includes a free one-round ride with the tram. We checked the vicinity first before going in and asked the information if they happen to have a locker room where we can leave our bag. I forgot how much we paid for the locker cabinet but it was around SGD 1 I guess. It's like a locker in the gym where you need to drop coins to open it and don't ever forget your number combination. 

There are so many souvenir shops around just in case you wanted to buy some memorabilia.

There are so many souvenir shops and restaurants that surround the area. If ever you forgot your dinner then try Bongo Burger that offer several delights like pasta, hotdogs, fries and burgers. Another restaurant with a little bit of rustic feel is the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant which offers a choice of Asian or Indian buffet. For ice cream lovers, there is also Ben and Jerry's ice cream cafe just opposite to the information desk.  

The thumbuakar show that features tribal dance performance and fire-eating stunts.

Before we experienced the adventure and the thrill inside the park we were entertained by fire dance show comprising of dancers from 'Borneo' whom they called themselves Thumbuakar Tribe (combined words meaning 'growing roots'). It is considered as one of the highlights of the whole safari adventure which features tribal dance performances with fire-eating stunts. The feeling was like transporting you really in the midst of the jungle along with the ethnic tribes. It's a crowd pleaser I may say since there were so many tourists surrounding the stage.

The highlight of the whole show. Performers gather in the center while making a ball of fire.

The interesting part of the whole fire-eating show is when all the performers gather together in the center and they manage to form a ball of fire that move from one place to the other. By the way, prepare yourself as they sometime pick guest randomly in the audience to go upstage to participate. They may not allow you to drink and emit kerosene to produce fire but be prepared for a few surprises during the show. 

Tourist of different nationalities queuing for the tram ride.

After we watched the performance, we get ourselves queued in one of the alley for the tram ride. Kudus to the one who materialized this idea, as the atmosphere here is really astounding! They really make you feel apart from civilization as it felt like a step into an African tribal setting. The ambiance was literally successful in creating a jungle-like mood. One could feel the nostalgia of darkness where you can only hear the sound of crickets. 

Carved totem situated in every part of the vicinity

The entire area is surrounded with torches, carved totems, and the shed that leads you in is like you're entering a huge forest lodge complete with old gas lamp. The park tram is camouflage too with animal prints and the staff is complete with safari uniforms. There were so many tourists that day, around 5 trams lined up just to accommodate the entire guest. If I am not mistaken each tram can handle around 100 to 150 passengers.

An open tram experience, be ready to be amazed and captivated by the beauty of nocturnal natural world.

The exciting and exhilarating part is when the open-tram starts to budge through the darkened moonlit surroundings. Each tram has its own raconteur that explains every features of the park. It introduced us to all sorts of animal that come within inches from the tram. Water buffalo, babirusa, spotted/striped hyenas, Malayan tapir, lions, giraffe, elephant, grant's zebras, leopard, rhinos, Malayan/Bengal tigers are just examples of all the animals that we witness firsthand. What's great is when we passed through the gathering of deer; they were just around a few 'INCHES' away from us where you can barely touch them while they were having their dinner.

The Himalayan Thar, the first group of animals we've seen while on the tram ride.

Looked how curious this tigress be? She seems waiting for yummy dinner huh? waaaaaaaaaaa scary!

Please take note that camera flash is strictly prohibited and all the staff enforce this rule so expect no outstanding shots in here. If you're planning to take photographs, bring a camera that has an adjustable shutter for low light or night time. The flash is banned so as not to scare or disturb the animals. Some animals tend to be aggressive too after seeing bright light from the darkness of their natural environment. The only thing we have is silhouette but you've probably been to a zoo and pretty sure you know what the animals look like then (hehehe!).

The silhouette of pygmy hippo.

Personally, the idea here is just you and the animals. You may have company along the way but the feeling is like you're walking/traveling in a jungle where no one is around. It feels like you're surrounded by carnivorous animals ready to have you as their dinner (ahahaha!). It's kinda creepy at times though and the low lighting conditions add to that excitement. It's an open concept like Singapore Zoo where you can see up close with the animals. There is no obvious fence in here but instead to keep tourist away from danger, dry and wet moat were present in each enclosure. You can watch animals playing, prowling, feeding, and preening in the grounds.

Giraffe having dinner  in its enclosure.

Darkness aside, your eyes have to be really sharp to catch any movement as there are some areas where the animals are quite far from you. If you have a problem with night vision, you may not probably appreciate the whole tour then. One more thing, if you're sensitive to mosquito bites then apply an insect repellant before coming here as there are hundreds of them waiting (ahahaha!).

Family of Ankole Cattle, the distinct feature is their towering horns.

Thanks to the recommendation of our hotel receptionist as our exciting adventure in Night Safari was an experience not to forget. It's really great to see animals in their semi-natural habitat. The park is unique because of the extraordinary thrill and nostalgia that awaits every visitor. I definitely suggest this to everybody to see the park in different light. Somehow magical, as common as they are, in short I truly love this place.

Indian Gharial, don't messed-up with them or else you know what will happen next hehehe..

It keeps you away from the norm, a visit here is truly remarkable. If given a chance to come back in Singapore, we'll put the doubts aside and will surely revisit this place with our families and friends. In the end, we enjoyed ourselves and we ended up tired and exhausted yet every moment we spent was truly worth it.

The leopard trail.

An Asian elephant the biggest of its kind.

So there you go, once you're in Singapore this is a must-do to visit.

Have a great day/night everyone.

Enan signing off.

Cheeriossss!!!!

Smile :)

A gift bought by BFF  in Singapore Night Safari . Thank you for everything BFF. :)