You suppose Singapore is a concrete jungle city, sprouted with skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. When dusk falls, streets are well-lit, clean and safe. The city is never too dark to explore. So, what’s so “dark” about this sunny island? Wait till you embark on the journey into the deep tropical forest in Mandai you’ll know.
Look, something is crossing our path in the dark. What’s the big deal? Stray cats are seen everywhere on the island. But hey? Cat? How could it be that big?! I heard someone saying “it’s a fishing cat, silly.”
Further down the trail, it seems like cats are getting bigger. What?! They’ve leopard spots?! Dumb lines.
You hear the hyena laughing and the stealthy leopard stalking you. Sensing someone looking over your shoulder, you turn around and notice a pair of glowing eyes. An icy chill run down your spine in the warm night. The beast is only a few metres away, stretching its muscles and getting ready to pounce on you!
Freak not, you are safe in the World’s first nocturnal zoo – The Night Safari, an open-air night zoo set in a humid tropical forest. You can explore the safari park on foot via three walking trails namely Fishing Cat, Forest Giants and Leopard Trail or by tram.
The park has 2 road loops – East Loop and West Loop. The length of the walkway is 2.8km. That was where I did my walking exercise for 3hrs with the nocturnal creatures! (You know I hardly exercise :P)
The Fishing Cat Trail map.
It’s common to see little squirrels scampering around bushes and trees. However, as we entered the Leopard Trail, I was taken back when three giant flying squirrels appeared right above me, resting on the tree tops. While aiming at those huge squirrels with a seemingly confrontational gesture, I got quite worried that they might go berserk and leap onto me!
Singapore Night Safari is an open-air zoo. As much as you can see here, those needle-sharp quills are no joke OK! They were pointing at us! Prior to reading about porcupines, I thought it was dangerous to stand close to them (we were like 2m apart?). On contrary to popular belief, a porcupine cannot thrust its quills at attackers, unless by contact with it. Has anyone ever seen a porcupine releasing its quills right before your eyes?
For those who are interested to visit Night Safari Singapore, the opening hours are from 7.30pm to 12mn daily. Last admission is at 11pm but I’d suggest you keep your S$22 (Adult admission fee) for just an hour’s visit. The rate is S$11 per child (3 – 12 yrs old). The park is accessible by wheelchair, but there are many slopes, so it’s not easy to push the wheelchair around.
If you intend to visit Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and Night Safari within 1 month, get the 3-in-1 Park Hoppers Special at S$45 adult price (save S$13), child price at S$22.50. There is also 2-in-1 Park Hoppers Special for any of the 2 parks.
Hey! I went to Jurong Bird Park soon after! Stay tuned for that post.
Wah!
So good and so nice!
Ahh, I miss Zoo and Night Safari. always make me tempted to come again at the place.
the night safari was really awesome when i visited the place last year around may. too bad we are not allowed to take pictures of the animals with the flash on. now i totally not feeling the excitement since i’ve been passing mandai many times this couple of days due to my workplace…
@Zara: u visited these parks before? nice! come SG more often. 🙂
@henry: yeah the place is really very dark and sometimes I find it too dark to see the animals too. Also, it’s smaller than the day zoo, which I find the latter better. Chey! So what if you always pass by Mandai, you didn’t enter the zoos wat.. Have you been to the day zoo before? It’s nice! Bring your telezoom along!
oh i’m missing it now! 🙂
Hi ;eunice ,I am glad to be here with you . it seems you are very keen on zoo.right. yes ! I am also interested in zoo more .If you just come directly towards me and ask ” what do you do in your spare time and what kind of things do you engage in usually ?”I say ,”at zoo” .that is , I mostly spend my spare time at zoo . just like that ..
@Jasper: u know the day n night zoos are two different compounds, right? 😀
@Beijinger: ooo you must be an animal lover.
yup eunice, now i know thanks to you 🙂
@Jasper: dun mention pls! 😀 Take care of H1N1 now 😛
hahaha… nice title. i thought that it was something bad as it was the dark side. the night safari sounds really great. i’ve never seen a squirrel yet. id love to see it there.
by the way… you might want me to add in your facebook. i.dongho@gmail.com thanks!
Singapore Night Safari is a nice place. Very well organised and fun! Just love the place…..my kids too….
Singapore is dark, very dark. 🙂
Singapore is a very beautiful city, but like any other normal city it also covers an area which is surrounded by thick forest trees and many wild animals. But as it is a part of this amazing city many people are very interested in exploring it because they want to know what makes it so mysterious.
I love nature and animals. Haven’t been to the Safari before. I wish I can travel to Singapore and visit the Night Safari in the near future.
Mharms
@dong ho: ha Gotcha! yes added!
@peteformation: kids love it, just like our nephews from the States who went to the night zoo with us.
@leafless: hahaha
@Maureen Lopez: Really? ha I didn’t know that it seems mysterious to others, perhaps cos I grow up here.
@Marly: I’m sure u can one day.
I think the last time I was there is more than 10 years ago. The place really is nice. I even bought a t-shirt with the night safari logo that time. still keeping the t-shirt.
@CK: A Night Safari logo t-shirt? how nice.
I’ve been to the zoo but never to the night safari. Looks excellent though it sounds tiring in the Singapore humidity at 2.8km plus a few loops.
The pictures all quite dark huh ~~ thats the problem when i visited night safari too.. haha
Flashing will disturb the animals so best way is to absorb in the mysterious atmosphere of the safari and take a picture of the big Night Safari signboard at the entrance
ZQ
PassportChop.com
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Thank you