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At the Night Safari in Singapore, the Animals are not Sleeping or Hiding
Published by Mary Chong, Writer
Country: Singapore 
The Experience
Touted as the world’s first zoo that’s only open at night, the Night Safari in Singapore is a must-see, and will no doubt be the highlight of your trip to Singapore. Opened in 1994, the Night Safari occupies over 40 hectares of land and houses over a thousand animals. The close proximity directly next to the Singapore Zoo makes a visit to both parks a great adventure to see in one day—albeit a long one. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the Night Safari is really just the Singapore Zoo explored at night. The Night Safari is a totally different park, and an entirely different adventure.
The developers of the Night Safari really did a great job creating this animal experience. The surroundings and atmosphere are designed in such a way as to trick your senses into believing that you are watching the animals in their natural habitat. Lighting mimics the soft glow of the moonlight, and the barriers that keep the animals from the visitors are so well hidden and disguised that it’s as if you are on a real safari, and you are sneaking up on them. You can’t help but whisper for fear of scaring them away. At times, it even feels as if you are intruding as you watch the animals actively eating, roaming and interacting with each other in the moonlight. It’s a pretty amazing sight being on safari at night in this night zoo.
The Night Safari is open daily from 7.30 p.m. until midnight, but the entrance plaza, retail shops and restaurants open at 6.00 p.m. While you’re dining in the restaurants or queuing up to beat the rush, the Night Safari knows how to keep you excited for what’s to come by entertaining you with a Bornean Tribal performance from a group of very buff, very loud, half naked, fire-eating acrobats complete with drums, dancing and stunts called The Thumbuakar. They perform throughout the evening in the entrance plaza, and draw a large crowd.
The only other entertainment is The Creatures of the Night Show. This is an animal performance show that runs for approximately 20 minutes, where the trained animals show off their skills to the delight of the huge audience in the amphitheater. Be warned, there is a very long queue for this show, and the animals don’t always perform on cue, but this is a good, fun and welcome rest break.
Every ticket purchased includes a guided tram ride, and this is perfect for an overview of this safari at night. You are only permitted to ride the full tram route once per ticket, although you can hop off midway at the “East Lodge” stop and hop back on later to continue the rest of the tour. The tram does a big loop through the entire park grounds, journeying across eight geographical areas: Himalayan Foothills, Nepalese River Valley, Indian Subcontinent, Equatorial Africa, Indo-Malayan Region, Asian Riverine Forest, and the South American Pampas and the Burmese Hillside.
The tram takes you through areas not accessible by foot as well as areas where some of the less aggressive animals, like deer and Malayan Tapir, are allowed to roam free. You really do get up close and personal on the tram ride. So close in fact that you may be tempted to reach out and touch them—but don’t. You are in a zoo, after all!
For in-depth viewing of the animals, there are four walking trails scattered throughout the park. A very popular trail is the “Leopard Trail” where you can walk inside two separate enclosures, and where the giant flying squirrels and the fruit bats fly free. Another don’t-miss attraction is the Asian otters on the “Fishing Cat Trail”. These little guys seem to look up at you with this startled expression on their faces as you approach. It’s as if you stumbled into their party, and caught them in the act!
At most zoos, the majority of the animals are sleeping, hiding, or just lazing around warming themselves in the bright sunlight. The Night Safari isn’t one of those zoos. As I quietly wandered through the park trails and saw that the midnight hour was fast approaching, I was already planning for another visit back.
The developers of the Night Safari really did a great job creating this animal experience. The surroundings and atmosphere are designed in such a way as to trick your senses into believing that you are watching the animals in their natural habitat. Lighting mimics the soft glow of the moonlight, and the barriers that keep the animals from the visitors are so well hidden and disguised that it’s as if you are on a real safari, and you are sneaking up on them. You can’t help but whisper for fear of scaring them away. At times, it even feels as if you are intruding as you watch the animals actively eating, roaming and interacting with each other in the moonlight. It’s a pretty amazing sight being on safari at night in this night zoo.
The Night Safari is open daily from 7.30 p.m. until midnight, but the entrance plaza, retail shops and restaurants open at 6.00 p.m. While you’re dining in the restaurants or queuing up to beat the rush, the Night Safari knows how to keep you excited for what’s to come by entertaining you with a Bornean Tribal performance from a group of very buff, very loud, half naked, fire-eating acrobats complete with drums, dancing and stunts called The Thumbuakar. They perform throughout the evening in the entrance plaza, and draw a large crowd.
The only other entertainment is The Creatures of the Night Show. This is an animal performance show that runs for approximately 20 minutes, where the trained animals show off their skills to the delight of the huge audience in the amphitheater. Be warned, there is a very long queue for this show, and the animals don’t always perform on cue, but this is a good, fun and welcome rest break.
Every ticket purchased includes a guided tram ride, and this is perfect for an overview of this safari at night. You are only permitted to ride the full tram route once per ticket, although you can hop off midway at the “East Lodge” stop and hop back on later to continue the rest of the tour. The tram does a big loop through the entire park grounds, journeying across eight geographical areas: Himalayan Foothills, Nepalese River Valley, Indian Subcontinent, Equatorial Africa, Indo-Malayan Region, Asian Riverine Forest, and the South American Pampas and the Burmese Hillside.
The tram takes you through areas not accessible by foot as well as areas where some of the less aggressive animals, like deer and Malayan Tapir, are allowed to roam free. You really do get up close and personal on the tram ride. So close in fact that you may be tempted to reach out and touch them—but don’t. You are in a zoo, after all!
For in-depth viewing of the animals, there are four walking trails scattered throughout the park. A very popular trail is the “Leopard Trail” where you can walk inside two separate enclosures, and where the giant flying squirrels and the fruit bats fly free. Another don’t-miss attraction is the Asian otters on the “Fishing Cat Trail”. These little guys seem to look up at you with this startled expression on their faces as you approach. It’s as if you stumbled into their party, and caught them in the act!
At most zoos, the majority of the animals are sleeping, hiding, or just lazing around warming themselves in the bright sunlight. The Night Safari isn’t one of those zoos. As I quietly wandered through the park trails and saw that the midnight hour was fast approaching, I was already planning for another visit back.
When to Go to Singapore Night Safari
The best time of year to visit the Night Safari are the months of April, May, October and November, although Singapore can get very hot and humid throughout most of the year.
Monsoon season is December to early March and from June to September.
Monsoon season is December to early March and from June to September.
Odds n' Ends
No flash photography is allowed throughout the Night Safari as the light will damage the animal’s eyes.
The park is accessible via Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), car and taxi, and the Singapore Attractions Express bus with pick up locations throughout the city, and also calls there too. If you are travelling via MRT, bear in mind that the MRT system closes at midnight.
Wear comfortable footwear and be aware that the lighting is quite dim on the paths and walking trails; so do be careful not to trip. Insect repellent is advisable as you are in a rainforest.
If you plan on visiting the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park as well, take advantage of the combo ticket for discount pricing.
Last admission is at 11 pm.
The park is accessible via Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), car and taxi, and the Singapore Attractions Express bus with pick up locations throughout the city, and also calls there too. If you are travelling via MRT, bear in mind that the MRT system closes at midnight.
Wear comfortable footwear and be aware that the lighting is quite dim on the paths and walking trails; so do be careful not to trip. Insect repellent is advisable as you are in a rainforest.
If you plan on visiting the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park as well, take advantage of the combo ticket for discount pricing.
Last admission is at 11 pm.
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