river safari and night safari

A Guide to the Singapore Night Safari: Worth It?

Every city has certain must-see attractions, and Singapore is no exception. The first time we visited, we basically had to squeeze all the best things to see in Singapore into a day and a half.

Our friends were not impressed. “Next time, you have to go to the Singapore Zoo Night Safari!” they insisted. So peer pressure and thumbs-up TripAdvisor reviews talked us into visiting an attraction without knowing what to expect. The only thing we knew for sure was that we’d never hear the end of it if we didn’t make it to the Singapore Night Safari the next time we passed through the country.

After having visited twice, here’s our hard-learned travel guide to the Singapore Night Safari. Is it worth it? Read on to find out.

What is the Singapore Night Safari, anyway?

If you’re thinking that Singapore Night Safari is just another zoo, you’ve got another think coming. I mean, it’s not like going to the regular zoo at night. This is a separate attraction, right next to the Singapore Zoo, where they keep all the animals that do nothing but sleep while the sun’s out.

This is where you get to spy on those critters and see what they do after the gates close for the day.

If this idea intrigues you, read on. Maybe our review will help you determine if the Night Safari is worth your time and money.

Why visit the Singapore Night Safari?

There are several reasons to visit the Singapore Night Safari: its unique nocturnal setting, diverse animal species, close encounters with animals through the tram ride and paths, and spectacular shows. Visits also support conservation efforts and educate visitors about the importance of protecting these animals.

#1 nightlife attraction in Singapore

When Night Safari opened in 1994, it was the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. The man who came up with the idea was a genius ( you can read his story here ). The Singapore Night Safari is considered a world-class attraction, and it welcomes more than 1.1 million visitors a year!

It has also become a significant conservation, rescue and research facility. Most encouraging of all, it has successfully bred a number of endangered species, including Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, fishing cats, Malayan tapirs and Asian lions.

The park’s lighting has been specially designed to be only as bright as the full moon, and since animals are used to that, they are awake and active. Visitors have to find their way around with only the “light of the moon” as a guide, but if you have ever gone camping, you will know that it is adequate.

As you might imagine, flash photography and flashlights are prohibited, not only for the well-being of the animals, but for the safety of others. Being suddenly blinded by an unexpected flash can really mess with your eyesight.

How to get to Singapore Night Safari

The Night Safari is next to the Singapore Zoo and River Safari. It’s only a 30-minute drive from Marina Bay and Orchard Road.

Shuttle bus

The best way to get to the Night Safari is by MRT and shuttle bus. Take the MRT to Khatib Station (NS14) on the North South line. Use Exit A to catch the Mandai Khatib Shuttle to the Night Safari.

The shuttle bus from Khatib MRT to Mandai costs SGD $2 and takes about 15 minutes. Click here to see the full schedule.

Public transportation

To get to the Night Safari by public transportation, take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio station (NS16). Cross the street and take bus 138 to Night Safari.

Bus routes 138 and 927 both have a stop at the Night Safari.

Book an excursion

The most hassle-free way to visit the Night Safari is to book an excursion with a tour company. They will provide skip-the line tickets and hotel pickup and return, and you also get priority boarding on the tram. Learn more here.

Taxi/GrabCar

We’ve also taken a taxi to the safari and called GrabCar to take us home. (GrabCar is the Uber of Southeast Asia.)

While it’s more expensive than taking the MRT, a taxi/GrabCar offers the convenience of traveling door-to-door, on your schedule. Note that the cost is PER CAR,   not per person, so factor that in if you’re comparing prices.

• Taxi:  Calculate your fare  here . I couldn’t find a GrabCar price calculator, but I’ve been told that taxi and GrabCar prices are comparable.

Night Safari entrance

As with most parks, the zoo entrance is lined with shops and food joints. There are a number of places to eat at the Night Safari at assorted price points.

The food court has a traditional  kampong  (village) ambiance, in keeping with the overall adventure theme you’d expect at a zoo. Most special diets can be accommodated because it has a nice variety of options, from tasty satays to noodle soups, fish and even burgers and beer.

Your food options include:

• Jungle Rotisserie (roasted quarter chicken) – you can watch the Thrumbuakar performance from your seat.
• Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant (buffet plus local a la carte options like chicken rice and laksa)
• Safari Sizzles (hot dogs & fried snacks, plus both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Zebra Cafe (soft serve frozen yogurt, snacks and drinks of all types)
• Ben & Jerry’s (ice cream treats)
• Casa Italia (32 flavors of gelato)
• Mandai Mart (fruit cups and slushies)

For us, it was Ulu Ulu on both occasions, because Dan enjoyed their delicious Indian buffet that much the first time. This is one case where doing a bit of prior research would have paid off. We arrived early so we’d have more time for dinner, only to find out that they offer an Asian buffet first.

Just so you know, their Indian buffet starts at 8:30.

Night Safari’s Zebra Cafe has some really fun chairs.It’s obvious that the interior designer was talented. We were surprised by the designer’s attention to detail –  even in the washrooms! They are designed with an open plan, with waterfalls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and lush landscaping that makes you feel like you’re washing your hands in a tropical garden. I’ve read that they won awards for them. (Umm … awards for bathrooms?)

IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT go to Singapore Night Safari expecting to get good photos. You won’t. Cell phone cameras are not equipped to capture good photos in limited light, especially when the subject is moving. A tripod and fast camera lens are essential for good photos, so if you have them, come prepared.

Navigating the Night Safari

Singapore Night Safari is divided into seven geographical zones. There are four pathways that lead you through them all.

Tip: Remember to wear shoes with good traction. Some areas can be wet and it is easy to trip in the darkness.

More than 59 exhibits and 1,000 animals live here. Their enclosures are grouped into geographical regions, accessible via 4 walking trails and a tram tour.

Our suggested itinerary

We’d suggest that you plan your evening around the two live shows they offer. Here’s a good itinerary:

• 6:00 – Dinner
• 7:00 – Enjoy the Thumbuakar fire show
• 7:15 – Walk through the trails
• 9:40 – Tram ride
• 10:30 – Creatures of the Night show
• 10:50 – Gift shop

Thumbuakar fire show

Pyromaniacs will really enjoy this spectacle. Fire breathing tribal warriors display their skill as they dance and perform their fiery stunts.

• Where: Entrance courtyard (weather permitting)
• Time: Daily except Wednesdays at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm (and 10pm on weekends and holidays)

Creatures of the Night

The Creatures of the Night Show is a great opportunity to take a break and be entertained at the same time. You’ll see the natural abilities of some of the most fascinating animals in the park. The show lasts 20 minutes but because it’s so popular, you should arrive 30 minutes ahead to ensure a good seat.

• Where: Amphitheatre
• Time: 7:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 10:30pm (weather permitting)

Guided tram ride

Don’t miss the 40-minute guided tram ride with live commentary, because some of the animals can only be seen from the tram. Your knowledgeable tram guide will fill you in on the beasts and the 6 geographical zones as you drive through them all:

• Himalayan Foothills
• Indian Subcontinent
• Equatorial Africa
• Asian Riverine Forest
• Nepalese River Valley
• Burmese Hillside

What you’ll see on your walk through the Night Safari paths

As you walk through the pathways, you will notice that there are no cages; all that stand between you and the wild animals are a moat and a low fence. There they are, only a little more than arm’s reach away, awake and doing what they normally would do in the wild.

• Wallaby Trail – this Australasian-inspired trail includes an area where cute little wallabies hop back-and-forth across your path. (I almost tripped over one little guy, who wasn’t watching where he was going!) You can also enter a “cave,” complete with dripping water, to watch nocturnal cave critters.
• East Lodge Trail – you can see wild African and Asian animals up close here, thanks to glass-fronted enclosures. Highlights include the splendid Malayan tiger and the devious spotted hyena.
• Leopard Trail – the beautiful leopard has his own huge glass-fronted exhibit for your enjoyment. The trail also offers Mangrove Walk and Giant Flying Squirrel Aviary, two walk-through exhibits that allow you to experience creatures swooping around and above you.
• Fishing Cat Trail – watch the fishing cat as it tries to reel in its fish dinner in front of your eyes.

In addition, the park has a special area for smaller critters, like reptiles, and each cage is small enough that it’s easy to find them. Even there, the caretakers were careful to create a natural environment for their well-being.

Luxury experiences at the Night Safari

Singapore Night Safari offers private tours. You can book a VIP Safari Adventurer Tour , and a dedicated guide will take your group on a private tour of the park.

Plan your trip

• Hours:  Open daily from 7:15pm – 12.00mn daily (Last ticket sale at 11.15 pm).  Retail shops open from 5:00pm and restaurants open from 5.30 pm.
• Cost:  Adult: S$45 | Child: S$30. Multi-park discounts are available.
• Wheelchairs: Contact a guest relations officer to arrange a tram with wheelchair facilities. ( Here is a suggested itinerary for wheelchairs.)
• For more of the nocturnal zoo, see our Night Safari photo gallery .

Also see our Singapore River Cruise review .

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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28 thoughts on “a guide to the singapore night safari: worth it”.

The night safari was awesome. We had an absolute whale of a time. The food was delicious as well.

So glad you enjoyed it! I’m guessing your answer to my question is that yes, it’s worth the expense.

Visit River Safari in Singapore for a wildlife experience themed around the world’s freshwater rivers. You’ll wander around eight river habitats, from the Yangtze to the Mississippi, to encounter animals of all types, including the beloved giant panda. Learn about the native animals and plants that are found around the world’s legendary rivers, and take a boat ride on the ‘Amazon River,’ if you wish (own expense). Hotel pickup and drop-off are included

River Safari is on our list because it’s Asia’s only river-themed wildlife park and it has the world’s largest collections of freshwater animals. The most interesting one is the Mekong giant catfish.

Wonderful post. Thanks for such detailed information. I am travelling in October with my family. My dad is hemiplegic so he will be in wheelchair. We want to cover both Singapore Zoo and River Safari. How much do we need to walk? Are the pathways easily wheelchair friendly? Is it like really very long walk combining both. Are the outside food allowed inside as I need to carry some homemade food for my father.

We’ve not visited the Singapore Zoo yet so we can’t tell you how accessible it is or how much walking you’ll do. The Night Safari has hills and some places have stairs so you might have to detour. We’d suggest checking the map on their website and planning a route to save some steps. As to outside food, there shouldn’t be a problem bringing it in.

Ahhh so cute!!! I love animals and I’m glad this zoo seems to be a good one that provides a good habitat for the animals. 🦓 🦒 🐅 I went to the Night Safari and it was awesome. These are awesome photos and great description. 🙂 Wonderful post. Thanks for such detailed information.

You are so welcome, Maria.

Short answer is NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Read TripAdvisor ‘terrible’ reviews to get the real picture, these are absolutely accurate. It is a tragedy of monstrous proportions. One of the worst things I did in my whole life.

Wow, it’s hard to believe an attraction could have been that terrible. Which things to do in Singapore would you recommeend?

Wow, this must be a Unique adventure for you. Wandering through the trails and finding animals in their natural surrounding is a bit exciting and Scary too. But they use proper protection so nothing to worry.

What we like most about the Night Safari is how easy it is to get close to the animals and feel completely safe. I hope we conveyed that in our article.

I haven’t been to the Night Safari in years – I think the fire show is fairly new, because I don’t remember it at all. It sounds great! The Creatures of the Night Show, though, left a lasting impression on me for all the wrong reasons: despite repeated requests to refrain from using flash photography in order to protect the animals’ eyes, I saw SO many camera flashes go off during those few minutes. Seeing that kind of blatant selfishness up close was really infuriating.

I completely agree! We had the same experience when on the tram, but thankfully the guide reminded people to turn the flash off.

Absolutely disappointed. Do not waste your money. Go see the zoo in the day light. Photos are not worth the effort. Half the animals cannot be seen. We just love zoos, but not this Night Safari. Go have breakfast with the Oranatangs instead.

Thanks for the recommendation to see the zoo in the daylight, Graham. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the Night Safari, but Breakfast with the Orangutans sounds like a keeper.

Singapore didn’t seem terribly expensive – when compared with other major cities – like Tokyo, London, Barcelona. Hotels and transportation are the ones that are quite high-priced.

For sure accommodation is pricey in Singapore, but the hawker stands make up for it with some of the cheapest restaurant food on the planet. Maybe the reason Singapore has a reputation for being expensive is because of the contrast, as its neighbouring southeast Asian nations are so dirt cheap?

We also missed the fire-breathing Thumbuakar performance – It was drizzling and they had to cancel the show.. We ended up taking the buggy as it was drizzling and had a very tough time taking any meaningful picture..

Practically have no photos which are not blurred 🙂

Our sympathies; we discarded almost all of our photos because of how badly they turned out. I’m just glad we had a few marginally acceptable ones to include in this story. 🙂

Looks like fun, but I would be in the same boat as Dan – I love getting great photos and when it’s hard to do I get so frustrated. I’m not the best at shooting in low light as it is (need more practice). The bathrooms sound lovely, and of course the food looks amazing! 🙂

It was. I’d like to visit again but might not find the opportunity. There are so many wonderful places in Singapore that we’ve not seen yet!

Sometimes you just have to enjoy your surroundings without your camera – it’s so freeing when you do! The night experience looks really interesting… and not surprising Singapore has some really cool washrooms 🙂

I think you’re right, but sure Dan loves his photography….

First of all, I love the cool chairs – I mean, who would not want to sit on a zebra!! The food looks delicious and it looks like a fun and enjoyable experience. I can understand why it is hard to photograph there as usually a tripod is needed to exceptional night shots but give yourselves a pat on the back for the ones you captured and included in this post!

Thanks, Constance. It was a lot of fun.

Awesome night safari! The food looks scrumptious (looks like our Indian platter).

It was some of the best Indian food we’ve had so far. But then, we’ve not been to India yet…

Comments are closed.

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Popular currencies

More currencies, combo: night safari + river wonders tickets.

• Instant confirmation
• Mobile ticket

Go on a journey, an adventurous one, with these combo tickets for a guided Singapore Night Safari and River Wonders, a river-themed wildlife park, to save big.

Make the most of your time in Singapore with this budget-friendly combo that allows you admission to a guided Singapore night safari and the River Wonders park.

The exciting guided night safari gives you a chance to observe animals from a whole new perspective, in a nocturnal setting.

Enjoy this safari with friends and family for an adventurous experience.

Head over to River Wonders, a one-of-a-kind wildlife park that maintains an aquatic theme to discover a plethora of beautiful flora and fauna.

Through activities and exhibits, you can experience the biota of rivers like the Nile, Ganges, Mekong, Congo, and more.

Singapore Guided Night Safari

• Admission to Singapore Guided Night Safari

River Wonders

• Admission to River Wonders

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Your Experience

An adventurous treat for the whole family, the Singapore Guided Night Safari is a great way to combine learning and fun. Spread across six different geographical zones, there are close to 900 animals that reside here. Riding in an English-guided tram, you have a chance to see animals in a light that you haven’t seen before. Literally! Discover how wildlife behaves in a nocturnal setting and if you are lucky, you may even get to see them up close.

Here is your chance to visit the only water-themed wildlife park in Asia, River Wonders, and observe animals in settings that are made to represent rivers like the Ganges, Nile, Mekong, Mississippi, and more. There are also a bunch of different activities that combine learning and fun to help you explore the many types of aquatic animals and plants that live in water-based geographies.

Know Before You Go

Important information.

Children two years of age and under can enter free of charge.

Children 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.

Apr 19, 2022 to Dec 31, 2023

• Thu, Fri, and Sat: 6:30pm to 12am

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the attraction.

Ticket Redemption Point

Show your ticket at 80 Mandai Lake Rd.

Address: Singapore, 729826.

Get Directions to the Redemption Point

Getting There

The closest bus stop is Singapore Zoo Coach Bay. It is a quick 7-minute drive to the attraction.

Board buses Mandai Express(Bedok Point) ,Mandai Express(Sengkank MRT),Mandai Express(Tempines MRT), Mandai Khatib Shuttle to get you there.

The closest metro station is Kranji. It is a quick 18-minute drive to the attraction.

Board North South Line metro to get there.

This ticket is valid for the date selected during checkout.

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Combo River Wonders And Night Safari Tour

Combo: river wonders and night safari tour highlights.

Enjoy an exciting blend of daytime exploration at River Wonders and thrilling nighttime adventures at the Night Safari.

Explore River Wonders, the only river-themed wildlife park in Asia, inspired by rivers from around the world.

Stroll through the 10 themed zones including the Amazon Flooded Forest, Ganger River and Mary River and see creatures like giant river otters and manatees.

Visit the world's first nocturnal zoo, Singapore Night Safari and look at animals in their natural nighttime environments.

Go a guided tram ride through the four trails at the Night Safari including Leopard Trail, Fishing Cat Trail and East Lodge Trail.

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Combo: river wonders and night safari tour cancellation_policy.

• If cancellation is made 1 days or more before the date of travel, total booking cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
• If cancellation is made within 1 days before the date of travel, total booking cost will be charged as cancellation fees.

Why Choose Thrillophilia

Combo: river wonders and night safari tour overview.

About River Wonders and Night Safari:

River Wonders and Night Safari are two prominent wildlife attractions in Singapore, offering unique experiences that immerse visitors in the wonders of nature. River Wonders is Asia's first and only river-themed wildlife park. It features ecosystems from major rivers like the Amazon, Nile, and Mekong. Highlights include the Giant Panda Forest, home to pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia, and the Amazon Flooded Forest. Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo, providing an unforgettable night-time adventure. It houses over 2,500 animals across more than 130 species. 

About Combo River Wonders And Night Safari Tour:

• Visit two of Singapore’s famous attractions, River Wonders and Night Safari with ease with this combo.
• Explore diverse river-themed zones at River Wonders showcasing the unique biodiversity of rivers like the Amazon, Nile, Yangtze, and Mekong.
• Witness arapaimas, stingrays, and giant river otters in their natural habitat in the Amazon Flooded Forest zone.
• Learn about conservation efforts to protect endangered species, such as the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise, as you tour the zoo.
• Marvel at the architecture of ancient Egyptian temples and ruins nestled amidst lush greenery in the Nile River zone.
• Visit Night Safari and hop on a guided tram ride that takes you through four distinct trails, including Fishing Cat Trail, East Lodge Trail, and Leopard Trail.
• Watch fishing cats in action and see other animals like pangolins and binturongs as you traverse the Fishing Cat Trail.
• Encounter leopards, lions, and other nocturnal predators in an intimate setting on the Leopard Trail.
• Participate in scheduled feeding sessions to see the animals up close and learn about their diets and behaviours.

How to Reach?

• By Car: River Wonders is located 12.7 km from the city centre. It will take around 20 min to reach the zoo via Upper Thomson Rd route.

Combo: River Wonders And Night Safari Tour faqs

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The Magic of a River Safari Through Zimbabwe

F rom my seat on the pontoon boat, I squeal in excitement at the splinter of gray I see in the distance. I almost missed it, despite the attempts of my fellow travelers to aim my gaze, but the flapping ears give him away.

Tucked up on the hill, deep in a green cluster of Zambezi teak trees, his telltale wrinkled grey skin and sturdy legs at first seemed like just another tree in the bush. But once those ears flap, there’s no denying the majesty of an African elephant.

From his perch at the front of the boat on the Chobe River , our guide and captain Emmanuel Maruza, doesn’t attempt to mask his own excitement. “Look at that,” he says, mostly to himself as he maneuvers the boat closer to shore. “Amazing. Amazing.”

It is day three of a nine-day unforgettable African river adventure. The ambitious CroisiEurope itinerary takes a maximum of 16 guests across four countries: South Africa , Namibia , Botswana, and Zimbabwe. In each, we spend time on land with the people and animals. But in three of the four, there’s a bonus: time spent cruising the continents’ scenic and vital waterways.

Having the opportunity to explore from both land and water makes booking with CroisiEurope appealing, and it’s the European cruise company’s first foray into Africa. Most luxury African safari operators whisk guests away to a plush lodge and then offer twice-a-day open-jeep safari rollouts into the wild. CroisiEurope’s African Dream itinerary offers a similar lodge stay (it owns two lavish properties on the edge of the Zambezi River where Namibia borders Botswana), but takes it a step further with multiple trips out on water safaris and a three-night stay on one of two intimate houseboats in Zimbabwe. The advantages of exploring the countries by both land and water are almost immediately evident.

On the land tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana, animals are everywhere: Lions lazing in the tall grass on the roadside, giraffes gracefully crossing the savannah, warthogs bumbling past Cape buffalo who seem oblivious to the Oxpeckers on their own backs.

You don’t have to get on the water to see the wildlife. There are more than 50,000 elephants—my favorite wildlife sighting—that freely roam in and out of the fenceless Chobe National Park, alone. But there’s no question that cruising the region’s rivers will amplify the experience.

The rivers and lakes we traverse are calm. Small ripples across the glassy surface and the occasional bubbles around us are reminders that life—crocodiles and hippos mostly—lie beneath. Reeds and mangroves line the shores on the rides out from the lodge, barely moving in the absence of heavy breeze despite the birds nimbly balanced on their tips. And it’s not long before the gentle hum of the motor becomes almost meditative, and our small group settles into a quiet as we watch hippos yawn and grunt from the land and the water in reverent silence.

The animals look different from the water, too. The perspective change means that instead of looking down on them from the height of the jeep, you’re gazing up or across. Kudus seem larger, hippos more foreboding. And you’re encountering them in places that feel almost intimate: Elephants bathing in the shallows of the river amongst a field of water lilies, crocs sunning on the shore and then slithering into the water beneath the boat. You feel smaller on the water. More vulnerable.

It's a feeling that stays with us when we eventually move to CroisiEurope’s luxury houseboat in Zimbabwe. There, we take turns boarding smaller boats, perfect for sundowner cruises, scooting up to reedy mounds to listen to the birds as the sun sets or zigzagging through sun-bleached Mopane trees on afternoon fishing jaunts. And with no other boats in sight, early risers share the morning with the animals as they start their day. I watch hippos shake the sleep off their backs and head back to the water, and elephant moms nurse their babies and meander the short grass just beyond the shore.

The trip is not all slow cruising and shoreline searching. In South Africa, we trace the life of Nelson Mandela through the Apartheid Museum, on Impalila Island in Namibia we walk the villages with a resident guide, and in Zimbabwe we take in the stunning Victoria Falls by foot and helicopter. Emotional moments abound on this trip and adrenaline is in no short supply.

The moments are all incredible in their own right, but for me the highlight remains that first glimpse on day three and the surprise that followed. As it turned out, the elephant I saw wasn’t alone.

The whistle of tree branches being pulled and broken gives them away. Three adult elephants and a few babies come forward toward us. Our boat backs up to give them space, but we remain close enough to hear them slurp and splash as they drink and dip in the water.

When it’s time to go, we erupt in a smattering of giggles and chatter. A shared moment on a trip where magic seems to flow as easily as the waters beneath us.