Wildlife watching in Singapore

we fell in love with Singapore when we visited in May. We only had 3 days there so we filled it with an intense visit to all the different areas of the zoos. We already can't wait to come back to see the zoos again (especially once the new park has opened) but also desperate to do some wildlife watching.
 
If it does help this case, there's also a Facebook group called Singapore Wildlife Sightings. Usually a bunch of photographers will post images (and sometimes locations) for the animals they have managed to photograph

For rarer species like the Sunda Pangolins it's obviously a no reveal, but others are more than likely to share their finds
 
Hi all!
I’ll be visiting Singapore for the first time in a couple of months. As a nature enthusiast, I’m eager to explore the country’s wildlife. I’m particularly interested in trails within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Hindhede Nature Park, and the Central Water Catchment area. I plan to head out early in the mornings to fully enjoy the tranquility and beauty of these areas and it’s inhabitants.
Could you recommend any specific less-travelled trails where I might have a chance to see wildlife such as: colugos, wild boars, owls, vipers and snakes, mouse deer, or even the elusive banded langur? Preferably away from more touristy routes and busy biking tracks?
I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions and recommendations!
 
JonasDW said:
Hi all!
I’ll be visiting Singapore for the first time in a couple of months. As a nature enthusiast, I’m eager to explore the country’s wildlife. I’m particularly interested in trails within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Hindhede Nature Park, and the Central Water Catchment area. I plan to head out early in the mornings to fully enjoy the tranquility and beauty of these areas and it’s inhabitants.
Could you recommend any specific less-travelled trails where I might have a chance to see wildlife such as: colugos, wild boars, owls, vipers and snakes, mouse deer, or even the elusive banded langur? Preferably away from more touristy routes and busy biking tracks?
I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions and recommendations!
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For the owls, do Pasir Ris Park. Spotted Wood owl is a resident there.
 
JonasDW said:
Hi all!
I’ll be visiting Singapore for the first time in a couple of months. As a nature enthusiast, I’m eager to explore the country’s wildlife. I’m particularly interested in trails within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Hindhede Nature Park, and the Central Water Catchment area. I plan to head out early in the mornings to fully enjoy the tranquility and beauty of these areas and it’s inhabitants.
Could you recommend any specific less-travelled trails where I might have a chance to see wildlife such as: colugos, wild boars, owls, vipers and snakes, mouse deer, or even the elusive banded langur? Preferably away from more touristy routes and busy biking tracks?
I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions and recommendations!
Click to expand...

Colugos can readily be seen on the grounds of Singapore Zoo, as well as Hindhede Nature Park and Bukit Timah.

Mousedeer and Langurs may be spotted on an early morning walk through Thomson and Lower Pierce Reservoir Park. The ones at Thomson are skittish, so Lower Pierce may provide a better viewing experience. The Langurs all depend on luck, so the more times you visit, the more likely it is to find the group. I saw my langurs at Thomson, on the Langur Trail. They are also known to be at Lower Pierce, and so keep a lookout for any large dark primates leaping through the canopy!

If you want a guaranteed sighting of Mousedeer, I suggest walking along Old Upper Thomson Park after 8:30pm, and go spotlighting. They will likely be foraging around open areas in the nature parks, which close at 7 so no access at night. The road is open 24/7 for cyclists and pedestrians.


I would say the least crowded nature park I've visited is Thomson, and you can have a pleasant viewing experience of many unique mammals and birds with minimal disturbance from others.
 
Are there any reliable places in Singapore to see gliding snake, lizard, and/or frog species?

With its renowned colugo sightings, I'm wondering if Singapore is a good place to do a whole Southeast Asian gliding fauna safari.
 
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Dr. Wolverine said:
Colugos can readily be seen on the grounds of Singapore Zoo, as well as Hindhede Nature Park and Bukit Timah.

Mousedeer and Langurs may be spotted on an early morning walk through Thomson and Lower Pierce Reservoir Park. The ones at Thomson are skittish, so Lower Pierce may provide a better viewing experience. The Langurs all depend on luck, so the more times you visit, the more likely it is to find the group. I saw my langurs at Thomson, on the Langur Trail. They are also known to be at Lower Pierce, and so keep a lookout for any large dark primates leaping through the canopy!

If you want a guaranteed sighting of Mousedeer, I suggest walking along Old Upper Thomson Park after 8:30pm, and go spotlighting. They will likely be foraging around open areas in the nature parks, which close at 7 so no access at night. The road is open 24/7 for cyclists and pedestrians.


I would say the least crowded nature park I've visited is Thomson, and you can have a pleasant viewing experience of many unique mammals and birds with minimal disturbance from others.
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Thank you so much! I'm am definitely going to give these a go!
 
Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Singapore in November for a 10‑day trip, spending all but one of those days exploring zoos. On my one free day, I’d love to do some wildlife photography —especially hoping to get the Raffles’ banded langur. I’d really appreciate any tips on:
  • Exact where and when in Singapore they’re most likely to be seen in November
  • Recommended time of day (e.g. early morning?)
Thank you so much for any advise!
 
zoo_sipsik said:
Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Singapore in November for a 10‑day trip, spending all but one of those days exploring zoos. On my one free day, I’d love to do some wildlife photography —especially hoping to get the Raffles’ banded langur. I’d really appreciate any tips on:
  • Exact where and when in Singapore they’re most likely to be seen in November
  • Recommended time of day (e.g. early morning?)
Thank you so much for any advise!
Click to expand...

The best spot for the langurs is around Lower Pierce Reservoir Park and Thomson Nature Park in the morning or afternoon. In Thomson, they are usually sighted around the Langur Trail and Macaque Trail. Look out for dark silhouettes hopping around the canopy. It will take quite a bit of luck to see them, so it might be better to spend a day or two exploring this area of the forest instead as I would not expect exploring all the zoos in Singapore will take 9 days.
 
Currently there's an escapee Red-Cheeked Cordon Bleu in the location attached below. The bird is an escapee from a private collector, and it's quite mobile. However, it is comfortable around humans if you keep noise to a minimum, and will feed in front of you.
Google Maps
 
Is it true that you can see long tailed macaques alomg the free Mandai boardwalk please? Is there any other wildlife sightings along here? Also where is best to go in the botanical gardens from otter and water monitor sightings please. I am visiting Singapore for first time in October, including Night Safari and River Wonders. I am eager to see wild life of Singapore but we won’t do the less travel trails in national parks etc. thanks
 
Small Mammal Fan said:
Is it true that you can see long tailed macaques alomg the free Mandai boardwalk please? Is there any other wildlife sightings along here?
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Yes, typically a chance encounter but on every time I've been to the boardwalk they were always there.

Other species that you can find include Bulbuls of any species, Oriental Magpie-Robins, Malayan Water Monitors, Southern River Terrapins, Stingrays, Arowanas and so on. If you're a guy who absolutely loves insects you'll definitely get quite a lot of stuff especially in the early morning.

If you're lucky, some rare sights include Mousedeer and Smooth Coated Otters
 
Small Mammal Fan said:
Is it true that you can see long tailed macaques alomg the free Mandai boardwalk please? Is there any other wildlife sightings along here? Also where is best to go in the botanical gardens from otter and water monitor sightings please. I am visiting Singapore for first time in October, including Night Safari and River Wonders. I am eager to see wild life of Singapore but we won’t do the less travel trails in national parks etc. thanks
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Macaques will almost guaranteed be encountered around the zoo grounds. I believe @Nadchew_ can provide more information with them.

At the botanic gardens, monitor lizards are all over the place, and you will definitely be able to spot them. Otters on the other hand, require a certain amount of luck. The family can be found anywhere within the garden, however they will most likely be near water bodies such as Eco lake and Swan lake. If they are near, you will definitely be able to hear them. They are very noisy, and will be moving around a lot. There may also be a crowd around, and probably an Nparks staff member. It may take several trips to the gardens to find them.

Last visit, I also spotted a small group of otters from River Wonders, so really the can be anywhere.

In any of the Mandai parks, look out for Sunda Colugos. They will be resting on the trunks of trees. I’ve seen them in Singapore zoo and at Night Safari, and in the Heart of Africa aviary at Bird paradise.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!
 
Small Mammal Fan said:
Is it true that you can see long tailed macaques alomg the free Mandai boardwalk please? Is there any other wildlife sightings along here? Also where is best to go in the botanical gardens from otter and water monitor sightings please. I am visiting Singapore for first time in October, including Night Safari and River Wonders. I am eager to see wild life of Singapore but we won’t do the less travel trails in national parks etc. thanks
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There are 2 troops of macaques that live on the Mandai Wildlife Reserve grounds and they quite frequently use the boardwalk as means of travel from place to place. However, there are periods of time they stay in the zoo the entire time and don't use the boardwalk at all, so it is up to your luck but they can be really fearless when they do use the boardwalk.
 
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