Wildlife watching in Singapore

[Small Mammal Fan]

Thank you all for your advice.
Are the macaques safe to be around on the boardwalk? Obviously we would keep our distance but is it safe to watch them from a distance if we encountered them?
Is the botanical gardens easy to get around!? I noticed that the lakes are on either the north or south side which look far away from the centre entrance.
I woukd love to see colugo! I will have to keep my eyes peeled at night safari as we are not actuslly visiting the main zoo due to limited time in Singapore. Thank you

 

[Chlidonias]

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

There is a park called Pasir Ris which is a well-known site for Smooth-coated Otters.

What time are your flights? Last time I was in Singapore (in 2019) my flight landed at 3.15am so I went to Pasir Ris at dawn when the otters are reliably seen.

Pasir Ris is only twenty minutes by bus from the airport, the airport bus goes right past the park, and they start running at 5.30am. I left my pack in the bag storage facility at the airport, went birding all morning at Pasir Ris, then just went back to the airport, picked up my pack, and headed off to my hotel.

That timing might not work for you, but I'd still suggest trying to fit this park into your itinerary because it is easy to reach by bus - and because you'd want to be there at dawn it won't interfere with other activities for the day.

 

[Nadchew_]

Thank you all for your advice.
Are the macaques safe to be around on the boardwalk? Obviously we would keep our distance but is it safe to watch them from a distance if we encountered them?
Is the botanical gardens easy to get around!? I noticed that the lakes are on either the north or south side which look far away from the centre entrance.
I woukd love to see colugo! I will have to keep my eyes peeled at night safari as we are not actuslly visiting the main zoo due to limited time in Singapore. Thank you

For the macaques, my advice is if they are on both railings, js stay in the middle and do not linger for more than 5 mins at a time as certain individuals are really not scared of people. If they are on the trees then feel free to observe for as long as you want.

 

[KaiGoesMandai]

Is the botanical gardens easy to get around!? I noticed that the lakes are on either the north or south side which look far away from the centre entrance.

Assuming you take public transportation, there are 2 MRT stations right at the entrances. Botanic Gardens (CC19/DT9) in the north, and Napier (TE12) in the south. A direct walk between the two stations will take 32 mins according to Google Maps. However, it will easily take much longer if you are walking slowly, looking for animals.

I woukd love to see colugo! I will have to keep my eyes peeled at night safari as we are not actuslly visiting the main zoo due to limited time in Singapore. Thank you

Good luck with your search in Night Safari! There are also wild culogos in Heart of Africa at Bird Paradise, so do keep an eye out. In my opinion, the zoo is the easiest place to find colugos, as well as the Bukit Timah area (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Hindhede Nature Park) as they are very abundant there.

@Dr. Wolverine previous gave these tips when looking for colugos.

I actually use a normal flashlight for when I'm looking for Colugos at NS. Have been successful every time. Mandai Park Staff has given permission for me to do this. I advise Leopard Trail, on exposed trees. Sometimes you can see their silhouette under the moonlight before you even point the flashlight.

For the Colugos in BP, they are usually seen hanging out near the building between HOA and WOA.

 

[Dr. Wolverine]

There is a park called Pasir Ris which is a well-known site for Smooth-coated Otters.

What time are your flights? Last time I was in Singapore (in 2019) my flight landed at 3.15am so I went to Pasir Ris at dawn when the otters are reliably seen.

Pasir Ris is only twenty minutes by bus from the airport, the airport bus goes right past the park, and they start running at 5.30am. I left my pack in the bag storage facility at the airport, went birding all morning at Pasir Ris, then just went back to the airport, picked up my pack, and headed off to my hotel.

That timing might not work for you, but I'd still suggest trying to fit this park into your itinerary because it is easy to reach by bus - and because you'd want to be there at dawn it won't interfere with other activities for the day.

Pasir Ris's otter sighting reliability has gone down in recent years I believe. Though they are still sighted there (I have also seen them once), the botanic gardens and Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park are certainly more reliable nowdays (though I have not seen them in the latter). The Marina Bay area is also reliable, however the area is very big and finding the otters would be pretty hard.

Is the botanical gardens easy to get around!? I noticed that the lakes are on either the north or south side which look far away from the centre entrance.

The botanic gardens are very easy to get around, they have well paved roads, and many signs and maps all around. If you spot any birders or wildlife photographers it might be worth asking them if the otters have been sighted.

For getting there, I would advise either Singapore Botanic Gardens station, or one stop before that which is Napier station with the MRT. I usually walk from Eco lake to swan lake, and it is not that long of a walk (though in Singapore's mid day heat, I would advise taking breaks). The otters are usually more active during morning or afternoon hours.

 

[amur leopard]

I've only been in Singapore for around a month so take this all with a pinch of salt, just extra suggestions on top of what has been referenced above.

Otters - as far as I'm aware Sungei Buloh is the most regularly reliable spot to see wild otters, at least from what I've been told by birders etc. Having said this, currently there is a family hanging around Kim Seng Bridge in River Valley, so these are currently probably the most easily accessible and reliable otters in Singapore currently. They're being filmed by NatGeo and just before the BBC. I wouldn't bank on the otters being at the botanic gardens, I haven't seen any there in four visits.

Macaques - not sure about Mandai boardwalk but the majority of the forest reserves in Central Catchment area are slam dunks for macaques. I'd highly advise having a walk around Lower Pierce in the mid to late afternoon, as there's not only a very high chance of the macaques but also the best chance you'll get anywhere of Raffles' banded langurs. It can be accessed from the TEL (brown MRT line) easily, just like Mandai and the Botanic gardens.