Mandai Wildlife Reserve Trip Planning Tips - September, 2025

How many days do you need to see all of the Mandai Parks?

  • Total voters
    9
Spixii

Spixii

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Hello there!

My partner and I will be visiting Singapore in September of this year for several days before continuing on to a beach resort elsewhere. Let's be clear, I am a zoo lover, but the very idea of visiting five zoological parks in the span of two or three days is kind of stressing me out. Especially when you consider all of the other attractions Singapore has to offer as well.

I would be very appreciative if any Singapore residents and Mandai regulars on this forum could provide their insights about what to expect, how I should approach planning, things to avoid, or even additional paid experiences I should consider booking. The most important thing I am trying to figure out is whether or not the regulars here think it is doable to see everything in two days, or if I should dedicate a third full day. Note, we are planning on staying at the new Mandai Rainforest Resort.

Thank you so much in advance to any kind souls here who decide to help me out! :D
 
loxodontaafrica said:
Hello there!

My partner and I will be visiting Singapore in September of this year for several days before continuing on to a beach resort elsewhere. Let's be clear, I am a zoo lover, but the very idea of visiting five zoological parks in the span of two or three days is kind of stressing me out. Especially when you consider all of the other attractions Singapore has to offer as well.

I would be very appreciative if any Singapore residents and Mandai regulars on this forum could provide their insights about what to expect, how I should approach planning, things to avoid, or even additional paid experiences I should consider booking. The most important thing I am trying to figure out is whether or not the regulars here think it is doable to see everything in two days, or if I should dedicate a third full day. Note, we are planning on staying at the new Mandai Rainforest Resort.

Thank you so much in advance to any kind souls here who decide to help me out! :D
Click to expand...
You can pick and choose between the zoos depending on what types of animals you like, here's a short overview

Singapore Zoo: the most general one with most ABC animals and lots of primates and reptiles.
Night Safari: large hoofstock and a plethora of small nocturnal mammals. The tram ride usually has a very full queue but is significantly less crowded on weekdays giving a better experience.
River Wonders: numerous freshwater fish, many of which are quite rare and giant pandas too. The smallest of the parks ans can be finished in the shortest time possible.
Bird Paradise: hundreds of birds including many rare species in mostly huge walkthrough aviaries.
Rainforest Wild: the newest park, nothing much here that you won't see in the other parks but the large scenic enclosures are beautiful.

Highly recommend pre-booking in advance, you can also book feeding experiences. Hope you have a great time here!
 
NATY said:
You can pick and choose between the zoos depending on what types of animals you like, here's a short overview

Singapore Zoo: the most general one with most ABC animals and lots of primates and reptiles.
Night Safari: large hoofstock and a plethora of small nocturnal mammals. The tram ride usually has a very full queue but is significantly less crowded on weekdays giving a better experience.
River Wonders: numerous freshwater fish, many of which are quite rare and giant pandas too. The smallest of the parks ans can be finished in the shortest time possible.
Bird Paradise: hundreds of birds including many rare species in mostly huge walkthrough aviaries.
Rainforest Wild: the newest park, nothing much here that you won't see in the other parks but the large scenic enclosures are beautiful.

Highly recommend pre-booking in advance, you can also book feeding experiences. Hope you have a great time here!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response! The reality is there is a bit I would like to see at every facility. First and foremost, I love birds, and the only dedicated aviary I have ever been to is the Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, Utah, so I know that Bird Paradise will be just that... Paradise!

Singapore Zoo: I saw proboscis monkey at Zoorasia last year, but from what I've seen their habitat at the Singapore Zoo is top notch. I am also very intrigued by the orangutan habitat.

Night Safari: Nothing like it exists in the United States, so I have to experience it firsthand.

River Wonders: when will I ever otherwise see Mekong river giants?? Also, while we have giant panda in San Diego their habitat looks quite impressive at River Wonders.

Rainforest Wild: I know the least about this park as it is the newest, but the Philippine spotted deer definitely intrigue me.

I have a couple of follow up questions if you would so kindly entertain them.

1.) Do you have a rough run-through time for each of the parks? I tend to move through zoos quickly.

2.) Do you have a preference for any of the amphitheater wildlife presentations? (for example, pass up on the River Wonders show, but the Night Safari show is top notch, etc)

Thank you so much! I just booked my stay at Mandai Rainforest resort today. I am very, very excited.
 
FoxBat said:
  1. (how long it takes for me) SZ, BP: 5-6 hours; RFW Asia: 5 hours, NS/RW: 3-4 hours
  2. (worth going) Into the Wild(SZ), Creatures of The Night(NS), Predators on Wings(BP)
Click to expand...

Thank you so much FoxBat!
 
loxodontaafrica said:
Thank you for your response! The reality is there is a bit I would like to see at every facility. First and foremost, I love birds, and the only dedicated aviary I have ever been to is the Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, Utah, so I know that Bird Paradise will be just that... Paradise!

Singapore Zoo: I saw proboscis monkey at Zoorasia last year, but from what I've seen their habitat at the Singapore Zoo is top notch. I am also very intrigued by the orangutan habitat.

Night Safari: Nothing like it exists in the United States, so I have to experience it firsthand.

River Wonders: when will I ever otherwise see Mekong river giants?? Also, while we have giant panda in San Diego their habitat looks quite impressive at River Wonders.

Rainforest Wild: I know the least about this park as it is the newest, but the Philippine spotted deer definitely intrigue me.

I have a couple of follow up questions if you would so kindly entertain them.

1.) Do you have a rough run-through time for each of the parks? I tend to move through zoos quickly.

2.) Do you have a preference for any of the amphitheater wildlife presentations? (for example, pass up on the River Wonders show, but the Night Safari show is top notch, etc)

Thank you so much! I just booked my stay at Mandai Rainforest resort today. I am very, very excited.
Click to expand...
If you have 2 days at Mandai, you can pair them up, for example do the Zoo or Bird Paradise in the day, take a break in between and do Night Safari or pair River Wonders with one of the others, as it closes at 7pm while the others close at 6pm. You may have to miss one unless you can squeeze the Zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari in 1 day and Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild in the other. Try to get one of the multi-park tickets so you can pay for 2 parks with the price of 1 ticket
 
NATY said:
If you have 2 days at Mandai, you can pair them up, for example do the Zoo or Bird Paradise in the day, take a break in between and do Night Safari or pair River Wonders with one of the others, as it closes at 7pm while the others close at 6pm. You may have to miss one unless you can squeeze the Zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari in 1 day and Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild in the other. Try to get one of the multi-park tickets so you can pay for 2 parks with the price of 1 ticket
Click to expand...

Thank you for your thoughtful reply NATY, I will be sure to factor your input into my planning. :D
 
These are the animals that may appear in the show. Not all the animals listed will appear in a single presentation, as it can change from presentation to presentation.

Into the Wild
Banded Mongoose
Bearded Pigs
Patagonia Mara
Ring-tailed Lemur
Brown-nosed Coati
Greater Hog Badger
2 Snakes (Common snakes like Ball Python or Milk Snake)
Masked Palm Civet
Cotton-top Tamarin
Trumpeter Hornbill
Turkey Vulture
Asian Small-clawed Otter
Scarlet Ibis
Scarlet Macaw
Blue-and-gold Macaw
Notes: Some animals that can only seen in this show: Brown-nosed Coati & Patagonian Maras, which can theoretically be seen in Crimson Wetlands in Bird Paradise, but I've only seen them once.

Splash Safari
California Sea lion
Notes: Probably missable, just a California sea lion performing a couple of tricks.

Once Upon a River
Congo Grey Parrot
Asian Water Monitor
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Asian Small-clawed Otter
Azara's Agouti
Snake (Common snakes like Ball Python or Milk Snake)
Great White Pelican
Capybara
North American Beaver
Notes: They usually ask for 3 adult volunteer, who will stick their hands straight outwards for the OPH to jump along, but that basically is the only special thing about it. The North American Beavers only appear in this presentation but usually only shows during the last show, as that is when they wake-up.

Predators on Wings
White-bellied Sea Eagle
Brahminy kite
Malayan Fish Owl
Bald Eagle
Southern Crested Caracara
Turkey Vulture
King Vulture
White-backed Vulture
Cinereous Vulture
Marabou Stork
Notes: The Cinereous Vulture typically only shows for the second show of the day. This is probably my favorite show, gets raptor not exhibited elsewhere in Mandai.

Wings of the World
Domestic Pigeon
Scarlet Macaw
Blue-and-gold Macaw
Green-winged Macaw
Moluccan Cockatoo
Yellow-headed Amazon
Yellow-naped Amazon
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Toco Toucan
Great Hornbill
Sun Conure
Jenday Conure
Pelican (not sure what species)
Flamingo (not sure what species)
Notes: Nothing really to say.

Creatures of the Night
Bearded Pigs
Banded Mongoose
Turkey Vulture
Binturong
Tanuki
Malay Fish Owl
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Fennec Fox
Serval
Indian Crested Porcupine
Raccoon
Red Fox
Notes: The Tanuki, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, raccoon and red fox only appear in this presentation. I have only seen the serval once, the raccoon and red fox were probably confiscated as pets and are both white.

As for how long it takes me to go thought the parks, SZ:5-6, BP: ~5, NS & RFW: 3-4, RW: ~3. For the RFW, I'm didn't do any of the add on experiences. You may also want to consider going the the S.E.A. Aquarium, I haven't been there recently, so I can't say anything about how it is.
 
KaiGoesMandai said:
These are the animals that may appear in the show. Not all the animals listed will appear in a single presentation, as it can change from presentation to presentation.

Into the Wild
Banded Mongoose
Bearded Pigs
Patagonia Mara
Ring-tailed Lemur
Brown-nosed Coati
Greater Hog Badger
2 Snakes (Common snakes like Ball Python or Milk Snake)
Masked Palm Civet
Cotton-top Tamarin
Trumpeter Hornbill
Turkey Vulture
Asian Small-clawed Otter
Scarlet Ibis
Scarlet Macaw
Blue-and-gold Macaw
Notes: Some animals that can only seen in this show: Brown-nosed Coati & Patagonian Maras, which can theoretically be seen in Crimson Wetlands in Bird Paradise, but I've only seen them once.

Splash Safari
California Sea lion
Notes: Probably missable, just a California sea lion performing a couple of tricks.

Once Upon a River
Congo Grey Parrot
Asian Water Monitor
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Asian Small-clawed Otter
Azara's Agouti
Snake (Common snakes like Ball Python or Milk Snake)
Great White Pelican
Capybara
North American Beaver
Notes: They usually ask for 3 adult volunteer, who will stick their hands straight outwards for the OPH to jump along, but that basically is the only special thing about it. The North American Beavers only appear in this presentation but usually only shows during the last show, as that is when they wake-up.

Predators on Wings
White-bellied Sea Eagle
Brahminy kite
Malayan Fish Owl
Bald Eagle
Southern Crested Caracara
Turkey Vulture
King Vulture
White-backed Vulture
Cinereous Vulture
Marabou Stork
Notes: The Cinereous Vulture typically only shows for the second show of the day. This is probably my favorite show, gets raptor not exhibited elsewhere in Mandai.

Wings of the World
Domestic Pigeon
Scarlet Macaw
Blue-and-gold Macaw
Green-winged Macaw
Moluccan Cockatoo
Yellow-headed Amazon
Yellow-naped Amazon
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Toco Toucan
Great Hornbill
Sun Conure
Jenday Conure
Pelican (not sure what species)
Flamingo (not sure what species)
Notes: Nothing really to say.

Creatures of the Night
Bearded Pigs
Banded Mongoose
Turkey Vulture
Binturong
Tanuki
Malay Fish Owl
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Fennec Fox
Serval
Indian Crested Porcupine
Raccoon
Red Fox
Notes: The Tanuki, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, raccoon and red fox only appear in this presentation. I have only seen the serval once, the raccoon and red fox were probably confiscated as pets and are both white.

As for how long it takes me to go thought the parks, SZ:5-6, BP: ~5, NS & RFW: 3-4, RW: ~3. For the RFW, I'm didn't do any of the add on experiences. You may also want to consider going the the S.E.A. Aquarium, I haven't been there recently, so I can't say anything about how it is.
Click to expand...

KaiGoesMandai, you are absolutely invaluable to my planning. Sincerely, thank you so much for the effort you applied in helping me make planning decisions for my trip. Me and my partner have a love for tanuki, so the Night Safari presentation will be a high priority (no guarantees, I know!). And as a bird lover I will budget time to see BOTH presentations at Bird Paradise.

I very much appreciate you!
 
Last edited:
Based on the information provided so far, here is my itinerary at this moment. Please let me know if this would not work based on any considerations that I am not aware of at this time.


Day 1:
Bird Paradise
Lories & lorikeet feeding - 11am
Macaw keeper talk - 12pm
Wings of the World Presentation - 12:30pm
Cassowary feeding - 1pm
African aviary feeding - 2pm
Predators on Wings Presentation - 2:30pm

-break-

River Wonders
Amazon flooded forest keeper talk - 3:30pm
Amazon river quest boat ride
Once Upon a River Presentation - 4:30pm



Day 2:
Singapore Zoo
Breakfast in the Wild - 9-10:30am
Orangutan keeper talk - 11am
Proboscis monkey keeper talk - 11:30am
Archer fish feeding presentation - 2pm

-break-

Rainforest Wild
Douc langurs & siamang keeper talk - 3:30pm

-break-

Night Safari
Tasmanian devil keeper talk - 8pm
Safari tram adventure
Creatures of the Night presentation - 9:30pm
 
KaiGoesMandai said:
.
Into the Wild
2 Snakes (Common snakes like Ball Python or Milk Snake)

Once Upon a River
Snake (Common snakes like Ball Python or Milk Snake)

Wings of the World
Pelican (not sure what species)
Flamingo (not sure what species)

Creatures of the Night
Click to expand...

  1. a leucistic Texas Rat Snake and an Indian Sand Boa are also on the list. both pairs of snakes show up at different timings. i dont think the pigs are part of the show anymore
  2. RW has Rainbow Boa instead of milk snake. Buffy Fish Owl, Green Iguana and Sumatran Palm Civet are also on the list
  3. the pelicans are Pink-backed, Great White, Australian and Dalmatian x Great White hybrids. the flamingoes are Greater Flamingoes
  4. Spotted Hyena and Fishing Cat are on the list too. however, i havent seen the Marbled Fox and the mongooses for a while
 
Last edited:
I don’t know if this happens all the time but once I got to take a picture with the Turkey Vulture in In to the wild
 
Spixii said:
Hello there!

My partner and I will be visiting Singapore in September of this year for several days before continuing on to a beach resort elsewhere. Let's be clear, I am a zoo lover, but the very idea of visiting five zoological parks in the span of two or three days is kind of stressing me out. Especially when you consider all of the other attractions Singapore has to offer as well.

I would be very appreciative if any Singapore residents and Mandai regulars on this forum could provide their insights about what to expect, how I should approach planning, things to avoid, or even additional paid experiences I should consider booking. The most important thing I am trying to figure out is whether or not the regulars here think it is doable to see everything in two days, or if I should dedicate a third full day. Note, we are planning on staying at the new Mandai Rainforest Resort.

Thank you so much in advance to any kind souls here who decide to help me out! :D
Click to expand...

By any chance do you also happen to have any animals that may be on your wishlist when you're here? We'd be more than happy to help

FoxBat said:
  1. RW has Rainbow Boa instead of milk snake.
  2. Spotted Hyena and Fishing Cat are on the list too. however, i havent seen the Marbled Fox and the mongooses for a while
Click to expand...

Just a quick question regarding the Rainbow Boa, does it show up during the show or something else entirely? Haven't seen one in years so I'd be happy to take a look at it again

And admittedly, Marble's presence is generally very very inconsistent, would be quite lucky to spot him but I think usually he's out more often during earlier shows when he is making his appearance.
 
Spixii said:
Based on the information provided so far, here is my itinerary at this moment. Please let me know if this would not work based on any considerations that I am not aware of at this time.


Day 1:
Bird Paradise
Lories & lorikeet feeding - 11am
Macaw keeper talk - 12pm
Wings of the World Presentation - 12:30pm
Cassowary feeding - 1pm
African aviary feeding - 2pm
Predators on Wings Presentation - 2:30pm

-break-

River Wonders
Amazon flooded forest keeper talk - 3:30pm
Amazon river quest boat ride
Once Upon a River Presentation - 4:30pm



Day 2:
Singapore Zoo
Breakfast in the Wild - 9-10:30am
Orangutan keeper talk - 11am
Proboscis monkey keeper talk - 11:30am
Archer fish feeding presentation - 2pm

-break-

Rainforest Wild
Douc langurs & siamang keeper talk - 3:30pm

-break-

Night Safari
Tasmanian devil keeper talk - 8pm
Safari tram adventure
Creatures of the Night presentation - 9:30pm
Click to expand...

If you swap River Wonders with Rainforest Wild Asia you could save a bit of travel time as the former is next to the Zoo and the latter next to Bird Paradise.
 
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