The Best Places to See Wildlife in Singapore

Mandai Wildlife Reserve is the jewel in the crown of Singapore's wildlife scene. This enormous tract of wetland and rainforest in the north of the island is home to not one, but four major Singapore attractions. We’re talking Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, River Wonders and the Night Safari which, between them, boast tens of thousands of critters across thousands of species.

Top wildlife at Mandai Wildlife Reserve:

• Singapore Zoo – get up close to bearded dragons, Malayan flying lemurs, endangered white rhinos, Malayan tigers and many more.
• River Wonders – giant river otters, Indian gharials, manatees and giant pandas are among the animals inhabiting these flooded forests.
• Bird Paradise – discover a kaleidoscope of winged wonders including roseate spoonbills, scarlet ibises, American flamingos, and northern rockhopper penguins.
• Night Safari – crepuscular critters at this nocturnal attraction include clouded leopards, spotted or striped hyenas, Tasmanian devils, and the rare Sunda pangolin.

Read our full guide to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve and find out how you can save money on access to all four parks with a Singapore attractions pass from Go City.

As the name foretells, Sungei Buloh is an absolute paradise for wetland creatures. Located in the northwest of Singapore, it spans more than 300 acres of prime coastal mudflats, mangrove forests and lakes. As well as being a thriving habitat for native birds, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans and insects, Sungei Buloh’s position along the East Asian-Australasian and Central Asian flyways makes it a haven for migrating birds. There’s a two-kilometer walking trail around the reserve that’s designed to give you the best chance to ogle these temporary visitors, and free guided walks on weekends.

Top wildlife at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve:

• Native critters include monitor lizards, water snakes and even the occasional saltwater croc.
• You might also encounter lobsters, mudskippers, spotted wood owls, and huge, beautiful Atlas moths.
• Eyes peeled for migratory species, which include the Pacific golden plover, common redshank, and long-legged Asian dowitcher.

Located just off Singapore’s northeast coast, the tiny island of Pulau Ubin provides an authentic throwback to traditional village life, and has the unspoiled nature to match. Here, verdant and often uncharted rainforest is stippled with rustic kampongs, and granite quarries so long disused that nature has once again reclaimed them. You’ll find cycle paths and walking trails criss-crossing the hills of this boomerang-shaped island and, in the Chek Jawa Wetlands at its eastern tip, a lush tidal ecosystem with a looping boardwalk and a tall observation tower from which to observe the wildlife. Pulau Ubin is easily accessible via a short ferry ride from the terminal at Changi Point.

Top wildlife at Chek Jawa Wetlands:

• Listen for the melodious song of the bulbul and keep your eyes peeled for the electric-blue flash of kingfishers darting among the mangroves.
• You might even get lucky and glimpse the rare Oriental pied hornbill, a wild, prehistoric-looking Singapore native with a distinctive pale yellow bill.
• Spot marine critters like sea stars and horseshoe crabs at low tide.
• Long-tailed macaques and wild boars roam freely around Pulau Ubin.

Set slap bang in the middle of Singapore, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is one of the most biodiverse areas on the island, comprising as it does some 400 acres of untouched tropical rainforest. The 600-foot hill that bears the reserve’s name attracts ramblers and hikers of all stripes. It’s Singapore’s highest natural peak, after all. Those who make the relatively unchallenging hike to its summit are rewarded with far-reaching panoramic views of Singapore and beyond. Oh, and expect a few cheeky long-tailed macaques for company along the way!

Top wildlife at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve:

• Keep your eyes on the canopy, where long-tailed macaques share space with flying lemurs and distinctive native bird species including the greater racket-tailed drongo and crimson sunbird.
• There’s plenty going on down on the forest floor, too. Look out for skinks and cicadas and, if you’re incredibly lucky, the (very) occasional rare Sunda pangolin peering out at you from the undergrowth.
• Crab-eating macaques, reticulated pythons, pit vipers and plantain squirrels also all call the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve home.

MacRitchie is the oldest reservoir in Singapore and, in combination with the surrounding Central Catchment Nature Reserve, one of the largest areas of primary rainforest still remaining on the island. Its ongoing conservation has allowed native wildlife to flourish, so that a day spent here on the 150-year-old manmade reservoir feels like a day in nature’s own playground. Take to the water in a kayak and keep your eyes on the skies for white-throated kingfishers diving for their lunch. Or pull on your running shoes and hit the reserve's cross-country paths, taking care not to trip over any blue coral snakes along the way. There’s also a seven-mile hiking trail around the reservoir and a 250-meter-long suspension bridge high up in the forest canopy. The popular TreeTop Walk links the park’s two highest points and provides some excellent vantage points for wildlife-spotting along the way.

Top wildlife at MacRitchie Reservoir Park:

• Singapore stalwarts including monitor lizards, kingfishers, sunbirds, and the ever-elusive pangolin can all be found here.
• Snake species including the distinctive blue Malayan coral snake and twin-barred tree snake also call the reserve home.
• Look out for flying lemurs gilding between the treetops at sundown.
• The critically endangered Raffles’ banded langur, one of Singapore’s rarest primates, can currently only be seen in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

Did you know you can save up to 50% on regular admission prices at more than 40 Singapore attractions with a pass from Go City? Highlights of the Singapore pass include the four parks at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, plus Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay and a ride on the Sentosa cable car. Click the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass…