Singapore had always been on our bucket list, so when we decided to move back to the Western Hemisphere from Bali, we figured out a way to spend a couple of nights there on the way.
It seemed that everyone who heard our plans said the same thing: “You absolutely have to go to the Singapore Night Safari!” With such enthusiastic reviews we wanted to go, we really did. But fitting it into our schedule was totally impossible. We had only a little more than one day in Singapore and we’d have to get up really early for a 14-hour trip to London the final day.
I can’t tell you the looks we got afterwards when we told folks we couldn’t squeeze the nocturnal zoo into our schedule.
Although they didn’t realize they were adding insult to injury, those looks made us feel even worse. We already felt like we’d missed out on something fabulous, especially because we absolutely adore zoos. So we mutually agreed to would put it at the top of our Singapore “must do” list and go at the first opportunity.
Getting to the Night Safari
Let me tell you: Getting there can be a bit daunting, with two options: spend your money or spend your time. Public transport takes an hour: First you take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio station, then you transfer to bus SBS 138 and walk a long way. The only good way to do it is by taxi or by shuttle bus, and of those the cheaper was the shuttle.
Our hotel clerk offered to reserve seats for us on the shuttle and we accepted his offer. The Singapore Attractions Express (SAEx) bus stopped at our hotel. We hopped on and chose a seat (very comfy, by the way), and before we arrived the conductor came around to collect everyone’s fares. The cost was S$10 round trip, and all we had to do was hold onto the return ticket. Very easy.
Tip: If you plan to visit the Singapore Zoo, go the same day to save travel time and costs. Combo tickets are available. They are conveniently connected to each other and the Night Safari opens when the Zoo’s gates slam shut..
Look at the cool chairs!
At the Night Safari
By the time our shuttle dropped us off we had missed the fire-breathing Thumbuakar performance at the entrance plaza so we decided to begin our evening with dinner. The food area had a nice selection of options, from tasty satays to noodle soups, fish and even burgers and beer, but when we saw that a restaurant was serving an Indian buffet, we didn’t look any further.
By the way, please don’t laugh, but the restrooms are amazing! They are designed with an open plan, with waterfalls and floor-to-ceiling windows that display the lush landscaping outside and make you feel like you’re washing your hands in a tropical garden. I’ve read that they won awards for them. Whatever kind of awards they were, I can’t say.
What makes the Night Safari special
The Night Safari is full of nocturnal animals, all those beasts that are awake at night and usually asleep during regular zoo hours. The park specially designed the lighting to be only as bright as the full moon, and since animals are used to that, they are awake and active.
Like the animals, visitors too have to find their way around with only the “light of the moon” to guide them, but that really is adequate. As you might imagine, flash photography and bright flashlights are prohibited, not only for the well being of the animals, but for the safety of other visitors.
There is a down side to that though: The low light makes it next to impossible to get good photos of the animals … and it doesn’t help that the animals are moving, too. Even with a monopod and a fast setting on his Sony alpha camera, most of Dan’s shots didn’t meet his standards. Most of the photos in our Singapore Night Safari are marginal, too, but that’s all I had for this post. Please forgive us. We’ll try to return and get better photos.
Finding your way around
Singapore Night Safari is divided into seven geographical zones. There are four pathways that lead you through them all.
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.
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.
You can also take a guided tram ride with live commentary, as we did. I highly recommend it, as it will allow you to see the animals from a totally different angle.
Sit down and enjoy the show
Later in the evening there’s a Creatures of the Night Show. The park advised us to arrive at the amphitheater at least 30 minutes early to secure a spot since seating availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. We had arrived late and wouldn’t be able to stay until the end, so we decided to skip it.
Our shuttle bus driver had mentioned that he sometimes has to refuse passengers who want to return on the last bus, due to not having enough seats. For that reason we cut our evening short and took the next-to-last bus. Good thing we did, too, because it was packed as well.
Visiting information
Tip: Buy your tickets on the Night Safari Website before you go and save 10%.
Hours: 7.30 pm – 12.00 am daily (Last ticket sale at 11.15 pm).<
Restaurants and retail shops open at 5.30 pm.
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