Singapore Zoo

Hugely popular with both the young and the young-at-heart, Singapore Zoo is home to over 2,800 animals. From its humble beginnings in 1973, the zoo has expanded and today is well-known for its innovative approach. The design of the facility is highly advanced, creating an impression that it is “enclosure-free” – a development that has been internationally praised.

Set your alarm clock and arrive early for the highly-recommended Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast with the free-roaming orang-utans, and get up close with these fascinating and highly-intelligent primates. This is the only programme of its kind in the world.

There are plenty of opportunities to interact with the animals: from elephant rides in the rainforest area, to hand feeding kangaroos in the Australian Outback. Some of the many weird and wonderful creatures on display include the rare white tigers and the miniature pigmy hippos. Look out for the proboscis monkeys, who are known for their enormous noses! Tropical Singapore even plays host to a polar bear in its chilly Tundra area. Playful monkeys are a particular focus of the zoo in the excellent primate zone.

Children will be well looked-after in Kidzworld when you need a break. Interactive learning and fun are the name of the game here. There is also a night safari that allows you to catch a glimpse of some of the nocturnal creatures who you might have missed during the day.

Singapore Zoo has delightful gardens, with vibrant orchids, ginger and heliconia flowers adding plenty of colour. Many of the monkeys are free to walk around the zoo, outside of any enclosure, and your interaction with them adds a lot to the experience.

30 minutes from the city centre, Singapore Zoo is open daily, charges a small entry fee and has plenty of pay parking. If you're travelling by public transportation, take the North-South MRT line and then the connecting bus for the zoo.