Singapore Night Safari: Where the Wildlife Works the Night Shift

Most zoos are winding down by late afternoon. The animals are settling in, the visitors are heading home, and someone’s probably looking for the keys to lock the gates. In Singapore, however, that’s when things are just getting interesting.

Welcome to Singapore Night Safari (opens in a new tab), the world's first nocturnal wildlife park, where the animals are awake, the visitors are wide-eyed, and the usual zoo experience gets turned completely upside down.

Located in Mandai, around 30 minutes' drive north of central Singapore, Night Safari opened in 1994 and is home to more than 900 animals. Unlike traditional zoos, the whole experience is designed around creatures that prefer doing their business after dark. And no, we're not talking about the dodgy characters hanging around outside a nightclub at 2am.

A Safari Without the African Airfare

The adventure begins aboard the Safari Adventure Tram, a roughly 30-minute journey through wildlife habitats featuring Asian elephants, striped hyenas, Malayan tapirs and other nocturnal residents.

The clever part? Specially designed lighting allows visitors to observe animals without blasting them with stadium-style floodlights. It's an atmospheric experience, particularly when a large animal suddenly emerges from the darkness just metres away.

The tram is included with admission, but don't make the mistake of thinking you've seen everything once you've completed the circuit.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Four walking trails reveal another side of the park, including some seriously unusual characters.

There's the Sunda pangolin, a peculiar little creature covered in protective scales that looks suspiciously like a pinecone with legs. Night Safari has successfully bred these critically endangered animals, making it an important conservation success story.

Then there's the binturong, sometimes called the bearcat, which has the rather extraordinary distinction of smelling like buttered popcorn. Apparently, nature decided that was a sensible evolutionary feature.

You'll also encounter flying foxes, slow lorises, leopards and even Tasmanian devils. Yes, we've travelled all the way to Singapore to see something from Tasmania. Typical Australians.

More Than Just Watching Animals

The popular Creatures of the Night presentation (opens in a new tab) demonstrates the remarkable abilities of nocturnal wildlife, while keeper talks offer insights into animal behaviour that most visitors would otherwise miss.

For something particularly memorable, there's even an opportunity to feed an Indian rhinoceros, subject to availability and additional charges.

The experience is particularly appealing to families with school-aged children, teenagers, wildlife enthusiasts and couples looking for something a little different. Younger children will enjoy the tram, although late-night bedtimes may require some negotiation.

Getting There and Making a Night of It

Singapore is an excellent destination to explore by car, although parking and traffic can make public transport attractive too. If you've hired a vehicle, Night Safari is an easy evening drive from the city, with parking available at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

Allow around three hours, and consider dinner at the park's Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant before heading into the darkness.

Pro Tips

• Book ahead: Choose your entry time online, particularly during weekends and school holidays.
• Reserve the show: Creatures of the Night requires a separate free seat reservation, available two hours before each performance.
• Walk the trails: Some of the most interesting animals aren't visible from the tram.
• Leave the flash off: Flash photography is prohibited, and the animals certainly don't appreciate it.

The verdict? Night Safari is one of those rare attractions that manages to entertain adults just as much as children. It's unusual, educational and occasionally a little eerie. Best of all, the animals are operating on their own schedule. For once, we're the ones visiting outside normal business hours.

Current visitor note: The Fishing Cat exhibit on Pangolin Trail is closed for refurbishment until 31 December 2026.

Find out more - SINGAPORE NIGHT SAFARI