The air was cool and the sound of the night filled the open-aired tram as it slowly crept through the darkness of the open jungle. Cameras hoisted on tripods aimed at the darkness of the forest walls stood ready as the Singapore Night Safari guide soothingly sauntered on about the creatures of the night we were about to encounter.

The evening opened and lights mimicking the illumination of the moon filled a clearing habitated by towering long-necked creatures; giraffes. I was still a kid the last time I saw these animals and the conditions they were in were so far from what I was witnessing now. Back then, they were caged in an enclosure, surrounded by concrete walls.

It was so different from Singapore’s Night Safari where the animals are showcased on vast surroundings similar to the creatures’ habitat. There are no cages holding them, no fences impeding their movement and absolutely no concrete structures containing them. Their territories are so natural looking I kept wondering how the zookeepers manage to isolate one species from the next considering some of them are carnivorous.

A group of carabaos grazing on a wooded area came into view and the answer came. Moats designed to look like streams, hot wires made to resemble twigs and natural barriers. The open concept implemented by the safari was so perfectly executed that I probably wouldn’t have noticed them even if they were staring me in the face.

Singpaore’s Night Safari is the first ever night zoo in the world. More than a thousand animals compromising of hundreds of species inhabit its open-type spaces. They’ve got hyenas, leopards, flying squirrels, hog badgers and lions freely roaming the area which replicates a humid tropical rainforest.

The night enveloped the tram again and I noticed some whisperings behind a row of shrubberies. People were actually walking almost right beside the animals! Three walking trails are available for the more adventurous tourists, taking visitors for a more personal view of the Night Safari. These are of course completely safe and I would’ve taken the trail myself if not for the time constraints.

A Hyena crazily laughed as another whip of cool breeze swished through the trees. The tram moved forward through the darkened trail and the safari ended. Much too soon, much too soon, I wanted more. It didn’t register that it took more than an hour to complete the ride through the 40-hectare sanctuary.

The night however was not yet done and the best way to cap the evening was to shop and dine at the many colorful booths located on the zoo’s entrance. Souvenir shirts, caps, keychains, toys; they’ve got everything covered.

Bongo Burgers aptly fitted the bill for our cravings. The patties are massive, the French fries were crisply golden and the flavor did not disappoint. Like the explorers of long gone eras, it was the perfect way of finishing an evening after a night of foraging through the jungle of Singapore’s Night Safari.

* PLEASE PARDON THE BLURRY AND NOISY PHOTOS AS IT WAS SO HARD TO TAKE PICTURES DUE TO THE DARKNESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT :P

Singapore Night Safari
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road 729825, Singapore
Telephone: (+65) 6269-3411
Email: infocounter.zoo@wrs.com.sg
Open Hours: 7:30 PM - 12:00 MN Daily
Rates: Click Here

GPS Coordinates: 1.403835,103.787112
View Location on Google Maps: Click Here

THIS SINGAPORE TRIP IS MADE POSSIBLE BY:
AIRASIA PHILIPPINES – NOW FLYING DIRECTLY TO SINGAPORE
HOTEL AND TRAVEL PACKAGE BY AIRASIAGO
SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD

       THREE DAYS IN SINGAPORE TRIP ITINERARY & SUMMARY
       MANILA – CLARK – SINGAPORE | PERANAKAN LUNCH AT BLUE GINGER RESTAURANT | THE FLOWER DOME AT GARDENS BY THE BAY
       ABOVE AND BELOW GARDENS BY THE BAY’S CLOUD FOREST | FLYING HIGH AT THE SINGAPORE FLYER
       A NOCTURNAL RIDE AT THE NIGHT SAFARI | NIGHTS AT THE ROYAL PLAZA ON SCOTTS HOTEL
       AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE RIVER SAFARI’S GIANT PANDAS | LUNCH AT SENTOSA’S TASTES OF ASIA
       AN EVENING WALK AT THE ORCHARD ROAD | ELECTRIC NIGHTS AT THE MARINA BAY | HAWKERS HUNT FOR A FREEZING BOWL OF CHENDOL
       STARBUCKS GLOBAL ICON CITY MUG PLUS A FEW MORE | SINGAPORE – CLARK