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The Singapore Zoological Gardens is a world-renowned zoo, with its lush enclosures and picturesque natural surroundings. On entering the zoo, you would be struck by its “openness” and spacious feel. This open zoo keeps its animals in landscaped enclosures, separated from visitors only by moats. Dangerous animals like jaguars are kept in glass-fronted enclosures, where visitors can admire them up close without encroaching on their safety. The Singapore Zoological Gardens has dispensed with the cages of old, bringing the animals closer to visitors and demolishing the suggestion of repression, so prevalent in the zoos of the past. Air-conditioned shelters and airy pavilions are dotted around the zoo for your pit stops. Don’t be surprised either, when you see pretty storks and peacocks wandering about on the roads as you make your way around the zoo!
There is a plethora of things to do at the Singapore Zoo. Many families go there for outings – they go there not just to see the animals but also to take in the scenic surroundings, taste the marvelous food available at the many restaurants or simply to have picnics. To add to its attractions, the zoo also has two exceptional Children’s Playgrounds.
One of these playgrounds has animals such as rabbits, chicks, goats and chickens wandering about just like a farm. This is to give the kids the sensory experience of touching and feeling the animals. This interaction is great for the kids as it satisfies their curiosity and allows for interaction between the children and the creatures. The playground has a pool running through it as well, where the kids can dive in anytime when they feel hot! The other playground is note-worthy for its splashy wading pool installed with fountains, cascading with water. As it is shallow, it is a lovely place for babies to have fun in. The playgrounds are also equipped with diaper-changing facilities, which are very much welcomed by mothers.
The most famous animal of the Singapore Zoo is Ah Meng, the Orang-Utan. This grand dame is the mascot of the zoo. Visitors to the zoo may even get to interact with her up close, when they have breakfast with her at the zoo. This breakfast with the animals is a unique attraction of the zoo. While you breakfast with the animals, a friendly elephant may even greet you! Aside from breakfast, you can also try the various local foods available. The staff of the restaurants are kind and personable, while provisions are made for babies, with plenty of baby-chairs on hand. In addition, the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable.
One other significant feature of the zoo is the Night Safari, where visitors can view wildlife at night, through special lighting techniques, which make them privy to the habitats of over 1000 nocturnal animals. As many tropical animals are nocturnal, the Night Safari is an ideal tour to view tropical animals after dusk. This wildlife night sightseeing is very popular with locals and tourists alike.
Indeed the Singapore Zoological Gardens is not just a zoo, with the range of things to do there. If you plan to go there often, do opt to become a Friend of the Zoo (FoZ), where you pay an initial fee for a membership card which allows you unlimited entry for a whole year.
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