Breakfast In The Wild Singapore Zoo: Is It Really Worth Booking?

Breakfast in the Wild is one of Singapore Zoo’s most popular experiences, but it doesn’t come cheap. Here’s what the experience is really like, what surprised me, and whether I’d do it again.

I won’t lie, I was pretty excited for Breakfast in the Wild. Eating breakfast while animals wander nearby isn’t exactly something you get to do every day! Though it certainly wasn’t the cheapest thing I did in Singapore, that’s for sure.

No doubt, you’ve probably seen the photos of people having breakfast with orangutans at Singapore Zoo. While orangutans can still make an appearance, the experience is more a rotating lineup of their wildlife ambassadors.

Ultimately, that means every breakfast is a little different, and you’ll likely meet more than just orangutans, who yes, still came over during my visit. It’s completely up to them whether they decide to or not!

So, is Breakfast in the Wild actually worth the extra cost? Especially if you have breakfast already included in your hotel!

After experiencing it for myself, here’s everything you need to know before booking, including what animals you might see, what the food is like, and whether I’d recommend adding it to your Singapore itinerary.

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Singapore: 12Go Asia

What Is Breakfast In The Wild?

Breakfast in the Wild is basically exactly what it sounds like, breakfast at Singapore Zoo, but with a little extra something.

You’ll sit down for a buffet breakfast at Ah Meng Restaurant while different wildlife ambassadors aka animals, make an appearance throughout the morning. There are keeper talks, photo ops, and usually a few surprises and laughs.

I stumbled upon this experience while doing research online for my big 5 Zoos in 3 days Singapore trip. My partner who I was traveling with, is such a massive orangutan fan and animal lover, I knew I had to book it in!

My Experience At Breakfast In The Wild

Honestly, I was a bit later than I’d have liked for Breakfast In The Wild. Now I did my research in advance and saw online it recommended an 8:50 am arrival time so you can grab a seat and some food before the show starts. And this girl definitely wants to get her money’s worth.

I had a couple of issues getting a Grab out from my hotel, so once I arrived, it was an awkward speed walk through the park straight to the Ah Menh Restaurant.

Arriving At Breakfast In The Wild

Luckily I was planning to be early, so I wasn’t late at all. There were about 20 people there before us, and another 10 or so arrived later. Honestly, the room is massive, and we took up about a quarter, though that just meant everyone got a pretty good seat with a view.

Of course, I was straight up to grab a plate. They had a range of options, but it was the good ol’ scrambled eggs, hash browns, beans, and cheese for me. Basically, my buffet staple, and I made sure to load up on juices for the animal presentation.

The Animal Talk & Photo Opps

They started off by introducing each of the animals and talking a bit about them. We had a Diurnal Owl, a lizard named Oreo, a pair of female African penguins, a macaw, and the stars of the show, the Orangutans.

At the end of the show, it was time for photos. That’d call each animal, and anyone interested in getting a photo alongside it could walk up and stand in line. This was quite good as it meant there weren’t too many people all going up at once.

These photo opps also gave you the chance to get a lot closer, where you could really see the detail of the animals. I was so intrigued by the eyes of the owl, it was just like big yellow moons.

The keepers were also really onto it, making sure no one got too close to the animals or tried to sneak a cheeky pat as the kids were trying to. We were allowed to pat Oreo the lizard though, and there was a conveniently placed sink to wash your hands straight after.

The staff happily took photos on my phone, which actually turned out super well! The on-site photographer also took some, but honestly, it was super expensive at S$70 / US$54, so we weren’t interested at all.

The Orangutans At Breakfast In The Wild

One of my favorite parts here wasn’t actually the breakfast (which was amazing), but actually how impressive the setup was. Since the Ah Meng Restaurant is right next door to the orangutan enclosure, if you look super close, you’ll see a bamboo-like bridge drop over between the two.

Obviously, this indicates to those orangutans interested that it’s time to come over. Honestly, there are a lot over in the enclosure, but we just had 3 visit during our experience.

End of the day, it’s up to them whether they come across or not. This means that there’s always a chance none will turn up, though by the sound of things, that isn’t common at all.

There’s a little setup for them right next to the main stage area, where there are some treats hidden in boxes, the local squirrels were trying to steal them before they turned up. One of the orangutans was even using a stick to get the treats out! So smart.

Lastly, I had the chance to take photos in front of the orangutans, which was seriously amazing and turned out to be some of my favorite from my time in Singapore.

How Much Does Breakfast In The Wild Cost?

Breakfast in the Wild costs S$47 / US$32 for adults and S$37 / US$29 for children. Children under 6 can join for free with a paying adult.

This may be pricey but a typical breakfast in Singapore can easily set you back S$15–20.

I was staying 3 nights in Singapore, and by not including breakfast in our stay, I saved S$150 / US$116. We were going to Breakfast In The Wild for one morning, and had to get to the airport at 3 am another morning, so we would’ve only had one breakfast there anyway!

What Is Included?

The main things included in the Breakfast In The Wild Experience are your buffet breakfast and the animal presentations.

You have the option to pay for the photo package or, if you want any fancy drinks, though your standard tea, coffee, and juices are included.

One thing to keep in mind is that Breakfast In The Wild doesn’t include admission to Singapore Zoo.

You’ll need to purchase a separate zoo ticket, which will be scanned when you enter. Then, when you arrive at the Ah Meng Restaurant, your Breakfast In The Wild booking will be checked.

What Animals Can You See?

Okay, this is probably the part everyone’s the most curious about… what animals do you actually see at Breakfast in the Wild?

Honestly, it all depends on the day. Orangutans are still the big drawcard, especially since this experience was known as the famous orangutan breakfast.

However, these days, it’s more of a mix of different wildlife ambassadors rather than being all about one animal. During the morning, keepers bring out different animals and share a bit about them, so you might see birds, reptiles, or other surprise guests.

The lineup can change depending on the animals themselves, which I actually liked because it made the whole thing feel a bit more unexpected, and I respect the fact that they aren’t forcing the animals.

Doing a bit of research online, it does seem like there’s a few main ones of each species, and they which them out perhaps. For example, I saw photos online of two macaws, but we only had one on our day

As I said earlier, I had:

• An Owl
• A lizard named Oreo
• A pair of female African penguins
• A macaw
• And of course the Orangutans

What Is The Food Like?

Let’s be honest, you’re probably not booking Breakfast in the Wild just for the food. Though I was on a mission to get my money’s worth, which isn’t always easy being a vegetarian.

Luckily enough, I was actually super stoked by the amount on offer, and even though I arrived a little bit later, there was still plenty of food and more being topped up by the kitchen.

Being Singapore, aka just a melting pot of cultures, the buffet is exactly the same with a good mix of both Western and Asian breakfast options. You could help yourself to pastries, toast, fresh fruit, cereal, yoghurt, eggs, sausages, baked beans, hash browns, and pancakes.

Not going to lie, I had a couple plates of scrambled eggs, hash browns, croissants, grilled tomato, the bean pasta, and a cheeky bowl of Froot Loops, which took me way back to my childhood.

There were also local favourites available, giving you the chance to try something a little different if you wanted. Which, considering it’s included, is the perfect opportunity to try something new.

Of course there’s your standard coffee, tea, and juice served in the typical buffet cups that are way too small. Though I have no shame always grab a couple at a time.

Check out the Breakfast In The Wild menu

Important Note: The kitchen here at Ah Meng Restaurant is Halal, which means there are no pork products. They also don’t offer beef due to the large environmental impact of producing it.

Is Breakfast In The Wild Worth It?

For me, Breakfast in the Wild was definitely worth it. Sure, it’s more expensive than grabbing breakfast at a cafe, but you’re paying for the whole experience rather than just the food.

Honestly, it took our day at Singapore Zoo to a whole other level, and fueled me up for a massive day of walking around in the heat.

That said, I don’t think it’s a must-do for everyone. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, I’d probably save the money and just enjoy the zoo itself. You’ll still have an amazing day and see plenty of incredible animals.

The same thing goes if your hotel already has breakfast included. There’s not really any point paying that much when you don’t really need to.

If you do have the cash to splash, why not book one of their animal feedings instead? They are a lot cheaper at S$10.00 / US$8.00 per portion.

Breakfast In The Wild Vs Just Visiting Singapore Zoo

If you’re happy spending a little extra, I think Breakfast in the Wild is a really fun addition to your visit. I have zero regrets booking it and it really took our visit to Singapore Zoo to a whole other level.

That said, it isn’t essential, so don’t stress if you’re on more of a budget. Singapore Zoo is known as being an incredible zoo, so you’ll still have an amazing day even if you skip breakfast.

Things To Do After

Once Breakfast in the Wild wraps up, you’re already in the perfect spot to spend the rest of the day exploring Singapore Zoo, or perhaps another park as well.

I’d recommend heading straight to the most popular exhibits first, especially if there are certain animals you really want to see. The zoo does get busier as the day goes on, and the heat can be full on, so try make the most of the morning.

I recommend checking out the daily presentation times and plan your route around any keeper talks or animal shows you don’t want to miss using the Mandai App. This will save you from wandering around aimlessly.

If you want more ideas check out my Singapore Zoo itinerary

My Top Tips For Breakfast In The Wild

• Book in advance: This is one of the more popular add-on experiences at Singapore Zoo, so I wouldn’t rely on being able to book it last minute.
• Get there around 8:50 am: By arriving early, you’ll have the best choice of seating and may even get a front row spot! You’ll also be able to enjoy the food before the animals show up.
• Check the animal presentation times after breakfast: You’re already inside the zoo, so it makes sense to plan your next move around any shows or keeper talks you want to see.
• Skip a huge hotel breakfast beforehand: Obvious, but worth saying. You’re paying for the buffet, so come hungry.
• Don’t promise kids one specific animal: The lineup can change, so it’s better to frame it as a surprise rather than saying they’ll definitely meet a certain animal.
• Get your camera or phone ready: Sure, they have their own photographer with the big fancy setup. But if you ask nicely the staff will take photos using your phone so you don’t have to pay

FAQs About Breakfast In The Wild Singapore Zoo

Wrap Up: My Breakfast In The Wild Review

If you’re already planning a visit to Singapore Zoo, I’d definitely consider adding Breakfast in the Wild to your itinerary. Honestly, it was such a fun way to start the day and was the highlight of my visit, which is saying something.

Sure, it isn’t the cheapest breakfast you’ll ever have, but you’re paying for so much more than the food. Plus, it’s a buffet, so you can at least try to get your money’s worth.

If it fits your budget, I don’t think you’ll regret booking it at all. Just make sure you book ahead, arrive super hungry, and don’t forget your camera!