Singapore Zoo Review: Is It Worth Visiting In 2026?

Singapore Zoo is easily one of the biggest names when it comes to things to do in Singapore, but with so many Mandai parks to choose from, is this one worth it? I decided to visit myself to figure out the hype, what to expect, how long you need there, and more.

Now Singapore has some pretty famous zoos, and without a doubt, Singapore Zoo is the one most talked about. Though what actually makes it so great compared to others around the world, and is it overrated?

Well, on my recent visit to Singapore (number 4 and counting) I decided to hit up every single Mandai Wildlife Park, and it took me a full 3 days. It was a hot and humid adventure, but I survived and have written about each, so welcome to this Singapore Zoo review.

Without a doubt, it was pricey, so I for sure don’t want you to waste your money if you genuinely won’t love it, and if I’m to be completely honest… I didn’t really love it, well in comparison to the other parks like River Wonders, Night Safari, and Bird Paradise.

To me, it felt like just any ol’regular zoo. Were there some cool animals? Yes. The enclosures were great, and so were the shows. But it all just seemed very similar to what I’ve experienced before.

Nevertheless, let’s get into this full review of Singapore Zoo, and I’ll let you know how to get there, prices, how long you need, what’s actually worth seeing, the tips I wish I knew before visiting, and so much more.

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

Is Singapore Zoo Worth Visiting?

Okay, I won’t muck you around here at all, cause let’s be honest, if you decide this isn’t for you, there’s no point reading the entire article to figure that out.

My personal ranking of the Mandai Wildlife Parks would be:

• Bird Paradise
• River Wonders
• Night Safari
• Singapore Zoo
• Rainforest Wild Adventure

Now I totally understand you may not agree with this. I’m a typical backpacker popping through the zoos with my partner and friends when we come through the city. I don’t have kids, which to be honest would completely change up this list, especially depending on age.

I’m talking as someone in their early 30s who loves animals a hell of a lot, but also prioritises ethical experiences, which zoos aren’t a lot of the time. I’d heard the Mandai Wildlife brand was a lot different than typical zoos, which is what interested me most about visiting, and I don’t have a single complaint about that.

I think it literally comes down to the fact that the other parks available just take the usual zoo concept to a whole new level, which leaves the concept of Singapore Zoo seemingly stuck a bit in the past. It’s still a damn good zoo and well worth visiting if you’re traveling with kids.

Though if you have a special interest like me with birds, perhaps manatees (River Wonders) or white tigers (Night Safari), there are some options which may interest you more.

Singapore Zoo Tickets & Opening Hours

Singapore Zoo is open daily from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm, with the last entry at 5:00 pm. Though honestly, I wouldn’t be rocking up that late unless you’re just doing a super quick visit. Pick either the morning or afternoon and just take it slow since the heat can be full on.

Singapore Zoo tickets cost SG$49.00 / US$38.00 for adults and SG$34.00 SGD / US$26.00 for children, if you’re a tourist. Local resident pricing is a few dollars cheaper than this.

Though in all honesty, in terms of value for money, if you’re here for a few days I highly recommend buying the 5 Attractions Destination Pass (5-Day).

This is exactly what I did, with it costing SG$128.00 SGD / US$100.00 for adults and SG$98.00 / US$77.00 for children. This pass gives you one-time entry to each of the five parks of Rainforest Wild Adventure, Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, and Night Safari.

How To Get To Singapore Zoo

You’ll find Singapore Zoo in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which to be honest is a little out of the main city area. This means it’s not as simple as jumping off the MRT and walking straight there, but don’t stress, it’s still pretty easy.

The fastest and easiest way to get to River Wonders in Singapore is by taxi or Grab, which will cost around US$25.00 for the 30-minute drive. This is what I did a lot of the time, and even though it’s more expensive, you’re saving a lot of time. Try spot the little wildlife bridges on the highway!

If you’re keen to do public transport to save money:

• MRT & Bus: This is the easiest option. Catch the MRT to Khatib Station and then take the Mandai Khatib Bus, which runs every 20 minutes.
• Bus: You can also only take a bus, but be aware you’ll have to change onto Bus 138 or Bus 927 to get all the way into the park.

The best way to figure out the best method for you is to use the public transport option on Google Maps. The Mandai website also has timetables for shuttles, bus schedules, and parking information.

The one thing I love about the transport system here is that it’s just so easy. You simply tap on and off with your debit or credit card, which is so damn easy, and I don’t have to get another silly plastic transport card!

How Long Do You Need At Singapore Zoo?

Okay, first off Singapore Zoo is absolutely huge, so it’s not some little 2-hour trip. Really, I’d allow at least 3 to 4 hours for Singapore Zoo at a bare minimum.

In all honesty, you could easily spend longer here if you’re keen on the animal presentations, stop for food and drinks, or take things slow which you likely will in the heat.

I visited in the morning after doing the freakin awesome Breakfast in the Wild (I highly recommend!) and even then I struggled a lot with the heat before midday. No doubt you’ll likely spend a lot less time here than you genuinely want to.

Whether you’re dying for a bit of AC, can’t afford the crazy prices for lunch, or even just a simple drink.

Best Time To Visit Singapore Zoo

Talking about weather, this seems like a nice segue. Personally, I’d recommend visiting first thing in the morning, ideally right when it opens at 8:30 am.

And yes, this is what I did and still struggled, but that was a crazy hot Singapore day! Even the animals were having a hard time.

Scientifically, it’ll be a little cooler than in the afternoon, but the animals should be a bit more active before the ridiculous heat really kicks in. Plus, you’ll be able to make the most of your ticket without feeling like you are rushing around trying to see everything before closing.

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

Best Things To See At Singapore Zoo

It’s no secret that there’s a lot of animals to see at Singapore Zoo, so many so it can get a bit overwhelming. I recommend downloading the Mandai Wildlife App, which has an interactive park map so you can see where you are and where you’re going.

So you don’t miss out on any highlights, it’s definitely worth having an idea of your ‘must sees’. Then chuck on some good sneakers cause you’ll for sure need them.

Orangutans

The orangutans are easily one of the big highlights of Singapore Zoo, and probably one of the main animals people come here to see, including myself. Mandai is known for its open-style habitats, and the orangutan area is a good example of this.

If you’re a huge Orangutan fan, definitely book in for Breakfast in the Wild. The orangutans actually make THEIR OWN way over if they’re interested via a bit of bamboo that connects their enclosure to the restaurant. It’s pretty cool to see in action!

Fragile Forest

Fragile Forest is another area I’d definitely make time for. It’s a walk-through style enclosure with free-roaming animals, so it feels a lot more immersive. Just keep in mind animals can be on the track so don’t get too much of a surprise!

Keep your eyes peeled here because you can spot all sorts, from birds and butterflies to small mammals. You really need to slow down and look here as you’ll find animals hiding among the trees and greenery.

Unfortunately, I still haven’t found a sloth here! It’s in there somewhere, but they’re just so camouflaged.

Wild Africa

This is where you’ll find those big-ticket zoo animals like giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and big cats. Basically, you’re iconic zoo animals, which really are a must.

Personally, I quite liked the little birds with the giant rhinos, as well as the cheeky meerkats, of course. I must say watch out above as my visit to Wild Africa was actually interrupted by a local monkey pooping on my head!

It was a mad dash to the public bathrooms to wash it out of my hair, and lord I don’t think I’ve ever smelled something so bad! I swear the smell lingered on me all day.

Primate Kingdom

If you enjoy watching monkeys and smaller primates doing their thing, Primate Kingdom is worth a wander through. Its quite a nice set up with a walking trail past their enclosures that have the typical Singapore Zoo open style.

I will say though it is pretty hard to spot the different monkeys and you’ll be doing so from quite the distance across the moats. Though the dense trees do provide a good shelter for them, replicating a safe environment.

The Enrichment Centre

Okay, so this building is so damn unassuming, especially with the tinted out windows stopping you from seeing what’s inside, but don’t let that stop you.

Very random, but the Enrichment Centre ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our visit, and that wasn’t just due to the amazing air con. I happened to stumble in there during feeding time for the pelicans and penguins.

It was super funny watching the clumsy pelicans try catch the fish as they were thrown, one even got one stuck on his back. It was quite amusing watching the keepers trying to get him to shake it off, I think even they were shocked by the whole situation.

Animal Presentations & Keeper Talks

If you have enough time, try to visit a few of the animal presentations during your visit. These are a good way to learn a bit more about the animals and break up all the walking. Bonus points if you happen to position yourself strategically underneath a fan!

We checked out the presentation at the Elephants of Asia enclosure, which was super interesting to watch and learn a little more about them.

You can use the Mandai Wildlife app to check the presentation times for the animals. There is a lot of different ones available so look and see which ones interest you the most and plan your visit around that.

Singapore Zoo Itinerary: How I’d Plan My Visit

There’s for sure some things I did right when it comes to Singapore Zoo, such as getting there early, but also there are a few things I’d change.

This ultimately comes down to planning, as it was honestly a bit like getting lost in a maze. There is a lot to see here, but I felt the paths for the different areas would spit me out in odd places where I would’ve missed a whole other area if I didn’t check the map.

As you can see, it’s a pretty full-on itinerary, especially as that includes minimal drinks and food breaks! Just remember to take your time and don’t rush it.

There is a lot to see, so bring along some snacks, sunscreen, and decent walking shoes.

Singapore Zoo Vs Night Safari Vs River Wonders Vs Bird Paradise

Okay, I feel like I did touch on this a bit earlier, but my personal ranking of the Mandai Parks would be:

• Bird Paradise
• River Wonders
• Night Safari
• Singapore Zoo

To me, both Singapore Zoo and Rainforest Wild Adventure just didn’t hit the mark compared to some of the other options. Not because they are bad, but because the other Mandai parks feel a little more unique and memorable.

Singapore Zoo is your classic daytime zoo experience. You’ll find all the standard animals here in open style exhibits.

Night Safari is definitely the most unique, and I can see why it is so popular. It’s a whole different experience after dark, though it may not be best for kids since it’s a late-night out and you do need to be pretty quiet.

River Wonders was one of my personal favourites, mainly because it feels quite different from the others. It’s smaller and easier to get around, and if you love manatees, giant pandas, or a little fun ride, you’ll probably enjoy this one a lot.

Bird Paradise was my top pick, though I am definitely biased here because I love birds. It’s such an impressive park with the huge aviaries and an impressive range of birds. If you’re even slightly interested in birds, I think this one is so worth adding to your Singapore itinerary.

My Top Tips For Visiting Singapore Zoo

Here’s some extra little tidbits worth keeping in mind for your visit to Singapore Zoo:

Download The Mandai App Before You Go: This is actually handy for checking the map, presentation times, feeding sessions, and planning your route. I literally had it out navigating the whole time, and I still found myself doing a lot of backtracking.

Don’t Try To See Every Single Animal: If you try to see every single enclosure, you’ll probably end up hot, tired, and over it. I’d pick a few must-sees before you arrive, then let yourself wander a little.

Check the Animal Presentation Times First: Before you start walking around, have a quick look at the presentation times and plan loosely around those. They only run at certain times, and it’s very easy to be on the opposite side of the zoo when one’s about to start.

Pack A Small Umbrella Or Poncho: Singapore weather can switch up quickly, even if the forecast looks fine, a random downpour is always possible. Plus a small umbrella is also handy for shade if the sun is absolutely cooking you.

Bring Snacks If You’re On A Budget: Food inside the zoo can add up like crazy! I would always bring with me a few sandwiches and museli bars as gosh it’s so pricey. I did find the Food Republic, basically the Mandai Hawker Center) is more affordable, but it’s outside of the parks so you can only visit before or after.

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

FAQs About Visiting Singapore Zoo

Wrap Up: My Singapore Zoo Review

So, is Singapore Zoo worth visiting? Yeah, I reckon it is, especially if you’re traveling with kids or just want a proper zoo day while in Singapore.

Was it my favourite Mandai park? Nope, not even close. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. It’s easy to get around, there are some incredible animals to see, and the whole place is a lot nicer than your average zoo. Plus the Breakfast in the Wild was great.

Personally, I’d just make sure to go in with the right expectations. Arrive early, don’t try to see every single thing. If you’re only picking one Mandai park, maybe have a good think about what animals or experiences you’re actually most interested in, rather than just doing a broad range.