A trip to Singapore with kids wouldn’t be complete without a stopover at the Singapore Zoo. There’s a reason why it’s considered one of the best in the world. From information displays and animal shows to a dizzying array of animals, there’s enough here to please all ages.
The zoo, run by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, is set up with large, free-ranging enclosures that make the park feel more like a reserve than a zoo. A number of animals actually range freely across the zoo and most animals, even the lions, are only separated by a large moat and a short fence.
To truly make your visit to the Singapore Zoo a memorable one, where your kids, and you, are going to enjoy, here are seven tips to keep in mind.
1. Check with your hotel to see if they offer any discounts. Ours (Fragrance Hotels) basically provided the tram admission (worth $5 and $3 for adults and children respectively). And it was worth it.
2. Take the tram! We only got on them about three times, but it allowed us much more flexibility in watching the various shows and grabbing a bite to eat at the restaurant.
3. Bring your bathing suits. The splash park is a treat for all ages and a great way to cool down in the afternoon.
4. Bring water bottles… and refill them. You’ll need a lot of water to stay hydrated as you walk/ride around the various exhibits. You can also refill them at the Ah Meng Restaurant in the middle of the park. (The restaurant is named after the zoo’s famous orangutan.)
5. Bring umbrellas! The four animal shows are a great opportunity to learn more about animals and take a break from walking. However, some of the venues get pretty packed and you may not find any place to sit underneath the canopies. An umbrella provides you with your own portable shade, a must-have in the afternoon heat.
6. Bring food! While there are restaurants in the zoo and outside the main gates, they are very pricey compared to town. A sandwich can run you up to $13 and one scoop of ice cream will cost you almost $5! Better to bring your own sandwiches and snacks if you want to save money.
7. If you are planning on taking in the other WRS attractions (Night Safari, River Cruise and Rainforest Lumina), make sure to book the 2 or 4 park packages. They’ll save you a fair amount of money. Doing two attractions in one day may be overdoing it if your kids are a bit young. After five hours at the zoo, our whole family was done for the day.
