No trip to Singapore is complete without a stop at one of the world’s most famous zoos. John and I were quite eager to check out the zoo, which is considered to be one of the best zoos in the world. We weren’t disappointed. The 28 hectare open zoo concept is set in a rain forest environment. The animals live in beautiful, spacious landscaped enclosures, which are separated by deep moats to keep visitors safe. There are 315 species in the zoo, with 2530 specimens at last count. 16% of the animals living in the zoo are threatened species.
The Singapore Zoo has earned a number of prestigious awards since its opening in 1973. In 2008, it was awarded a Michelin 3-star rating. It has also received Singapore Tourism Bureau awards each year, including awards for Best Leisure Attraction Experience of the Year 2008 and Top 10 Best Family Experiences (Jungle Breakfast at Singapore Zoo).
The zoo is open from 8:30am to 6:00pm daily. Tickets are S$18.00 for adults and S$9.00 for kids between the ages of 3 to 12 years old. Tram tickets can also be purchased at S$5.00 for adults and S$2.50 for children. The tram ride covers 2.2km. There is no limit to the number of rides within the park.
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Some lovely photos, Carrie. It looks like quite the place. Is Singapore’s reputation for being expensive justified? How does it compare, price wise, to Hong Kong or Taipei?
Thanks Steve. There’s no comparison. An entrance ticket to the Taipei zoo costs NT$60 ($2US), but it’s an old zoo that is showing signs of wear and tear. I’d love to see them charge a bit more and put the money into making the zoo a nicer place for both visitors and animals. Some of the exhibits are pretty sad-looking. The Singapore Zoo might be expensive, but it’s modern, it’s immaculate and the animals have a very comfortable living environment. I haven’t been to the zoo in HK. Fili might know the answer to that one.
I’ve been to over 210 zoos in my lifetime, but I haven’t yet been to Singapore or its great, great zoo. This zoo is near the very top of my list of zoos I most want to visit, however. I’ve heard SO many good things about it.
Allen Nyhuis, Coauthor: America’s Best Zoos
Well then, Allen. You are in for a treat!
Hi Carrie
Great pictures.. its been a long time since I have been to the Singapore Zoo (BTW I am Singaporean). Perhaps its time to get my photography geek friends for a trip for some animal shooting (in the camera sense
) – can add to my Saturday specials at my blog.
Thanks
ZQ
Hi ZQ,
I wish I’d found your blog before I went to Singapore. However, I’m quite certain we’ll be back within the year. We loved the city and found plenty to keep us entertained.
Absolutely amazing pics. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Eve. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
This looks wonderful! I’m have a membership card of the Antwerp zoo (which I love dearly and visit often) but this one is much larger and seems closer to the natural habitat of those animals. I’d love to visit it someday.
Hi Kim,
What is the zoo in Antwerp like? We hope you’re having a fine summer!
The Singapore zoo is nice. I have been there a couple of times and the last time I went there with my wife. She was actually pulled up on stage when they had a snake and reptile show and to start with it was all fun. But then all of a sudden they brought out the BIGGEST monster of a snake that we have ever seen. I think it was at that point my wife threw in the towel and chose to sit down again with the audience
Hi Gard,
Yeesh. I’d probably do the same if I had been in your wife’s position!
So many people in Singapore have told me to visit the Singapore Zoo but I don’t go to zoos. Putting animals in small, unnatural environments is cruel. Last September I went on the Night Safari because it was part of a business trip and it would have been rude for me not to go, but I was upset the whole time. They put spotlights on food for the animals so that us little people on the train can see them as we roll down the tracks.
You probably didn’t know this but they had polar bears there at the Singapore Zoo. Being Canadian, you have to ask yourself how well a polar bear is going to do at the equator. http://www.acres.org.sg/campaigns_polarbears.html
Just another perspective because I don’t think many people really think about it.
.-= Tara Brown´s last blog ..GTFO 2010: Episode 3. Still in Singapore. =-.
Hi Tara,
I’m not a big zoo person either. In fact, the first zoo I’ve been to in over two years was the Singapore Zoo. I was at the Taipei Zoo last summer with my stepson, and there is simply no comparison between the two. The Singapore Zoo is far superior.
I didn’t go to the Night Safari, so I can’t comment on that. I was prepared to be disappointed with the day zoo, but in comparison to what I’ve seen and read about other zoos, the Singapore Zoo seems to do a pretty good job of keeping the animals happy – er, as happy as they can be in penned in open areas.
I saw the polar bears and I admit, I felt bad for them. The enclosure seemed small and it seems cruel to keep them enclosed in the heat and humidity.