Mandai - The Kingdom of Animals

Mandai's zoo combo has completely captivated me 🦓Singapore Zoo - River Wonder - Night Safari🐯 🐘I love spending an entire day in the Mandai area to immerse myself in the world of animals and learn many fascinating things. The ticket prices are high but worth it; the most economical option is to buy a combo ticket to explore everything. 🦒In the morning, you can have breakfast at the city center before heading here. If you're traveling with a family of three or more, taking a taxi is the most time-efficient and comfortable option. However, catching a taxi on the way back can be a hassle; there were times I wished I had pre-booked a car rental to avoid the wait in the evening. But buses can still save the day if you're unlucky. 🐻If you want to explore thoroughly, visiting each enclosure and area, renting an electric vehicle like the one I rented for my mom (as shown in the picture) is a lifesaver when you're tired, and the cost is reasonable. However, I recently heard that Mandai has discontinued these electric vehicles, leaving only pull carts and strollers for kids 🥺. Luckily, I managed to take my mom there before they were removed—what a relief! 🦜In Singapore Zoo, the Tram ride is usually included in the ticket price, so if you're tired, you can hop on to relax and get off at the next station. 🐼I love River Wonder the most, not just because of the pandas but also for the $5 boat ride (paid separately). It's like USS but even more enjoyable, as you get to see animals on both sides of the river—though spotting them depends on luck, especially if there are only one or two individuals hiding from the sun. Between Zoo and River Wonder, I would choose River Wonder if traveling with adults and kids because it's cooler and has shaded areas. 🐾Night Safari is one of my favorite experiences, from the nighttime tram ride to walking on foot—it’s all so fascinating. I love how everything is immersed in darkness, with only the audio commentary playing, no bright lights disrupting the animals' natural behavior. It feels very authentic and natural. There's an animal show, which, while not overly theatrical or offensive, still doesn't quite appeal to me huhu. 💞❣️Currently, there are two new parks: Bird Paradise, which has been relocated to the Mandai area, and Rainforest Wild, which has been renovated. I haven't had the chance to visit them yet since my trip in June, so I can't review them. I have higher expectations for Rainforest Wild, but it seems to fall short of my hopes—it feels a bit artificial. I’ve visited the Zoo multiple times in 2022 and 2023, always wishing for more. 🍽️🍽️Regarding food, seeing Songfa open a branch here is delightful. There's also KFC, which is sufficient for families with adults and kids. If you want to try local cuisine, there's a food court near the Zoo entrance. The prices are slightly high, but the food is decent. 💥💥Sharing this review in hopes of visiting the two new parks this year to complete the experience 🫶🫶🫶