Rainforest Wild Adventure at Mandai fully open after launch of African-inspired zone
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The latest attraction is inspired by African landscapes and features the endangered okapi (top left).
PHOTOS: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP, CHONG JUN LIANG
SINGAPORE – Visitors to Rainforest Wild Adventure can now catch a glimpse of the endangered okapi and other animals found in Africa, as the second phase of the adventure-based wildlife park officially opened on May 29.
Called Rainforest Wild Adventure East, the 7ha zone marks the last major infrastructure development in the decade-long transformation of Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which spans 126ha, or about 176 football fields.
The star of the new park is the elusive okapi – also known as the forest giraffe – an endangered species native to the Congo in Central Africa that is making its South-east Asia debut. The rare mammal resembles a cross between a zebra and a giraffe. There are four of them in the park.
The park, inspired by Afro-tropical and Madagascan landscapes, also features animals such as the pygmy hippo, eastern bongo and Nile lechwe, as well as flora like the iconic baobab native to Africa.
While Africa is home to rich biodiversity, Mandai Wildlife Group’s curator for animal care Cecilia Tang said most people are more familiar with open savannas than with the Central African rainforest, which is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon.
“We want to bring a slice of that rainforest experience for our guests here and showcase different aspects of the rainforest (in Africa),” she said.
The park, inspired by Afro-tropical and Madagascan landscapes, also features animals such as the pygmy hippo (pictured), eastern bongo and Nile lechwe.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Thrill-seekers can take part in five adventure activities, including gliding through the tree canopy or soaring 8m above ground.
The Canopy Glider offers sweeping views over the Afro-tropical landscape of Rainforest Wild Adventure East.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
This East zone is part of the 20ha Rainforest Wild Adventure, formerly known as Rainforest Wild Asia and Africa. It has been rebranded into the East and West zones, with the Rainforest Wild Adventure West, featuring South-east Asia’s rich biodiversity, launched in March 2025.
A single park ticket to Rainforest Wild Adventure – dubbed by Mandai as Asia’s first adventure-based zoological park – allows visitors to access both zones via free shuttle services and selected adventure activities.
Admission costs $50 for adults and $35 for children aged three to 12, as well as local students aged 25 and under. Seniors aged 60 and above will be charged $25.
Admission for non-residents costs $55 for an adult and $39 for each child aged three to 12.
The park opens daily from 9am to 6pm, with the last admission at 5pm.
At 20ha, or about the size of 28 football fields, Rainforest Wild Adventure is one of the bigger parks at Mandai. The other parks there are the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise.
The smallest is River Wonders at 12ha, while the largest is the Singapore Zoo, which spans 26ha.
Speaking at the opening on May 29, Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu said the completed Mandai Wildlife Reserve now encompasses wildlife parks including the Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise, immersive indoor attractions Curiosity Cove and Exploria, as well as public spaces like the Mandai Boardwalk.
“Together, they form a destination that embodies Singapore’s identity as a City in Nature,” she said.
Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu visiting Lemur Land in Rainforest Wild Adventure East on May 29.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Mandai Wildlife Reserve now welcomes about 4.5 million local and international visitors each year.
The East park is split into four themed areas. For example, Lemur Land is a 1ha Madagascan-inspired aviary home to three lemur species and over a dozen bird species like Madagascar crested ibis. Visitors can also climb vertical rungs at Split Rock Summit for expansive views from 11m above ground.
Visitors can climb vertical rungs at Split Rock Summit for expansive views from 11m above ground.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Over at the Hidden Forest, visitors can catch sight of an okapi while walking across a 125m-long path of suspended bridges and nets.
All themed areas have ranger talks where keepers will share more about the animals, such as their characteristics, as well as conservation efforts for the endangered species.
To explore the park, visitors can stroll along wide, wheelchair-friendly walkways or go on forest treks winding through the habitats.
Hungry visitors can dine at Rangers Retreat Restaurant, which offers dishes inspired by African flavours.
Those eager for more wildlife experiences can choose to stay overnight at one of the two permanent glamping sites within Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Located in the East zone, the Crocodile Lodge is a campsite with 20 safari tents overlooking the Red Ravine – a sweeping ravine habitat where ungulates like the eastern bongo graze.
Rainforest Wild Adventure is home to nearly 60 species, of which 75 per cent are listed as threatened, including the Francois’ langur, Philippine spotted deer and the newly added okapi. The East zone is home to more than 20 species, while the West zone has 36.
None of the animals at the park was sourced from wild populations, said Ms Tang.
Some of the animals came from existing Mandai parks, while others are part of animal exchange programmes through the global zoo network. For instance, the four okapis at Rainforest Wild Adventure East come from zoos in Belgium, Germany and Ireland.
The two pairs have been recommended for breeding under a conservation initiative across accredited zoos worldwide that aims to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of threatened species.
The bongo at the Red Ravine in Rainforest Wild Adventure East on May 29.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Ms Tang said Mandai plans to breed the okapis. It plans to bring in two more lemur species, increasing the number at the park to five, she added. Hailing from Madagascar, these primates are considered one of the world’s most endangered mammals.
Rainforest Wild Adventure East is also home to Mandai’s third hospital, Mandai Wildlife Centre, which will be fully operational in July, said Mandai Wildlife Group on May 29. Operated by its conservation arm Mandai Nature, the facility is dedicated to treating and rehabilitating rescued native wildlife from across Singapore, including Sunda pangolins, Sunda colugos and pythons.
Besides a viewing gallery where visitors can learn about wildlife care and rehabilitation efforts, they will also be able to look into selected rooms for a rare glimpse of the veterinary care of rescued wildlife. For example, visitors can see the condition of animals when they come to Mandai and the type of treatment and care given to them, said Ms Tang.
During the construction of Rainforest Wild Adventure East, around 600 trees were retained from the original site, which was a secondary forest plot.
Ms Maggie Ang, vice-president for park operations at Mandai, said that among the trees retained is the Kayu Gaharu (Aquilaria malaccensis), a native species listed as vulnerable in Singapore and critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Besides salvaging and replanting almost 3,500 saplings before construction, Mandai also planted nearly 3,700 new trees, she added.
From June 1 to Aug 31, local residents can buy a two-attraction visit pass with up to 30 per cent savings.
For the promotion, visitors can pair either the Singapore Zoo or Rainforest Wild Adventure with a second attraction, choosing from River Wonders, Bird Paradise, Exploria or Curiosity Cove.
For more information, go to www.mandai.com
Additional reporting by Jemima Ryan
Features of Rainforest Wild Adventure East
Riverine Forest
Scale a strangler fig at Primate Climb for an elevated vantage point of Diana monkeys in their habitats.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
It features a coastal mangrove habitat, flooded forest and hippo lagoon.
Pygmy hippos and oriental small-clawed otters frolick in the water while Diana monkeys swing between treetops.
Visitors can scale a strangler fig at Primate Climb for elevated views of the Diana monkey habitat or glide through the treetops on the Canopy Glider.
Red Ravine
Experience the sensation of weightless flight on the Ravine Swing.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Spot ungulates, or hoofed mammals, like the Nile lechwe and eastern bongo at the sweeping ravine habitat as they graze or cross a suspension bridge while estuarine crocodiles roam below.
Visitors can swing up to 8m high on the Ravine Swing and catch a glimpse of the African painted dogs as they soar through the air.
Lemur Land
A lemur at the Rainforest Wild Adventure East.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
A 1ha Madagascan-inspired aviary is home to three lemur species – red-bellied, red ruffed and ring-tailed – and over a dozen bird species like Madagascar crested ibis, Meller’s duck and Buffon’s turaco.
Visitors can climb vertical rungs at Split Rock Summit for expansive views from 11m above ground.
Children can bounce and leap on the adventure trampoline or walk through a dramatic narrow passage beneath a towering rock wedge at the free-play areas.
Hidden Forest
Rainforest Wild Adventure East is the first and only zoological park in South-east Asia to house okapi.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Visitors can walk across suspension bridges and rope nets along the Treetop Traverse and seek out the elusive, endangered okapi native to Central Africa’s rainforests.
Rainforest Wild Adventure East is the first and only zoological park in South-east Asia to house these rare mammals, which resemble a cross between a zebra and a giraffe.
