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Take a ride to see animals at night. Photo by Chiang Mai Night Safari on

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Night Safari Nocturnal Wildlife Park

The Night Safari nocturnal park is in Singapore. It was suggested in the 1980s by the Former Executive Chairman of the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Dr Ong Swee Law. The Night Safari Nocturnal Wildlife park was opened on May 26, 1994.

It cost $63 million for construction. It occupies 35 hectares of secondary rainforest which is adjacent to the Singapore Zoo and Upper Seletar Reservoir.

The night Safari park houses over 900 animals which represent 100 species. It also has threatened species which are 41% of the population.

The Night Safari is divided into seven geographical zones. They can be explored either on foot via tour walking trails or by tram ride.

The Safari is an open set in a humid tropical forest that is only open at night. Animals are made visible by lighting that resembles moonlight.

The lighting is brighter than full moonlight by a few orders of magnitude. The light is dim not to interrupt nocturnal and animal behaviour.
Let’s learn more interesting facts about the park.

1. The Opening of the Park was Suggested by the Former Executive Chairman of the Singapore Zoo

Singapore mandai zoo. Photo by unknown author on

The idea of a nocturnal park was first mooted in the 1980s. The idea was by the former Executive Chairman of the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Dr Ong Swee Law.

The construction of the park took seven years. Lighting was the most challenging issue. Sufficient illumination had to be provided for visitors to see the animals without interrupting their nocturnal routine.

Simon Corder was recruited to design the lighting. He designed the lighting on the principles simulating the effect of moonlight.

It was projected downwards from elected sources. Lighting colour and temperature similar to moonlight were used.

The park was officially opened by then prime minister Goh Chok Tong. It was officially opened on May 26, 1994.

2. The Night Safari is the World’s first Nocturnal Zoo and Singapore’s Premier Tourist Attractions

The Night Safari is the world’s first night zoo. It allows visitors to observe nocturnal animals in a native habitat. It was designed to be experienced at night.

The Night Safari is radically different from the typical zoo and nocturnal house The park occupies 35 hectares. It’s located at 80 Mandai Lake road.

The night zoo Houses more than 130 species and over 2,500 animal specimens. It is a suitable level to pioneer at night due to Singapore’s tropical climate and cool nights.

Since the opening of the park in May 1994. It has become a leading icon of Singapore tourism. The park has attracted more than 1.1 million visitors every year. The Night Safari has been highly ranked by the international zoo community.

4. The Night Safari Animals are Housed in Large Enclosures Instead of Cages

The naturalistic enclosures of the animals enable visitors to enjoy the animals’ behaviour. It also stimulates the animals’ native habitat.

The animals are not caged. They are separated from visitors with natural barriers. Cattle grids were laid all over the park instead of Prison cages.

The grids prevent hoofed animals from moving from one habitat to another. Animals are also kept in open areas due to the moats that are designed to look like streams and rivers.

Animals are also kept away from the boundaries of their enclosure. This is by the hot wires designed to look like twigs. This also keeps visitors safe from the animals.

5. The Main Attraction at the Night Safari is Tram Ride through Dense Shrubbery

White Rhino in the Night Safari. Photo by KungDekZa on

When you visit the night safari, you will enjoy a 40 minutes tram ride. The ride takes you to the seven regions of the park.

The park is divided into seven regions such as the Himalayan Foothills, Nepalese River Valley, Indian Subcontinent and Equatorial Africa among others. The regions feature specific animals in each region in the real world. They have Similar vegetation and landscape as the original ones. This makes the area conducive for the animals and gives the tourist a feel for the real world of animals in certain regions.

Visitors enjoy Various animals through the tram ride from the Himalayan Foothills. This is where they witness animals such as bharal, Markhaor and the Himalayan griffon vulture.

The stream then enters the Marshlands and the Nepalese River Valley. Here you will observe the rhinoceros, pelicans, the wonders of sambars and the golden jackals.

The next region is the Indian subcontinent. It displays varied species such as barasingha, sloth bears and Gir lions.

The next journey with the tram is the Equatorial Afrit Region. Animals displayed here are the bongos and giraffes. After this region, the next one is the indo-Malayan Region. You will expect to see Indonesia’s rich biodiversity such as the regal Malayan tiger, babirusa and Malayan pig deer.

In the Asian Riverine region, you will enjoy the splendour of tropical animals such as the Asian elephant and red dhole. The last region is Burmese Hillside. This steep and rugged highlands is the home to animals such as the thiamin and gaurs.

6. A Safari is Incomplete without Walking Trails through the Forest

Some elephants. Photo by Kuruman on

The Night Safari offers you this opportunity. They are four interlinked trails at the Safari.
First, the leopard Trail brings you face-to-face with the spotted feline. You will also get a chance to see its daily activities such as hunting.

The Fishing Cats Trail is another enthralling one. While on this trail you are sure to be enthralled by the hunting activities of the Fishing Cats. Be sure to keep an eye on pangolins, Indian gharials and the Malayan flying fox, the largest bats in the world.

The Forest Giants Trail, as the name suggests, takes the visitors to the forest giants, some of which have been around for several years. This trail focuses on the flora of the region with emphasis on the native plants.

The East Lodge Safari spans the Equatorial African region and the Indo-Malayan region. Spotted hyenas, bongos, babirusas and last but not least, the Malayan tigers make this trail worthwhile.

7. The Night Safari has Interactive Creatures of the Night Show and Cultural Performance

The Night Safari has several interactive activities. These are cultural performances and performances by animals.

Firstly, the creatures of the Night is an interactive Animals presentation. This is a 20 minutes programme. It features various nocturnal animals such as owls, civets and raccoons. The show occurs thrice daily on weekdays and four times on weekends.

Moreover, there is a cultural program called Thumbuakar. This show features fire-eaters, ethnic dancers and other fire stunts. Shows are staged three times a day.

Additionally, visitors also get photographs of some nocturnal creatures. The photos are either taken by professionals or visitors.

8. The Night Safari Prides Itself on its Contribution to Wildlife Conservation

The park has successfully managed to breed endangered species. The births of the Sunda pangolin and the red giant flying squirrel were believed to be the first.

In February 2008, the Safari bred its 26th tapir. Additionally, it managed to breed the Malayan tapir, the clouded leopard and the Asian elephant.

9. The Night Safari nocturnal park has had Controversies and Crises

In September 1996, a Malayan tiger tries to escape from its enclosure after the yard doors were left open. However, zoo keepers prevented the escape.

In July 2001, an elephant handler suffered fractured ribs and a punctured lung. He was gored by a bull elephant.

Six Sambar deer escaped in July 2010. This after a tree fell on the fence of their enclosure. However, they were recaptured but one died of heatstroke.

In September 2011, the park faced critics for its abrupt decision to cancel its annual Halloween Horrors. The cancellation was done by the Wildlife Reserve Singapore.

10. The Night Safari is Home to Fine Dining Restaurants

Food and beverage outlets in the park are Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant, Bongo Burgers and casa Italia. Visitors can also dine in the Evening in the Wild at Night Safari’s Tepee Tent, Cocktail Safari Express and Gourmet Safari Express.

The Night Safari has received numerous local, regional and international awards since its inception. It has bagged the Singapore Tourism Boards Best visitor Attraction Award 11 times.