River Safari

This newest addition to the zoo cluster opened in 2012 and brands itself as the first (and only) river-themed reserve in Asia. Part zoo and part aquarium, it houses one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater critters from various famous rivers around the world, from the huge ugly paddlefish from the Mississippi River to the cuddly monochrome tapirs of the Amazon River. One of the highlights is the Amazon River Quest, a leisurely 10min cruise in a little boat on the park’s man-made river to see the animals that live in and around the Amazon River up close. Or you could take the River Safari Cruise, a 15-min boat ride that travels on the outskirts of the park, and you can spot giraffes and elephants from the neighbouring Singapore Zoo. It also houses the famous Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the panda sensations on loan for the next 10 years from China, who are gawked at by the tourist hordes in a cool air-conditioned exhibit right in the middle of the park - if you’re tired from a hot sweaty day, this is where you should head for a quick break, though be warned it gets immensely crowded in here. Covering 30 acres, it is the smallest of the three parks located in Mandai.