Last year, we’ve already brought your attention to one of 2025’s most anticipated openings – Rainforest Wild Asia, Singapore’s fifth zoological park at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, set to launch on March 12, 2025. And it’s not just us who are excited – it’s even been ranked among the world’s top must-visit spots for the year.
Since its announcement in November, preparations have been in full swing – the animal team at Mandai has been managing transfers for the past two months, following a translocation plan that’s still underway.
But before that, here’s why the park is the talk of the town: Rainforest Wild Asia is the first of its kind – accessible from Mandai Wildlife West, the park lets you trek through a recreated Southeast Asian rainforest, complete with winding paths that reveal wildlife from both above and below ground. Although tailored for adventure lovers, the park is welcoming to all, with raised walkways and covered rest areas for families with strollers and wheelchair users, allowing everyone to explore its varied landscapes and wildlife at a relaxed pace.
Spanning 13 hectares, Rainforest Wild Asia brings the jungle to life with nearly 7,000 native trees and shrubs and is home to 36 species of animals. You’ll even be able to walk alongside Malayan tigers, with safe distancing of course.
Visitors can also catch a series of Ranger Talks held across key zones like ‘The Karsts’, ‘Forest Floor’, and ‘Watering Hole’. These daily sessions dive into the fascinating wildlife that thrives in different layers of the rainforest, offering a deeper appreciation of its inhabitants.
Rainforest Wild Asia opens in just one month, but we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the wildlife park ahead of time. With that, we’ve put together an all-in guide to give you a first look at its eight zones, along with what to expect, tips on getting around, ticketing info, dining options, and more.
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The adventure kicks off the moment you enter the gates, greeted by towering rocks, soaring emergent trees, and mist that mimics the dense fog of a rainforest. Wander a little further, and you’ll find a habitat pond teeming with freshwater species – along with special scheduled Ranger Talks that let you dive deeper into their world.
Asian Arowana Ranger Talk: 9.30am and 1.30pm daily (Meeting point: the Entrance Pond)
Beyond the Entrance Gorge, you’ll find the lively François' langurs ruling their habitat, effortlessly swinging and leaping through the trees. Catch them in action from multiple vantage points – either from the elevated Karst Lookout platform or by trekking along the Karst Loop.
François' Langur Ranger Talk: 9.45am and 1.45pm daily (Meeting point: The Karsts)
Adventure activity: Embark on the Wild Apex Adventure and scale the karst along a guided via ferrata path. Booking is required.
Here marks the first rest stop in your journey. Pause at Rangers Café for a quick bite before continuing your walk.There’s also a camping ground here that can accommodate up to 20 dome tents, complete with facilities like a classroom and shower areas for campers.
As you make your way down the trail, keep your eyes peeled for free-roaming mousedeers – that’s if you can spot them. The path itself is an adventure, requiring you to duck under fallen trees and climb over logs as you descend toward the forest floor. Other wildlife to watch for include hog deer, axis deer, lesser mousedeer, elongated tortoises, and Asian brown tortoises.
Deer Ranger Talk: 10.15am and 2.15pm daily (Meeting point: The Outpost)
This is our personal favourite – because how often do you get to stroll alongside a Malayan tiger? Here, the majestic feline will roam through see-through tunnels, scale rocky formations, and navigate cascading waterfalls, all in search of elevated vantage points.
Meanwhile, us humans will follow the trail suspended high above the forest floor. This route takes you across a root bridge and deeper into the habitat, where, if you're lucky, you might catch a rare glimpse of the tiger perched on its rocky lookout.
This zone is also where things get a little more interesting, with both prey and predator sharing three ever-changing habitats. Catch the action as red dholes and babirusas take center stage at different times of the day. The habitats are built to keep the animals on their toes, encouraging natural behaviors – perfect for park-goers looking for a front-row seat to the wild side.
Red Dhole Ranger Talk: 10.45am and 2.45pm daily (Meeting point: Flexible Habitat 1)
Malayan Tiger Ranger Talk: 11am and 3pm daily (Meeting point: Tiger Waterfall)
The Canopy gives you a treetop view, where you can enjoy sights of mature trees and species like the Javan langur, red-shanked douc langur, and siamang roam. Take a walk on the Langur Walking Nets for a primate’s-eye view of the rainforest, and don’t forget to look down for a glimpse of ground-dwelling wildlife like the Philippine spotted deer. For an even closer look, the Wild Apex Adventure lets you cross to the Langur Observation Deck with a guided harness tour.
Langurs & Siamang Ranger Talk: 11.30am and 3.30pm daily (Meeting point: The Canopy)
Adventure activity: Embark on the Wild Apex Adventure and scale the karst along a guided via ferrata path. Booking is required.
The journey continues at The Watering Hole, the largest zone in Rainforest Wild Asia with large water bodies and several waterfalls. As you wander through this zone, you might spot the Malayan tapir roaming the forest floor or a Malayan sun bear foraging among the trees.
Malayan Sun Bear Ranger Talk: 12.30pm and 4.30pm daily (Meeting Point: Watering Hole)
Things are about to get cooler at the final zone – The Cavern, a 220-metre air-conditioned cave route inspired by the Mulu Caves in Sarawak, Malaysia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most intricate cave systems. As you venture through the darkness, keep an eye out for some fascinating creatures including Madagascar hissing cockroaches, Soro brook carp, blind cave fish, cave racers, and Asian black scorpions.
Cavern Ranger Talk: 1.15pm and 5.15pm daily (Meeting point: The Cavern)
Adventure activity: Wild Cavern Adventure explores the nooks and crannies of the cave where you’ll squeeze through tight spaces and navigate narrow tunnels. Booking is required.
Located at the first rest stop, the café offers a quick refuel with sandwiches, wraps, pastries, and refreshing beverages – all served with a side of stunning rainforest views.
Treat yourself to a feast of Southeast Asian dishes in a forest-themed setting. But it’s not just about the food – get up close to wildlife with exhibits featuring species like the Burmese python and blood python. Outside, an aviary is home to critically endangered gems like the Bali myna and Vietnam pheasant.
Ranger Talk: 4pm daily
The Watering Hole Café serves up family-friendly, all-day dining in a cosy, rustic setting with mellow timber interiors. Overlooking the Malayan tapir habitat, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a meal while getting a close-up view of these fascinating creatures.
Singapore's first and only cave-dining experience, The Cavern, is operated by Tung Lok Group. The restaurant offers hearty grilled meats, vibrant shared platters, and a tempting mix of signature cocktails and craft beverages. And fret not, The Cavern is open to the public and accessible without entering Rainforest Wild Asia.
Itching for a quick adrenaline rush? Then consider this free fall experience where you’ll step off a 13-metre or 20-metre platform into the stunning landscape of the rainforest. Book here.
Bounce through the air above the forest canopy across three zones, navigating a playground of climbing nets. For those craving more thrills, take the plunge down a nine-meter slide. Book here.
Who says you can’t explore dark caves in Singapore? Now you can, with this 20-minute adventure. Armed with just a dim headlamp, a small group will navigate a 60-metre cave tunnel, discovering impressive stalactites, stalagmites, rock formations, and fossil imprints along the way. Book here.
All tickets are now available for purchase through Mandai’s website here.
Single-park admission is priced at $43 for adults, $31 for children (ages 3 to 12), and $20 for senior citizens* (available to local residents aged 60 and above).
For both local residents and tourists, exciting opening promotions are also available from February 12 to April 30, 2025: Local residents can enjoy special rates of $33 for adults and $21 for children (ages 3 to 12) for Rainforest Wild Asia, as well as the Black Adventure buddy bundle starting at $172 for seniors. Tourists can take advantage of the promotion too: buy two adult tickets at $86 and get a free child ticket, or snag an adult ticket at $43 with a free add-on activity. There's also 50 percent off the Black Adventure bundle, which includes admission and a photo, with options like the Apex Adventure or Wild Cavern Adventure.
We highly recommend downloading the Mandai app before your adventure for easy navigation around the park. Think of it as your personal GPS – it'll show your current location and help guide you through the park with ease.
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