What To Expect When Glamping in the Wild at Singapore Zoo

Have you heard of Glamping in the Wild, Singapore Zoo’s very own staycation programme featuring behind-the-scenes tours and other exciting adventures? Glamping in the Wild returns on 1 April 2023 and gives you that meaningful respite from city life. A must for animal lovers, or those with little ones, this experience is unlike any staycation you’ve done before. 

Read on to find out all about this unique experience, as we review the wildest staycation in town - Glamping in the Wild at Singapore Zoo!

Glamping in the Wild at Singapore Zoo

Home to some of the most exotic animals in the world, Singapore Zoo is truly a must-visit location for tourists and locals alike. As unique as its fantastic line-up of shows, feeding opportunities and free-style exhibits, is the Zoo’s Glamping in the Wild programme. An opportunity for everyone to enjoy an adventure like no other, you can look forward to once in a lifetime, behind-the-scenes experiences, guided tours and popular dining opportunities such as Breakfast in the Wild. 

Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Behind-the-Scenes Action

Having experienced Glamping in the Wild first-hand at Singapore Zoo, we can confidently say that their behind-the-scenes experiences are designed to excite! A rare chance to delve into an insightful journey, there’s enough to keep animal lovers interested during the programme.

Starting with a special animal feeding and a keeper chit-chat session, your date with the animals begins on an exciting note. Next up is a tour of the animal healthcare facilities, where you can see the actual equipment and infrastructure used to treat and check animals on the premises. The healthcare facilities are world-class and you can expect to see the latest X Rays(in our case that of a Red Panda and a snake!), and hear stories of battle scars that were fixed by a highly skilled professional team. How do you bring in a tiger for a check-up? Ask the team at Mandai! 

Aside from viewing the inner workings of the Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre where a team of vets keeps animals in the best of health, you will also tour the Wildlife Nutrition Centre which caters for some 15,000 animals’ nutritional needs. Watch as you wander through dry stores, meat storage and a kitchen managed with the precision of a doctor. Each animal’s nutrition is catered to with the highest degree of care. Pregnant, newborn or geriatric, the team here has a special diet plan for everyone!

Night- Prowling at Singapore Zoo’s Glamping in the Wild

The adventures don’t just end there! Post your back-of-house tours, your private guide will transport you to Wild Africa for an introduction to the world of carnivores. You also get priority seats at the Splash Safari presentation where a highly-talented Sea Lion is set to woo and win every heart in the house.

Keep that appetite intact. A warm, and welcoming 3-course meal awaits at the Forest Lodge where you can unwind and exchange stories from the day. Meal options vary from local dishes such as Laksa and Mala Tofu Xiang Guo Rice/Noodles to international favourites such as BBQ Chicken or Dry Ramen. Kids' meals come with the option of Nuggets and Fries or Fish and Chips and ice cream after!

Post a hearty meal, guests get to unwind with a relaxing stroll through the rainforest while looking for native animals such as Spotted Wood Owls and Sunda colugos that reside in the parks.

Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

What’s it Like to Glamp in the (literal) Wild!

Finally, it’s time to head to your tents and enjoy a night away from the hustle of Singapore city. Cosy air-conditioned dome tents await with all the amenities you may need for an overnight stay. 

As you unzip your way into your tent, you will find 2 queen-sized beds, with proper pillows, blankets and mattresses - ready for you to sink in. There’s also a portable AC unit that keeps the tent cool, along with other amenities such as a fan, coat or hat hanger, electricity plug points and chairs to lounge in. 

For those looking to glam up the glamping experience further, pre-order the Wine Down Basket, which comes with a delicious cheese and fruit platter, Pierre Jean Merlot and Perrier Water in the cutest picnic basket - perfect for a picnic overlooking the reservoir.

Toilets and showers(shared) are both available but a 2-3 minute walk away from the tent. You will also find a couple of vending machines with drinks and ice cream, water fountains and a baby changing table near the bathroom area. 

Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Morning, Sunshine!

Wake up to the sound of the park, including a resident Peacock, overlooking the reservoir. As your guide walks you to the breakfast area, you get to take in the morning beauty of the Zoo, sans the crowds and truly enjoy the setting of the campsite. Next up on the programme, is the Breakfast in the Wild experience or what is popularly known as, Breakfast with the Orangutans! 

Featuring a tantalising array of local and international flavours thoughtfully created with ingredients friendly to wildlife and the planet, the highlight of your morning will surely be the animal encounters! Take in an international buffet of fruits, salads, local dishes, waffles, and other worldwide delights as you settle in to meet some of the friendlier animals on the ground. From the delightful Orangutans, an inquisitive Tamandua, boisterous Coatimundis and vibrant Macaws, you get to enjoy every minute of the photo-taking and also petting opportunities at this breakfast venue. Don’t forget to take that family picture with the mighty Orangutans - one worth framing for a lifetime of memories! 

Tips for Glamping in the Wild at Singapore Zoo

First off, make that booking directly on Mandai’s website using this link. Then make note of the following, so you can truly enjoy every minute of that staycation in the wild:

1. 2 beds in the tent means a whole family can share the glamping experience. If you’ve been meaning to take your kids away from their screens, this is as close to nature as it can get in Singapore. 
2. Keep those shared toilets in mind. If you have mobility issues, check with the Mandai team as the climb to the toilets is short but steep. Also, bring along towels as none are provided at the campsite. The same goes for soap, shampoo and conditioner, and other toiletries. It’s wise to pack everything in a grab-and-go bag, for anyone in the family to use. 
3. You do get time after dinner to relax in the tent so bring along any cards, family board games or that book you’ve been wanting to read.
4. Water bottles. Singapore Zoo is a plastic-free zone and they don’t sell water bottles at any of the commercial outlets. Make sure to pack your own and refill as you go along. There is a water dispenser near the camping area for easy refills too.
5. Bring those snacks along! While you have opportunities to stop and buy snacks at various points during the programme, a few extra bags of chips, nuts and delicious snacks will make welcome pit stops.
6. Finally, remain flexible! The Glamping in the Wild programme at Singapore Zoo relies on sunny weather but there's also a rainy-day backup plan(as engaging) should you suffer unexpected downpours. Regardless you will get plenty of time with different animals and go home with stories to tell!

Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Glamping in the Wild at Singapore Zoo 

Dates: Various dates available in April 2023 

Time: 1.30 pm – 10.00 am (the next day) 

Pricing: $1,699 per tent (sleeps up to 4 persons) 

Venue: Singapore Zoo 

Minimum age: 5 years old 

Package includes: 

• Two-day admission to Singapore Zoo 
• Asian Elephant feeding 
• Guided tours, including behind-the-scenes tours at Wildlife Nutrition Centre and Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre 
• Priority seating at the Splash Safari presentation 
• One-night stay in a fully air-conditioned glamping tent, inclusive of two double beds
• Breakfast in the Wild with animal interactions and photo-taking 

Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Glamping with the Manatees

For guests who prefer getting up close with aquatic animals, River Wonders’ ever-popular Glamping with the Manatees is also available from April through August this year. Guests can look forward to drifting to sleep while watching the mesmerising manatees, exclusive behind-the-scenes sessions and meeting charming capybaras at the Once Upon a River presentation. Bookings can be made here.

*Appearances and plans are subject to weather and animal conditions