Where city skylines meet tropical biodiversity in the most unexpected places.
Singapore may be known for its gleaming architecture, luxury shopping, and spotless streets, but beyond its urban allure lies a surprising and thriving world of wildlife. Thanks to visionary urban planning and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, the city-state has become a haven where nature and metropolis coexist in harmony.
From rainforest trails to rooftop gardens teeming with birds, wildlife in urban Singapore is not just preserved — it’s celebrated. Whether you’re a nature lover, casual explorer, or family adventurer, these are the must-experience encounters with wildlife in the Lion City.
1. Singapore Zoo: A World-Class Wildlife Wonder
Often ranked among the best zoos in the world, the Singapore Zoo offers open-concept habitats, immersive experiences, and ethical wildlife education.
- Home to over 300 species, including orangutans, white tigers, and pygmy hippos
- Enjoy Breakfast in the Wild with free-ranging animals
- Night Safari and River Wonders (adjacent parks) offer nocturnal and aquatic adventures
📍 Mandai Wildlife Reserve
🎟️ Best for: Families, wildlife photography, and animal lovers of all ages
2. MacRitchie Reservoir & Treetop Walk
A tranquil escape in the city, MacRitchie Reservoir Park is a nature trail system with primary rainforest, home to diverse flora and fauna.
- Spot long-tailed macaques, monitor lizards, and flying lemurs
- Walk the Treetop Canopy Walk, suspended above the forest
- Birdwatchers can spot kingfishers, hornbills, and sunbirds
📍 Central Catchment Nature Reserve
🎟️ Free entry, open daily
🧭 Tip: Arrive early to enjoy wildlife activity before the crowds
3. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
At the island’s highest natural point lies one of the oldest rainforests in Singapore, protected for over a century.
- See wild monkeys, colugos, butterflies, and reptiles
- Trek up to Bukit Timah Hill, surrounded by ancient forest
- The area is rich in native biodiversity despite being minutes from the city
📍 Bukit Timah Road
🎟️ Free entry
🧭 Best for: Hikers, biology enthusiasts, and those seeking nature immersion close to downtown
4. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
This coastal wetland sanctuary is a paradise for migratory birds and mangrove ecosystems.
- Watch herons, mudskippers, and estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat
- Observation pods, hides, and boardwalks bring you eye-level with nature
- Ideal for peaceful morning walks and wildlife photography
📍 Northwest Singapore
🎟️ Free admission
📅 Best during migratory bird season: September–March
5. Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves
This 10 km trail system connects several green spaces across southern Singapore, offering elevated views and wildlife in motion.
- Spot squirrels, jungle fowl, butterflies, and geckos
- Walk the Henderson Waves bridge, Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge
- Pass through Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill, and Kent Ridge
📍 Southern Singapore
🎟️ Free access, great for sunrise or sunset walks
🎒 Bring binoculars — and patience!
6. Gardens by the Bay – Hidden Wildlife Among the Greenery
While famous for its futuristic Supertrees and cloud forest domes, Gardens by the Bay also hides pockets of urban biodiversity.
- See dragonflies, terrapins, and butterflies in the outdoor lakes and gardens
- Kingfishers and egrets frequent the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes
- Best explored slowly — wildlife here blends seamlessly into artful landscaping
📍 Marina Bay Area
🎟️ Free outdoor access; tickets needed for domes and OCBC Skyway
7. Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom (Sentosa Island)
This lush, outdoor attraction invites you into a colorful world of insects and flying creatures.
- Walk through a tropical garden filled with live butterflies
- Learn about over 3,000 species of insects, beetles, and bugs
- Educational and interactive — great for families
📍 Sentosa Island
🎟️ Admission fee applies
Why Singapore’s Wildlife Experience Is Unique
- Biodiversity integrated into urban planning
- Clean, safe, and easy to navigate green spaces
- Wildlife is respected, observed, and protected — not just displayed
This balance of green and grey, jungle and skyline makes Singapore a model of urban ecological harmony.
What Wild Wonder Did You Discover in the City?
Was it a hornbill in the trees near your hotel?
A monitor lizard sunbathing beside your running trail?
The unexpected thrill of wild nature thriving in an ultra-modern city?
At Uncharted Sanctuary, we believe some of the most magical wildlife moments happen when you least expect them — even in a place as futuristic as Singapore.
📌 Use #UnchartedSingapore or #UrbanWildSanctuary
📷 Share your sightings, trails, and moments of wild beauty
📝 Submit your story at unchartedsanctuary.com
In Singapore, the jungle isn’t just in the past — it’s alive, evolving, and coexisting beautifully with tomorrow.
So step out, look closer, and let the city surprise you with its hidden wild heart.
