Mandai has five wildlife parks on one ridge in the north, and this day takes two of them with a long rest in town between. Start at the Zoo, the park we'd choose if you could only see one. It's open from 8.30am to 6pm with last entry at 5pm, and orangutans swing through the trees over the paths. Night Safari opens its gates at 6pm every night and stays open until midnight, with last entry at 11.15pm. Its walking trails and tram start at 7pm, so plan to be back by then, and pick your time slot when you book.
Two parks make a full day. Bird Paradise is a daylight park at Mandai Wildlife WEST, a free hop on the M1 shuttle, but it's hard going after three hours with the orangutans. Rainforest Wild Adventure, with its canopy walks and adventure activities, is a day's legwork on its own. If you're still deciding which parks to see at all, the park-by-park guide weighs them up.
The simplest way there is the M2 bus from Khatib MRT, Exit A. It costs S$2.50, takes contactless cards only and runs every 15 minutes until 11.40pm, and children under 7 ride free. The first bus leaves Khatib at 8.30am, which gets you to the Zoo around 9.15am, so take a taxi if you want to be there as the gates open.
Where to start
Khatib (NS14) Exit A, then M2 bus — first bus 8:30am will not make Zoo opening unless you taxi
When to go
8:30am opening, evening finish
Stop by stop
We'd do these in order, and each linked stop has its price and directions.
8:30 AM
The Zoo at opening
The Zoo is at 80 Mandai Lake Road, at Mandai Wildlife EAST, and the tram inside comes with your ticket. The African Penguin exhibit is closed until 30 November, and the lions, the carousel and the sun bears have been taking turns to close some afternoons, so check Mandai's announcements page that morning. Bring water and a hat.
9:00 AM
Breakfast in the Wild, if you booked it
Breakfast in the Wild is a buffet at Ah Meng Terrace, about 10 minutes' walk from the gate, served until 10.30am. An animal usually appears between 9.15am and 10am, though the wildlife ambassadors rotate and aren't guaranteed. Zoo admission is extra. Without a booking, walk the Zoo's free-ranging boardwalk instead, the best part of the morning, and have lunch in town later.
12:30 PM
Back to town for a rest
Head back to town while the midday heat peaks, for lunch, a shower and a nap. Dining Alley at EAST will do if you'd rather eat there. Taxis out of the parks add S$5 from 1pm to 11.59pm, so leave before 1pm or ride the M2 back to Khatib. If you come back early, walk the free Mandai Boardwalk before dinner, a 70 to 85 minute reservoir loop from Kingfisher's Cave. It's open 7am to 7pm, with last entry at 6pm.
5:30 PM
Dinner at the gate, or in town
Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant, in the Night Safari entrance courtyard, serves from 5.30pm to 11pm and needs no park ticket, so it's an easy dinner if you'd rather skip a mall. Eat a full meal either way, since you'll be on your feet until late. Seats for Creatures of the Night open two hours before each show. We'd take the 8.30pm one, after your first tram loop, so book it from 6.30pm.
7:00 PM
Tram first, then the trails
Start with one tram loop, about 30 minutes with English commentary, included in your Night Safari ticket. Then walk a trail, since the tram shows you only part of the park. Embers of Night runs at 9pm Sunday to Thursday, plus 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays, with no booking needed. The last tram leaves at 11.20pm, and the last M2 leaves EAST at midnight.
Save for another day
- Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild Adventure or Exploria as a third ticket, since each deserves a fresh day
- River Wonders squeezed into the late morning, which cuts into the rest you'll want before the night
- Mandai Boardwalk after Night Safari, since last entry is 6pm and it closes at 7pm
Before you go
Book ahead where you need to, and turn up for the rest.
Singapore ZooMandai · From S$49Tickets Breakfast in the WildMandai · From S$47Tickets 
Night SafariMandai · From S$58Tickets Mandai 2-Attraction Destination PassMandai · From S$88Tickets 
Mandai BoardwalkMandai · FreeGoZoo, then the tram questions
Can I do the Zoo and Night Safari in one day with a break in town?
Yes, though it's a long one, and the rest in town from 12.30pm to 5.30pm is what makes it work. The two-park Destination Pass puts both parks on one checkout, though it won't shorten the walking. Leave a third park, such as Rainforest Wild Adventure, for another day.
How do I get from Khatib MRT to the Zoo without a taxi?
Take the M2 bus from Khatib MRT, Exit A. It's S$2.50 and contactless only. The first bus is at 8.30am, so you'll reach the Zoo after opening, and the last one leaves Mandai Wildlife EAST at midnight. Rides between the EAST and WEST sides are free if you tell the bus captain, as drivers are called here, though this plan keeps you at EAST.
Breakfast in the Wild or the Mandai Boardwalk?
Breakfast, if you've booked the 9am buffet and already have a Zoo ticket. It's the same Ah Meng Terrace meal some listings still call Jungle Breakfast, so book it only once. The boardwalk is a free 3.3km loop by the reservoir, outside the paid parks, so the orangutans stay out of sight. It makes a calm extra, and the Zoo is still the main event.
Where can I see the pandas at Mandai?
The pandas are in the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest at River Wonders, which is open 9am to 6pm with last entry at 5pm. It's a separate daylight park, so we'd give it a morning of its own.
Is Creatures of the Night included with Night Safari admission?
Yes, it comes with Night Safari admission, but you'll need to book a seat for Creatures of the Night. Shows are at 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Seat bookings open on Mandai's portal two hours before each one, and the gates close 10 minutes before it starts. The tram is included too.
Stories from along the way
Longer reads on the places you'll pass through.
