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The Singapore Zoo

About.com Rating fourhalf out of Five

From About.com

The Bottom Line

The Singapore Zoo is consistently one of the city-state's leading attractions. Last year the zoo saw 1.3 million visitors walk through its gates. Year after year it gets voted the country's best attraction - although I like the Jurong Bird Park (run by the same company) better, personally.
Pros
  • An "open concept" zoo where visitors view animals in something close to a natural environment
  • Amazing Exhibits - Wild Africa, the Primate Kingdom, the Reptile Garden - it's hard to see it all
  • Shows - six shows a day between 10:30am and 4:30 pm
  • Wheelchair Friendly - in fact, a limited number of free wheelchairs are available for loan
  • Plenty of Food - Everything from pizza and KFC to Tandoori dishes are available
Cons
  • Heat - If you're not used to being outside in the tropics you need to plan to stay well hydrated
  • Mosquitoes - there aren't a lot, but the zoo is surrounded by rainforest

Description

  • A 28 hectare "open concept" zoo where wildlife is seen in something resembling a natural setting.
  • Over 3,000 animals representing 290 species.
  • Wide range of exhibits including a polar bear enclosure, free ranging orangutans, and much more.
  • Walking paths around the zoo are 90% wheelchair accessible.
  • Transportation within the zoo is available by tram if you prefer not to walk.

Guide Review - The Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo has been designed to allow visitors to walk from exhibit to exhibit with plenty of places in between to rest and relax. When the children need a break from watching the animals, there's ice cream or a show. Tired of walking? Ride to the next exhibit...

Among the best exhibits, the Primate Kingdom is a fun place to spend time. The exhibit consists of several islands surrounded by moats. Macaques, brown capuchins, black spider monkeys and a few other species interact as you watch in a setting that allows for plenty of activity.

The Elephants of Asia exhibit is built along a reservoir that borders the zoo. The enclosure covers over 80,000 square feet and is landscaped to resemble part of Myanmar where elephant populations are still fairly large.

The Reptile Garden includes an enclosure for Komodo Dragons (native to Indonesia). This endangered species grows to over 10 feet long. The zoo is also home to lions and tigers, a white rhino, a community of Hamadryas baboons, and many other animals that space prevents me from mentioning.

A day at the zoo in Singapore can be draining if you're not used to being outside in the tropic. But all in all, a visit to the zoo in Singapore is time well spent - especially if you have children with you.

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