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Today is a special day for Mandai Wildlife Reserve – it marks the finale of a decade-long glow-up that’s been in the works. And not just that, it is also the grand opening of Rainforest Wild Asia East – its newest and final wing, Rainforest Wild Adventure East.
This is the final bow on Mandai’s long-running mission to stitch together wildlife parks, nature spaces, and public attractions into one seamless connected destination. For those who don’t know, Mandai’s journey dates back to the 1970s – the early days of the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park where it was much smaller. Today, the park spreads across 126 hectares and draws a whopping 4.5 million visitors a year.
We caught an early preview of Rainforest Wild Adventure East despite a rather dramatic thunderstorm. Ironically, the rainfall only made the rainforest setting feel more committed to its theme. As Grace Fu, Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, said at the opening, “What’s a rainforest without rain?”
Rainforest Wild Adventure, previously known as Rainforest Wild Asia, now stretches across a full 20 hectares. The rainforest playground is inspired by both Asia and Africa, and comes with nine Adventure+ experiences scattered across the terrain.
We also managed a fleeting glimpse of the okapis – one of the park’s newest and most talked-about residents. And they weren’t alone. The visit also brought us past pygmy hippos, eastern bongos, red river hogs, and Nile lechwe, alongside a lively mix of lemurs, turacos, and ibises.
For those planning a visit but are unsure where to start or what to prioritise, we’ve boiled it down to three standout experiences that are genuinely worth carving out time for. Read on –
Canopy Glider
The Canopy Glider is, in itself, pure fun. We mean, who doesn’t enjoy drifting through a breezy stretch of forest with animal enclosures unfolding beneath you like a living diorama?
The ride is a smooth glide over the treetops, offering a bird’s-eye perspective of the park and the wildlife that calls it home. You won’t be observing alone either – an audio guide accompanies the ride too, helping you steer through what you’re seeing.
That said, do note that loose items and pocket contents aren’t allowed, and even phones need proper straps if you’re hoping to bring them along. You’ll also need to secure a timeslot in advance by scanning the QR code at the entrance to Rainforest Wild Adventure East.
Okapi Trail
The elusive okapis have definitely been winning hearts since their arrival. And when we say elusive, we mean it – you’ll need a fair bit of patience and a dash of luck to spot them along the Okapi Trail. But in our opinion, that’s exactly where the fun lies.
This endangered species isn’t something you’ll casually come across in this part of the world either. The “forest giraffe” is making its Southeast Asian debut right here in Singapore, so we say, don’t miss it – this is the only place nearby in the region where you’ll get to see one up close.
And when you finally do catch sight of one, it’s oddly mesmerising – check out its unusual mix of donkey-like proportions, zebra-style striping on its rear, and that unmistakably long, giraffe-like tongue, all packaged into one adorable animal.
Primate Climb
Here, the obstacle course isn’t just a test of your fear of heights or upper-body strength – it also doubles as a hands-on lesson in climbing technique.
Set directly in front of the primate enclosure (thus the name), the Primate Climb takes the form of a towering strangler fig structure. Its gnarled, vein-like “branches” aren’t just decorative – they become your route upward. It's not as breezy as it looks, even coming down is a challenge.
What makes it stand out is the perspective it offers: a rare chance to experience what it might feel like to move through the canopy like a primate, rather than just observe it from below.
For those willing to take it on, you’ll be safely harnessed and guided by trained instructors who keep everything firmly under control, so there’s no need for panic at altitude. At around 11 metres up, the effort is rewarded with a proper bird’s-eye view over the forest canopy, plus a rather charming face-to-face moment with Diana monkeys going about their day, if you’re lucky enough.
Find out more about Rainforest Wild Adventure here.
Rainforest Wild Adventure is open daily from 9am to 6pm (last entry at 5pm). Tickets cost $50 for local adults, $35 for children and students, and $25 for seniors under WildPass. Non-resident tickets cost $55 and $39 for adults and children, respectively.
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