The best places to see animals in Singapore

Spread over 26-hectares of lush nature reserve land, the zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals, with over 300 species, from across the globe. Unlike traditional caged zoos, it’s one of the world’s first 'open concept' zoos that have animals in individually landscaped enclosures and zones. Here, you can have breakfast with the orangutans (currently suspended), say hello to the friendly Asian elephants, and see the rare white tiger in the flesh.

Manatees, crocodiles, flamingos and monkeys are just some of the many animals you'll meet in this river-themed wildlife park, which boasts the world's biggest freshwater aquarium and a panda exhibit housing the friendly giants Kai Kai and Jia Jia. Hop on a boat or take a walk and come face-to-face with creatures from the greatest rivers in the world including the Amazon and the Nile.

The world’s first night zoo is home to over 130 species of nocturnal animals – all in their natural habitat without any barriers. Observe over 900 nocturnal animals like striped hyenas, lions and mountain deers out of any enclosures and in their natural habits with the use of special lighting techniques. Take a 30-minute tram ride through the lush secondary rainforest where you can get off and follow four walking trails to get close to the animals.

In this day and age, it's not politically correct to call The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum a museum. It's more a sanctuary for more than 200 turtles and tortoises of over 60 species, including a host of rare reptiles. Be wowed by the weird and wondrous mata-mata, fearsome alligator snapping turtles, and one muscular 60-year-old Asian Turtle. Just be mindful of the tiny terrapins and soft shell tortoises roaming freely through the park.

From birds and monkeys, to sugar gliders and snakes, ACRES leaves no animal behind. The animal protection organisation tackles the illegal wildlife trade, conducts rescues and rehabilitation, community outreach and also educates and raises awareness about animal welfare. As it’s big on rehabilitating the animals it has rescued, it only offers private tours that allow you to see these animals in the flesh.

Established in 1988, Hay Dairies houses about 800 goats of mixed breeds, and all of them get to live like bleating royalty. That’s because every goat here chews on hay shipped straight from the US, as well as special feed flown in from Australia. Perhaps that’s why Hay Dairies’ goat milk tastes so much better than off-the-shelf brands in your supermarket fridge – we kid you not. Drop by in the morning to catch the goats being milked (from 9am to 10.30am), then bring a few bottles home at the end of the day.

The farm is the largest ornamental fish importer and exporter with hundreds of different species swimming through daily. Take a guided tour to learn more about the underwater creatures and their natural habitats. After all that walking, pamper yourself at a fish spa where the Garra Rufa fishes – known to thrive on dead skin cells – naturally exfoliate your feet. And if you've got pet fishes at home, swing by the retail shop to stock up on aquarium accessories and pet food. Otherwise, you can start by selecting your new fishy friend on the farm.

Strap on your best walking shoes and trudge through the swamps of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to learn more about the flora and fauna that call this mangrove forest home. This wetland reserve of mangrove swamps, ponds, and secondary forest is also home to 140 species of birds. Take a spot at the observation hides or rent binoculars to bird-watch. But keep a lookout for warning signs about the estuarine crocodiles – they’re known to be around the area albeit uncommon.

Home to 170 species of birds, 54 types of butterflies and 33 different kinds of dragonflies, this nature reserve is the perfect recreation area to observe and enjoy the island's wildlife. The six bird hides and two blinds at the Marsh Station give you a chance to observe birds native to the habitat, such as the Common Moorhen and the Marshes’ signature bird, the Purple Swamphen. The hideouts – they have names like ‘Duck Hide’ and ‘Woodpecker Shelter’ – let visitors spy on wildlife up-close and personal.