The biggest draw to the River Safari is the climate-controlled Giant Panda Forest exhibit, which features adorable red pandas (also known as “lesser panda” or “red cat-bear”) and majestic black-and-white giant pandas. In this day and age of rapid urbanisation, both species are extremely vulnerable to habitat loss due to deforestation. Fortunately, extensive conservation efforts are being made to ensure the survival of these rare creatures.
Apart from the pandas, other exciting mammal exhibits at the River Safari include crab-eating macaques, squirrel monkeys, giant river otters, jaguarundi cats and manatees. There are even some birds on display such as the scarlet ibis and the lesser adjutant stork. Of course, majority of the river-themed wildlife park is home to amphibians, reptiles and fish.
The prehistoric-looking, ever-smiling alligator gar (Mississippi River), charming African dwarf crocodile (Congo River), odd-snouted Indian gharial (Ganges River) and giant catfish (Mekong River) are all sights to behold. And don’t miss the Chinese giant salamander, green anaconda, electric eel, red-bellied piranha and sturgeon exhibits!
As with the Singapore Zoo, the River Safari is graced with the fantastic backdrop of Upper Seletar Reservoir, and the densely forested surroundings already teem with natural wildlife – you are bound to spot wild birds and aquatic creatures in the distance! Enjoy a cappuccino at Mama Panda Kitchen (SG$5.50) and marvel at the adorable panda coffee art, or try one of their chocolate custard-filled panda buns (SG$2.90). The brightly-lit café has a pretty neat view of the reservoir!
SINGAPORE RIVER SAFARI 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826 Opening hours: 9am to 6pm (daily) Admission: SG$28 (adult) / SG$18 (child) Official Website | Park Map
See what we thought about other zoos and animal parks here:
Singapore Zoo / Singapore
Jurong Bird Park / Singapore
Marine Life Park S.E.A. Aquarium / Singapore
Taronga Zoo / Sydney, Australia
Nara Deer Park / Japan
Nogeyama Zoological Gardens / Japan
Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyūkan) / Japan
ANGIE & JAMES DO STUFF 
2 thoughts on “Singapore’s River Safari 2015 – The Great Panda Wonderland!”