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Nature & Wildlife in Singapore

Singapore is not called the Garden City for nothing, boasting a huge number of national parks and reserves - quite amazing when you consider that this small island of just 41.8km by 22.5km is home to around five million people. The big well known visitor attractions such as the Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and Night Safari allow you to get up close and personal with the animals, but nothing beats getting out into the areas of preserved rainforest, reservoirs and wetlands around Singapore. Signposted trails and visitor facilities encourage the population to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and spend some time enjoying the island as it once was.

Our top two spots go to the MacRitchie Reservoir Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which both offer plenty of rugged walking trails in amongst the rainforest. The highlight of the MacRitchie Reservoir Park is the HSBC Treetop Walk, a freestanding 250m-long suspension bridge giving a bird's-eye view of the rainforest canopy, while Bukit Timah is the highest point in Singapore. These national parks are home to more than 840 flowering plant and 500 animal species, so keep your eyes peeled along the trails.

In the far north of Singapore you'll find the Sungeil Buloh Wetland reserve, where the mangrove boardwalks give plenty of opportunity for bird viewing, particularly during the migratory season of September to March - and you may even be lucky enough to spot a crocodile! Meanwhile, a short boat ride from Changi will bring you to Pulau Ubin, where you can hire a bike to explore the trails and visit the Chek Jawa Wetlands, one of Singapore's richest ecosystems.