* Please take note that the River Safari admission tickets include the boat ride.
Seat timings are subject to availability.
BOAT RIDE CHOICE:
EITHER AMAZON RIVER QUEST (15mins) OR
RIVER SAFARI CRUISE (10mins)
decided upon your date of visit
Giant Panda Forest operating hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm
Duration: 3-4 hours
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Nearest MRT stations: Choa Chu Kang station (NS4), Ang Mo Kio station (NS16), Marsiling (NS8), Woodlands (NS9)
Public buses: 927 (from Chua Chu Kang MRT), 138 (from Ang Mo Kio MRT), 926 (from Woodlands MRT)
The
River Safari had its humble conceptual beginnings as a simple aquarium exhibit. In 1996, it was thought that a freshwater aquarium with an impressive collection of fish and flora would perfectly complement the offerings of the Singapore Zoo and, at the same time, take full advantage of the pristine, freshwater surroundings of the area. The only problem was, the aquarium idea just refused to stop growing. With each brainstorm session, new and exciting possibilities were thrown in. New ideas kept surfacing. The aquarium idea literally overflowed its rims.From the basic to the high-tech, several versions of the proposed attraction, then referred to as the Singapore Aquarium, were designed and presented. The winning design – a boat ride with a freshwater aquarium based on the richest rainforest basin in the world – The Amazon River.
River life could be showcased in many ways. And the best way would be the one that was experiential – one that would be visually captivating, with a splash of an experience to match. The team, inspired from their research around the world, wanted visitors to have the luxury of seeing the animals go about their lives as they sail along the river. From this ripple of an idea, the River Safari was born.
Nicknamed Ol’ Man River, the Mississippi’s name originates from the Native American words meaning ‘Great River’
. And rightly so. The fourth longest river in the world, the Mississippi is also the largest river system in North America, flowing through 10 states. The Mississippi @ River Safari is inspired by the heyday of this awesome waterway in the late 1800s - the days of rustic log cabins, glorious steamboats and the carefree boyhood adventures of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. A vanished past brought back to life with meticulous construction, advanced interactive features and highly immersive exhibit techniques, you’ll be transported back in time to the romance of life along Ol’ Man River. In fact, we’ve even brought back Tom Sawyer (or rather, a very life-like statue replica of him). While the real Mississippi River valley continues to be among the richest and most diverse in the natural world, a few species that used to thrive in its waters are on the endangered list today. These include the Alligator Gar, an exhibit you should make a point to visit when you are at River Safari.
The Congo River is the second longest river in Africa and eighth in the world. Recently named the deepest river on earth, the Congo River runs deeper than 230 meters in some parts. Watch theCongo River @ River Safari,
the 8th longest river on our planet, come alive! Traipse through the mysterious and moist tropical broadleaf forest that extends across the Congo Basin. Conquer the very heart of darkness as you find your way through the depth of the mighty Congolian forest for a rendezvous with crocodiles. Be transported to a mysterious and watery world of intrigue and adventure as you have never experienced before!
Since the Stone Age, the Nile has been bringing life and wealth into Egypt, quenching the surrounding desert terrain and depositing rich sediments that fertilise crop lands. The Nile @ River Safari echoes life along the Nile. Stroll alongside temple ruins that have since been lost in time. Walk in the footsteps of the nomadic desert tribes. Imagine life, firsthand, inside an authentic Bedouin tent. Against a backdrop of yellow sandstone ruins, imagine yourself journeying back to the very cradle of human civilization.
Revered by followers of Hinduism, the Ganges is regarded not as a river but as a goddess. Mother Ganga, as it is sometimes called, finds its source from several headwaters fed by melting glaciers up on the Himalayan mountains. The Ganges @ River Safari is inspired by life along and within theGanges River.
One of the outstanding sights to behold when you visit is the temple-fronting ghat – a series of steps fashioned after the many you would see in India. This leads into the animal enclosures where you can spot Indian Gharial basking on the banks and come eye-to-eye with the myriad of fishes and aquatic life from the Ganges River.
According to the Aboriginal myth, the Great Ancestor, Ngurunderi, created the Murray River with his tracks while chasing a Murray Cod. Scientists, however, believe it was created 40 million years ago and has remained virtually in the same place since. Today, the over 2,300km-long Murray Rivercontinues to cover one-seventh of the continent, flowing through lakes of varying salinity before ending its journey at the Murray Mouth.
The Murray River @ River Safari recreates the three unique river systems that make up Australia’s longest river. Trace the Murray’s journey from its source. Starting with fresh water at the top, visitors can trace the Murray’s journey both above and below the water surface as it transforms into a mangrove swamp filled with brackish water before spilling out as salt water into the ocean, represented by reefpool in the exhibit.
As you walk along, you will first notice the change in vegetation – from lush coastal plantlife to a mangrove forest and finally palm trees. The real action, however, happens below the water surface and this exhibit gives you a clear, cross-section view of the river Murray and its aquatic inhabitants, such as the Rainbow Fish & Lungfish.
At least 60 million people in Asia depend on it and only the Amazon boasts of a greater biodiversity. The majestic Mekong River is certainly the “Mother of all Rivers”, as the Thais and Laotians call it. At over 4,300km, the Mekong is the seventh longest in Asia and the tenth largest in the world.
Take a leisurely walk down The Mekong @ River Safari.
A replica of a floating Mekong village depicts the leisurely lifestyle of a typical Southeast Asian village. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the village is also home to native animals such as the Long-tailed Macaque.
Venture forth into the main hut, which extends into the water where dried palm leaves line the roof, keeping things cool even in the heat of the day. While you admire the calm waters of The Mekong, see if you can spot the Mekong Giant Catfish and Giant Stingray!
Number three on the world’s longest rivers list, the Yangtze River is also known as Chang Jiang, or “The Long River”. Measuring around 6,300 kilometres long, it is also the longest in China and Asia.
Set against the towering “cliffs” of Yunnan’s hauntingly beautiful gorges, Yangtze River @ River Safarigives visitors a glimpse of the surreal beauty of the Yunnan Protected Areas, UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlight of this exhibit, however, has got to be the rare Giant Pandas.
Recreating the highland homes of these gentle creatures, the Giant Panda exhibit will house a male and female panda and six different bamboo species for the pandas’ consumption within its climate-controlled enclosure.
The Amazon River is no stranger to extremes. Exceeding 190 kilometres in width during the wet season and more than 6,300 kilometres long, the Amazon River is, without a doubt, the largest and second longest river in the world. Be transported into the lush tropical rainforest of the Amazon! Walk along the “world’s second longest river” and be amazed by the wide variety of flora and fauna thriving under the dense canopy of the jungle trees. Just when you think you have seen it all, you stumble upon a lost Amazon tribal village.
Known as the ‘lungs’ of the earth because almost 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced by it, theAmazon Rainforest covers such a vast area, it accounts for over half the planet’s remaining rainforests. A mysterious sight greets you as you walk past The Amazon Flooded Forest @ River Safari.
Tree trunks and branches form an intriguing underwater “forest” – a recreation of what the real rainforest is like when monsoon season arrives in the Amazon region. Watch as the Arapaima and Manatee navigate the complex system of branches!
Take a sneak peek into what sailing down the Amazon River is like at The Amazon River Quest @ River Safari!
Exploring the mystery of this South American giant begins the moment you step on board the boat. Hold on tight as the boat passes through the dark confines of the abandoned Amazon Tower, a sudden gush of water will push you out into the wilderness of the Amazon Forest!
At this point, you’ll wish you had eyes at the back of your head – so you won’t miss any of the animal action going on in the jungle. Look up, look left, look right and even below! There are Scarlet Macaws and Scarlet Ibis roaming freely around the sanctuary so you've got to be alert to spot them. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the mysterious jaguar though, we hear they like to hide near caves.
FAQs
Q: When is the River Safari Opening?
A: It will be open on the first quater of 2013.
Q: What are some of the key highlights?
A: Rivers of the World – Mississippi, Congo, Nile, Ganges, Murray and Mekong, Yangtze River, featuring the Giant Panda, Amazon River Quest
Q: What are some of the more interesting / endangered animals at River Safari?
A: Giant Panda, Mekong Giant Catfish, Giant Freshwater Stingray
Q: Why has WRS decided to open a river-themed wildlife park?
A: Freshwater habitats are an important part of the world’s ecology, and are greatly depended upon by millions of people across the world. However, these fragile habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
Q: What happen if it rains?
A: The River Safari is equipped with plenty of shelters. However, the park will not be closed so tickets are not refundable.
Q: Can we feed the animals?
A: No. Feeding the animals shall be provided by or under the supervision of WRS and/or the Parks.
Q: Can we touch the animals?
A: No. You are not allowed to attempt to feed, touch, tease, capture, kill, hunt or shoot or do any act to cause disturbance, annoyance or injury to any animals in the Parks. Any contact with the animals in the Parks for official, entertainment, education, photography or other authorised purposes shall be provided by or under the supervision of WRS and/or the Parks.