Mandai Wildlife Reserve will soon have a resort and Singapore's fifth wildlife park
The resort will be located in Mandai Wildlife Reserve and overlook Upper Seletar Reservoir.
From left: One of the rooms at the upcoming Mandai Rainforest Resort and the view from the resort's treehouses. (Photos: Mandai Wildlife Group)
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Nature and wildlife lovers in Singapore will soon have more ways to enjoy this country's flora and fauna. In early 2025, luxury hotel chain Banyan Tree will operate its first resort in Singapore: Mandai Rainforest Resort.
Situated in the heart of Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the resort sprawls close to 5 hectares and boasts 338 rooms, a state-of-the-art gym room, a rooftop swimming pool and 24 elevated seed pod-shaped treehouses set among the surrounding foliage – some of which look out to the reservoir.
Guests at Mandai Wildlife Reserve can also treat themselves to spa experiences and local creations from community artists within the resort. The resort will also have a speciality restaurant that uses sustainably-sourced ingredients.
However, the resort isn't the only new attraction heading to Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
In late 2024, the public will be able to enjoy a freely accessible boardwalk, which has been built along the edge of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. It skirts the perimeter of River Wonders and Singapore Zoo, offering visitors unparalleled views across the Upper Seletar Reservoir.
In the near future, Singapore will also welcome its fifth wildlife park Rainforest Wild which comprises two sections: Rainforest Wild Asia and Rainforest Wild Africa.
At Rainforest Wild Asia, guests can choose from a variety of paths to enjoy different expeditions. The 12.6ha space is the first zoological park in Asia to integrate adventure elements into its design.
Guests will have the chance to see the Malayan tiger, Malayan sun bear and François’ langur – a species on exhibit in Singapore for the first time – as they explore rainforest trails and cross over streams. For an added dose of adrenaline, guests can also opt for jumping, climbing and abseiling activities in the park.
A highlight of the park is the 220m cavern that's inhabited by cave racer snakes, scorpions, hissing cockroaches and more. Featuring massive rock formations of stalactites and stalagmites, the cavern experience is inspired by Sarawak's Mulu Caves.
Over at Rainforest Wild Africa, visitors can enjoy an Afro-Tropical and Madagascar-inspired landscape with animals such as the pygmy hippo and elusive okapi – another species that's making its debut in Singapore.
The landscape has exotic components such as trees reflecting their geographical locations and ravine formations where animal movements are depicted. Guests can also enjoy the park through immersive aerial adventures.
In the coming years, Mandai Wildlife Reserve will also have the following family-friendly immersive experiences and spaces:
- Exploria
- Green Canvas
- Mandai Gallery
- Curiosity Cove
- ZooSchool
Exploria utilises technology to provide immersive edutainment where visitors can learn about a variety of topics through hyper-natural environments.
Green Canvas, on the other hand, is an event space where travelling exhibitions, nature-themed lifestyle events and talks will be held.
Mandai Gallery, Curiosity Cove and ZooSchool will be housed in one building and will provide multiple nature-based experiences for children.
In a press statement, Mandai Wildlife Group's Group CEO Mike Barclay said: “While we continue to focus on expanding our positive impact in the fields of nature conservation, animal wildlife and zoological research, we are excited by the prospect of immersing our guests in a wide array of nature and wildlife experiences at the fully opened Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
“This integrated destination will be a unique gateway to many inspiring and respectful interactions with nature and animals, that Singaporeans and guests from overseas can enjoy.”
