February 2010

The Music of the Night

Singapore's Night Safari is not only for wildlife warriors and children. Everyone will leave the attraction much richer for the experience.

After procrastinating as only a Singaporean can, I decided to visit the Night Safari over the Chinese New Year holidays. The reason for not going earlier? Because I live here and it'll always be there.

WORDS ANNE LOH

The place opens at 7.30pm and you could make your way there early to have a bite...just be prepared to pay for the privilege of eating at a tourist attraction. Dress for walking because the fun is after you get off the tram and hit the trails.

It's worth getting the admission ticket which includes a tram ride as you get an overview of the whole place, plus the tram takes you to some places that you won't be exploring on foot. It's an amazing feeling having the black and white Malayan tapir strolling along beside the tram within arm's reach...but please keep all limbs within the tram. Spying a spotted hyena standing stock still as the tram rounds a blind corner made the hair stand on the back of my neck.

There are quite a few trails to tackle, such as the Fishing Cat trail (didn't see any feline action unfortunately) which links to the Leopard Trail but you never know which animals you might see. The funniest sight was a group of agitated otters huddling together and scolding the spectators. And my favourite part? Standing in the darkness of the rainforest as you hear the howling of the Indian wolf pack — a major goosebump moment. I would strongly recommend this as a must-do in Singapore. Just don't wear a cheongsam and heels...