To most, Singapore is a bustling city with an incredible airport and some pretty steamy weather. But, if you know where to look, it’s actually packed with nature. The tiny island nation is home to some 400 parks, including the well-manicured Singapore Botanic Gardens, wild jungles of Thomson Nature Park and the waterfront East Coast Park. Inside each, you’ll find much more than green space; they’re home to many unique southeast asian critters we don’t get here in Australia.
From cuddly otters to wise macaques, it’s easy to see wildlife in Singapore. You just need to know where to look.
(And, no, the Merlion is not included on this list.)
Otter spotting in parks and along the Singapore River
Where to go: There’s a few popular spots along the Singapore River, along Marina Bay in Gardens by the Bay, Botanic Gardens and Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park.
How to get there: Walk along the lengthy Singapore River (after Clark Quay, where it’s quieter). For Marina Bay Gardens by the Bay or Bayfront MRT stops are closest Bishan-Ang Mo Kio is a bit further from the city, but you can walk from Bright Hill MRT or take a bus. Botanic Gardens MRT station is at the north end of the park (closer to Symphony Lake and Eco Lake), while Napier MRT station is at the southeast corner of the park (closer to Swan Lake).
Best time to go: Mornings and afternoons when the heat isn’t at its strongest. This is a public park space, so ducking inside for air condition isn’t really an option once in the park.
Until quite recently, we admit, we thought otters were a cool-climate animal. Plenty of adorable videos of sea otters in along the west coast of North America holding hands in the water have flooded our social media feeds for years. But, another variety calls Singapore home.
The just-as-cute smooth-coated otters can actually be found all over southeast Asia. And we’re pretty bummed that we hadn’t known to spot them after more than a dozen trips to the region!
So, on a few recent trips to the Lion City, we walked along the Singapore River and along the waters in Gardens by the Bay and through the Botanic Gardens but weren’t lucky enough to spot them.
✅ We’ve been to Marina Bay and various places along the Singapore River… but unfortunately haven’t seen an otter. But it’s likely just bad luck!
Monkeys at the parkland in the Central Water Catchment
Where to go: Starting at the Macritchie Treetop Walk Trailhead and following the various paths into the park toward the treetop suspension bridge.
How to get there: Take the MRT to Bright Hill station.
Best time to go: Mornings will be the coolest time to go, but the majority of the walk is shaded so it’s not too bad on a sunny day either.
A few years ago, after about half-a-dozen trips to Singapore, we wanted to see a different side of the city. So we decided to explore the huge green space right in the centre of the country. And, we’re so glad we did; we’ve now been back on more recent visits, too.
Taking us through the jungle and even over a treetop suspension bridge, the Macritchie Treetop Walk proved to be not only a great way to get some fresh air in the compact city of 6 million, but it proved to be an excellent place to see the local macaques. We very quickly lost count of how many of these monkeys we came across during the 8km walk we did. We visited in August and saw plenty of babies, too!
✅ We’ve done the 8km Jelutong Tower via Tree Top Walk Loop and the 3.5km walk in Thomson Nature Park. We did see a lot more monkeys on the longer trail, though.
Turtles at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Where to go: Swan Lake, Eco Lake and Symphony Lake
How to get there: Botanic Gardens MRT station is at the north end of the park (closer to Symphony Lake and Eco Lake), while Napier MRT station is at the southeast corner of the park (closer to Swan Lake).
Best time to go: Beat the heat and go earlier in the morning or later in the day, as turtles are more likely to be outside of the water then.
Much more than just beautiful flora, Singapore Botanic Gardens is also home to local fauna. Along the banks of Swan Lake, Eco Lake and Symphony Lake within the gardens, local Malayan Box Terrapin is frequently seen sunning on rocks or bobbing in the pond waters.
Tropical birds, insects and flowers, of course, are also a common find in the park. Aside from meeting the locals, the gardens are a great way to get a few hours of fresh air and greenery. (We don’t judge if it is just between visits to shopping malls on nearby Orchard Road.)
✅ We’ve seen turtles in a couple of spots throughout the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Colugos and mouse deer in Thomson Nature Park
Where to go: Walking tracks start from Thomson Nature Park Car Park, where there are also toilets and water fountains available.
How to get there: You can walk from Springlead MRT, or take a bus as it’s about a 20-minute walk to the station.
Best time to go: Mornings will be the coolest, however much of the walk is shaded, so you’ll be protected from the sun.
Until we did this walk, we’d never even heard of a colugo before. Looking a bit like a sugar glider with tarsier-level eyes, these creatures are also known as flying lemurs. Unlike striped-tail lemurs though, colugos blend into trees incredibly well. If the little guy wasn’t pointed out to us, we probably would have missed him!
These animals are experts at staying incredibly still. The one we say didn’t move an inch for the 10 minutes or so we were admiring it.
Along the same walk, we heard some rustling in the bush and noticed a few tiny legs running around. Then, coming out from behind some leaves and sticks, a few mouse deer appeared. A curious combination of deer-like bodies and fur patterns, rodent-esque faces and twiggy legs, these critters are only about 30cm tall and weigh just 2kg.
✅ We’ve saw a colugo and a few mouse deer while doing the 3.5km walk in Thomson Nature Park. Other places that are said to be good for finding colugo are Chestnut Nature Park. Both animals also live on Pulau Ubin.
Wild crocodiles beneath the boardwalks at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Where to go: The boardwalks over the water are where you’ll most likely spot a croc.
How to get there: There’s no MRT station nearby, but you can take the bus.
Best time to go: Low tide will make it easier to spot crocodiles out of the water.
Giving us another excuse for a return trip to Singapore is the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The parkland is said to be one of the best places in the country to spot crocodiles, along with Pulau Ubin.
The crocs you’ll see here are the same variety we get here in Australia… only you won’t have to travel more than 20 minutes from a city to spot them. They live in the wetlands and river that separate Singapore from Malaysia, less than 1km wide.
and Sungei Buloh features boardwalks and walkways traversing through the area making them ideal spots to see these animals.
🔜 We haven’t been here yet, but it’s on our list!
