River Safari Review
Media Event
With the School Holidays just around the corner, everyone is gearing up for the River Safari! This is the latest attraction in Singapore, and everyone is wondering what can we expect at the Zoo’s latest attraction. Recently, we were invited for a special Blogger’s Review of the Park, and the kids were definitely not disappointed. In fact, the kids were so excited about going to the River Safari that they decided to create their own Cheer/Song. Scroll to the end of the post, to see my 3 Amigos in action! 
Located just next to the Main Entrance of the Singapore Zoo, the River Safari is an unforgettable adventure inspired by 8 iconic rivers. A key highlight of the River Safari is the panda exhibit which is the largest in South East Asia, as well as the world’s largest freshwater aquarium.
Feeding Time is the best time to get into the Park, and it happens daily at 930am and at 230pm!
If you want to see the animals fully awake and ready to strike, enter the Park at these timings, and there is a FREE guide, who will bring you around some of the exhibits. With running commentary about the characteristics of the various animals, the guides definitely enhance the educational experience of the River Safari.
These are some of the various fishes and animals that you will find along the Rivers.
No park will be complete without a show, and the River Safari has a interactive animal show entitled “Animal Talk” for visitors as well. Show times are at 11am and 4pm, where kids would love the fact that they can get up and personal with some of the animals from the River.
Naturally, the Star Attraction of the River Safari can be found in the Giant Panda forest. The Giant Pandas are China’s gift to Singapore, and they are the residents of the Yangtze River. With only 1,600 giant Pandas left in the wild, Pandas such as the Kai Kai and Jia Jia have become the most recognized symbol for wildlife protection and conservation.
Besides seeing the Pandas, visitors are also educated about their diets and behaviour patterns. Personally, I found it amazing that the Pandas consume 20 kg of Bamboo a day. This is equivalent to 100 bowls of rice a day!
Sharing the enclosure with the Giant Pandas are the Red Pandas. They are also known as “Firefoxes” and visitors will get to see their beautiful red fur up close!
A real plus point of the River Safari, is that you really get up close with the animals in their most natural habitats. The Squirrel Monkey Forest with feeding times at 1030am and 330pm, is one such enclosure where you get to see the Monkeys up close.
I feel that the best exhibit within River Safari is the Amazon Flooded Forest. For 6 months each year, seasonal rains sweep across the South American Forest, resulting in the forest being submerged under 10 metres of water. Yes! The forest is flooded for the whole 6 months, and a whole new ecosystem emerges. Aquatic animals will live and swim amongst the tree and plants until the waters recede, in this mysterious change of weather.
River Safari recreates this ecosystem in the largest freshwater aquarium exhibit, brining visitors to the underwater South American Forest. The Viewing Panel here may not be as big as the one found at the Resort Word Aquarium (S.E.A Aquarium), but the re-creation of a whole underwater eco-system is certainly a jaw-dropping wonder!
In case you are wondering, it is also within the Amazon exhibits that you will see the infamous Piranhas as well!
And as you will be spending at least half a day at the River Safari, you will be glad to find out that they are restaurants within the Park for the whole family as well. We tried out the ultra cute Panda Pau and we thoroughly enjoyed it! There are only 200 pieces made each day, so get it while stocks last!
Admission Charges for River Safari
As at print, the River Safari is still not fully completed, as the Amazon River Quest Boat Ride is still not completed. As a result, tickets are also sold cheaper, as Adults are charged $25, while children under 12yo are charged $16 (Kids under 3yo are FREE)
The Amazon River Quest is scheduled to be completed in late 2013.
And before we go, here is the original rendition of the Kid’s River Safari Cheer: