Being avid animal lovers, my youngsters and I like to go to zoos and nature reserves, watch wildlife documentaries and borrow books about animals from the library. That’s the reason we had been thrilled to listen to in regards to the rejuvenation undertaking at Mandai Wildlife Reserve which is able to combine 5 zoological parks, every with distinctive nature-based experiences. Whereas we eagerly await for Rainforest Wild to open later this 12 months, we explored the most recent wildlife park on our island – Fowl Paradise.
It wasn’t our first go to to Fowl Paradise, however the youngsters (and adults) didn’t stop to rave in regards to the interactive animal feedings and displays. Earlier than I get to kid-friendly areas and options of the park we love, here’s a fast lay of the land.
Attending to Fowl Paradise
For individuals who are driving, Fowl Paradise is a 30-minute trip from town. You may select to take the Central Expressway or Pan Island Expressway, and park at Automobile Park 1 at Mandai Wildlife West. For these taking public transport, take the Mandai Khatib Shuttle from Khatib MRT Station (NS14) and alight at Bus Cease #48111. Youngsters beneath the age of seven years outdated trip free.
Signages resulting in the park had been clear so it was straightforward to search out our path after parking the automotive. At Mandai Wildlife West, you’ll move by Waterfall Cavern that includes a plunge pool and cascading waterfall so don’t neglect to take a photograph for souvenir. After which, you’ll stroll previous an extended stretch of eating places and cafés. Upon nearing the park, you will notice an enormous, vibrant board that illustrates the fantastic 52-year historical past of Jurong Fowl Park and an attention grabbing Cloud Dancer artwork exhibit.
An outline of Fowl Paradise
Fowl Paradise spans an space of 17 hectares and is house to three,500 birds from over 400 avian species. Despite the fact that it’s smaller than the previous Jurong Fowl Park, it homes greater and double the variety of walk-in aviaries. At present, there are eight massive walk-through aviaries that depict totally different biomes of the world, together with Southeast Asian forests, African rainforests and South American wetlands, in addition to Penguin Cove and Winged Sanctuary.
To not be missed: feeding periods!
On high of admiring the birds of the world at Fowl Paradise, my youngsters all the time sit up for the feeding periods – they’re the highlights of our journeys – on the totally different zones or aviaries (extra particulars within the part beneath). Slots are restricted and run out quick so do e book upfront on-line and arrive on the venue 10-Quarter-hour earlier than the feeding time. Every meals portion prices $8 and all proceeds will assist to fund Fowl Paradise’s wildlife conservation efforts within the area.
A few of our favorite zones
Animal displays
Animal displays are held on the Sky Amphitheatre positioned at Central Plaza. The venue boasts 2,000 seats and a digital display screen that shows footage, maps and extra data through the avian displays. There are at present two reveals, specifically Predators on Wings (10:30am and a couple of:30pm every day) that showcases the superb looking expertise of predatory birds and Wings of The World (12:30pm and 5:00pm every day) that options the pure skills of hornbills, macaws and parrots. On the latter, I used to be amazed by Amigo, a Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot that might say “Gong Xi Fa Cai” and sing the birthday tune.
Every presentation runs for roughly 20 minutes and seats are on a first-come-first-served foundation. No reserving is required.
A Lunar New 12 months twist
To rejoice festivals all year long, Mandai Wildlife Reserve recurrently comes up with distinctive themed actions for guests to take a look at. We visited Fowl Paradise through the Lunar New 12 months and moreover having CNY decorations as backdrops for photo-taking, there have been additionally actions that had a twist. As an example, through the Wings of the World presentation, Sassy the Sulphur-crested cockatoo delivered ang pows to members of the viewers, Higgins the Inexperienced-winged Macaw picked up oranges and Amigo the Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot wished everybody “Gong Xi Fa Cai”. My youngsters had been additionally to learn all about their 2024 zodiac predictions which had been positioned close to the doorway.
Extra enjoyable for the little ones
Aside from admiring, feeding and studying about birds, there may be loads of enjoyable in retailer for the little ones at Fowl Paradise.
- Treetop Play at Central Plaza
This was successful with my youngsters who cherished climbing onto the netted playgrounds and leaping on the trampolines. It’s positioned proper outdoors Meals Central so when you have time to spare, let the children run round and have some enjoyable earlier than shifting on.
In case your youngsters love water play, they may benefit from the water fountains and slippery slide at Egg Splash which is positioned at Central Plaza. Mother and father can take a break at Egg Splash Café and Store to take a look at its eggs-citing menu which incorporates eggs cooked via totally different strategies like boiling, poaching and frying. We miss the playground at Jurong Fowl Park which had tunnel slides and tipping buckets however Egg Splash looks like a great choice for the little ones to have some enjoyable too.
At Wings of Asia, there are two family-friendly Journey Trails which you can discover. Guests can get off the well-trodden path and immerse themselves amidst bamboo groves whereas having fun with superior nature views.
There are totally air-conditioned hubs that join the varied aviaries across the park. Not solely do they supply respite from the warmth and shelter from the rain, however additionally they current glorious studying alternatives for teenagers who can work together with the displays and decide up extra information about birds and their habitats.
- Play areas at Mandai Wildlife West
The enjoyable doesn’t cease at Fowl Paradise. Even after you exit the park, youngsters can proceed to have enjoyable on the two Pangolin-themed playgrounds – Pangolin Journey and Pangolin Hideout – at Mandai Wildlife West. Proper beside Starbucks is the Forest Stream Path, a nature-themed play area which options rootlike constructions impressed by mangrove forests. My youngsters had a blast there and the most effective factor is, you may hang around at these playgrounds without cost.
Meals and beverage choices
Inside Fowl Paradise, there are seven F&B retailers which vary from informal eateries to themed eating eating places. For these on the lookout for a spectacular view, take a look at Crimson Restaurant which helps you to look out over the Crimson Wetlands and includes a menu curated by native celeb chef Eric Teo. Guests can even get pleasure from a buffet unfold at Penguin Cove Restaurant which gives each native and worldwide flavours, or get pleasure from pleasant penguin themed pastries at Penguin Cove Café and Store.
We opted for the extra economical choice which was Meals Central at Central Plaza. There may be all kinds of meals to select from, together with native favourites like Hainanese hen rice, Western delights, La Mian and Japanese Delicacies. Because the place can get fairly crowded, be ready to attend for seats particularly throughout peak hours, and be sure you are in time for the following presentation or feeding session.
Ideas on your subsequent go to
- Convey alongside sunscreen, repellent and further set of garments
Always remember to deliver sunscreen and mosquito repellent everytime you go to a wildlife park. Additional garments will turn out to be useful in case you are visiting Egg Splash or if there’s a sudden downpour.
The park is mostly stroller-friendly and has lifts and ramps that can assist you get from place to put. When you forgot to deliver alongside your stroller, you may contemplate renting a wagon (most weight restrict of 35kg) or trike (most weight restrict of 15kg) for $18.
Previous to your go to, take a look at the park map, presentation timings and feeding periods so you may plan accordingly. For people who want superior reserving, be sure you do it forward of time. Think about nap time when you have toddlers, resolve if you want to tour the park in a clockwise or anti-clockwise path and depart ample time for lunch and snack breaks.
Whereas it’s advisable to have a plan, it’s equally essential to stay versatile and adapt to final minute modifications. This may embrace having to cope with meltdowns, delays and unhealthy climate.
- Convey alongside umbrellas or ponchos
Apart from Penguin Cove, many of the park just isn’t sheltered, particularly the outside aviaries. In case of sudden rain, take shelter within the hubs or eating places. We forgot to deliver alongside umbrellas and had been trapped when the downpour began midway via our cassowary feeding. The workers had been very useful, notably Syakir who provided help and took the initiative to lend us an umbrella so we may get to the closest shelter.
Complimentary in-park shuttle is included within the admission ticket and it takes you from Station 1 on the entrance to Station 2 at Central Plaza. Rides are limitless so if you want to avoid wasting time on strolling, plan accordingly.
Tickets to Fowl Paradise are priced at $48/grownup, $33/youngster (aged 3-12) and $20/senior (aged 60 and above). All ticket gross sales have gone on-line, examine if there may be any ongoing promotion or bundle offers earlier than you e book.
Whereas we nonetheless miss Jurong Fowl Park in additional methods than one, Fowl Paradise is certainly a must-visit for households and we had an immensely fulfilling time there. I actually hope that the children will proceed to understand nature, love animals and study in regards to the significance of conservation as they develop up.
Summer time Goh is a stay-at-home mum of 4 who loves consuming goodies, and sees the cup as half-full in life. She shares her life snippets in addition to the ups and downs of parenting at www.ahappymum.com and @ahappymum. All pictures courtesy of Summer time.
This text was initially printed in Singapore Ladies’s Weekly.
Supply: Her World