Into the Night: Ahmad’s Untamed Singapore Night Safari with Thrillophilia
Some nights are meant to be remembered forever. For me, the night of April 2025 was one of them when my family and I decided to do something different.
Stepping into the wilderness with Singapore’s Night Safari.
We were a total of 6 members, and planning an evening for so many people with different expectations is not easy. My dad wanted to relax, my kids wanted excitement, my wife hoped for something peaceful, and my mom just wanted to see everyone happy. And somehow, the Night Safari offered a bit of everything.
So, my family wanted to make it one of the most memorable nights.
The Tram Took Us Away
The moment we entered the Night Safari, I felt like we had stepped out of Singapore into some ancient jungle. Dim lanterns lit the path, the air was filled with jungle sounds, and a cool breeze rustled the trees. We hopped on the guided tram ride. The kids took their window seats in excitement.
The tram took us through 7 beautifully recreated zones, from the Himalayan foothills to Equatorial Africa. As we moved through the open enclosures, we saw elephants walking and zebras grazing. We even saw a giant anteater, which my youngest son thought was “the weirdest thing he has ever seen.”
Our guide pointed out animals we would have missed in the dark. Through his help, we could see a slow-moving tapir, the bright eyes of a Malay civet, and the majestic Indian rhinoceros. I could see my father nodding slowly as he was genuinely impressed. “This is better than watching documentaries,” he whispered to himself.
Footsteps in the Dark
After the tram ride, we had a choice to go for dinner or explore the walking trails. We chose to walk. I mean, how often do you get to roam through the jungle in the dark with your family and see animals from three continents?
We started with the Fishing Cat Trail, surrounded by thick trees. We spotted a fishing cat stalking a shallow stream. Nearby, an armadillo was lying down, unbothered by our presence, while giant anteaters were hunting around.
Then, we went on the Leopard Trail, which was my personal favourite. There was something royal and fierce about watching a leopard move silently through its territory. The track had an air of tension and thrill. My mom gripped my hand tightly when we passed the Malayan flying foxes. “Are those bats?” she asked. “Yes, and look how huge they are!” my son answered.
We also wandered through the East Lodge Trail, where sloth bears, hyenas, and babirusas lived. The diversity was stunning. They were characters in their own mysterious nighttime world.
Lights, Creatures, Action!
As we made our way to the Creatures of the Night Show, we were buzzing with energy. The amphitheatre was filling up.
The show was everything we hoped for. Otters opened bins to sort recyclables, binturongs climbed ropes, and civets performed tricks that were both adorable and jaw-dropping. The sight that stole our hearts was learning about the spotted hyena, a creature I have only ever seen on TV. Seeing it closely in action was a unique experience.
My wife nudged me during the show and whispered, “Can you believe we are doing this on a family trip?” I smiled. “This is better than any souvenir we could have bought.”
The kids were so engaged that they did not even look at their phones. And when the show ended with a fire performer’s entrance, everyone applauded with wide smiles and glowing faces.
A Meal Under the Stars and a Moment to Remember
By the time we finished exploring, we were ready for dinner. We went to the Tipi Tent dining area, where we enjoyed a warm meal. There were local dishes alongside some familiar options for the kids.
As we ate, we could still hear the occasional animal call echoing in the distance. The lanterns flickered gently, and for a few minutes, everything was just perfect. My parents sat back contented. The kids were laughing over how they thought a porcupine was a hedgehog in armour. My wife and I just looked at each other and felt grateful.
Walking Out with Full Hearts
As we exited the park close to midnight, the air was cooler, and there were plenty of stars in the sky. The kids were already planning which trail they wanted to explore again “next time.” My father declared this “the best evening in Singapore,” and my mom just kept smiling.
The Night Safari had given us time to be together, learn, laugh, and listen.
Looking back now, it was the 4,200 animals, the trails, or the fire shows that made the night special.
Would I go again?
Absolutely.
And next time, we will bring even more people with us.
Because some adventures are just too magical not to be shared.
Read More: Thrillophilia Singapore Reviews