First look: New Rainforest Wild Asia has forest trails, stream crossings & adventure activities, opens on Mar. 12, 2025

Mandai Wildlife Reserve's newest park, Rainforest Wild Asia, will officially open to the public on Mar. 12.

At 13 hectares, the park will be Asia's first adventure-based zoological park.

This means that not only can visitors catch glimpses of unique fauna, the more intrepid and brave-hearted can take part in adventure experiences such as stepping off a 20m platform and feeling what it's like to freefall (in a very safe manner), or climbing a via ferrata along limestone cliffs — for additional fees of course.

Choose your own adventure

Once in the park, guests can choose between two paths to view the animal habitats — a more leisurely and accessible path with wider walkways on elevated boardwalks, or a more rugged route that's similar to a trek through a rainforest.

On Feb. 12, Mothership was able to get a sneak peek of Rainforest Wild Asia, and of course, we chose the latter route, so you don't have to.

This route involves crossing boulder steps, logs and gushing streams.

Almost reminiscent of a trip to MacRitchie Nature Trail.

From our experience, the rugged route seems to offer a more close-up view of some of the animals in their habitats, as opposed to the view up top from the elevated boardwalks.

Like this Malayan tapir.

It might seem easy to get lost in all that nature while trekking through the trees and shrubbery, but fret not, there's plenty of signs, as well as orange ribbons tied around trees to help you identify the trail.

Open-concept habitats

The park comprises eight zones with open-concept habitats. These "highly immersive flexible habitats", as Group CEO of Mandai Wildlife Group Mike Barclay described, allows visitors to view the animals in a more naturalised habitat and from a variety of angles .

Visitors can check out 36 species in the park, including two new to Singapore: the François' langur and the Philippine spotted deer.

1. Entrance Gorge

As you enter the park, walk through a misty gorge offering immediate views of the forest.

2. The Karsts

Make your way to one of the grand features of the park, The Karst, which mimics limestone cliffs and formations.

This zone is also home to the François' langur, one of Mandai's new species.

This monkey can typically only be found in China and Vietnam.

You even get to cross a suspension bridge here.

3. Forest Floor

In this zone, visitors will gradually descend to the forest floor.

One of the exhibits here will have mousedeer, hog deer, axis deer and tortoises roaming freely around.

If you're lucky enough, you might even catch some of the shy deer up close.

4. The Outpost

This is the first rest stop in the park, with an F&B outlet, Rangers Cafe. It also houses the park's camping ground, with classroom and shower facilities for campers.

5. Rock Cascade

Marvel at waterfalls and creatures such as the Malayan tiger and red dhole in this zone.

This is one of the flexible habitats in the park which houses a rotating roster of predator and prey species.

Depending on the time of day, you might spot the red dhole, babirusa or bearded pig.

6. The Canopy

Move into higher elevations at The Canopy, where you'll get to experience the arboreal life.

Look up a variety of monkey species such as the Javan langur, red-shanked douc langur, and siamang.

At the bottom of the habitat is the Philippine spotted deer, another new species.

7. Watering Hole

This is the largest zone in the park, and this is where you can spot the Malayan tapir, Malayan sun bear and 5m-long estuarine crocodile.

8. The Cavern

Another feature of Rainforest Wild Asia is The Cavern, which is inspired by real-world cave systems.

Navigate through rock formations like stalactites and stalagmites.

Check out cave-dwelling critters such as scorpions, blind cave fish and the cave racer, a species of snake.

Not to forget your photo opportunities.

Adventure Plus experiences

If you're not all tuckered out after walking around the park and are ready for more thrilling activities, there are are add-on adventure experiences.

Bookings are required.

Canopy Jump

Here, visitors can step off a 13m or, for the truly daring, 20m platform, and experience the feeling of free fall, before safely transitioning into a controlled descent.

You can get a pretty good view of the surrounding rainforest like this.

Price: S$30

AIA Vitality Bounce

Similar to the Bouncing Nets at Jewel Changi Airport, but with a 9m slide and great views of the trees. Funz.

Price: S$15

Critter Crawl

Ever wanted to experience the crippling claustrophobia of caving? Here, you can crouch and crawl through a narrow 60m-long cave tunnel with stalactites, stalagmites rock formations and fossil imprints.

You can even get up close and personal with the Madagascar hissing cockroaches through a glass floor panel.

Price: S$20

Black Adventures

For the really plucky ones, these three-hour guided and harnessed tours high up in the air, or down in the dark caves, are likely to satisfy your adventure cravings.

Bookings are required.

Wild Apex Adventure

You'll get to move along a via ferrata path at The Karsts, as high up in the air as 20m.

This involves climbing metal rungs, ladders and suspended bridges, hiking to The Canopy, and walking along suspended planks about 9m above ground.

With any luck, you might even encounter some langurs up close in their habitat.

Price: S$192 (adult), S$182 (child)

Wild Cavern Adventure

Never tried caving before? This is a simulated cave expedition, where you can explore the nooks and crannies of the cavern system.

Abseil in the dark with only your headlamps for light, squeeze through tight

spaces and navigate narrow tunnels.

After exiting the cave adventure, participants will be guided through the main cavern and will get to learn more about the rock formations.

Price: S$192 (adult), S$182 (child)

Admission

Tickets to Rainforest Wild Asia can be purchased here.

It will be open daily from 9am to 6pm. Last admission into the park is at 5pm.

While the typical single-park admission for local residents is S$43 for adults, S$31 for children (aged 3 to 12 years old) and S$20 for senior citizens, you'll be glad to know that there's a special price for the park's opening.

Opening special

• S$33 for adults, S$21 for children from Feb. 12 to Mar. 31
• Black Adventure buddy bundle (for 2pax) S$192 Adult / S$182 Child/ S$172 Seniors from Feb. 12 to Apr. 30

Top photos from Ashley Tan and Fasiha Nazren