Four elusive okapi—forest giraffes with zebra-striped legs and towering necks—stepped into their new home in Singapore on May 29, making their Southeast Asian debut at Rainforest Wild Adventure East and drawing visitors into a corner of Central Africa most people have never encountered.
The 7-hectare zone marks a turning point for Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore's sprawling 126-hectare destination that has spent a decade transforming itself into something rarer than a traditional zoo: a place where visitors can move between continents and habitats without leaving an island city-state. This new East zone, opening after the West zone launched in March, completes the 20-hectare Rainforest Wild Adventure and showcases Africa's second-largest tropical rainforest—a landscape often overshadowed by images of open savanna. As curator Cecilia Tang explained, most people are more familiar with Africa's sweeping grasslands than with the lush, biodiverse rainforests of the Congo Basin that inspired this park's design.
The okapi, a critically endangered species, shares the spotlight with pygmy hippos, eastern bongos, and Nile lechwe—animals navigating immersive habitats built to feel authentic. The Hidden Forest allows visitors to glimpse okapi from a 125-meter suspended bridge winding through their space. Lemur Land, a 1-hectare Madagascan-inspired aviary, houses three lemur species alongside endemic birds like the Madagascar crested ibis. At Split Rock Summit, those seeking adventure can climb vertical rungs 11 meters high for panoramic views, while the Canopy Glider offers an eight-meter ascent through the treetops. Five adventure activities in total invite thrill-seekers to engage physically with the landscape rather than simply observe from a distance.
The reserve's commitment to conservation shows in the numbers: nearly 60 species call the new zone home, and 75 percent of them are listed as threatened. Ranger talks throughout the park contextualize these animals within their conservation stories—visitors don't just see the okapi or the Philippine spotted deer, they learn why their survival matters. This educational layer, woven into every habitat, acknowledges that wildlife parks serve not just entertainment but advocacy.
The reserve now welcomes 4.5 million visitors annually—local and international—who move between five major attractions: the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, and now the completed Rainforest Wild Adventure. For those wanting to deepen their connection, two glamping sites offer overnight stays. The Crocodile Lodge in the East zone provides 20 safari tents overlooking Red Ravine, where eastern bongos graze against a ravine backdrop that feels worlds away from the island beyond.
Admission runs $50 for adults, $35 for children aged three to twelve, and $25 for seniors—with discounts for local students. Wide, wheelchair-accessible walkways ensure the experience reaches diverse visitors, while forest treks offer more immersive routes. Rangers Retreat Restaurant serves African-inspired dishes, anchoring the sensory experience.
The Mandai Wildlife Reserve's completion exemplifies Singapore's reinvention of itself as a "City in Nature," in the words of Minister Grace Fu. For visitors seeking authentic encounter with endangered species and their habitats—without leaving Asia—Rainforest Wild Adventure East now opens that door, one suspended bridge and one okapi sighting at a time.