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CNA
7 days ago
- CNA
Mandai Wildlife Reserve launches Colugo Camp, a luxury camping space with buffets and guided tours
If you're longing for the great outdoors with a touch of luxury, Colugo Camp at Mandai Wildlife Reserve offers the best of both worlds. Located in the eastern cluster of the reserve, Colugo Camp is a permanent campsite available for year-round bookings. Colugo Camp features a total of 20 safari-style tents, most with scenic views of the reservoir. Here, guests can enjoy an all-inclusive stay that includes meals and explorations in Singapore's wildlife parks with camp facilitators. Base itineraries comprise a minimum stay of two days and one night, with optional add-ons available for campers to personalise each adventure. Each tent, with a capacity of up to four people, is equipped with two fans and air conditioning, a queen-sized bed, a bunk bed and outdoor seats. Wheelchair-friendly tents are available upon request. Meals will be provided to campers, including welcome drinks, international buffet breakfast, Asian buffet dinner and light supper – all served at the communal dining hall. Vegetarian options are available and meals include sustainably sourced ingredients, as well as the wildlife-friendly Owa Coffee. Optional add-ons are also available, including a Wine Down basket at S$68, consisting of one bottle of red wine, two bottles of sparkling water and a cheese platter with red grapes. Also available is the Wild Supplies basket (S$25), which includes two packets of potato chips, two fruit cups, two cans of chips and four canned drinks. Camp tickets will also include admission to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and exclusive early entry to River Wonders. Campers will be able to go on a guided tour at Singapore Zoo or River Wonders, and a chartered tram ride with live commentary, as well as reserved seating at the Creatures Of The Night presentation at Night Safari. Shared shower and toilet facilities are located within the camping area, including family and wheelchair-friendly accessible options. Complimentary Wi-Fi is also accessible. The camp is also suitable for corporate groups seeking team-building and edutainment. Tent decorations are available for special occasions upon request. Prices to Colugo Camp start at S$550 (US$430) for two people, S$700 for three people and S$800 for four people. Campers can extend their stay by adding extra nights at the same rate. Campers must be a minimum age of three years old. Those under 21 years old must also be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older in the same tent. Friends Of Mandai members and complimentary WildPass holders can enjoy a 15 per cent and 10 per cent discount on tickets respectively. In the spirit of SG60, the first 60 bookings can enjoy S$60 off their tickets as well.
Business Insider
24-07-2025
- Business Insider
I brought my mom on her first international trip. She was nervous, but we were both pleasantly surprised.
My mom had gone on domestic trips before, but she's always been cautious about international travel. I finally convinced her to take her first international trip with me, and we flew to Singapore. She surprised me by stepping outside her comfort zone and making the most of the experience. Every time I broached the topic of going on an international trip with my mom, something would always come up: another commitment, bad timing, or a "let's talk later." When I brought it up again last year, she finally said yes, but only if we kept it simple. She suggested we travel within India, where we live. I hesitated. We'd gone on plenty of domestic trips with family, but there were still travel "firsts" she'd never had: her first international flight, her first passport stamp. I remembered how exciting and empowering those firsts felt on my own first trip abroad, and I wanted to be there when she experienced them, too. Still, she was nervous about navigating airports, immigration, and unfamiliar systems. I suggested Singapore as a compromise: At six hours, the flight was long enough to feel like a "real" trip without being too overwhelming. It took a few weeks and a lot of convincing before she agreed. We booked our flights for a five-day trip and set off in August. We did a lot of preparation to ease her anxieties, but she adjusted quicker than I expected To help my mom feel less nervous on the trip, we took our time packing our essentials and comforts from home. She brought her favorite Indian snacks, antibacterial wipes, tea bags, and printed copies of all documents. Luckily, Singapore turned out to be a gentle first destination. It felt organized and safe, and the public transit was surprisingly straightforward. I'd booked us into a centrally located hotel, which made it easy to explore at our own pace. We landed in the afternoon, and that same evening we went to the Night Safari, the world's first nocturnal zoo. I thought she'd be too tired to enjoy it, but she stayed awake and alert throughout the tram ride, pointing out animals with an excited "look over there!" each time she spotted movement in the dark. By the end of the day, I realized her initial worries about traveling somewhere new were starting to fade. She surprised me at every turn — in a good way On our second day, we went to Universal Studios on the island of Sentosa. I assumed my mom would sit out the rides, but instead, she joined me on two of them. She left the park smiling and even said she'd had fun. The next day, we visited Madame Tussauds, where she surprised me by posing with a few figures. It struck me that I'd rarely, if ever, seen my mom jump into new experiences with this kind of enthusiasm. Her favorite activity, though, was the "Wings of Time," a fireworks and lights show on the beach. She told me that it was magical, and I agreed — for more reasons than one. Right after the show, I realized I'd left behind my bag, which had our wallets and passports. I panicked and was about to run back in when she suddenly appeared with it in her hand. "You brought me on this trip, but I'm the one looking after you," she said. The moment reminded me that even though I was guiding my mom through her first international trip, she was still my anchor. I was impressed by how willingly she pushed herself to walk and explore Back home, my mom usually avoids long walks, partly because of minor knee issues. I was surprised that she didn't complain once during our Singapore trip, even when we spent hours walking through the Gardens by the Bay. By day five, she didn't want to leave. At Changi Airport, she looked at me and said, "It was too short. Next time, a little longer?" I remembered how unsure she seemed before we left. Watching her push past those doubts and try something new made me feel proud and inspired at the same time. Since then, my mom has mentioned visiting Sri Lanka, Dubai, and even Japan to see the cherry blossoms. She didn't become an eager traveler overnight, but she's curious, open, and ready to explore. It's more than I ever expected from one short trip — and I already can't wait to see what the next one brings.
Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Straits Times
First look at Colugo Camp, new glamping site at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Each safari-style tent at Colugo Camp can accommodate up to four guests. SINGAPORE – Colugo Camp, a new permanent glamping site at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, will welcome guests from Aug 8. Rest and relax in 20 sq m safari-style tents, which can accommodate up to four guests with a queen-size bed and a bunk bed. The 20 tents – some designed for wheelchair accessibility – are equipped with a ceiling fan, standing fan, portable air-conditioning unit and Wi-Fi. Each one also has an outdoor patio that overlooks Upper Seletar Reservoir. Shared toilet and shower facilities are available within the camping area. Managed by Mandai Wildlife Group, the rates are $550 for one night for two people, $700 for three and $800 for four, with the option to extend stays at the same rate. Meals are included – welcome drink, international buffet breakfast, Asian buffet dinner and light supper – all served at the communal dining hall. Guests are discouraged from eating in their tents to prevent attracting wildlife, such as the long-tailed macaque. Each tent has an outdoor patio that overlooks Upper Seletar Reservoir. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP The package includes admission to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and early entry to River Wonders. These attractions are linked to Colugo Camp at Mandai Wildlife East by sheltered walkways. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets, rockets, artillery in deadly border row Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Singapore First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Asia 'Vampire coach': Coercive blood sampling in school casts spotlight on Taiwan's culture of obedience Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: Dinesh Tech From aviation to healthcare, workers have taken small steps to be early adopters of AI in Singapore Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then boyfriend of $220k Guests can also enjoy a guided tour at River Wonders, a chartered tram ride with live commentary and reserved seating at the Creatures of the Night presentation at Night Safari. Breakfast, dinner and supper are included and served at the communal dining hall. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP 'Colugo Camp offers more than just a stay. Located within Mandai Wildlife Reserve, it provides campers with easy access to explore our five wildlife parks, public spaces and upcoming indoor attractions,' says Ms Jean Choi, chief sales and marketing officer at Mandai Wildlife Group, at a media preview on July 24. 'The experience is enriched by personalised guidance from camp facilitators, offering insightful perspectives to deepen the connection between visitors and nature.' There are plans for a second glamping site, Crocodile Camp. This will be located within Rainforest Wild Africa, which is slated to open in 2026. Colugo Camp provides guests with easy access to explore five wildlife parks. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP Sleepover programmes were introduced by Mandai Wildlife Group in December 2020, starting with Staycation with Manatees at the then River Safari, now known as River Wonders. Since then, more have been introduced, such as Bird Paradise's Glamping with the Penguin, which debuted in December 2023. The most recent offering was in December 2024, featuring Glamping in the Wild with a special Snoopy theme at the Singapore Zoo. With the opening of Colugo Camp, these experiences will be available for private and corporate bookings only. Colugo Camp offers 20 tents, including some designed for wheelchair accessibility. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP Colugo Camp is the second accommodation option nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The Mandai Rainforest Resort by luxury hotel chain Banyan Tree opened on April 2 and offers 338 rooms. Guests at Colugo Camp must be at least three years old, and accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older in the same tent. Book a stay at . The first 60 bookings will enjoy $60 off. Friends of Mandai are eligible for a 15 per cent discount, while WildPass holders will get 10 per cent off. Bookings can also be made via platforms such as Klook, Pelago and
AsiaOne
24-07-2025
- AsiaOne
New camping experience in Mandai starts in August, here's what Colugo Camp has to offer, Lifestyle News
Three parks, two tours, one stay — that's Colugo Camp in a nutshell. The new permanent campsite, located in the eastern cluster of Mandai Wildlife Reserve, is looking to offer guests a different way to reconnect with nature and appreciate wildlife. Previously, trips to attractions in Mandai, like the Singapore Zoo or Night Safari, typically ended after just a few hours. But with Colugo Camp, guests can now enjoy an overnight glamping experience in any of their 20 safari-style tents, with each tent accommodating up to four guests. Base itineraries consist of a minimum 2D1N stay, with prices starting from: $550 for two pax $700 for three pax $800 for four pax Guests can also extend their stay at the same nightly rate. The camp will be open to the public on selected days from Aug 8 onwards, and AsiaOne got a sneak peek of what guests can expect during a media preview on Thursday (July 24). Clement Tan, Mandai Wildlife Group's deputy vice president of sales and experience development, kicked things off by sharing that Colugo Camp is part of a broader transformation at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. He said: "There are many more [attractions] to come, two more indoor attractions [such as] Exploria and Curiosity Cove, Rainforest Wild Africa along with the second permanent campsite, Crocodile Camp. "All these will be introduced in the upcoming months." Specifically, he noted that Colugo Camp will only broaden stayover options available to visitors while also appealing to a wider range of visitors and occasions. The glamping experience At the media preview, the breakfast served mirrored what guests will enjoy during their stay. The international buffet featured scrambled eggs, baked beans and turkey bacon while those looking for local delights can enjoy a hearty plate of nasi lemak. Generally, the breakfast items were decent without being particularly mind-blowing. A standout, however, was the wildlife-friendly Owa Coffee. Grown in Central Java, shade coffee is grown to ensure the preservation of forest canopies and its inhabitants like the endangered Javan Gibbon. Even as a non-coffee connoisseur, I found the Coffee Latte satisfying and the experience was made better by knowing the cuppa's environmental backstory. Meals are served at the communal dining hall, which comfortably seats up to 80 guests. The space also doubles up as a chill-out area where guests can unwind before and after their daily activities. Each 20 sq m tent offers scenic views and is equipped with a queen-sized bed, a bunk bed, fans and air-conditioning. So there shouldn't be any worries about dealing with the uncomfortable tropical heat! The warm wooden tones and nature-inspired motifs also add to the ambiance. Something to note is that the tents do not come fitted with refrigerators so pack accordingly. Shared toilet and shower facilities (with family and wheelchair-friendly options) are located nearby, with basic toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel and hair dryers provided. A Mandai Wildlife Reserve facilitator mentioned that lucky guests may even encounter native wildlife like the long-tailed macaques and baby wild boars during their stay. Your best chance of coming across them would be around sunset so do keep a lookout as you head to the Dining Hall for your evening meal. Apart from meals in the form of dinner, supper and breakfast, the standard 2D1N stay also includes admission to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and an exclusive early entry to River Wonders. The free-and-easy entry to the zoo begins upon check-in in the evening. After an early dinner, guests are taken on a facilitated visit to Night Safari: Creatures of the Night, which includes a chartered Safari Adventure Tram with live commentary. A late-night bite back at the Dining Hall follows, before guests head back to their tents for some shuteye. The next morning begins bright and early (don't forget to catch the sunrise) and guests can enjoy an exclusive entry to River Wonders, which includes a guided tour of the park. At the media preview, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to experience this guided tour, which we found educational and engaging. Whether it was learning about electric eels or simply watching manatees float by, the experience was brought to life by an enthusiastic facilitator who definitely made the tour fun and informative. Ending one's stay with a guided tour was also a great way to close off one's Colugo Camp experience. Not only are you likely to walk away from the entire experience feeling refreshed, you might also have picked up a thing or two about the natural environment and the animals who call it home. Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826 Upcoming camp dates: Starting Aug 8, refer to their website for more info [[nid:718477]] amierul@
Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
9 magical noctourism activities worth staying up for
2. Night safari in Chiang Mai, Thailand Thailand's first night safari park, just outside Chiang Mai, offers a structured yet atmospheric encounter with nocturnal wildlife. The Chiang Mai Night Safari is divided into tram zones—Savanna and Predator Prowl—where you can observe everything from giraffes to Bengal tigers under artificial moonlight. While it's not exactly the Serengeti, it gives visitors a safe, guided experience of animals in their after-dark routines. Noctourism here leans more curated than wild, but it's no less captivating. 3. Night diving in Kona, Hawaii Diving after sunset can be eerie, but off the coast of Kona on the Big Island, it's exhilarating. Here, nocturnal manta rays gather to feed on plankton attracted by underwater lights. Noctourism in Hawaii isn't limited to beach bars and luaus—this surreal underwater ballet between humans and marine giants takes the night-time experience to another level. It's best done with reputable dive centres experienced in the area's currents. 4. Desert safari under the stars in Wadi Rum, Jordan Wadi Rum's sandstone cliffs and rust-coloured dunes transform under moonlight. While daytime safaris are common, it's at night that this ancient desert earns its reputation as the 'Valley of the Moon'. Bedouin-led camps offer stargazing with traditional music and stories. The absence of light pollution means even amateur astronomers will be amazed. Noctourism here combines celestial observation with deep cultural immersion. 5. Urban light hikes in Hong Kong Hong Kong's skyline is iconic, but head up to Victoria Peak or the Dragon's Back trail at twilight and you'll see why noctourism has a place in city life, too. The trails are cooler, quieter and framed by the glow of skyscrapers below. Guided night hikes are available for less confident trekkers, offering both safety and a fresh perspective on this high-density metropolis. 6. Bioluminescent kayaking in Fajardo, Puerto Rico Mosquito Bay in Vieques gets all the attention, but nearby Fajardo is just as magical and more accessible. Paddle out after dark, and each stroke ignites microscopic dinoflagellates, lighting up the water in eerie neon blue. This is noctourism at its most science-fiction. Tours are often led by marine biologists who explain the phenomenon, adding depth to what might otherwise feel like pure fantasy. 7. Northern lights chasing in Tromso, Norway Aurora tourism is now its own category, but few places make it as accessible as Tromso. Located above the Arctic Circle, this small Norwegian city offers night-time aurora chases by van, snowmobile or even dog sled. Noctourism here isn't passive—you need to layer up, brave the cold and often stay out until 2 or 3am. The reward: a curtain of green, pink and purple undulating across the polar sky. 8. Exploring night markets in Taipei, Taiwan Taipei's night markets are a masterclass in noctourism done right—open-air, chaotic and endlessly edible. Shilin Night Market remains the most visited, but Raohe Street offers a more local atmosphere with pepper buns baked in clay ovens, oyster omelettes sizzling on griddles and queues forming for black pepper beef cubes. It's not just about food; fortune tellers, carnival games and late-night shopping make it a full sensory experience. This is nightlife with a uniquely Taiwanese flavour, best savoured without a plan. 9. Wandering Shibuya after dark in Tokyo, Japan Shibuya's famous scramble crossing is a spectacle by day, but it transforms after dark into a neon-lit theatre of urban life. Venture beyond the lights and you'll find late-night ramen counters, vinyl bars and narrow alleys like Nonbei Yokocho, where the city's pace shifts into something slower and stranger. Just around the corner, the 24-hour Don Quijote packs in everything from snacks to electronics, open all night and buzzing with life. Noctourism in Shibuya thrives on contrast—hyper-stimulated one minute, deeply local the next. Whether you're navigating a jungle by firefly light or savouring midnight ramen in Tokyo, it changes how you see a place. More than just a gimmick, these after-hours activities reveal layers of culture and nature that are invisible by day. NOW READ In defence of 'tourist traps': 10 tourist attractions in Asia that are worth the queues How to prevent 'flight face' while travelling 10 profound quotes on travel from famous writers through the ages
