Pay a visit to the new Bird Paradise in Mandai, Singapore, and be immersed into a naturalistic and colourful world, home to 3,500 birds from over 400 species. The bird park, sometimes referred to as Mandai Bird Paradise is successor to the old Jurong Bird Park.
Overview of Mandai Bird Paradise, Singapore
Bird Paradise celebrates birds and their stories. It is home to some of the world’s most endangered avian species including the Philippine Eagle, Negros Bleed-heart Doves and Blue-throated Macaws.
Amongst Mandai Bird Paradise’s key attractions are eight large walk-in aviaries, each themed after a different part of the world. The two largest walk-in aviaries are Heart of Africa and Crimson Wetlands.
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There are also bird shows, plenty of educational information for visitors and play areas for kids.
Visitors can also get up close with the carers or keepers of the birds via Keeper Talks and feeding opportunities.
Bird Paradise Park Map & What To Expect
Bird Paradise is laid out along a central corridor. At one end of the corridor is Entrance Plaza and Shuttle Stop 1. The other end of the corridor is Central Plaza and Shuttle Stop 2.
The Shuttle Stops are where visitors can board the free tram service that runs between the Entrance Plaza and Central Plaza. There is also a walking path, Forest Corridor, that runs between the Entrance and Central Plazas.
The aviaries are laid out around the central corridor. Clockwise from the Entrance Plaza to Central Plaza, the areas and aviaries are:
- Winged Sanctuary (outdoor exhibit)
- Penguin Cove (indoor exhibit)
- Australian Outback (outdoor walk-in aviary)
- Mysterious Papua (outdoor walk-in aviary)
- Lory Loft (outdoor walk-in aviary)
- Songs of the Forest (outdoor walk-in aviary)
- Amazonian Jewels (outdoor walk-in aviary)
- Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands (outdoor walk-in aviary)
Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands then leads to Central Plaza where there is the Sky Amphitheatre, a food court and children’s play areas.
Continuing clockwise from Central Plaza back to Entrance Plaza, there are two more aviaries:
- Kuok Group Wings of Asia (outdoor walk-in aviary)
- Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa (outdoor walk-in aviary)
Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa then connects back to Shuttle Stop 1 and the Entrance Plaza.
The walk-through aviaries at Bird Paradise are inter-connected by air-conditioned hubs (hooray!) where one can cool off from the heat and take a seat to rest their weary legs.
Within these hubs are educational corners filled with bird facts and interactive features like walls, bird-themed seats and some areas where visitors can even pose and pretend to be a bird.
Entrance Plaza
Here’s a look at the various areas and some tips on what to expect at Bird Paradise.
Once you have entered into the park, you will be at the Entrance Plaza. Guest Services is immediately to the left once you have entered in. This is where you can rent a Bird Paradise wagon trailer ($18) or Bird Paradise trike ($18) for the kids if needed.
A prominent feature at Central Plaza is the Orchid Waterfall where there are mature trees and a display of orchids. This waterfall pays tribute to the former Mandai Orchid gardens, a commercial orchid garden that used to be located where Bird Paradise is now.
An interesting fact about Bird Paradise is that, seen from the air, the canopy at the Entrance Plaza is shaped like a bird in flight.
From the Entrance Plaza, to the left is the Winged Sanctuary where you can see birds upclose. Straight ahead from the Entrance Plaza is Penguin Cove, while going up the escalators on the right leads to the Shuttle Station 1, where there is a tram service to Central Plaza.
From the Entrance Plaza, you can choose to explore the aviaries in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Below, we run through the aviaries and other areas at Bird Paradise in a clockwise direction from the Entrance Plaza.
Avian Breeding and Research Centre
At the new Avian Breeding and Research Centre, close to the entrance, visitors will be able to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes at Bird Paradise to care for the birds.
Head over to the nursery for a chance to see chicks being hand-raised to maximise their chances of survival.
Winged Sanctuary
Winged Sanctuary features species of high conservation value. This is an area where you can get upclose to the birds that are kept behind netted enclosures.
This is where Bird Paradise’s collection of hornbills can be found.
There are a wide variety of hornbills here, including both the Southern and Northern Ground Hornbills and the Rhinoceros Hornbill.
Also housed at the Winged Sanctuary area are rare and predatory species like the huge Philippine Eagle.
Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove
The black and white tuxedoed birds have their home next to Winged Sanctuary. Penguin Cove is a three-storey building where you can dive into the world of penguins.
From the Entrance Plaza, you can enter in at the lowest level and you will be able to see the penguins swimming through the water.
As you take the ramp up, there is a room screening a video about penguins as well as providing information about different penguin species.
At the top of the ramp, there is a viewing gallery where you can see the penguins on land. Adding to the scene are terns, flying birds that soar through the air within the penguin exhibit.
A cosy cafe also sells penguin-themed snacks and gifts.
For a more substantial meal, there is the Penguin Cove Restaurant on the ground level. You can even get a view of the penguins while eating at the Penguin Cove Restaurant.
There are also interactive elements to learn more about penguins.
When ready, take the escalator up one more floor to Level 3 and the Australian Outback walk-in aviary.
Before we move on, here’s two little tips. On the Level 3 of the Penguin Cove, there is a wall of gachapon machines as well as some vending machines.
If you head outside of Penguin Cove, opposite from the direction of the Australian Outback, you will find a little penguin-inspired slide and you will also be able to get to Shuttle Stop 1.
Australian Outback
The noisy lorikeets and cockatoos get their own habitat, Australian Outback.
Lorikeets, endangered cockatoos, emus, cooing pigeons, lapwings and the kookaburra are some birds that will be communicating enthusiastically, even to visitors.
Besides the kookaburra, one of our favourite birds at the Australian Outback is the tawny frogmouth. It is an unusual-looking bird that often mistaken for an owl but is perfectly adapted to blend in with tree barks.
Lory Loft
The Lory Loft from Jurong Bird Park gets reborn at Bird Paradise. There are bird feeding session held here for visitors to feed the boisterous lories along with parrots.
Mysterious Papua
Get to see the avian inhabitants of New Guinea and its neighbouring islands at Mysterious Papua. Wandering around are birds like crowned pigeons and the cassowary.
Songs of the Forest
Asian singing songbirds like the Bali Myna and Strawheaded Bulbul are showcased at Songs of the Forest. Expect to be surrounded by birds singing away once you are inside this walk-in aviary.
Try listening out for the birdsong coming from the trees.
Amazonian Jewels
The rainforest habitats of South America are replicated at Amazonian Jewels. The walk-through aviary has ficus trees, terrestrial and epiphytic bromeliads as well as a shelter made to look like giant buttress roots. You can find birds like the toucan at this aviary.
Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands
The Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands aviary has been inspired by flooded savannahs of South America.
This is one of our favourite aviaries because of the sheer majesty of the birds flying overhead and freely roaming all around.
Besides flamingoes, scarlet ibises and roseate spoonbills that inhabit the Crimson Wetlands, there is also a flock of South American parrots too.
Another interesting animal to look out for at the Crimson Wetlands is the Patagonian Mara. You will need to try to spot the rabbit-like creature hiding out in the grasslands near the spoonbills.
With the backdrop of a floating village in South America, a waterfall over 20 metres high that pays tribute to the old Jurong Bird Park’s Waterfall Aviary. You can take a walk behind the waterfall and experience the roar of the water at its mightiest.
A play area at the Crimson Wetlands features a set of pads set in a pond that you can try to playfully skip across from one end to the other.
Overlooking Crimson Wetlands, there is a restaurant on the second floor called Crimson Restaurant. This is quite a nice and fancy restaurant for those who wish to have an elevated dining experience with a menu by celebrity chef Eric Teo.
The Crimson Wetlands leads to the Central Plaza.
Central Plaza
Central Plaza is the major hub at Bird Paradise with the Sky Amphitheatre, Shuttle Stop 2, food outlets and children’s play areas.
At the Sky Amphitheatre, you can watch two presentations. Wings of the World takes place at 12.30 pm and 5 pm, while Predators on Wings is at 10 am and 2.30 pm.
The two new shows will have a new format and content while still preserving some of the beloved elements of the old Kings of the Skies and High Flyers shows at Jurong Bird Park.
Central Plaza also has two play areas for children.
Treetop Play is the dry playground and is made to look like an aviary itself, where kids can scramble up and down the netted play structure like birds and bounce on trampolines.
Egg Splash is a wet playground. It features fountains and a water bucket till rings a bell before it is about to splash out. It is a great spot for cooling down in Singapore’s hot, humid weather.
F&B options at Central Plaza include a food court just beside Treetop Play. The stalls at the food court include Western, Wok Specials, Roast and Porridge, La Mian and Japanese. There are vegetarian options available at some of the stalls.
There’s also a Ben & Jerry’s outlet at Shuttle Stop 2.
Egg Splash also has an air-conditioned cafe, as well as an outdoor food kiosk.
Kuok Group Wings of Asia
From Central Plaza, step through the Balinese-inspired split gate and immerse yourself back into the world of the birds at Kuok Group Wings of Asia.
Themed after the lands of Southeast Asia, this aviary has what looks like terraced rice paddy fields. Catch the sight of pheasants searching the undergrowth for food and birds like the pelicans here. This aviary is also home to the pelicans at Bird Paradise and where the pelican feeding is held. The Hornbill Talk by Bird Paradise’s keepers also take place here.
There are also two Adventure Trails here at Wings of Asia.
Follow one path to explore water-based sound sculptures within the habitat.
Take the other and find yourself in the midst of a bamboo grove.
It is also probably worthwhile mentioning that the Wings of Asia is also connected to Mysterious Papua by a bridge that goes over the main corridor.
However, to carry on to the next aviary, go through the air-conditioned hub and you will find yourself in the Heart of Africa.
Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa
The Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa is the largest walk-in aviary at Bird Paradise at 1.5 hectares.
It takes inspiration from the forested valleys of continental Africa.
Visitors can look forward to over 80 species of birds at this walk-through aviary including the Red-fronted Barbet, Blue-bellied Roller and Great Blue Turaco.
One of the most elusive birds at this aviary is the Shoebill. If you want to try to spot it, try asking one of the staff if they can help point it out to you.
A suspension bridge leads to a lookout tower.
Here is an interesting tip! One of the suspension bridges is a musical bridge where you can try stomping out a melody as you pass by.
There is a Bee-eaters’s Cliff where you may be able to spot more birds.
When you are ready, you can exit Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa and you will have made a full circle back to Shuttle Stop 1, Penguin Cove and the Entrance Plaza.
Bird Paradise Shows & Presentations
There are two Bird Paradise shows. Both of these take place at Sky Amphitheatre at Central Plaza.
Predators on Wings features birds of prey and takes place at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm.
Wings of the World takes place at 12.30 pm and 5 pm.
The shows are free with admission. They each last for around 20 minutes.
Bird Feeding at Bird Paradise
Feeding sessions with the birds are a great way to experience Bird Paradise. These sessions a chance for you to get hands-on and may turn out to be one of the memorable memories that you take back from your time at the Mandai attractions.
Bird feeding sessions take place at
- Heart of Africa with starlings and weavers: 9.30 am & 2 pm
- Wings of Asia with pelicans: 10 am & 4.30 pm
- Lory Loft with lories and lorikeets: 11 am & 3.30 pm
- Mysterious Papua with cassowary: 1 pm
The feeding experiences are $8 per session. Book your feeding session online and arrive 15 minutes early.
Find out more about these bird feeding sessions and purchase your tickets here.
For a more intimate experience, there is the Backstage Pass Experience which gives visitors behind the scenes tours at Bird Paradise.
Bird Paradise Shop
Before you exit from Bird Paradise, you will pass through the obligatory shop where you can pick up a souvenir from your visit to the attraction.
Overview of Dining Options at Bird Paradise
For those who are planning to dine inside Bird Paradise, here’s a quick overview at the dining options that you have available.
- Bird Bakery – located at the park’s entrance, Bird Bakery has a selection of coffee, pastries and sandwiches.
- Penguin Cove Restaurant – found on Level 1 of Penguin Cove. You can dine at the Penguin Cove Restaurant with a view of the penguins swimming by.
- Penguin Cove Cafe – located on Level 2 of Penguin Cove, this is a cafe with beverages and snacks.
- Tram Kiosk – choose from a selection of ice cream flavours and drinks at this drinks and food kiosk at Shuttle Station 2.
- Food Central – the main food court of Bird Paradise can be found at the Central Plaza, close to the amphitheatre.
- Egg Splash Cafe – located at the children’s play area Egg Splash, this cafe offers different type of egg dishes.
- Crimson Restaurant – overlooking the Crimson Wetlands and its waterfall, this restaurant serves up a menu that has been curated by local celebrity chef Eric Teo.
Tips for Visiting Bird Paradise
To help you get the most out of your visit, here are some helpful tips to know before your visit to Bird Paradise.
1. Purchase your tickets online. You can buy your tickets to Bird Paradise in advance before you arrive, or there is a QR code that you can scan on the pillars leading up to Bird Paradise to purchase tickets. The Bird Paradise tickets will be sent to your email address and you can scan the bar code at the entrance gates to enter the park.
2. Wear a hat. It can get very hot at the bird park, especially on a sunny day. Have a hat handy and slap on some sun block. We also recommend bringing along a fan.
3. If you forgot a hat, you can get one from the Bird Paradise Shop beside the entrance. The bucket hats at the shop retail for $10 to $12. The shop also sells fans.
4. Conversely, if it rains, you will have to make your way through various outdoor aviaries that are open to the elements. You can either bring along an umbrella or a poncho if the weather is expected to be wet. Alternatively, you can purchase an umbrella or poncho from the Bird Paradise shop.
5. Don’t wear or keep away any shiny jewellery while at Bird Paradise. The birds are attracted to shiny objects and mischievous ones may try to take them off you. So it is best to keep things simple while walking around the walk-in aviaries where the birds are freely roaming around.
6. You’ll be rewarded if you spend time looking for the birds around the aviaries. One of the joys of the Bird Paradise experience is that the birds are kept in large, naturalistic walk-through aviaries. They are no longer kept in confined cages with metal grills. Instead, it almost feels like you are entering different environments and doing some bird watching (but with a high concentration of birds). We think you’ll get the most out of the visit if you come prepared to explore and admire the birds in their natural surroundings.
7. Bring along binoculars. Since some of the aviaries can be huge, a pair of binoculars will help you get a close-up look at the birds.
8. Prices at Bird Paradise’s food court at Central Plaza are as you would expect at major attraction. Adult meals cost $12.90 and up. So don’t get sticker shock.
9. There are water dispensers around the park where you can refill your bottle. They located close to the restrooms at locations such as the entrance, Mysterious Papua, Sky Amphitheatre and Wings of Asia.
10. WIFI in the Park. If you find the signal strength for your mobile data within the park to be weak, there is free WIFI available within Bird Paradise.
11. Look out for events held at Bird Paradise throughout the year, especially during the school holidays in Singapore. For example, around Easter time, Bird Paradise holds egg hunts.
Bird Paradise Tickets
Bird Paradise tickets can be purchased online. These are the prices for Bird Paradise tickets.
| Adult | $49 |
| Child | $34 |
The in-park shuttle service is included with all admission tickets.
Local Singapore residents can save by signing up for a complimentary WildPass digital membership to enjoy discounts of 10 per cent for admission to Bird Paradise.
Transport & Getting to Bird Paradise
Bus / MRT Options
One way to get to Bird Paradise by public transport is to a train to one of four MRT stations and taking a bus from there.
| MRT Station | Connecting Bus Service |
| Khatib (NS14) | Take the Mandai Khatib Shuttle from Exit A Passenger Pick-up Point. The Bus arrives every 10 to 15 minutes and costs $1 one-way. |
| Choa Chu Kang (NS4) | Take Bus 927 |
| Ang Mo Kio (NS16) | Take Bus 138 |
| Springleaf (TE4) | Take Bus 138 |
Mandai Heartland Express
During the school holiday weekends and public holidays, the Mandai Heartland Express operates between Mandai Wildlife Reserve and three heartland locations: Bedok, Sengkang and Tampines.
The Mandai Heartland Express makes it easier for those making their way down to the wildlife parks from these areas and costs $3 for adults and $1 for children, one-way.
Parking Rates
For those who are driving, it may be useful to know the parking rates. These are:
- First hour (inclusive of 10-minute grace period) – $3
- Every additional hour or part thereof – $2/hour
- Vehicles without IU or cash card – $10 per entry
- Maximum parking charge – $10 per entry
Bird Paradise in Mandai
We hope that this information has been useful in helping you to plan out your day at Mandai Bird Paradise. It is a wonderful place to visit and somewhere that you can experience avian friends in a novel and interesting environment.
Have a great time out at Bird Paradise.
Where: 20 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729825
Website: Bird Paradise
If you enjoyed this story, you may also be interested in reading more about the play areas at Bird Paradise, Mandai Wildlife West, Mandai Boardwalk or Singapore’s latest wildlife park, Rainforest Wild Asia, which is located next to Bird Paradise. Or, if you are planning to pay a visit to the other wildlife parks in Singapore, we think that you will enjoy this other story of ours on the Singapore Zoo.
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