Want to know what Singapore’s only caving adventure is like? Wild Cavern Adventure at Rainforest Wild Asia is the perfect option for thrill-seekers looking for a family-friendly nature-themed experience!
Suitable for newbies, tweens and teens, the Wild Cavern Adventure will get you an adrenaline rush and of course a memorable time at Singapore’s only caverning adventure.
As a family with a tween and teen, we have definitely outgrown indoor playgrounds and looking for bigger adventures.
What is Wild Cavern Adventure About?
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Wild Cavern Adventure is one of two Black Adventures you can opt for at Rainforest Wild Asia. It is a 3-hour guided harnessed journey through the Caverns with three main thrills and a guide to the caves the Caverns were modelled after.
Adventurers who opt for either of the Black Adventures (Wild Cavern Adventure or Wild Apex Adventure) can also enjoy park entry, 50% discounts off Canopy Jump and AIA Vitality Bounce as well as photo vouchers to redeem free photos taken.
WildPass holders (free for locals to apply) can enjoy a 1-for-1 Buddy Bundle for the Black Adventures from now till 30 May!
6 Highlights of Wild Cavern Adventure
We signed up for the 9.30 am Wild Cavern Adventure tour which was the earliest timing. There are five other timings through the day with the last slot at 2.30 pm. Read on to find out our take on which timeslot is recommended.
Each session can accommodate up to 12 people. The minimum height of each participant is 1.35 m with a minimum weight of 20 kg. Do note that there is a maximum height of 2.1 m and maximum weight of 120 kg.
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Here are six highlights of Wild Cavern Adventure to look forward to:
1. Cavern Tour
At Adventure Base Camp is where the thrill starts. The meeting point is right at the entrance, in front of the Adventure Base Camp . First a safety briefing and a quick preview of what the adventure is about, then we enter the park.
First, we started with an educational Cavern Tour. Our rangers Jey and Lutfie peppered us with geological facts about the Cavern, which was modelled after the Mulu Caves in Sarawak. This eased us into understanding more about the cave environment and we got to see wildlife like the snakes, scorpions, fish and even a wild fruit bat.
For our teen in secondary school, the Geography lesson came alive for him. As our guides asked us questions and even cracked Geog-jokes, we learnt more about the various formations, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as features of the original Mulu caves.
2. Adventure HQ & Safety Equipment
Then it’s time to strap on our harnesses, helmet securely!
There are lockers to place our belongings. We emptied out our pockets and put on the harnesses, hairnet and helmet. We were also given gloves to prevent rope burns – this was a really thoughtful protective equipment which we could even take home after.
Those with mobile phones could place them in waterproof pouches which are provided (don’t worry the cave is very dry!) The pouches were tied to the harness and can be used to take photos and videos when it is safe to do so. We would actually recommend using hands-free devices like action cameras to be strapped onto the non-dominant hand instead.
Next, we tried the critter crawl experience in complete darkness, as a taster session of what it would be like in the dark. We went one by one into a completely dark tunnel and had to use all of our limbs to make sure we stepped firmly onto the ground while feeling our way around.
For the younger ones, their head torches could be turned on so they had an easier time navigating.
We then reached a chamber with Madagascan Cockroaches! Since this was just an exercise to get us accustomed to the kind of terrain and lighting conditions, I felt it was a good simulation exercise to get our senses “warmed up” for the Wild Cavern Adventure.
3. Ascending Rock Scramble
Then we had a trial run of clipping onto the safety line and abseiling. Given the multiple checks on the harnesses and adjustments made by our rangers, I felt we were in safe hands. Parents can be rest assured that precautions are made to ensure every participant’s safety.
Next, we had to get to the entrance of the Cavern which was 7 metres above ground. Truth be told, I do have a fear of heights and ascending the rocky trail was the start of confronting my fears. The 30-metre steep, uneven terrain did not scare anyone in my group though, everyone bravely climbed up securely fastened to the safety line with a few rangers ensuring our progress.
My 10 year old and 13 year old took to the first challenge like fish to water. This was certainly their cup of tea.
4. Traversing above a deep dark pit
Entering the cool dark cave was a treat. Of course, the air-conditioner was the one cooling us down, and also mimicking the actual cave environment.
One by one we stepped carefully into the tunnels that would lead us to the next obstacle. We were told to quieten our voices to simulate a real caving experience and turn off any lights.
I must say that I do not recommend using the mobile phone to do any filming or photo-taking while moving in the complete darkness.
It was easy to trip and fall if one wasn’t paying attention. Since this was an adventure, surfaces are not completely level and this was no walk in the park. I had to use both my hands to feel for the walls of the tunnels – this was also where the gloves came in very useful!
We then reached an opening where in front was a deep dark pit. Don’t look down! We had to traverse through a rope line to the other side. Again, one by one, we were clipped on and securely linked to the safety line and pulled ourselves across the void. It was cool, dark and rather mysterious moving quietly in the dark.
This was a first for me and what an experience cruising through the darkness! I did not dare look down and this probably helped me to focus on the end of the ropeline. It was a unanimous agreement on the fun “swing”!
5. Abseiling down a 10 metre Rock Wall
Our chance to feel like a member of the SWAT team was presented in the form of abseiling down a 10-metre rocky wall!
My sons definitely felt the jitters before this activity. After adjusting our harnesses and clipping on, we had to stand on the edge of the drop with our backs against another deep dark pit. This was where all our trust was placed in our ranger who was assuring and encouraged us to sit and lean back. This surely sounded counterintuitive. However, since we practised abseiling earlier, all of us knew what we were supposed to do with the clear instructions given.
We sat back into the harness, leaned on the wall using our legs and slowly let go of the rope to descend downwards into the dark. I definitely felt the adrenaline rush and a sense of accomplishment.
High on adrenaline, we continued making our way through the 220 metre tunnels.
6. Heart of the Cavern
The abseiling was definitely the climax of Wild Cavern Adventure! It was a good test of courage and our sense of adventure. We were then led to the heart of the cave called the Abyss – the biggest chamber only accessible via Wild Cavern Adventure. One interesting fact was chambers led to the heart of the cave and this was crucial information lest we ever get stuck in one.
Our rangers also took us to the deepest chamber of the cavern. All lights were then turned off while we sat in silence to experience how dark and quiet it was. Our rangers then reminded us of the Thai football team that was stuck for weeks before being rescued. This would be a tiny peek into what they encountered.
To end off the adventure, our rangers got our 10 year old to find the way out of the tunnels through a slide! It could seem confusing at first since all the chambers looked similar. Eventually he located the slide and we ended with a fun descend back to the base camp!
Our Review of Wild Cavern Adventure at Rainforest Wild Asia
I was glad to have completed the Wild Cavern Adventure with the family. It was a welcome thrill in the middle of school assessments, and certainly a well-received jaunt out of the ordinary.
The boys loved the adventure and even asked to do the Wild Apex Adventure – which was probably much more physically challenging and subject to the natural elements outdoors.
The three hours we had seemed to whisk by. We were full on endorphins at the end of the tour and hungry for food. Like nocturnal animals waking, we emerged to the hot noon sun which left us plenty of time to visit the rest of Rainforest wild Asia. On this note, I would recommend doing the Wild Cavern Adventure after midday as the animals at the park are probably more active in the earlier part of the morning.
I was impressed by how safe the experience was and how the guides were assuring, humorous and always encouraging. Our gear was constantly checked with adjustments made to tighten the straps. I do wish there were more elements to try but alas time always flashes by when you’re having fun. We took home memories, more confidence and newly-learnt facts about caves – a win for both our physical and mental states.
Find out more about Rainforest Wild Asia’s Wild Cavern Adventure here.
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