Thrillophilia Review: Ahmad’s Family Journey through Singapore Night Safari
“The jungle awakens at night… and so did we.”
Some trips are planned for escape, while others are for bonding. But a few are just moments we chase to hold onto the feeling of joy and togetherness.
On the evening of April 2025, that is exactly what I found in Singapore. A memorable family experience at the Singapore Night Safari, all made possible by Thrillophilia.
We were six in total - my parents, my wife, our two kids, and me. I had read about this being the first nocturnal wildlife park in the world, which is home to thousands of animals. But experiencing it firsthand is another story entirely.
Into the Heart of the Jungle by Tram
As we entered the park, the lanterns along the path gave a calm and magical feel.
We boarded the tram that would take us on our night time journey through seven themed zones. My youngest sat beside me, with eyes wide and nose practically glued to the glass whenever something moved in the shadows.
We spotted elephants cooling off near the water and zebras munching quietly on grass. A massive anteater also moved through the brush, which was fascinating to see closely in such a natural setting.
The tram’s guide spoke softly. He pointed out hidden wildlife like the Malayan tapir and barasinghas and told stories about their habits and conservation efforts. Even my father said quietly, “Nature does not perform like this in the city.”
For the first time in a long while, we were all focused on the same thing, and it was a living and breathing jungle. Right in front of us.
Exploring the Trails on Foot
After the tram ride, we decided to continue the journey on foot. The park offers several walking trails, and we began with the Fishing Cat Trail.
We saw a fishing cat curled up by a stream while waiting for a flash of silver to pass by. A shy and slow pangolin shuffled past leaves just a few feet from us. My daughter pointed at it, giggling, “Look at its back! It looks like armour!”
The next trail was the Leopard Trail, which was darker and quieter. A leopard was lying still in the shadows of the trees, and its eyes were glowing in the dark. It was watching us as much as we were watching it. Overhead, flying foxes zipped past while porcupines rustled in the nearby undergrowth.
We then moved on to the East Lodge Trail, where animals from Asia and Africa are brought together. Seeing creatures like sloth bears and babirusas with their strange curling tusks and alert hyenas pacing was both fascinating and a little spine-tingling.
We finished with the Wallaby Trail, and for a moment, it felt like we were in Australia. The sugar gliders zipped above, and wallabies peeked from bushes as if wondering who we were. For me, just watching my family light up with joy was worth everything.
Creatures of the Night Show
At 9 pm, we took our seats at the open-air amphitheatre for the Creatures of the Night Show. The stars above were bright, and the whole crowd seemed to hold its breath as the show began.
The otters were the first to make an appearance with immense energy and charm. Then, the civets and binturongs climbed, jumped, and showed off their cleverness effortlessly. At one point, the animals even took part in a playful recycling game, and the whole crowd burst into cheers and laughter. It was both entertaining and surprisingly heartwarming.
Moreover, the spotted hyena stole the spotlight with its strong jaws and playful energy. Our children were completely glued, even forgetting to nudge us for snacks.
Just when we thought the night had peaked, there came the Thumbuakar fire performers. Their dance, set to rhythmic tribal drums, lit the night literally. Flames spun and reached the sky, which left our jaws hanging. My mother clapped like a child. “Now that was a show,” she said.
Dinner in the Wild Under Moonlit Skies
After so much surprise and excitement, hunger finally caught up with us. We headed to the Tipi Tent dining area for a well-deserved dinner.
It was a beautiful setup, with tables spread under soft lights, the jungle sounds humming in the background, and the night air was cool and calming. The buffet had something for everyone: Singaporean satay, noodles, roast meats, rice dishes, and even Western choices for the picky eaters in our group.
We sat together while sharing food and replaying our favourite moments of the night. My son tried mimicking the hyena’s laugh, which made everyone burst into laughter, even a few people at the next table.
For a brief moment, it did not matter where we were from or where we would go next. We were just a family, sitting under the stars, wrapped in warmth and gratitude.
A Night Etched in Memory
As the clock approached midnight, we slowly made our way back toward the entrance. The jungle had quieted down a little, and the animals rested after their moment in the spotlight. But in our hearts, the adventure was still very much alive.
My father walked beside me and said, “Ahmad, this was one of those rare nights… where everything just felt right.”
I nodded. It truly had. The Singapore Night Safari made us connect with nature, family, and ourselves, who often sleep under the noise of daily life.
As we passed the gates and looked back one last time, I expressed a heartfelt gratitude for the experience.
Thrillophilia made the entire journey seamless, from booking to entry to information. But what I carried back was the feeling of wonder shared with those I love most.
Read More: Thrillophilia Singapore Reviews