You Can Now Camp At The Zoo: Inside Mandai’s New Colugo Camp
Stephanie Zheng
Contributor | Urban List, Singapore
If you’ve ever wanted to sleep at the zoo (minus the mozzies and chaos of actual camping), your time has come. Colugo Camp is the latest addition to Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s lineup of wild adventures, and it’s not your average staycation. Think: safari-style tents with air-con, Wi-Fi, and proper beds, plus guided tours, animal encounters, and free entry to three of Mandai’s parks.
Staying at Colugo Camp, Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Image credit: Colugo Camp | Stephanie Zheng
First up, the tent. The safari tents at Colugo Camp might look dime-a-dozen from the outside, but it's honestly pretty cute once you get in.
There’s a queen bed with two complimentary soft toys on it, bunk beds for the kids (or your snoring friends). A portable air-conditioning unit, ceiling fan and standalone fan keep things breezy, and even a tad cold at night. You get Wi-Fi and a little patio perfect for your morning coffee or existential musing about living among wildlife. Just don't leave anything hanging outside, as there is a chance that the monkey residents might claim them.
Image credit: Colugo Camp, Mandai Wildlife Reserve | Supplied
Bathrooms are communal, yes, but clean, modern, and very decent for something in the middle of the jungle. For families, there's also ample private family enclave with separate cubicles for the toilet and shower, and a bench for your child to go "Are we done yet?" as you barely washed the shampoo suds off your hair.
Image credit: Family toilet at Colugo Camp, Mandai Wildlife Reserve | Supplied
Basically, you get to say you “camped,” but your comfort-loving self never has to suffer for the story.
Experiences that are included
This is where Colugo Camp really shines. The 2D1N itinerary is a full-blown Mandai experience, no planning required. After check-in at 3pm and a round of welcome drinks, guests get a few hours to explore the Singapore Zoo before dinner. However, with most of Singapore Zoo’s action happening earlier in the day, the late start means you’re really only skimming the surface. Ideal for a stroll, less so if you were hoping for a full-on zoo day from the moment the gates open.
But then, that system might work for those who want to save the energy for the guided Night Safari tour on the very same night. Night Safari's doors open at 6.30pm, and those staying at Colugo Camp get reserved seats at Creatures of the Night (no queues, no FOMO) and their very own tram adventure through the park.
Image credit: Front row seat at Creatures of the Night | Stephanie Zheng
Of course, one can still choose to walk, but with a kid in tow, I was glad to be able to traverse the park in relative comfort. Score yourself a Night Safari exclusive, the Fennec Fox plushies, to bring a piece of memory home.
Back at camp after Night Safari, the dining hall has light bites such as sandwiches and milo for your to enjoy in room, before lights out.
Image credit: Your priority (and quiet!) view of the panda having breakfast | Stephanie Zheng
The next morning, you’ll rise to the sounds of the forest and head out early for River Wonders before the crowds roll in. Priority and early entry is part of the stay, and that means you can see the animals which are extra lively in the morning, and you’ll feel like you’ve got the whole park to yourself, at least for a short while.
It’s wholesome, magical, and very “main character in a wildlife documentary” energy.
Meals and more
Image credit: Colugo Camp Dining Hall | Stephanie Zheng
No campfire cooking here, meals are sorted. Your stay includes buffet-style dinner, light supper and breakfast, all served in a chill communal dining hall that looks more café than campsite. Expect Asian and international favourites, plus vegetarian options. It's catered fare and good enough to fuel a day of exploration.
Image credit: Breakfast basics at the dining hall | Stephanie Zheng
Feel like eating non-catered food? Steps away from the camp entrance is the food gallery, where you can choose from multiple eateries and restaurants to suit any palate.
Is it worth staying in Colugo Camp?
Image credit: Colugo Camp, Mandai Wildlife Reserve | Supplied
At $550 for two (with packages for up to four at $800), Colugo Camp is definitely one of the most unique stay that comes with three park entries, two guided tours, meals, and a night of bragging rights that say: I slept at the zoo. It’s the perfect in-between for those who crave nature but also love air-conditioning, comfy beds, and charging their phone overnight.
For the little ones, it's a grand adventure that had them asking, "Can we come back next week?"
So if your idea of “getting wild” involves sipping Milo under the stars while listening to the calls of nocturnal creatures, this is your kind of adventure. Colugo Camp proves that you can be a glamper, an animal lover, and a lazy camper all at once.