The private Bird Discovery Tour at Bird Paradise

Why it is on the list

Bird Paradise opened in May 2023 to replace Jurong Bird Park: 17 hectares, about 3,500 birds of 400 species, with twice the walk-in aviaries of the old park.¹ It is the largest bird park in Asia, with eight walk-through aviaries, each planted for a different part of the world.² The Winged Sanctuary keeps more than 20 species of hornbill and the Philippine eagle, and Lory Loft holds a large breeding population of blue-eyed cockatoos.¹ The Private Experience gives one party its own guide through Heart of Africa, the largest aviary, where the starlings and turacos are fed; Wings of Asia, with a hornbill interaction; and Lory Loft, where the lories and lorikeets are fed.³¹ It ends with reserved seats at the Wings of the World presentation.³

It is the wrong choice for penguins: the private route leaves out Penguin Cove, which only the shared Join a Group version of the tour visits.³ For mammals rather than birds, the private Zoo Adventure Tour at Singapore Zoo is the equivalent.

How to get it

Book the Private Experience on the Bird Discovery Tour page; the tours desk answers at tours@mandai.com.³ It runs daily at 10.30am and 3.30pm, for 90 minutes, in English only.³ Be at the Bird Paradise Membership & Experiences Centre at least five minutes before the start; a late arrival may miss parts of the tour and the end time is not extended.³ The Private Experience is S$500, park admission not included.³ Once bought it cannot be refunded, cancelled or changed, and weather or a bird's health can alter or cancel it.³ Anyone under 18 must be with an adult throughout.³ The park opens daily from 9am to 6pm, last entry 5pm.²

Discretion

The guide is the party's alone; only the Join a Group version of the tour takes other guests.³ The aviaries are free-flight and walk-in, so birds come close, and photographs are allowed only at the authorised photography areas.³ The park is open to the public during the tour, so the aviary paths are shared.²