Go Glamping With Manatees at River Safari

Glamping is all the rage these days. We’ve seen luxurious tents being set up outside the unlikeliest places including the Malay Heritage Centre, Jewel Changi Airport, Capitol Theatre – and now they’re making their way to River Safari. 

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is introducing the ‘Glamping with Manatees’ programme, which combines an enriching day out with animals, along with a night of cosy comfort at the Amazon Flooded Forest, home to a heard of 18 mesmerising West Indian manatees. The two-day, one-night getaway, available for a limited time between December 21 and 27, allows guests to put on their explorer caps and go on a trail along the Rivers of the World. 

Check-in starts at 3pm and you’ll start off on the River Explorers Trail before watching the ‘Once Upon A River’ animal presentation. Participants then can wander into Wild Amazonia for an up-close and personal experience with one of the tiniest and cheekiest primate species — the squirrel monkeys in Squirrel Monkey Forest. Then, mingle with a mystery animal, followed by dinner under the stars.

As night falls, head to bed in a bespoke glamping tent right by the Amazon Flooded Forest, where you’ll find the world’s largest freshwater aquarium. It is home to majestic West Indian manatees, arapaima and a host of other freshwater fishes. Get to know interesting facts, such as how 24 manatee calves have been welcomed since the species was first introduced in 1994. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Canola, the first hand-raised manatee calf who is now a proud mother herself. Bid these graceful animals goodnight as you drift off to sleep – all snuggled up in the glamping tent complete with cushy mattresses while the manatees float gracefully by. 

The experience costs $699 per tent and sleeps up to four persons. To make a booking, visit wrs.com.sg.

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