Mandai goes wild for SG60 with throwback thrills and playful animal encounters

As Singapore marks 60 years of independence, Mandai Wildlife Group is joining the celebrations with a new initiative titled "Mandai is Wild about SG", featuring limited-time offers, immersive animal experiences and a deeper community push aimed at making nature more accessible to all.

The campaign invites local residents to reconnect with the Mandai Wildlife Reserve through a slew of SG60-themed deals and nostalgic activities, from discounted entry passes and wildlife encounters to inclusive partnerships with charities and SMEs.

Among the key offers rolling out in June are the SG60 WildPass specials. For a limited time, local residents can buy two tickets to Singapore Zoo or River Wonders for S$60, or a three-ticket bundle for any of the Mandai parks for youths aged 13 to 21. Seniors can also sign up for a five-park membership at S$60 (down from the usual S$235).

Don't miss: How Mandai Wildlife Group and Moove Media reimagined OOH by bringing the wild to the city

Since launching in early May, the senior promo has already benefitted more than 1,000 older residents, reflecting what Mandai sees as a growing appetite among seniors to stay active and engaged with nature.

Animal lovers can also look forward to 'Hello from the wild' experiences from 7 June 2025, offering up-close interactions with animals such as capybaras, fennec foxes and ring-tailed lemurs. A new wallaby session is expected to launch at Night Safari later this year. These 20-minute encounters allow guests to feed the animals, prep enrichment activities, and learn positive reinforcement techniques used in their care.

Also launching on 7 June is 'Backstage pass: Penguin encounters' at Bird Paradise, offering a rare look inside the off-exhibit penguin care facilities. Guests will meet king, gentoo and northern rockhopper penguins and learn about their feeding routines and welfare. The experience expands further from 18 July with a new VR film at Ocean network express penguin cove.

Visitors can also explore the 'Born to be wild' digital trail from 31 May to 10 August, celebrating native wildlife and the latest animal births at Mandai. Completing the trail earns guests a limited-edition SG60 memento. For first-timers or returning guests, the 'Too wild to miss' itineraries offer curated routes across iconic attractions such as the world’s first free-ranging orangutan habitat or the new pangolin trail at Night Safari.

Adding a family-friendly touch, 'Wild day out' returns on 28 and 29 June at Mandai Wildlife West. In partnership with The Artground, the event features nostalgic games such as five stones and craft activities inspired by the Vanda Miss Joaquim. The dog-friendly space ensures furkids can join in too.

Inclusivity remains a core theme of the campaign. In collaboration with the Young Business Leaders Network, Mandai is rallying 60 businesses to partner with 60 social service agencies, providing complimentary visits for beneficiaries. Organisations are encouraged to contribute by funding transport, meals or volunteering time, fostering what Mandai hopes will be a ripple effect of care.

Belina Lee, deputy CEO, transformation and growth at Mandai Wildlife Group, said the campaign is rooted in the reserve’s place in Singapore’s shared memories. “The Mandai Wildlife Reserve has been woven into Singapore’s story for over six decades – from school excursions and weekend family outings to first dates,” she said.

“With 'Mandai is Wild about SG', we invite local residents to reconnect with our destination through newly launched experiences and special offerings. Whether it’s enjoying SG60 admission discounts, meeting beloved animal ambassadors such as the penguins and capybara, or getting to know the animals born here, there’s always a reason to visit,” Lee added.

In addition to SG60, this year also marks the opening of Mandai Wildlife Group’s newest park, Rainforest Wild Asia. To mark the occasion, the group rolled out a bold new campaign titled "Choose your wild", developed in collaboration with TBWA and SPARK Foundry. The campaign leaned into gamified storytelling with a series of cinematic films that mimic a video game experience, inviting viewers to “choose a character” and follow their interactive journey through the rainforest.

Each film followed a different character — from an adventurous young girl to a thrill-seeking man and a curious elderly couple — as they encounter native wildlife and navigate attractions such as the Wild Apex Adventure and AIA Vitality Bounce. The campaign aimed to deepen appreciation for Southeast Asia’s rainforests and generate excitement around the immersive experiences that set Rainforest Wild Asia apart from a traditional zoo visit.

Related articles:  
Cable cars get a nyonya twist as Sentosa turns cultural for SG60  
AIA rolls out custom SG60 Monopoly set  
IMDA partners local media to spotlight Singapore's history this SG60