What to do if it rains at the Singapore Zoo
I often refer visitors to the Singapore Zoo as it is one of the highlight nature attractions of Singapore. Given the tropical climate, and how much of the Zoo is outdoors, I often get asked in return what to do if it rains while visiting the Singapore Zoo. So I put together this brief guide, as part of my series on the Mandai Wildlife attractions, to help visitors to Singapore plan for wet weather when they’re visiting the Zoo.
Here are some of my tips on what to do if it rains when you’re visiting Singapore Zoo:
- Sheltered areas are available to take advantage of, including whole in-door exhibits (such as Reptopia)
- Bring a foldable umbrella, it is expensive to buy one at the Zoo
- Bring a rain poncho
- Tram service is available for free, connecting many parts of the Zoo
- Wait for the rain to stop (for much of the year it doesn’t rain for too long)
I’ve gone into more detail on each of these strategies in the guide below.
Many of the Zoo’s activities are designed to proceed even with wet weather, such as the shows at the amphitheatre. Keeper talks and private tours may be affected by rain however.
Lightning is also a frequent occurrence in Singapore, and they take lightning protection very seriously here. All structures in the Zoo should have lightning protection systems installed according to strict local standards, meaning they should protect you in the event of lightning. The Zoo recommends heading in-doors in case of lightning.
1. Sheltered areas
Sheltered walkways and covered areas are a common site in Singapore, and thankfully they are used extensively around the Singapore Zoo.
Sheltered areas blend in with the surrounding jungle and contribute to the feeling that you are walking through nature. I really appreciate this about public spaces in Singapore in general, and they do a really good job of it at the Zoo.
Sheltered areas at Singapore Zoo include:
- Entrance and gift shop
- Walkway between the entrance and Tram Stop 1
- All restaurant areas (Tram Stop 1 and KidzWorld)
- Every toilet area, which has sheltered seating
- Viewing areas for some exhibits (e.g. pygmy hippos, Malayan tigers, elephants)
The Shaw Amphitheatre has shade clothes which will block most rain as well.
Indoor exhibits at the Zoo include KidzWorld and Reptopia. There are spaces at these exhibits that are completely enclosed and have air conditioning.
The bus stop and the coach bay at the entrance to the Zoo is also completely sheltered, meaning that you won’t get too wet as you arrive or depart the Zoo by bus. The taxi area is mostly sheltered as well.
2. Umbrellas and rain ponchos
Bring an umbrella and/or a rain poncho. These may be sold, at a very high price, at the gift shop or the convenience store, but I still recommend bringing one before you arrive at the Zoo (the rain might be so sudden you don’t have a chance to even make it to the gift shop).
There are convenient stores at Springleaf MRT and Khatib MRT stations that sell ponchos and umbrellas. These are the MRT stations I recommend using if you are catching public transport to the Zoo - if you need more information on how to get to the Zoo, check out my complete guide here: reachingsingapore.com/zoo-transport.
Expect to spend around S$10 on a small foldable umbrella, or S$5 on a rain poncho.
If you’re bringing your own rain coat, I recommend one that is light and airy. Singapore is a hot and humid tropical climate, you don’t want to bring a rain coat that is thick and heavy, and end up sweating under it.
3. Ride the tram
The Singapore Zoo tram is a rubber-tyred electric vehicle that runs around the park carrying guests between the different zones. It includes audio commentary of each stop and animals that you can see as you ride past on the tram. The tram doesn’t have dedicated tracks, it runs along the road that goes all around the Zoo (there are pedestrian areas marked out for when the tram comes past you if you’re walking around).
There are 4 tram stops within the Singapore Zoo:
- Ah Meng Restaurant
- Pavilion by the Lake
- Wild Africa
- Fragile Forest & KidzWorld
The tram has a roof, but no doors. This means that you will be protected from light rain while riding the tram, however heavy rain may still come in sideways.
Tram stops and waiting areas are sheltered, you will not get wet if you are waiting for the tram at a tram stop.
4. Wait it out
Most heavy rain in Singapore comes in short intense bursts, usually lasting 30-60 minutes. This means that it’s a viable strategy to wait in a sheltered area for the rain to finish before continuing your day at the Zoo.
Be careful though that this rule does not hold true between December and February. At this time of year - the wet season - the rain can last all day.
The dry season is around April and May, though the lack of rain also means the heat will build up. I also recommend paying more attention to sun protection if you are in the outdoors around this time of year.
| Period | Weather Pattern |
|---|---|
| December - early March | Afternoon and early evening showers, dryer towards March |
| Late March - May | Occasional afternoon thunderstorms, very hot if it doesn’t rain |
| June - September | Short duration afternoon thunderstorms |
| October - November | Afternoon thunderstorms |
The above is from the Meteorological Service Singapore, check out their full explanation here.
Bottom line
I didn’t experience anything that was cancelled by the rain on my last visit to Singapore Zoo (summer 2024). The Zoo has a lot of sheltered areas and wet weather contingency plans. Since it rains so much in Singapore, everyone plans for it to happen.
To enjoy your trip to the Singapore Zoo, you should also plan for rain to happen - bring an umbrella or poncho, or be prepared to wait it out in a sheltered area.
Further Reading
This guide has been part of a series I prepared helping visitors to Singapore plan their trip to the Singapore Zoo. Check out other guides in the series below:
