Mandai Wildlife Reserve is a massive 126-hectare nature destination. It features five outdoor attractions (Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Rainforest Wild Asia) alongside two indoor attractions: Curiosity Cove and Exploria.
If you have been following my 9-day Singapore Malaysia itinerary, you may remember that I mentioned skipping the ultra-touristy spots on this trip because my main goal in Singapore was to catch up with friends.
That said, I still wanted to check out a few brand-new attractions I’d never been to before. A few months before my trip, I started doing some research, and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve immediately caught my eye.
Knowing we couldn’t see it all in one day, I asked my travel buddies (my dad and sister) what they fancied. My dad quickly let us know he wasn’t in the mood for looking at animals, which crossed most outdoor parks off the list.
And that is exactly how we ended up choosing Exploria!
Since it only opened in March 2026, it was still brand new when we visited. I couldn’t find many honest reviews online outside of the official website, so I wanted to share our experience as two adults and one senior. Hopefully, this Exploria Singapore review helps you decide if it’s worth adding to your own itinerary!
What Is Exploria Mandai?
When my dad asked me what Exploria actually was, I honestly had a hard time explaining it in just one sentence!
The quick summary: Exploria is an interactive, immersive indoor attraction where you explore and learn about our planet’s history, wildlife, and natural habitats. It’s one part learning experience, one part gaming zone, and one part high-tech visual show.
Ticket Booking and Smart Travel Prep
I booked our tickets online a day before our visit. I highly recommend booking your Exploria tickets via Klook ahead of time. It’s usually cheaper than buying at the counter, and you get instant confirmation!
Unlike some other attractions, Exploria has two extra steps after you purchase your ticket:
- Reserve your time slot: You need to make an online reservation for your preferred entry time. Currently, the slots are 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. We booked the 11 AM slot.
- Create an account: You need to set up a profile on their website beforehand. This connects directly to the game system inside the venue, so don’t skip it!
Staying Connected: To set up your profiles and use the interactive apps inside the park without a hitch, you’ll want reliable data. I used this Southeast Asia eSIM, which activated instantly and kept me connected the whole day without dealing with physical SIM cards. I actually booked our Exploria tickets at a cafe while waiting for our friend a day prior to our trip.
Exploria Opening Hours
- Daily Opening: 11:00 AM
- Weekdays: Closes at 8:00 PM (Last entry at 7:00 PM)
- Weekends & Public Holidays: Closes at 9:00 PM (Last entry at 8:00 PM)
How to get here
You can take the MRT and then take a connecting bus to Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
You can take the following MRT stations and their respective connecting bus to come here. For more details, check out the official website.
- North South Line:
- Khatib (NS14) => Bus M2
- Choa Chu Kang (NS4) => Bus 927
- Ang Mo Kio (NS16) => Bus 138
- Thomas East Coast Line:
- Springleaf (TE4) => Bus 138
Since the hotel that we are staying at is not close to these MRT lines, we decided to take a Grab ride to Mandai Wildlife Reserve. On our way back home, we stopped at Plaza Singapura (Dhoby Ghaut), so we took the M2 bus and took the Khatib Line to Dhoby Ghaut.
Getting Started: The Wristband & The Biopool
When we arrived, the staff scanned our Klook e-tickets and printed RFID wristbands for each of us.
Here is a major tip: Use a unique email address for every single account you create, especially if you’re visiting as a group.
The wristband is your key to interacting with the different worlds, earning points, and collecting digital badges. When we walked into the main atrium called The Biopool, we were greeted by a giant globe surrounded by touchscreen monitors.
We noticed two show timings listed: The Planet Awakens and The Giants Show (which requires a quick, free reservation inside).
Learn From Our Tech Hiccup!
This is one area where I think the staff could guide first-time visitors a bit better. When I had my dad scan his wristband, the system mistakenly pulled up my sister’s account. Because I had used my single email address to register all three of us, the system got confused.
Luckily, the staff printed a new wristband for my dad, and we still made it in time for our first show, The Planet Awakens. It was absolutely beautiful – the colors, the sounds, and the overall atmosphere were so impressive!
Exploring The Five Worlds
There are five entrances inside Exploria, and each one feels like stepping through a portal into a completely different ecosystem.
| World | What It’s About | My Highlight |
| Realm of the Giants | Prehistoric animals | The incredible 360-degree immersive show |
| Bitdeer AI Extreme Frontiers | Extreme climates (Arctic to Deserts) | Learning how animals adapt to harsh environments |
| Infinite Wonderland | Rainforests and lush forest canopies | Guessing animal sounds and spotting camouflaged insects and animals |
| Micro Worlds | Microscopic organisms, bacteria, and plankton | A cool reminder of how tiny things impact the whole planet |
| World of Darkness | Caves and deep-sea ecosystems | Using a physical torch to explore the hidden depths |
Realm of the Giants (Our Favorite!)
This zone features massive prehistoric animal sand sculptures and large digital screens. Once you scan your wristband, a short educational video plays in your preferred language. Watch closely, you get a digital badge once it finishes!
The Giants Show: When it was time for the show, we walked into an empty room with railings. Suddenly, the platform slowly rose, and a breathtaking 360-degree screen surrounded us. It truly felt like we time-traveled. No spoilers, but this was my dad’s favorite part of the entire day, he even asked to watch it a second time!
Bitdeer AI Extreme Frontiers
This world highlights the extremes of our climate, ranging from the freezing Arctic to scorching desert conditions. As I entered the desert room, I was struck by just how frightening global warming truly is; I honestly don’t believe I could last long in that intense heat! The video clips showcasing animals that manage to survive against all odds were truly eye-opening. It really made me reflect on the climate we experience daily.
Infinite Wonderland
Infinite Wonderland was an absolute blast for my sister and me. We spent almost half an hour immersed in the vibrant world of rainforests and their fascinating inhabitants. One of our favorite activities was identifying the various animal sounds that echoed around us. Another highlight was the exhilarating challenge of hunting for camouflaged bugs and animals. We were a bit lost on where to find them; it turns out you have to use your wristband. Tap on the animal when you find it. If it’s correct, it will glow and appear. You can check your progress by tapping your wristband on the machine. The thrill of spotting a perfectly disguised insect or a shy animal nestled among the leaves was incredibly rewarding. It felt like a real-life treasure hunt, encouraging us to sharpen our observation skills and work together as a team.
What I loved most about Infinite Wonderland was its balance of interactivity and accessibility. The activities were engaging yet not overly complicated, making it enjoyable for everyone in our group. It provided a perfect blend of fun and learning, leaving us with unforgettable memories of our time spent in this magical rainforest setting.
Micro Worlds
Micro Worlds offered a fascinating exploration of the microscopic organisms that sustain our planet. The section on Micro Worlds highlighted bacteria, plankton, insects, and other tiny organisms that are not visible to the naked eye. This is a realm I am mostly unfamiliar with. I’ve only encountered common insects like bees and ants, but the microorganisms featured in the videos are quite rare. There were some quick quizzes where we all struggled to find the right answers. This experience served as a lovely reminder that even the smallest creatures can have a significant impact on our world.
World of Darkness
At the entrance, I grabbed a small flashlight to help navigate a cave-like setup. This area contained one of my least favorite creatures – the cockroach! I quickly skipped past this part and moved on to the other videos. Another feature of this world was “Lights of the Deep,” which showcased the vibrant colors of the underwater realm. It provided us with a glimpse into both the deep ocean and hidden cave spaces.
Tip: Check your torch’s brightness before heading in, as mine was a little weak! This area leads into the stunning Lights of the Deep exhibit, which showcases bioluminescent ocean life.
Gamification: Quests and the Leaderboard
Back out in the Biopool, you can use the screens to customize your avatar, view your collected badges, and check your rank on the leaderboard against other visitors. There are also photo stations scattered throughout the world. You just tap your wristband, pose, tap again to save, and the photos are emailed to you later.
If you accumulate a high enough score from the mini-quests, you can show the staff near the exit to get a redemption voucher for a physical souvenir pin.
Heads Up: The pin isn’t entirely free; you have to purchase something in the gift shop to redeem it (no minimum purchase, any amount will do). We had bought the 2 Adults + SGD 10 Voucher ticket bundle on Klook, so we used our voucher to grab a souvenir and claimed our pin smoothly!
Where to Eat: Lunch Break
When I was planning our visit, two questions came to mind:
Is there anything to eat at Mandai Wildlife Reserve? I assumed the prices would be high since it resembles a theme park.
Can we re-enter Exploria after leaving? Fortunately, the staff informed us that we could re-enter Exploria as many times as we wanted throughout the day, as long as we kept our wristbands on.
We then headed over to the nearby Food Republic. I loved the design there – it has been renovated to resemble a nostalgic, old-school Singaporean hawker center, complete with vintage posters and food carts. There were several dining options, and everyone could choose what they wanted to eat. The food was affordable, too!
Besides Food Republic, there are other restaurants available in the area too.
Final Verdict: Is Exploria Mandai Worth It?
Overall, we spent about four hours at Exploria (starting at 11:00 AM, taking an hour’s break for lunch, and finishing around 4:30 PM). We even managed to catch both main shows twice!
So, is it worth it? I would absolutely say yes. It completely surprised me. It makes learning incredibly interactive and gamified, which is brilliant for kids but clearly just as fun for adults and seniors. Plus, since the system saves your leaderboard score for a whole year, it gives you a fun excuse to return.
If you’re mapping out your trip using my 9-day Singapore-Malaysia itinerary, definitely consider adding this to your Mandai day out. Just download your Klook e-tickets, fire up your Singapore eSIM, and bring plenty of curiosity!
Hoping to visit the rest of the Mandai Wildlife Attractions, especially the newly opened Rainforest Wild Adventure.
Have you visited the Mandai Wildlife Reserve yet? Let me know which park is your favorite in the comments below!
