One Magical Family Night: Ahmad Abu’s Thrilling Singapore Night Safari with Thrillophilia

As a father, I have always believed that some of the best memories come from simple plans. And our visit to the Singapore Night Safari in April 2025 was one such plan. I booked our tickets through Thrillophilia for a fun night with my family of six.

I did not expect that the night would become deeply magical and meaningful.

But Thrillophilia made it possible by creating a connection between us and nature, and between each other.  

First Steps into the Wild

We arrived at the Singapore Night Safari in the evening. There was a fragrance of earth and leaves in the air. The entrance to the Night Safari looked different. My kids held my hands with excitement and curiosity. Even my usually reserved father looked around with intrigue.

As we passed through the gates, I took a deep breath. It felt peaceful here. Thrillophilia had made the booking so smooth that all I had to do was enjoy the night. No queues, no confusion, just step in and go.

Our first experience was the tram ride, which took us through 7 themed zones. Each zone gave the feel of real habitats of the animals, like the Himalayan Foothills, the Indian Subcontinent, and Equatorial Africa. The tram moved slowly under the star-filled sky.

The kids leaned forward to catch glimpses of elephants, zebras, and even a giant anteater sniffing around. My father whispered to me, “I have never seen anything like this.” And I made him believe that it was a living and breathing nightscape.

Walking Through the Jungle

After the tram ride, we decided to explore the walking trails, and that is when things got personal. 

On the Fishing Cat Trail, we watched a small predator hunting gracefully and silently near the water. The kids were amazed by the armour of a pangolin shining under the moonlight. These animals were close enough to make your heartbeat skip a beat.

Then, we walked through the darker and quieter Leopard Trail. We spotted civets, porcupines, and a leopard walking silently and elegantly. My daughter whispered, “He looks like he is guarding the night.” She was not wrong.

The East Lodge Trail introduced us to hyenas, sloth bears, and a strange creature called the babirusa. My wife laughed, and even the kids could not stop giggling.

Finally, the Wallaby Trail offered a calm end to our walks. The wallabies, sugar gliders, and possums peeked out playfully. It was peaceful, and for a few moments, all of us just stood still and listened to the sounds of the night.

I remember thinking: how often do six people from three generations stop and feel the same sense of awe?

The Night Lights Up

As the clock was close to 9 pm, we went to the amphitheatre for the Creatures of the Night Show. I was not sure what to expect. Maybe a few animals doing tricks? But I was wrong.

It was a celebration of nature’s brilliance.

The otters played games, binturongs climbed ropes, and a civet ran across the stage with such grace it made people gasp. The keepers taught us. We learnt how hyenas leap to grab prey and how important the role of each animal is in nature’s delicate balance.

Then, we saw the Thumbuakar fire performance, which was a tribal-inspired fire dance that lit up the sky. My mother was mesmerised to see the activity. “This reminds me of village festivals back home,” she said. The flames were twisting, dancers were spinning, and drums were beating in time with our hearts.

I looked around at my family. Everyone was smiling. 

Dinner Beneath the Stars

After the shows, we walked through the Tipi Tent dining area. The tables were set under string lights, and a soft melody played in the background.

We had a buffet of local and international dishes, with something for every taste. My kids ate satay and noodles, while my father enjoyed a bowl of warm soup. My wife and I shared a plate and a laugh over how tired the kids looked already.

And yet, no one wanted the night to end.

That is when my son said something that hit me. “Dad,” he asked, “why don’t we do things like this more often?”

I did not have an answer right away. I just held his little hand and nodded. We spend so much time planning our lives, but nights like this just happen, and you realise they were exactly what you needed.

The Quiet Ride Home

It was close to midnight when we finally made our way out of the park. The air was cooler, and there were fewer crowds. We took one last look at the entrance before walking toward our ride.

Everyone was tired.

My parents sat quietly in the back seat, talking about their experience with the animals. The kids dozed off with smiles still on their faces. My wife rested her head on my shoulder. And me? I just watched the night sky and let the moments settle in.

Thrillophilia had made everything easy, from the tickets to the experience itself. But what made this night memorable were the emotions. We felt joy, curiosity, connection, and a sense of peace that is hard to find in everyday life.

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