Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Bird Watching: Bird lovers are in for a year-long treat at Sungei Buloh, as more than 230 avian species can be spotted here. The Migratory Bird Trail and Coastal Trail are ideal for bird-watching, as the embankments and mud pits are nesting haunts for migratory birds and water holes for the resident birds. Fruit pigeons, quails, ducks, barbets, woodpeckers, hornbills, koels, doves, snipes, lapwings, and terns are found all year long, while kites, eagles, falcons, egrets, herons, kingfishers, bitterns, shrikes, flycatchers, swallows, and bulbuls travel here every winter from places as far as Alaska, Siberia and Australia.  

Art Workshops: Regular art workshops and demonstrations are conducted amidst the teeming vegetation and wildlife at the Reserve. Traditional Malaysian and east-Asian art forms are taught to both adults and children. Check the website for timings and venue. These workshops are mostly free to the public.

Nature Trails: The walking trails and special zones at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve are ideal for budding biologists and nature enthusiasts to observe some fascinating animals in their natural habitat, including estuarine crocodiles, butterflies, otters, mudskippers, and resident birds. There is a kids’ trail for little explorers as well.

Photography: Wildlife photography is popular here. We recommend waiting for animals and birds at dawn and dusk near the coast, to get that perfect shot. Photographers are encouraged to submit their works on the Reserve’s website for a chance to be featured in official publications.

Prawn Watch: At Sungei Buloh, the prawn watch activity involves demonstrating how the tides play a part in the traditional method of prawn harvesting. It is a unique activity which is quite popular among tourists.

Guided Walks: Free guided walks are available in English, Mandarin, or Japanese at the Reserve. Prior registration is necessary, and visitors and register on the Reserve’s website two weeks in advance. The English tour begins at 9:30 AM every Saturday and ends at 11:00 AM from the Visitor Centre or Wetland Centre. The Mandarin/Japanese tour has variable dates that can be checked on the Reserve’s website. Night walks are also regularly conducted as part of the Singapore Night Festival.

Coastal Trail: Starting at the Visitor Centre, this trail maps the northeast coast of Singapore to tributaries of the Buloh Besar River. The 1.3-kilometre-long Coastal Trail takes visitors through observation decks known as the Fantail Pod, Eagle Point, Kingfisher Pod, Dragonfly Pod, and Mudskipper Pod, ending at the interactive Mud Experience Centre where a hands-on understanding of the wetland awaits. The trail ends at the Wetland Centre. Parts of the Coastal Trail are wheelchair accessible.

Forest Trail: This short 300-metre-long trail begins at the Visitor Centre and ends at Eagle Point. Extending across a lush wetland forest, hikers can hope to spot tropical birds, squirrels, beetles, tree-climbing crabs, birds, spiders, pit vipers, and huge monitor lizards here.

Mid-canopy Walk: This 150-walkway connects parts of the Forest and Canopy Trail. Extending over the tropical canopy, this trail gives an eye-level view of the dense tropical jungle. We recommend switching to the Coastal Trail from the Forest Trail on the way back through the Mid-canopy walk.

Migratory Bird Trail: The longest trail at Sungei Buloh, this 1.9 kilometre-long walk circles the Buloh Tidal Ponds and the Buloh Besar River. Beginning at the Wetland Centre, this trail has two observation decks, five hideout decks, two shelters, and an aerial tower – aptly named Aerie – to spot the annual migratory birds that flock to the wetlands between September and March, like the northern Shoveler, blue-tailed bee-eater, cuckoo, barn owl, Himalayan swiftlet, bar-tailed godwit, sanderling, sandpiper, and plover. Herons, sunbirds, and crabs can be spotted here too.

Mangrove Boardwalk: This short walk from the Visitor Centre has stilts and four observation decks where visitors can witness the wonders of the unique mangrove ecosystem. The floating roots of the trees are a sight to behold at low tide, while the crabs and molluscs perched on the trunks are visible at high tide.

While the Reserve is open throughout the year for hiking, we recommend visiting the region between September and March, which is the migratory season. One can hope to spot migratory birds like egrets, plovers, and sandpipers. Butterflies are also common during this time.

Visiting the park during the morning hours after 7:00 AM is recommended. It is best to avoid strolling outdoors in the afternoon. An evening hike between the hours of 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM is ideal. Visit the Reserve during the weekdays to avoid the weekend rush. Entering or staying within the premises after 7:00 PM is not allowed.

• Smoking is not allowed within the premises of the park.
• There are ample parking lots near both entrances.
• Visitors should be prepared to walk long distances and therefore, it is advisable to carry water, food and to wear comfortable clothes, shoes and hats in neutral colours.  
• Filming, radios, pets and bicycles are not allowed on the premises.
• Visitors are also advised to put on mosquito repellant.

Bus: From Monday to Saturday, one can board SMRT Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station and alight at Kranji Reservoir Carpark B. The Visitor Centre is right across the road. On Sundays and public holidays, the SMRT Bus 925 stops in front of the Wetland Centre. This bus operates only from Woodlands Interchange on Sundays.

Kranji Express: This bus operates from 8:30 AM to 5:45 PM and shuttles visitors from Kranji MRT Station to Sungei Buloh. A ticket costs SGD 3 for adults and SGD 1 for children below 12 years of age and senior citizens over 60 years of age.

Car: Visitors can opt to drive to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve or hire a taxi. Car parking is available at Neo Tiew Carpark, Kranji Carpark B and C.