Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

The Basics

Macaques, tropical birds, and the occasional snake still frequent Bukit Timah’s unspoiled forest canopy. Learn more about Singapore wildlife, past and present, at the visitor center or explore the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on its network of hiking trails, color coded by difficulty. Or, feel the adrenaline rush on your choice of mountain biking tracks, graded from intermediate to very advanced.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a great choice for nature lovers and anyone who’d like to experience rainforest.
• Slopes can be steep and Singapore is hot and humid. Carry plenty of water (in a reusable bottle) and wear practical shoes.
• Try to avoid using insect repellent as it drives away butterflies and reduces diversity.
• Monkeys can be aggressive when looking for food. Don’t bring food or plastic bags into the reserve as the critters associate plastic with food: Avoid eye contact if confronted.
• Bukit Timah’s visitor center has wheelchair access but the trails are not adapted. Slings or carriers are a better option for travelers with young kids than strollers.

How to Get There

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve occupies the middle of Singapore island. Catch the Downtown (blue) MRT line to Beauty World station and take exit A, or pick up buses 67, 75, 170, 171, 184, 852, or 961.

When to Get There

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve opens around sunrise and closes around sunset all year round. Visit in the morning for the best chance of avoiding rain and opt for a weekday to beat the weekend crowds.

How to Get Out into Nature in Singapore

An impressive range of wildlife still lives in densely populated Singapore. See a wealth of animals at Singapore Zoo, the River Safari aquarium, the Jurong Bird Park, or the ground-breaking Night Safari, home to a wealth of nocturnal creatures. For close encounters with local species, try the Nature Discovery Trail on Sentosa Island, the TreeTop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, or Bukit TImah’s trails.