We brought our four kids to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve during the December school holidays.
It was an enriching trip, especially for the kids who sighted several animals and unique mangrove features along the way.
Brief Background of Sungei Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is one of the four nature reserves gazetted for conservation in Singapore. The other 3 are the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Timah Reserve and the Labrador Nature Reserve.
Rich biodiversity fills the wetlands and mangrove forests in the reserve which is internationally recognized as an important site for migratory birds. From every September to March, birds flock in from their breeding ground in Northern Hemisphere to tide over the cold winter months.
In 2003, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve also became Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park!
When to Go?
Although migratory birds such as the Redshank, Sandpiper, Plover only fly in between September to March yearly, there are still many permanent residents in the wetland that we can sight throughout the year.
Examples are mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, birds, spiders, monitor lizards and, yes, crocodiles.
We were not fortunate enough to spot any crocodiles that day, but on our second visit, we managed to see one from the Kingfisher Pod.
If you are chance upon one, keep a safe distance from the ferocious animal. Don’t underestimate the bulky animal with short limbs, especially if you have young kids with you.
Going to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with Kids
After experiencing the walk myself, I believe it is not difficult to bring young children along.
With the boardwalk installed through the mangrove swamp, the reserve is pram and wheel-chair friendly, save for the stairs that lead up to the Kingfisher Pod and then down to Mudskipper Pod. You can choose to skip the boardwalk leading to these pods and keep to the trails on the left.
We were however unable to complete the entire reserve and had to give the tidal pond a miss.
Having two 3-year-olds with us on foot, the journey from the Visitor Centre to the Wetland Centre took us an hour, with another 1 hour for the return trip.
Thus if you have preschoolers like us, you may either have to bring a pram along, or break the visit into 2 sessions.
What to wear – covered shoes and cooling clothes.
What to bring – water bottle (there are water dispensers in the Visitor Centre and Wetland Centre); insect repellant; raincoats.
While there are a couple of huts located along the boardwalk, you may find yourself running under the rain for a couple of minutes while making your way to the shelter. Don’t rely on the pods. There ain’t any roof installed.
Please also note that picnics are not allowed in the wetland while there is no mention of monkeys residing in the mangrove forest.
Coastal Trail
There are 4 trails in the reserve, namely the Coastal Trail, the Forest Trail, the Junior Adventure Trail and the Migratory Bird Trail.
We parked at the Kranji Carpark and started off our adventure from the Visitor Centre, taking the Coastal Trail.
The lovely view started even before we entered the Visitor Centre.
The Coastal Trail starts from the Little Heron Deck, providing a splendid view of the surrounding nature, as well as Johor Bahru across the water!
We saw an eagle from this point and enjoyed its company for a good 15 minutes, hovering above us. Unfortunately, I did not bring my DSLR, something that I don’t quite like to drag along while having young kids with me.
A superb view of Johor Bahru from Eagle Point (below), perhaps almost like we were overseas?
Kingfisher Pod
A flight of stairs leading up to pretty amazing view of the surroundings.
The way down to the next observation pod – the Mudskipper Pod. The feeling was pretty surreal, to be walking above the waters, along the coastal line right opposite Johor Bahru.
The Mud Experience
I was honestly thankful to be there when the tides weren’t too high as the platform welcoming us at the end of the netted bridge was not overly flooded with water. Phew, we saved our sneakers.
It was fun for the kids, to walk along the netted bridge and scrambled across the not-too-wet platform.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Centre
Beyond the Mud Experience is the Sungei Buloh Wetland Centre, a resting point with washroom and waterpoints.
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Centre is such a tranquil spot that it can be used as a yoga centre too. I will love to stay there for a day without the kids and bugs.
The little kids were tired out by the time we arrived at the Wetland Centre. Having no prams with us, we decided to be practical and made a U-turn. We will be back, to cover the remaining part of the wetland reserve, that is the Sungei Buloh Tidal Ponds.
Sungei Buloh Tidal Ponds
The Main Bridge to the Sungei Buloh Tidal Ponds is closed! It will be converted into a lookout platform.
The new bridge is still under construction and is expected to complete by end of 2021.
Lumnitzera Walk
Turn left into the Lumnitzera Walk along the way back. There is only one way back on the Coastal Trail unless you want to revisit the various pods again.
Below the boardwalk is where the mudskippers crawl. Although mudskippers are fishes that breathe using gills, they are actually more comfortable above water than submerged. To survive above the waters on longer periods, they store water in their gills.
Mid-Canopy Walk
Talk a stroll on the Mid-Canopy Walk and enjoy a symphony of cicadas. A tip from Npark – when the cicadas stop making their symphony, it is an indication of an impending rain. Time to take shelter!
Forest Trail
We took the 300 meter Forest Trail as a short-cut to reach the Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre.
It was getting dark, and I am glad we did not insist on exploring the Tidal Ponds that is 1950 metre long. The Coastal Trail is, by comparison, shorter at 1,300 meters, and already, my two three-years-old were tired out by the walk.
Back to the Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre, we took a leap of faith to venture across the rock path across the pond.
Adventure Trail for Kids
The Adventure Trail is located beside the Visitor Centre, even before the start of the Coastal Trail in the reserve. It is a must to explore the playground there if you are visiting Sungei Buloh with kids.
Activities For Kids
If you are going to Sungei Buloh with kids, print out a checklist prepared by N-Park for a session of nature hunt with the kids. I am sure they will enjoy the trip more than ever.
Click here for more coloring pages and kids information on the animals in the reserve.
Going To Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Visitor Centre:
60 Kranji Way, #01-00
Singapore 739453
Wetland Centre:
301 Neo Tiew Crescent
Singapore 718925
Opening hours:
7 am to 7 pm daily (entering or remaining in the nature reserve after 7pm is not allowed);
Last entry: 6.30pm
Carpark opening hours:
7 am to 7 pm daily
If you are travelling there by bus, take Service 925 from Kranji MRT. The journey takes about 10 minutes.
There are many NOs in the park, such as no pets, no cycling and no drones.
Sungei Buloh is pram-friendly, But use a baby carrier for the greatest accessibility. Check out my review on Tula, Kol Kol and Ergo.
Prefer a guided tour to Sungei Buloh?
Check out this highly reviewed tour from Klook in this link.
More hiking posts that you may like:
Thomson Nature Park – A Walk Thru the Mystical Forest
Exploring the Chestnut Nature Park (North) with young kids
Our Remarkable Hike with up the Bukit Timah Hill Summit with 2 toddlers
Discovering Singapore: Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Swamp Boardwalk
An evening with my 4 kids at Forest Walk, Southern Ridges
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