Jungle dining at Singapore Zoo

By Lau Joon-Nie, Channel NewsAsia
27 January 2007 1053 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore - known as the Lion City - is commonly associated not just with tall buildings and a clean and green environment but also great shopping and dining.

Those with a taste for adventure can even dine on the "wild" side, just a short hop from the city's urban jungle.

At the Singapore Zoo, what started out as "Breakfast with Ah Meng" the orang utan 25 years ago, has now evolved into Jungle Breakfast.

Besides the chance to meet a friendly ape, visitors can get up close with a snake, a mischievous otter and playful elephants.

Close to 100 visitors turn up daily for the morning tropical buffet where they also learn about wildlife conservation.

Fanny Lai, executive director, Singapore Zoo & Night Safari, said: "We're not just a viewing zoo, we also are a learning zoo. So while we entertain the guests, we also want them to be aware of the conservation of wildlife."

And if you can't wake up early enough to have breakfast with Anita the orang utan and her friends, you can lunch with the lions instead, by special request.

But the ultimate in wildlife adventure dining must surely be the Gourmet Safari Express at the Zoo's sister park, the Night Safari.

There, diners can enjoy a meal on wheels while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the night 'jungle' as they travel on specially-outfitted trams.

The mood is heightened by the lighting, kept low to avoid blinding or distracting the nocturnal animals.

"Dining in the proximity of these animals that most of us have never seen or dream about, is very exciting...In my line of work, sometimes we do tourism, we go to fun places but the food is just OK. This was excellent. There was a real gourmet experience!" said Haydee Pampel, an American event planner, referring to the Gourmet Safari Express.

Even at a gourmet price tag of US$120 per head, there is no shortage of diners.

Some 80 groups enjoyed the moonlight-meal-on-the-move last year, mostly corporate customers and individuals celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. - CNA/ir