The Learning Forest is the newest addition to the Singapore Botanic Gardens and features a network of boardwalks and elevated walkways that allow visitors to explore habitats ranging from a freshwater forest wetland to a lowland rainforest. It is located in the Tyersall-Gallop Core, and has been integrated with the existing Rainforest habitat.
There are five main sections in the Learning Forest – The SPH Walk of Giants, the Lowland Rainforest, Keppel Discovery Wetlands, Bambusetum, and Wild Fruit Trees Arboretum.
Keppel Discovery Wetlands
The first section we encouter is the Keppel Discovery Wetlands, a 1.8-hectare restoration project of the forest wetland ecosystem that was historically found in the vicinity of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Some of the highlights of the Keppel Discovery Wetlands are the Orchid Islands, Botanists’ Boardwalk and Pulai Marsh.
The Lowland Rainforest
This section of the Learning Forest features a collection of trees with interesting bark, such as the Indian prune with strong woody spines. Here you can also learn more about Corner’s Durian Theory which was inspired by some of the species such as the Menteng and Singapore Durian growing here.
The SPH Walk of Giants
This is our favourite part of the Learning Forest. Here you can walk among the canopy layer of century-old trees along a 8 metre elevated boardwalk. You can also lie on the canopy webs (or rope beds), and gaze up into the crowns of trees.
The Bambusetum features over 30 species of tropical bamboos, showcasing the wide diversity of growth forms that occur naturally in the wild. See if you can spot the different species like the giant bamboo which can grow up to 10-storeys tall, or the Timorese black bamboo which have dark green stems that turn purplish-black with age.
Wild Fruit Trees Arboretum
The collection of wild fruit trees features wild relatives of familiar and domesticated species, such as species from the Soursop (Annonaceae), Jackfruit (Moraceae), Lychee (Sapindaceae) and Mango (Anarcardiaceae) families.
Park hours: 5am to midnight daily (the SPH Walk of Giants and Keppel Discovery Wetlands will be closed from 7pm to 7am to maintain a conducive habitat for wildlife). Admission to the Learning Forest is free.