Bukit Timah Nature Reserve – Host the Highest hill in the Singapore
Hindhede Drive, Singapore

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve – Host the Highest hill in the Singapore

Designated a protected reserve way back in 1883, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the only substantial area of primary rainforest left in Singapore. It is one of the only two primary rainforests to be located at a stone’s throw from the city (the other is in Rio De Janeiro). The 163 hectare Nature Reserve hosts Singapore’s highest hill at 164m (Bukit Timah Hill) and its native flora and fauna.

Though much of Singapore’s original vegetation had been cleared for logging and cultivation, the forest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve remained relatively undisturbed. The equatorial climate ensures that the Nature Reserve houses one of the most diverse ecological systems you can enjoy – in fact, the number of the tree species growing in a mere hectare of the Reserve is more than the total number of tree species in all of North America.

The forest is typical of lowland coastal Dipterocarp forest characterized by the presence of Seraya (Shorea curtisii) and S. macroptera. The dominant tree family Dipterocarpaceae is an important family which yields the bulk of commercial tropical hardwood timber. Other than the Shorea, Dipterocarpus, Vatica and Hopea species can be found in the Nature Reserve.

Besides trees, woody lianas, fern and palms are commonly seemed in the reserve. Some of the epiphytic ferns (for example, the Bird’s Nest Fern) grow on the trunks and larger branches of big trees. Another type of climber, lianas, grows from the ground to the canopy, twining itself around trees for support.

The forest is also home to many species of animals and insects. Most of these animals and insects are often difficult to spot, as they are usually shy and blend in easily with the forest environment.

The Nature Reserve’s well-known resident, the Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis), are bold creatures and a trip to the reserve would not be complete without spotting these playful primates.

Keen observers may spot the Common Treeshrew (Tupaia glis), the Flying Lemur (Cynocephalas variegates) and sometimes, the nocturnal Pangolin or Ant-eater (Manis javanica).

Other denizens in the reserves are the cute Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus), Common Sun Skink (Mabuya multifasciata), the mildly venomous Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina), and forest birds like the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus parasina), Crimson Sunbird (Arthopyga sipahaja) and the clouded monitor lizard.

Today, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is home to more than 840 flowering plants and over 240 species of vertebrates (excluding the butterflies and insects). Under the management of the National Parks Board, it is set aside for the propagation, protection and preservation of the indigenous flora and fauna of Singapore.

Do You Know

The forest on Bukit Timah has been a botanical collecting ground for more than 100 years, and from it the first known specimens of many species of Malayan plants were obtained.

“Local Lingual”

Bukit Timah is pronounced as “Book-it” “Tea-mar”

Getting There

Take a taxi, or a bus (Services 170, 67, 75, 171, 173, 184, 852 and 961). Alight along Upper Bukit Timah Road, opposite Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and walk to the end of Hindhede Drive.

Opening Hours/ admission: 6.30am – 7.30pm, free admission

Contact: 1800-468 5736

Free Guided Walk: Every 1st Sunday of the month at 4pm. To register, please call
6554 5127

For more information, please kindly log onto www.nparks.gov.sg

Photography by Eugene Tang/SingaporeSights. All Rights reserved.