Step into the nature reserves and journey back in time to the days before Sir Stamford Raffles arrived, when much of the island was covered with lowland, tropical forest. Though much of Singapore's original vegetation had been cleared for logging and cultivation, the forest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has remained relatively undisturbed. Likewise, patches of primary rainforest can be seen around the MacRitchie area and Nee Soon Swamp at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
Other than being storehouses of water, today, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve are homes to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals (including butterflies). With such an astonishing variety of plants, animals and insect life, the nature reserves are indeed treasure houses of Singapore's biodiversity.
Covering an area of approximately 3,043 hectares, both the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve are managed by the Central Nature Reserve Branch of the National Parks Board.
As nature reserves, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserves are protected by the Parks & Trees Act 2005 for the conservation of our native biodiversity. Certain activities are prohibited within the nature reserves, especially activities that cause a lot of impacts on the native flora and fauna - hiking in groups of more than 30 without a permit, releasing of animals, feeding of animals, removing of native flora and fauna from the nature reserves, cycling, walking off the designated trails are just some of these activities.
» History & Attractions
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was one of the first forest reserves established in Singapore. When the government of the Straits Settlements commissioned a report on the state of the forests, it was recommended that several reserves be created. Thus, in 1883, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was established. In 1951, it received more protection under the Nature Reserves Ordinance which was enacted under the National Parks Act.
The 163-hectare reserve retains one of the largest tracts of primary rainforest left in Singapore.
The forest has been a botanical collecting ground for more than a century, where the first known specimens of many species of Malayan plants were obtained. Dr David Bellamy, a renowned conservationist, once pointed out that the number of plant species growing in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is more than that in the whole of North America!
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is also home to Singapore's highest hill at 163.63 m. Composed mainly of granite, Bukit Timah Hill was once an active quarrying site in the mid-1900s. One abandoned quarry has been developed as a park - Hindhede Nature Park. It is now a popular spot with visitors who come to enjoy the quarry's scenic beauty and have some fun with the more challenging play equipment.
» Getting There
Getting to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
By Bus SBS service 170. TIBs services 67, 75, 171, 173, 184, 852 and 961. Alight along Upper Bukit Timah Road, opposite Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Beauty World Centre, or along Jalan Anak Bukit, opposite Courts furniture store, and walk to the end of Hindhede Drive.
By Car Travelling from the city, follow the direction of Upper Bukit Timah Road towards Woodlands, make a u-turn just after the Courts furniture store and turn left into Hindhede Drive. Limited parking is available at the foothill of the reserve. To minimise our impact to the reserve, especially on weekends, you may like to take the public transport instead.
Begin your forest exploration with an orientation visit at the Visitor Centre. A self-guiding exhibit features essential information about the native flora and fauna of the nature reserves. The Visitor Centre is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm daily.
Here, there are amenities like an information counter, restrooms, telephones, first aid and specialty shop. Car parking is available from 5.30am to 7.30pm daily. However, as lots are limited and the reserve is especially popular on weekends, public transport may be the better alternative.
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