Deepika Keni

If you’re looking to escape the glass and steel of the city, skip the malls and head to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It’s a rare pocket of primary rainforest that feels worlds away from the urban city.

I spent my birthday morning on the trails here and it was the perfect reset. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and if you keep your eyes peeled (or get lucky with a friendly local walker pointing things out), the forest is incredibly alive. I managed to spot a Colugo clinging to a trunk, a vibrant Kingfisher and several monkeys playing in the canopy.

Pro tips:
Go early: The humidity is no joke and it gets busy on weekends.

Watch the trees: Some of the best sightings, like the Colugo, are camouflaged..don’t be afraid to ask regular hikers what they’ve seen.
Water & Shoes: Wear actual trainers; the main path is paved but steep and the side trails can be muddy.
It’s a reminder that Singapore’s true pulse isn’t just in its innovations but in these quiet, wild spaces.