Crocodile Lodge Review: What’s it Like Glamping in the Wild at Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Crocodile Lodge sits within Rainforest Wild Adventure EAST at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, rather than outside the attraction as a separate accommodation property. 

Rainforest Wild Adventure stretches across EAST and WEST zones and combines wildlife encounters with adventure activities. Crocodile Lodge guests check in at 3pm at the entrance of Rainforest Wild Adventure EAST, before heading straight into free-and-easy time across both zones. The stay includes access to all nine Adventure+ activities and four Fast Passes per person, with guests asked to return to Crocodile Lodge by 6pm for the evening programme.

Mandai has become a destination in its own right, with clearly marked taxi drop-off points and straightforward access to the different attractions. A short walk away is Rainforest Wild Adventure EAST where we simply asked the guard where to go and were directed to a dedicated Crocodile Lodge check-in desk on the left.

Guests do not actually head to the lodge at this point. Bags are handed over at check-in before everyone heads straight into the park, while the luggage is transferred separately and delivered to the tent later. We already knew the itinerary before arriving, but staff were on hand to explain the programme in more detail and answer any questions.

The 3.15pm to 6pm activity window sounds fairly short on paper, but we still managed to fit in a good amount, particularly because Rainforest Wild Adventure EAST is easier to navigate than WEST. We did not manage to complete everything in EAST that afternoon, though, so it is worth prioritising the activities you most want to try and saving the rest for the following morning. 

Anyone expecting a conventional hotel room should reset expectations before arriving. Crocodile Lodge is still a tented stay, but the set-up is far more comfortable than basic camping.

Each 4m by 5m air-conditioned tent sleeps up to four people and comes with a queen bed, bunk bed, Wi-Fi, electrical power and a small patio. If the view matters, it may be worth requesting one of the first six tents. These have a clearer outlook over the water body in front of the lodge and may give guests a better chance of spotting animals from the tent.

Inside, the tent is surprisingly comfortable. The queen bed was exactly what we wanted after a long afternoon of activities. The bunk beds are also generously sized, so older children and even adults can sleep in them without feeling cramped. There was more than enough floor space for four people and our luggage, and charging was easy with several conveniently placed power points.

The KDK fan and air-conditioning kept the tent cool, and the structure is well sealed so the cold air stays in – we in fact, turned off our air conditioner at night as it was too cool. Towels, plenty of pillows, lighting and a chandelier-style light make the tent feel set up for a comfortable stay rather than just a temporary one. The fan comes with a remote which means you can switch off your lights once nicely settled into your duvet. 

At night, the lodge was remarkably quiet. We could barely hear other guests, if at all, and the tents felt private without intruding on one another. There is also a strict no-noise policy at night, which guests seemed to respect. The only real sounds came around dawn, when we woke to animal calls and the occasional dog sound from outside.

Those wary of insect bites should know that mosquitoes were not an issue during our stay. A couple of tiny insects were drawn to the tent lights, which felt fairly inevitable in this setting, but there was nothing bothersome inside.

The lack of an ensuite bathroom will probably be the biggest question for families considering Crocodile Lodge, but in practice, the shared facilities were far better than expected.

The toilets and showers are a two minute walk from the tents, with covered walkways making the route easy even in strong sun or rain. The bathrooms themselves are stylishly designed with an eco theme, almost reminiscent of a resort holiday. Plus they are brand new, clean and well maintained. There are also several family bathrooms, which make things easier for parents travelling with younger children so you can use the facilities and take a shower, all in the comfort of your own private family section. 

The showers were one of the nicest surprises. Rather than feeling like basic campsite facilities, they look out towards the greenery and have more of an eco-lodge feel. 

Water refill stations are also located nearby, along with a small seating area and vending machines stocked with drinks and snacks.

Night-time access was easy, and the walk never felt inconvenient. For us, the shared bathrooms did not take much away from the stay.

Crocodile Lodge is not priced simply as lodging for the night. This is really a full experience built around two days inside Rainforest Wild Adventure. The package includes a two-day, one-night stay, admission to Rainforest Wild Adventure, access to all nine Adventure+ activities, four Fast Passes per person, guided activities, dinner, breakfast and a light supper. 

A standard Rainforest Wild Adventure ticket also gives access to both EAST and WEST, but includes fewer Adventure+ activities, and no fast passes. The Crocodile Lodge package therefore makes the most sense for families who want to spend proper time in the park rather than simply staying overnight.

It is also important to know that we did not pay anything extra for the core experience. The only meals not included were lunch on Day One (prior to check-in) and lunch on Day Two (post check-out as we wanted to spend more time in the park), so those need to be budgeted for separately. Snacks and additional drinks picked up along the way are also at your own expense.

For us, the package felt like good value because so much of the experience comes from the access, activities and extra time inside Rainforest Wild Adventure, all of which we may not have experienced, even across two separate visits.

Rainforest Wild Adventure is split between EAST and WEST, with nine Adventure+ activities available across both zones. 

The activities vary quite dramatically in intensity. EAST has the Canopy Glider, Treetop Traverse, Primate Climb, Ravine Swing and Split Rock Summit, while WEST has AIA Vitality Bounce, Cavern Crawl, Rock Wall Climb and Canopy Jump. Some are relatively gentle, while others involve harnesses, heights and a lot more nerve.

Although Mandai recommends heading towards WEST soon after check-in, we actually spent our first afternoon in EAST and still managed to fit in quite a bit before returning to the lodge for the evening programme. We did not complete everything, though, and even with two days we still did not manage to try every Adventure+ activity.

The heat and walking distances between zones can make the day feel fuller than expected, so trying to tick off all nine is probably not the best way to approach the stay. We encountered relatively short queues during our visit, but staff warned that weekends can get much busier, so we recommend saving your Fast Passes for your favourites. 

But don’t panic yet. There are boards across the park(and near the check-in area) where visitors can view waiting times across each activity. You also have a QR code that can be scanned to book your time of visit. It makes planning the day much easier and also gives the group a target time and agenda to follow – something we find hard when the park has so much to offer. Of the activities we tried, a few were clear favourites.

Canopy Glider

One activity we went back for thrice was the Canopy Glider. It was easily one of our favourites and a great way to take in the park from above without it feeling overly commercial or theme-park-like. The ride moves at an easy pace, and if luck is on your side, you may even spot a crocodile below. We liked it enough to return for one final ride before leaving the next day, which probably says everything. 

Ravine Swing

Ravine Swing was one of the more thrilling activities we tried, with a proper rush as the swing drops and moves out across the ravine. It was great fun, although the backward swing left us feeling slightly nauseous towards the end.

Do check the height and weight requirements before joining the queue. Our eight-year-old was unable to take part because of the weight restriction, so it is worth checking the criteria in advance rather than waiting until you reach the activity.

Primate Climb

For those keen to try climbing, Primate Climb has different lanes at varying levels of difficulty, and the staff can advise which route suits your confidence level. First-timers may want to start with the easier route.

The auto-belay system makes the descent straightforward. Once you have climbed as high as you want to go, you simply let go and allow the system to lower you back down. The hardest part is trusting it enough to take that first step.

AIA Vitality Bounce

AIA Vitality Bounce in the WEST, was another family favourite. It is made up of large netted sections that guests move through one after another, and children in particular may not want to leave once they get started.

No loose items are allowed inside, including phones, but there are plenty of lockers and cubbies nearby. Allow at least 30 minutes here rather than trying to squeeze it in between other activities.

Canopy Jump

Over in the WEST, the Canopy Jump looked like one of the most adrenaline-heavy activities in the park. We did not try it ourselves, but watching others take the plunge made it look like a fun introduction to bungee-style action for anyone curious about the experience. As with the Ravine Swing, check the height and weight requirements before making your way over.

Once the afternoon activities wind down, the pace changes completely. Guests return to Crocodile Lodge for the evening programme, which includes dinner, group activities, a light supper and an early start the following morning.

Dinner is ordered earlier in the day by scanning a QR code at check-in. The set meal includes soup and salad, followed by a choice of grilled chicken, fish and chips or an Impossible vegetarian main. Drinks include Coke or Sprite, while our dessert was vanilla ice cream topped with Oreo crumble.

Come hungry. The portions were enormous, and once the soup, salad, main course and dessert arrived, finishing everything was a challenge for one person.

After dinner, everyone gathers for a series of relaxed group activities around Crocodile Lodge. We started with an animal trivia quiz, where guests scan a QR code and answer questions individually on their phones. This was followed by a scavenger hunt around the lodge, with small animal figurines hidden for guests to track down and prizes for the winners.

It sounds simple, but it was surprisingly fun and worked just as well for the adults as it did for the children. Shahkir, Raphael and Quina were our fun guides for the evening and led the activities keeping things lively without making the programme feel overly structured. The night ended with a light supper of Milo and a chocolate croissant.

Once everyone retreats to their tents, Crocodile Lodge becomes eerily quiet. There is a strict no-noise policy at night and guests seemed very respectful of it during our stay. Don’t worry, the night guard(in our case, the extremely helpful Simon) is around to help with any last-minute requests or emergencies. 

Morning brings a completely different atmosphere. We woke to macaques calling out around dawn, which the children found especially exciting. Opening the tent and immediately seeing and hearing the park come alive was one of those small moments that made the overnight stay feel very different from a regular hotel.

The Ranger Expedition takes place before breakfast and is essentially a relaxed guided walk through Rainforest Wild Adventure EAST while the park is still quiet. We spotted ducks, birds and other animals along the way before ending with the lemur experience. The cooler morning temperature made the walk far more comfortable than exploring later in the day, and with almost no one else around, the whole experience felt a little more exclusive.

Breakfast followed straight after and was a generous English breakfast-style meal(no choice of menu here), but the staff were flexible with small requests. We asked for the toast to be served separately for the children, and this was easily accommodated.

Despite the early start, the morning never felt rushed. The Ranger Expedition is not overly long, breakfast is given enough time, and there is still space afterwards to return to the tent and pack up. Once breakfast is done, guests can leave their bags behind and head back out to explore, then return to the original check-in desk by 1pm at the latest to collect their luggage.

A little planning makes a Crocodile Lodge stay easier, but do not turn the experience into a checklist. There is plenty to enjoy between the activities too, from wildlife encounters to simply walking through Rainforest Wild Adventure.

1. Prioritise rather than trying to do everything. There are nine Adventure+ activities, but the heat, walking distances and time spent at each activity add up quickly. Choose the ones that matter most and use the four Fast Passes strategically, especially on busier weekends.
2. Rainforest Wild Adventure is much more than its Adventure+ activities. WEST, in particular, gave us some of the best animal encounters of the stay, with the Tiger Trail a highlight. The walking trails beside streams are beautiful too, with sections that reminded us of nature escapes in Australia.
3. Plan differently for EAST and WEST. EAST is much better covered and easier to explore in strong sun or rain. WEST has more exposed sections and felt considerably hotter during our visit, but it also delivered some of our best wildlife encounters. Use the cooling mists along the way and head into the Cavern when the heat becomes too much.
4. Bring mosquito repellent. We had no mosquito problems inside the tent, but we were bitten while walking through both EAST and WEST. Spray before heading out and keep some with you during the day.
5. If you have young kids, give time to fun activities. Allow at least 30 minutes for AIA Vitality Bounce so you can slowly move through the zones and perhaps take one last go at the Glider when you pick up your bags in the EAST.
6. Bring toiletries. The camp provides shower gel and shampoo in the bathroom but guests should carry all other essentials with them. 
7. Make the most of Day Two. After breakfast and packing up, guests can leave their luggage behind and head back into Rainforest Wild Adventure. Bags need to be collected from the original check-in desk by 1pm. If you plan to stay longer, paid lockers are available around the park. Otherwise, those who have driven can also move their luggage to the car and continue exploring.
8. Download the Mandai app before arriving. It helps with park navigation, activity planning and wildlife information across EAST and WEST. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.

*Image credit, Mandai Wildlife Group