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Gourmet Safari Express at the Night Safari GOURMET SAFARI EXPRESS April 2001 Gourmet Safari Express was a brand new programme for this year’s Singapore Food Festival organised annually by the Singapore Tourism Board. It was a unique and romantic dining experience for guests to appreciate glorious good food, wildlife and nature – all on-board the moving Gourmet Safari Express as it journeys into the drama and mystery of the jungle at night.
Background The drama and mystery of the tropical jungle comes alive after dusk, at the world’s first Night Safari. Set amidst the expansive dense forest of Singapore, Night Safari truly offers a getaway from the hustle of cosmopolitan life. Some 1,200 nocturnal creatures – ranging from the fearsome cats to slimy reptiles and timid forest dwellers – greet visitors from their own naturalistic enclosures, which simulate that of their own homeland. Not to miss are of course the awesome giraffes towering over the gorgeous reservoir, the slick leopards and of course the feisty fishing cats, that truly fish in the water. Truly an out-of-the-world jungle experience, Night Safari presents an experience many will fail to forget. Set in 40 hectares of mostly secondary jungle at Mandai, just half an hour’s drive from the city centre, the Night Safari site is one of the last remaining large tracts of dense vegetation. The romantic ambience and the awesome draw of the animals are enough to take breaths away. Not simply a wildlife park, the Night Safari – just 50 metres away from the Singapore Zoo – is also an advocator of wildlife conservation. To date, it has bred more than 22 Malayan tigers, which are ranked as one of the most endangered animals in the world.
The idea There are two ways of touring the world’s premier nocturnal park – by foot and by tram. The tram ride is an absolute must at the Night Safari – where guests literally journey into the twilight jungle, which teems with activities of its elusive inhabitants. And it is on the tram where guests come face to face with our animals, WITHOUT ANY BARRIERS. Hence, literally nothing separates the beautiful beasts from man. Gourmet Safari Express was created to enhance that concept – similar to the Orient Express – being converted in its entirety to a dining moving tram for the Singapore Food Festival 2001. At this highly exclusive dinner event customised only for 36, diners were made to exhaust all their five senses. Nowhere else in the country could anyone, or any restaurant provide such a thrilling dinner experience – with sumptuous food, good wine, amidst a naturalistic setting and with a chance meet and mingle with the creatures of the night – all rolled into one.
The event The adventure begins as guests arrive at the rustic, fiery entrance of the Night Safari, where two personalised guides will then present to the guests their boarding passes upon registration. Guests will commence their journey into the Night Safari with a walk on the Suspension Bridge with the full dramatic view of the jungle at night, as they savour the welcome cocktail. They will be more than thrilled with their eyes peeled on the animal stars as the latter mingle with the guests. Entry into the mystery of the Night Safari truly begins on the Gourmet Safari Trams. However, especially for this programme, special trams will have built-in tables where candle-light dinners will be served – with fine food, romantic dining under the stars, and the full appreciation of wildlife – all rolled into one ON BOARD A MOVING TRAM! This is the first of its kind Tram Dining Experience ever in the entire country. For the first part of the tram journey, appetizers and starter drinks will be served as guest travel into the Himalayan Foothills, Nepalese River Valley and the Indian Subcontinent. Upon arrival at the East Lodge – arguably the most serene area of the entire park – this mid-way stop allows guests to stretch their legs, as they embark upon a journey on foot to the Leopard Trail – the most exciting of the three walking trails of the Night Safari. After an appetite has been worked out, guests will relax and have a wild feast alongside a breathtaking view of the Seletar Reservoir under the glitter of stars. From a distance, they make out the silhouettes of the giraffes under twilight as they watch them perform their nightly rituals. The experience then continues as guests begin the second half of their tram journey to the Wild Wild West loop – where desserts, coffee and tea are then served. A truly memorable experience that diners will never forget.
The results Gourmet Safari Express was touted as the most exciting event for this year’s Singapore Food Festival. The Night Safari received a total of more than 210 calls inquiring about the event. However, as each Gourmet Safari Express could only accommodate 36 guests, many had to be turned down. There were also many inquiries about the event after the Singapore Food Festival had ended on 30 April. There were even requests from the public to extend the event after the Food Festival. As organisers, the Singapore Tourism Board themselves were so impressed by the concept that they specially booked an exclusive session for their distinguished guests, who included the Ambassadors of Vietnam and their families. In terms of press coverage, there were countless articles in the local and international media as far reaching as China and Germany. Both guests and the media have described the experience as enriching, exciting and innovative. With more than 100 participating outlets for the Singapore Food Festival island wide, Gourmet Safari Express was always used as the publicity stunt to capture the attention of the media – locally and worldwide. When pictures were used – in brochures, newspaper articles, media programmes – it was usually the captivating shots of Gourmet Safari Express, which was most frequently used, hence being hailed as the MOST INNOVATIVE EVENT for the year’s Food Festival, bringing the entire month-long festival to newer and greater heights. |
