Portrait of Primates: The Troops of McRitchie Reservoir

What makes my trip to MacRitchie Reservoir special is the serenity of being surrounded by nature. The sight of lush greenery and the crisp, fresh air are rare in the city, so I appreciate that Singapore offers both a vibrant urban environment and peaceful natural escapes. Best of all, I don’t need to take a flight to experience it—I can enjoy it within a day.

Singapore may be small, but there are pockets of nature hidden within the urban jungle. Sometimes, as I take in the view, I almost forget that the hustle and bustle of city life are just minutes away...

This spot is one of the amenities at MacRitchie Reservoir. It’s actually the docking bay for kayakers, and I managed to sneak in for a few minutes before the staff used a megaphone to announce that I wasn’t authorized to enter! 😂 I didn’t actually see the sign, but I wasn’t too bothered by the announcement—I had already taken this shot before they called me out. 😁

I moved on to other parts of the lake where there were no restrictions, and the views were just as beautiful. With pristine water like this and pleasant weather, photos turn out great even with minimal effort in framing a subject or capturing the landscape.

A photo walk here feels incredibly relaxing—it's quiet, and a gentle breeze keeps me cool as I stroll.

There's a section along the banks where anyone is allowed to fish. You have to bring your own gear and seating since there are no tools or equipment available for rent.

I noticed a family enjoying their time fishing at this spot. The parents were teaching their kids how to cast a line, while their older son seemed proficient enough to do it on his own. Meanwhile, the father was using a fine-mesh scoop to try and catch small fish along the edge of the bank. I watched them for a few minutes to see if they would catch anything, but they didn’t seem to have much luck. Maybe it was because it was almost noon and too warm for the fish to come out?

It was a serene day at MacRitchie until a troop of monkeys suddenly appeared from the woods. Curious about where they were heading, I decided to follow them. I soon noticed they were approaching a family who was also visiting the area.

The monkeys were very curious and seemed quite friendly as they neared the visitors. They didn’t appear to be the aggressive type, so I moved closer and took more photos.

The adult monkeys were calm and composed, while the juveniles were energetic and curious. It was fascinating to watch the young ones approach visitors—every time someone reached out a hand, one of the juvenile monkeys would sniff and touch it before quickly backing away. 😂 It felt like a first encounter between humans and wild monkeys!

I think I found the leaders of this troop. I’m not entirely sure, but based on their size, behavior, and confidence, they must be in charge. Unlike the others, they don’t interact with visitors. The male simply sits or lies on the pavement while the female grooms him. They seem completely relaxed, especially the female, who is fully focused on her task.

Here are some of the photos of the juveniles monkeys who were getting bored because none of the visitors are feeding them 😁.

Spending the day at MacRitchie Reservoir was a refreshing escape, filled with serene landscapes, curious wildlife, and peaceful moments by the water. Capturing these scenes through my lens reminded me how nature thrives even within a bustling city. Whether it's the stillness of the lake or the playful energy of the monkeys, every visit offers something new to see and appreciate.