Get even closer
Animal Encounters at Howletts
Get even closer to your favourite species on an unforgettable animal encounter. You will join a small group of fellow animal-lovers and one of our expert Animal Keepers, who will escort you to an exclusive, often behind-the-scenes area of the park. There, you will be able to ask your expert all of your animal-questions and enjoy an unforgettable animal encounter during which you will have the chance to interact with and - where possible - hand-feed your chosen species.
Feed the Geladas
Feed the Red River Hogs
Feed the Painted Dogs
NEW for 2025: Meet the Pack
NEW for 2025: Meet the Mini Beasts
Lemur Encounter
Tiger Encounter
Lion Encounter
Snow Leopard Encounter
Elephant Encounter
Rhino Encounter
Anteater Encounter
Gorilla Encounter
Clouded Leopard Encounter
Feed the Geladas
Watch the unique social interactions of our gelada baboons as you scatter feed into their garden. Learn from our animal expert about their complex hierarchy, fascinating behaviours, and specialised diet while observing them up close. A rare opportunity to see the world’s only grazing primates in action.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 0yrs, children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 15 minutes
Price: £15
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
10:30am
Feed the Red River Hogs
Help feed our red river hogs some healthy snacks. During this scatter feeding experience you'll learn fascinating facts about these quirky animals and discover how you can help The Aspinall Foundation return them to the wild.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 5yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 15 minutes
Price: £15.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
12pm
Feed the Painted Dogs
Meet the African Painted Hunting Dogs and their keeper for a full insight into the this incredible, family-orientated species. You will meet the pack and throw them some food.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 5 yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 20 minutes
Price: £15.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
11am
NEW for 2025: Meet the Pack
Get ready for a wild adventure with our 'Meet the Pack' experience! Perfect for young explorers, this exciting encounter lets you meet our fascinating Dhole and African Painted Dog. Guided by a friendly ranger, you'll have the chance to scatter feed these amazing animals and learn all about their unique traits, habitats, and teamwork. A fun and educational way to make unforgettable memories with some of nature's coolest creatures.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 3yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £35.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
12pm, available from April 2025
NEW for 2025: Meet the Mini Beasts
Join us for the 'Meet the Mini Beast' encounter, where you'll get up close with our curious bat-eared foxes and both dwarf and banded mongooses! Guided by an expert ranger, you'll scatter feed these fascinating little creatures while learning all about their unique behaviours, habitats, and survival skills. Perfect for those looking to discover the smaller, yet mighty, wonders of the animal kingdom.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 3yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £35.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
11:30am, available from April 2025
Lemur Encounter
Step into the world of these playful and curious primates in our open-top or walkthrough enclosure. Get up close as you hand-feed them fruit and vegetables while learning all about their behaviours, diet, and conservation from an expert ranger. This fun and interactive experience is perfect for families and children, offering a fantastic opportunity to meet these charismatic animals up close.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 3yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 20 minutes
Price: £45.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
11:30am
Tiger Encounter
Come face to face with our magnificent tigers in this thrilling experience! Get an up-close look at these powerful big cats as you feed them their favourite meaty treats using tongs and watch their impressive strength in action. Our expert keepers will be on hand to answer your questions, sharing fascinating facts about their personalities, behaviours, and daily care. An unforgettable encounter with one of the world’s most iconic predators!
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 7 yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £75.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
2pm
Lion Encounter
Step into the kingdom of the ultimate apex predator and meet our majestic lion groups. With a keeper by your side, you’ll have the rare opportunity to feed them through the enclosure using tongs, getting a front-row seat to their raw power and commanding presence. As you watch these incredible cats up close, our expert keepers will share insights into their pride dynamics, natural instincts, and what it takes to care for these kings of the animal world.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 7yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £75.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
11:30am
Snow Leopard Encounter
Go behind the scenes with our snow leopards, gaining special access to areas not usually seen by the public. Learn from our expert keeper and take part in feeding them through the enclosure using tongs. A unique chance to observe these elusive and endangered big cats up close.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 7 yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £75.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
3pm January - March & October - December
4pm April - September
Elephant Encounter
The only place in Kent where you can meet and feed elephants. Spend time with the UK’s largest herd of African elephants, learning from an experienced animal expert about their behaviours, social bonds, and conservation. Take part in feeding by offering scatter or browse feed—an unmissable opportunity for elephant lovers.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 5yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £65.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
12:30 & 2:30pm
Rhino Encounter
Come face-to-face with a critically endangered black rhino. Learn about their behaviour and conservation from our expert keeper before taking part in a supervised feed. A rare and rewarding encounter with one of Africa’s most iconic species.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 5yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £45.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
11am
Anteater Encounter
Step inside the anteater house and discover more about these unusual and fascinating animals. Work alongside an animal expert to prepare enrichment before hand-feeding them. A hands-on experience for those with a passion for unique species.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 5yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £35.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
3:30pm
Gorilla Encounter
An opportunity like no other—go behind the scenes, climb onto the enclosure roof, and scatter feed to the gorillas below. Learn from our expert keeper about their behaviours, care, and conservation in a setting few ever get to see.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 7yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £75.00 peak, £65.00 off-peak
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
2:30pm
Clouded Leopard Encounter
A rare opportunity to meet one of the most secretive cats in the world. Gain back-of-house access, learn from our expert keeper, and feed our clouded leopards through the enclosure. An extraordinary experience with an animal rarely seen up close.
Day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost.
Minimum age: 7yrs. Children must be accompanied by paying adult
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: £95.00
Availability:
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ |
Time:
11:30am
Unless otherwise stated experiences do not include day admission. A valid day ticket, Annual Pass or short break booking would be required to gain admission to the reserve where the experience is conducted.
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