Opening times

Monday-Friday (except bank holidays) 

Type of place
Habitat
Status
Open
Facilities

Unfortunately, wheelchair access is not available for this experience and participants must have good mobility. 

The only Keeper for a Day experience in the UK where you get to work with rhinos, giraffes and elephants all in one day.

Our amazing Keeper for a Day experience at Whipsnade Zoo gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close to some of the Zoo's most popular animals.

During the experience you'll work with an expert Zookeeper who will show you how we look after some of our incredible animals, including rhinos, giraffes and elephants. 

What your Keeper for a Day experience at Whipsnade Zoo includes

  • Fun packed full day experience
  • Amazing animal encounters and mucking out activities
  • A friendly and experienced keeper host
  • Complimentary breakfast, lunch and refreshments
  • Complimentary car parking 
  • Keeper for a Day t-shirt
  • Tote Bag
  • 20% discount off Zoo admission tickets for friends and family to visit on the day of your experience

What to expect on the day

You can expect to work with some of the larger mammals, as well as some of our smaller animals. You'll have a quick briefing over breakfast and find out which animals you will be helping to look after for the day before heading out into the Zoo with your experienced keeper host.

Keeper for a Day duties do vary from day to day but a typical experience will start with you helping to muck out our Asian rhinos and Asian elephants, you will then visit our giraffes to feed them their mid-morning snack. Following a busy morning you will recharge over lunch before getting back out into the Zoo to help look after some of our other animals. 

Friends and Family can book discounted admission tickets to visit the Zoo on the day of your experience and you will receive details of how to obtain this once you have booked your experience date. Admission tickets only allow access to the Zoo from 10am and while we encourage friends and family to watch the experience, there may be some activities that take place behind the scenes which they will not be able to see you take part in.

A young woman with a rhino during a Keeper for a Day experience at Whipsnade Zoo

Keeper for a Day testimonials

It was a fabulous day, I was totally exhausted at the end but I have some great photos and brilliant memories!!
- ChrisnPat84, TripAdvisor

Which animals will I work with during the Keeper for a Day experience?

You can expect to work with rhinos, elephants and giraffes. Due to the nature of a working zoo, the animals you'll work with can be subject to change. 

Important information to know before you book

  • Participants must be over 16 years old and have a reasonable level of fitness
  • Unfortunately, wheelchair access is not available for this experience and participants must have good mobility. For more information please discuss with us when you book
  • For those with additional needs a carer can accompany them for free.
  • Pregnant and nursing mothers are unable to take part
  • Appropriate closed toe footwear must be worn for the experience
  • The experience itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice
  • Please arrive on time, we advise guests arrive at least 15 minutes before the experience begins
  • Please see our full terms and conditions for more information

To manage your booking please visit the See Tickets customer service portal

Book now 

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Book the Keeper for a Day experience

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Could you be a zookeeper for a day?

Keeper for a Day experience

A once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close to some of Whipsnade Zoo's most popular animals.