Be a Keeper for a Day at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

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

£295 per person (April – October)

£149 per person (November – March)*

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

During this full-day experience you will work with an expert Zoo keeper who will show you how we look after some of our incredible animals, including rhinos, giraffe and elephants. 
*Please note that during November – March you will be working with different species and getting involved with some of our more unusual animals which could include camels, bison or species like our butterflies!

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Keeper for a Day at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo includes:

• Fun packed 7.5 hour experience (6 hours November-March), including close-up animal encounters
• Amazing animal encounters and mucking out activities
• Led by a friendly and experienced Zoo Keeper Host
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch and refreshments
• Complimentary car parking 
• Zoo Keeper for a Day t-shirt
• 20% discount off zoo admission tickets for spectators

What to expect on the day

At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo you can expect to work with some of the larger mammals, as well as some of our smaller animals. You'll get kitted out in your Zoo keeper outfit 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 zoo animals. 

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

What animals will I work with?

• Asian Rhinos
• Giraffes
• Asian Elephants

Please note this is subject to change.

Please note that during November – March you will be working with different species and getting involved with some of our more unusual animals

Is this experience suitable for me? 

Keeper for a Day is available for participants aged 16 and over; we do offer a separate Junior Keeper for a Day experience at ZSL London Zoo for children aged 11-15.

Unfortunately this experience is not wheelchair accessible and participants must have good mobility.  

Guests with carers can get a carer ticket which lets carers enter the backstage areas free of charge, but carers will not participate in the experience. To get a carer ticket please call 0344 225 1826.

Please note that pregnant or nursing mothers who have given birth within the previous six months cannot participate for health and safety reasons.

Availability

• Keeper for a Day starts at 8:45am, Monday – Friday from April through October (except bank holidays) Available on selected weekdays from November to March.

Price

• £295 per person (April – October)

• £149 per person (November – March)

Please note: ZSL members receive a 10% discount on this experience. Please call us to book on 0344 225 1826 or email experienceenquiries@zsl.org

How to book

• Book online here
• Call us on 0344 225 1826

We also offer Keeper for Day as a gift voucher. Please visit our online shop here to book as a gift for someone.   

Know before you book

Important information before booking your Keeper for a Day experience:

• 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
• Pregnant, nursing mothers or those that have given birth in the last 6 months 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 10 minutes before the experience begins
• Please see our full terms and conditions for more information

If you have any questions about booking please feel free to contact us.