Into Africa

Behind-the-Scenes: The Giraffe Experience

Ever wondered what it's like to work with the giraffes day to day? Introducing our newer, BIGGER Giraffe Experience!

Now's your chance to step behind-the-scenes for a truly unique giraffe experience!

How long do giraffes sleep for? What’s their favourite food? How on earth do you carry out a veterinary health check on them? Join one of our experts behind-the-scenes and ask away as you jump into keeper life and explore just what it takes to look after these graceful giants. 

What to expect

You will be experiencing exactly what it's like to be a giraffe keeper! Arriving early before the Zoo opens to the public, you will be greeted by our team who will take you across to the griaffe house to introduce you to our residents, Maggie and Molly.

Brooms and rakes in hand, you will get mucked in, helping to clean out their dens. You will then be shown how to make a tasty browse bundle, head down to the fragrant herb garden to pick some tasty treats, and make up some enrichment for the giraffes. You will also have the opportunity to hand feed our giraffes some of the lovely herbs and flowers you've picked for them, of course! Be prepared to be awed by their size!

This is an intimate experience for up to four people only. It begins an hour before the Zoo opens and is perfect for giraffe lovers, family adventures and unbeatable dates.

The Experience:

• 2 hour experience that operates daily from 9:30 am
• Includes entry to the Zoo so that you can spend the rest of your day visiting our other animals
• The opportunity to ask all of your pressing questions!
• Learn everything you want to know about giraffes and zookeeping
• Experience London Zoo behind the scenes

What we've done to keep you safe...

Our experience has been adapted to ensure that you don’t miss out on our exciting animal interactions whilst keeping both you and our animals safe. This includes keeping our capacity to four participants to ensure that we can socially distance throughout the experience and offering hand sanitiser throughout.

Click here to find out how the rest of the Zoo has been adapted.

Know Before You Book:

• Children must be at least 8 years of age to take part.

• Please note that if you are booking this Experience as a supporter including members, Patrons or Fellows, guests who are also supporters, can accompany you to the Zoo without booking a timed slot to visit in advance. Please arrive together as a group, with your booked experience ticket and valid Membership card(s). If paying visitors would like to join a supporter at the Zoo on the day of their Experience, they will need to book their timed slot to visit the Zoo, in advance. If you are not a member and are a paying visitor booking for an Experience, please ensure you also book your Zoo entry on the same date as your Experience here.

• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who must also purchase a Behind-the-Scenes: The Giraffe Experience ticket. There must be no more than 2 children per adult. 
• You must wear appropriate closed toe footwear to take part in the experience.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers cannot participate. 
• Tickets are for personal use only and may not be sold on. 
• For participants with a disability or learning difficulty, please contact on experienceenquiries@zsl.org for advice before purchasing any of our experiences.
• Free carer tickets must be obtained in advance and can be purchased over the phone only. Please call 0344 225 1826 to book.
• Please arrive on time to ensure that you are present for the health and safety briefing. 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.

Book now