Close Encounters

A once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal!

This unique experience offers you the chance to meet your favourite animal at your favourite Essex zoo! Join the keeper inside the enclosure, help at feeding time, get involved with animal enrichment and more! Don't forget you camera for some really great close-ups...with no barriers in the way!

The Close Encounter Package includes:

VIP one-to-one treatment (during your Close Encounter)
Full Day's admission to Tropical wings (you are free to stay for the entire day - you will be told in advance when and where to be for your Close Encounter)
Souvenir Photo of your Close Encounter
Health & Safety Instruction
Public Liability Insurance

Close Encounters last 30 minutes and are available to ages 12 and over only and must be booked in advance (please see booking form).

Close Encounter Options:

Lemurs
Birds of Prey
Meerkats
Snakes
Invertebrates
Wallabies
Parrots
Skunks

Downloadable form

Can't see your favourite? Other options may be available - please ask us!

General Information

This experience is only available to persons of 12 years and above. Children aged 12 to 15 years must be accompanied by a supervising adult for the rest of their visit to Tropical Wings.

Please wear suitable clothing including a waterproof jacket for inclement weather and sensible shoes (open-toed sandals or high heels are not appropriate).

Owing to the nature of the attraction it may be necessary to cancel your experience without notice. In this instance we will always do our best to offer a similar alternative on the same day, or reschedule your Close Encounter. We are sure you realise that the welfare of our livestock is paramount and thank you for your understanding should this affect you.

Payment is due at the time of booking. A refund will only be possible if cancellation is made more than 28 days prior to the date of the booked experience. In this instance a £10 administration fee will be charged.

Close Encounters are only available outside of school holidays. Please let us know your preferred date plus two alternatives in case your first choice is not available.

Health And Safety

Full instruction on H&S issues will be given throughout the Close Encounter.

Allergy sufferers (especially those with and airborne nut allergy) should contact us for more information before making a booking. Also please consider any phobias before making a booking.

This experience is not available to pregnant women as a precautionary measure to protect the unborn child from potentially harmful zoonoses (diseases which can be transmitted by animals).

Please ensure that your Tetanus vaccination is up to date.

We operate a Welcome All policy and strive to remain inclusive. However, due to the design of enclosures some may not be suitable or accessible to wheelchairs. Please contact us about this before booking.

Please be aware that many of our animals are carnivores - food preparation and feeding may not be suitable for the squeamish!

ALL INCLUSIVE COST: £59.99

Close encounter Experiences are available to to ages 12 years or above only, for younger children (ages 8 to 15 years) see our JUNIOR Keeper for a Day page.

For persons of 16 years and older please see our ADULT Keeper for a Day page.

Please check with Reception for availability and booking form. 01245 425 394.