Summer Roar 2026 at Howletts:
Your Ultimate Family Guide to the Wildest Summer Day Out in Kent
If you're searching for the best family days out in Kent, things to do in Kent this summer, or unforgettable summer holiday activities for kids, look no further than Summer Roar 2026 at Howletts Wild Animal Park.
From 20th July to 31st August, Howletts transforms into the ultimate destination for family adventure, with six weeks of themed animal celebrations, exciting keeper talks, interactive activities, incredible wildlife encounters and plenty of surprises waiting around every corner. Summer Roar runs throughout the school holidays and celebrates a different favourite species each week, alongside a packed programme of family entertainment designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Whether your children dream of meeting a tiger, discovering fascinating creepy crawlies or watching the UK's largest herd of African elephants, there's something new to discover every time you visit.
Six Weeks. Six Wild Adventures.
Every week brings a brand-new animal theme, giving families even more reasons to return throughout the summer holidays.
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Summer Roar 202620 Jul - 31 Aug
Join us this summer for an action-packed calendar of events celebrating your favourite species. Our amazing keepers have prepared brand-new activities to delight little conservationists and with our half price kids tickets offer a visit to Howletts has never been better value!
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Big Cat Week27 Jul - 02 Aug
Get ready for a week of roaring excitement as Howletts celebrates its magnificent Sumatran tigers. Learn how these incredible predators survive in the wild, discover the threats they face, and hear fascinating stories from the expert keepers who care for them every day. It's the perfect week for little adventurers who love big cats.
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Monkey Week03 Aug - 09 Aug
Swing into a week packed with primate fun! From playful lemurs to energetic macaques and the beautiful Javan gibbons, discover the remarkable intelligence, personalities and behaviours of some of the world's most fascinating primates through interactive talks and family activities.
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Elephant Week10 Aug - 16 Aug
No visit to Howletts is complete without seeing the UK's largest herd of African elephants, and Elephant Week is the perfect time to celebrate these gentle giants. Enjoy elephant-themed activities, hear incredible stories from the dedicated keepers and discover why Howletts has become one of Europe's leading centres for elephant care and conservation.
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Rhino Week17 Aug - 23 Aug
Meet one of the planet's most endangered giants. Rhino Week shines a spotlight on the critically endangered eastern black rhino and the vital conservation work helping secure a future for this iconic species. Children will love learning about rhinos' incredible horns, super senses and surprising personalities.
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Gorilla Week24 Aug - 31 Aug
Finish the summer with one of Howletts' greatest success stories. Home to more western lowland gorillas than any other zoo in the UK, Howletts offers an unforgettable opportunity to watch family groups interact, play and relax together while learning about the conservation work helping protect gorillas in the wild.
New for Summer Roar:
Step Inside the Creepy Cave
Think you've got what it takes?
One of this year's biggest new attractions is the Creepy Cave, where brave explorers can come face-to-face with an incredible collection of fascinating insects, reptiles, amphibians and arachnids.
Meet giant African millipedes, stick insects, giant land snails, tarantulas, snakes, tortoises, frogs and many more remarkable creatures while discovering why even the smallest animals play a huge role in protecting our planet.
It's hands-on, educational and guaranteed to become one of the highlights of your family's visit.
Find out more with our Creepy Cave Guide
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Meet More Than 390 Amazing Animals
Summer Roar is only part of the adventure.
As you explore the park, you'll also discover over 390 incredible animals from around the world, including:
African Elephants
The UK's largest herd of African elephants, including our BIG new arrival, Shaka the bull elephant!
Western Lowland Gorillas
More western lowland gorillas than anywhere else in Britain, including baby Lekedi!
Sumatran Tigers
See if you can spot our litter of Sumatran tiger cubs, born in April this year. Photo ©SWNS@TKSnapper
Giant Anteaters
Visit Zet and Fidji, the only giant anteaters in Kent!
Lemurs, monkeys & gibbons
Monkey fans will be delighted with our variety of primates from sassy squirrel monkeys to marvelous mangabeys! Don't miss Walking With Lemurs to get close to our lively lemurs!
Every visit offers something different, with daily keeper talks, feeding sessions and opportunities to learn directly from the people who care for these remarkable animals.
More Than a Zoo Visit
Summer Roar has been designed with families in mind, making it easy to spend an entire day together.
Children can let off steam in the adventure play areas, enjoy delicious family-friendly food and refreshments, complete themed trails and activities, and discover something new around every corner. With so much to see and do, it's a day out that keeps everyone entertained from opening until home time.
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A Summer That Inspires Future Conservationists
Behind every activity, keeper talk and animal encounter is an important message.
At Howletts, every visit helps support the conservation work of The Howletts Wild Animal Trust and its efforts to protect endangered species both in the UK and around the world. Summer Roar is designed not only to entertain but to inspire children to care about wildlife and understand how small actions can make a big difference.
Plan Your Wildest Summer Yet
If you're looking for family days out in Kent, things to do with kids in Kent this summer, summer holiday activities near Canterbury, or one of the best wildlife parks in Kent, Summer Roar 2026 promises an unforgettable adventure.
From giant elephants and playful gorillas to mysterious creepy crawlies and themed weeks celebrating your favourite animals, every visit is packed with discovery, excitement and memories your family will treasure long after the summer holidays are over.
Bring your sense of adventure and prepare to make this your wildest summer yet at Howletts Wild Animal Park.
