There’s a certain magic to the wild in the winter and early spring. The air is crisp, the landscapes are vast, and for those who know where to look, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with nature, for things are closer than ever.
This year, our January sale is bigger than ever, offering up to 50% off animal encounters and safaris at both Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself to meet the species you’ve always wanted to or gift a loved one an unforgettable experience, there has never been a more affordable way to do so.
Please note that day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost. You will require day tickets, annual pass or an overnight stay at Port Lympne to get into the park for the experience.
With prices starting from an incredible £7.50 per person, the wild is calling.
| If you want... | Head to... | Top Recommendation | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A "Big Sky" Safari feel | Port Lympne | Blockbuster Giraffe Encounter |
£40.00 |
| Intimate, wooded encounters | Howletts | Blockbuster Elephant Encounter |
£37.50 |
| The ultimate budget treat | Howletts | Best Value Africa's Little Hunters |
£7.50 |
| High-energy family fun | Port Lympne | Best Value Baboon or Bison Scatter Feed |
£7.50 |
| Big Cat thrills | Either Park | Lion, Tiger or Leopard Encounters | From £37.50 |
| A deep dive into conservation | Either Park | Rhino or Gorilla Encounters | From £37.50 |
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve: The Kentish Savannah
Best for: Great landscapes & safari truck adventures
Port Lympne is famous for its 600 acres of stunning parkland. The experiences are designed to make you feel like you've been transported to the plains of Africa.
Our Top Pick: The Giraffe Encounter
Sale Price: £40.00 (Was £80.00)
Imagine trekking down to the giraffe house on the back of a safari truck to be greeted by a towering giraffe. This is our flagship experience for a reason. You’ll join an expert ranger to meet our graceful giants, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to hand-feed them. Watch as their long tongues gently take treats from your hand while they gaze down at you with those enormous, lashed eyes. It’s quite a humbling moment of connection that will stay with you forever.
Perfect For: Milestones, Romantic Dates, or a bucket list family treat.
Book NowBest Value Pick
Best Value: Feed the Baboons or Bison
Sale Price: £7.50 (was £15.00)
At Port Lympne, the best-value way to get involved is one of our scatter feeds. At just £7.50, you can help our keepers feed the baboons or the bison. It's a fast-paced, high-energy way to see these animals' social dynamics up close, perfect if you're looking a little extra magic during your visit.
Book NowEncounters at Port Lympne:
- Wolf Encounter (£30.00): Steal away to the wooded edges of the reserve to meet our elusive pack. There is something deeply primal and moving about being in the presence of trio of wolves. You'll learn about their complex family bonds.
- Squirrel Monkey Encounter (£30.00): For pure, unadulterated joy, nothing beats these tiny, energetic primates. They are inquisitive and charming, often coming close to investigate their visitors.
- Rhino Encounter (£37.50): Meet the armoured giants of the savannah. You’ll get a true sense of their prehistoric power and the surprisingly gentle nature that lies beneath their rugged exterior.
- Meet the Great Apes (£37.50): A profound experience for those who feel a deep connection to our closest relatives. This encounter offers a serious look at the intelligence and social structures of our resident apes.
- Gorilla Encounter (£63.75): Look into the soulful eyes of a western lowland gorilla. This is a quiet, respectful meeting that highlights the vital work we do to protect this critically endangered species.
- Small Carnivore Encounter (£37.50): Perfect for those who love the "little guys", from binturongs to bush dogs, these smaller predators are full of personality and often overlooked.
- Leopard or Cheetah Encounter (£63.75 / £37.50): Feel the thrill of standing near the world's most graceful predators. You'll gain a new appreciation for the speed of the cheetah and the silent power of the leopard.
- Tapir Encounter (£37.50): One of our most unique residents. These living fossils are surprisingly affectionate and love a good scratch from their keepers.
- Ultimate Safari (£78.75): The all-access pass to the wild. A 2.5-hour journey that takes you off-road to see the very best of the reserve with a dedicated ranger.
Book Now
Howletts Wild Animal Park: The Forest Park
Best for: Close-up encounters & a world-renowned elephant herd
Howletts offers a more intimate, leafy atmosphere. It is a place of deep connection where you can get incredibly close to some of the rarest species on the planet.
Our Top Pick: The Elephant Encounter
Sale Price: £37.50 (Was £75.00)
Howletts is home to the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and there is nothing quite like being in their presence. This encounter takes you behind the scenes to learn about the complex social lives and individual personalities of these gentle giants. You'll have the unmissable opportunity to offer them browse or scatter feed, feeling the sheer magnitude of their intelligence and grace.
Perfect For: Wildlife Enthusiasts and a profound, educational connection with nature.
The "Little Hunters" – Our Best Value
Sale Price: £7.50 (Was £15.00)
Meeting your favourite animal doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For just £7.50, you can meet Africa's little hunters. This charming experience is the perfect introduction to the park's smaller but equally fascinating residents.
Perfect for: Little explorers and families looking for a special addition to their day out.
Encounters at Howletts
- Meet Africa’s Little Hunters (£7.50): Our best-value encounter. Watch the incredible focus and agility of these small but mighty predators. It’s the most affordable way to make a big memory.
- Feed the Painted Dogs (£12.50): Discover the most successful hunters in Africa. Watching their social greeting ceremony and hearing their unique chirping sounds is a sensory experience you won't forget.
- Tiger, Lion & Snow Leopard Encounters (£37.50): Come face-to-face with the kings of the forest and the ghosts of the mountains. These encounters show you the raw power and beauty of the big cats in a respectful, awe-inspiring setting.
- Giant Anteater Encounter (£17.50): Meet Zet and Fidji, our resident anteaters. You'll be amazed by their 60cm long tongues and their incredibly gentle, slow-moving nature.
- Gorilla Encounter (£37.50): Howletts is world-famous for its gorilla conservation. This encounter allows you to see their family dynamics up close and hear stories of those we have successfully returned to the wild.
Please note that day entry to the park is not included in the experience cost. You will require day tickets, annual pass or an overnight stay at Port Lympne to get into the park for the experience.
