Selected weekends, May to September
Download a visual story to help support your experience: Nature Nights Experience Visual Story
Zoo camping
Have you ever wanted to know what animals get up to at night? Now’s your chance with Nature Night Camping at the Zoo.
Pitch your tent on our main lawn and spend the evening discovering what both native and exotic animals get up to at night. Test your knowledge of animals before going on a torchlight expedition around the Zoo to see what you can find and who is still awake!
Nature Night Camping will take place on selected Fridays and Saturdays, from 6.30pm, overnight until 10am, when you will then be free to spend the day in the Zoo, after you’ve packed up your tent of course.
Adult only nights are open to participants aged 14 and over.
Family nights are open to participants aged 5 and over. Adult groups are welcome to attend on family nights.
Prices
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Adult | £60 |
| Child | £55 |
| Disabled Adult | £60 |
| Disabled Child | £55 |
| Essential Carer | £42 |
Book Family NAture Night Night
May and June 2025 dates will be released at 9am on 1 November 2024.
Please note: Gold Members/Patrons and Fellows receive a 10% discount on this experience. Please enter your CRM ID in the Offer Code box.
Included in your Nature Night:
- Torchlight expedition around the Zoo to see who is still awake
- Unique morning tour before the Zoo opens
- Free entry into Whipsnade Zoo (on day of departure)
- Free car entry (for night of sleepover and day of departure)
- Flat grass pitch for your tent
- Breakfast roll and a drink (tea, coffee, apple or orange juice. Sausage, bacon or veggie sausage roll. GF bread rolls available on request)
Nature nights guest informationNature nights breakfast allergens
Nature night camping experience
Example itinerary
| 6.15pm | Arrive at the Main Entrance, Whipsnade Zoo Your hosts will welcome you and direct you to your parking area. |
Head to the lawn and pitch your tent! It’s a two minute walk from the car park. | |
Dinner Break Once you have set up your tent, relax with your picnic dinner. Guests will need to bring their own evening meal or picnic. Please note BBQ’s and stoves are not allowed. | |
| 7:30pm | Welcome Talk Your hosts will run through the itinerary for the evening, all health and safety information plus answer any questions. |
| 7:45pm | Torchlight Expedition Explore the Zoo and see who is still awake. |
| 9.15pm | Back to Camp Relax back at camp, or test out your animal knowledge with an animal based quiz. |
| 9:30pm | Evening Activity Test your animal knowledge with our animal quiz. |
| 10.00pm | Prepare for bed |
| 10.30pm | Lights off and sleep |
| 7.00am | Wake up to the sounds of the animals nearby and pack down camp |
| 8.30am | Morning Tour Part 1 See who is awake before breakfast. |
| 9:00am | Breakfast Served at Base Camp Restaurant (Breakfast included in your ticket) |
| 9.30am | Morning Tour Part 2 Explore the Asia section of our zoo with your hosts before the Zoo opens |
| 10.00am | Finish You are welcome to stay in the Zoo for the day (entry is included in your ticket price) |
Please note: Children must be aged five years or above to take part. If you have any questions please email [email protected].
Group camping at the Zoo
We are open to Uniform and Group bookings and can arrange bespoke booking dates for you.
Minimum group size required for private bookings is 20 individuals. We can cater for approximately 60 individuals, however larger groups may be accommodated upon request.
We are now taking Nature Nights group bookings for 2025. Group bookings may also be interested in our Hullaba-Snooze Sleepovers. Please email us on [email protected] for more details.
For more details regarding group bookings, please download our group booking information pack below.
Accessibility whilst camping at the Zoo
The Nature Night experience is designed so that everyone can fully participate. Each tour consists of roughly 1 hour of walking and standing at enclosures, we will always use our concrete paths and we like to take our time moving around to make the most of the surroundings. If you would like to know any more information please contact us on [email protected].
Carer tickets are available at a cost of £42.
Accessible toilets are also available a short walk from the camping area.
If you would find a visual story helpful to support your Nature Nights experience you can download our visual story.
Zoo accessibility
Lodge at the Zoo
Lookout Lodge - Sleepover at the Zoo
Experience the Zoo after-dark at our cosy Lookout Lodges. We provide three entertaining and educational tours around the Zoo including a sunset tour, torch-lit night tour and a morning tour.
If you have any questions not answered here please email [email protected].
What do I need to bring with me for my Nature Nights experience?
You will need to bring a tent, sleeping bag, pillow and camping mat. Please also bring with you a torch, warm clothes as well as food and drink for the evening.
How do adult and family nights differ?
Adult only nights are open to participants aged 14 and over.
Family nights are open to participants aged 5 and over. Adult groups are welcome to attend on family nights.
Content of the evening will differ on adult and family nights, where talks and activities will be aimed at a younger audience on family nights.
Will I be able to buy food or drinks at the zoo for nature nights camping?
Unfortunately no catering outlets will be open so you will need to bring you own food and drinks with you for the evening.
Can I bring a BBQ or gas stove?
In order to keep our animals and others safe, the use of BBQs and gas stoves on Nature Nights evenings is prohibited.
Can I bring my car inside the zoo?
Yes. You will be able to bring your car into Whipsnade Zoo from 6:30pm. You will then have your car inside the zoo for the day after your sleepover.
Where do I park?
Parking for Nature Nights camping experience is in our Butterfly House carpark. This is situated just a short walk from the camping area.
Where do we camp?
The Nature Nights camping experience takes place on the main lawn area of Whipsnade Zoo. This is situated next to our Butterfly House.
How far away are the toilets?
Toilets are a very short walk away from the camping area.
Are showers available?
Shower facilities are not available.
Can I bring a campervan?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a campervan, however we do not provide electric hook-up or waste disposal. If you are intending to bring a campervan or motorhome for your Nature Nights stay please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected].
Will my experience still go ahead in wet and windy weather?
We monitor the weather forecast in the lead up to the Nature Nights experiences. All Nature Nights experiences will go ahead as usual, and in the instance that we have to cancel due to severe weather warnings, we will get in touch with you.