Whipsnade Zoo launches UK’s first hippo experience

In a UK first, Whipsnade Zoo, is inviting visitors to get closer to wildlife and ‘Meet our Common Hippos’ Hodor and Lola – as part of an exciting new experience at the conservation zoo.  

From Thursday 4 May hippo fanatics will be able to join expert zookeepers behind-the-scenes at the UK’s largest zoo to see how the experts cares for the friendly giants.  

Arriving in time for hippos Hodor and Lola’s lunchtime, the experience will see participants get stuck in, carefully feeding the duo their favourite greens – part of their three-kilo daily diet – directly into their meter-wide mouths. 

Participants can ask the zoo’s experts their most burning questions about their favourite water loving mammal, before spending the rest of the day exploring the conservation zoo - being inspired by more than 11,000 animals, many of which are threatened in the wild and part of important global breeding programmes.  

Whipsnade Zoo’s Visitor Experiences Manager, Catherine Howes said: “Adding this extra special moment to your visit to Whipsnade Zoo will make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience; families and friends can come behind-the-scenes of our conservation zoo, creating incredible memories and getting closer to nature together.”  

Perfect for both adults and families with children ages 12+, the new Meet the Hippos experience takes place on Tuesdays and Sundays at 2.15pm, from May to October. Available to small groups of just four per experience, tickets to the exclusive experience start from £84 per person, which excludes entry to Whipsnade Zoo. Gold Members, Patrons and Fellows get 10% discount.  

Get better connected to wildlife in 2023 - book tickets for Whipsnade Zoo’s new experience today!

Meet the Hippos