Rhino Encounter at Hamilton Zoo
Embark on an extraordinary behind-the-scenes adventure where you'll come face-to-face with one of our majestic southern white rhinos. This exclusive experience at Hamilton Zoo offers a rare opportunity to get hands-on with these gentle giants and create unforgettable memories. Accompanied by our expert ungulate keepers, you'll delve into the fascinating world of rhinos. Our keepers will guide you through the rhino habitat and introduce you to one of the herd, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for these incredible animals.

Understanding our animal-first approach
At Hamilton Zoo, our top priority is the well-being of our animals. Due to their natural behaviours and needs, we don't have a consistent schedule for Animal Encounters. These experiences are animal-led, allowing our animals to participate voluntarily, and ensuring they remain happy and healthy.
Thank you for understanding and supporting our commitment to animal welfare.
General information
Admission to Hamilton Zoo is not included in the Animal Encounter ticket price and will need to be purchased in addition.
All participants must wear flat, fully enclosed footwear.
Every Animal Encounter is unique, and the amount of interaction will be led by the animals themselves to ensure their welfare.
All participants must be over the age of 5 years old. All children 15 years of age and under must have an accompanying adult (booked and paid) with them on the Animal Encounter. There must be at least one adult per every three children.
The Animal Encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes overall with a maximum capacity of 6 people. You'll be in close proximity to the animal for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Please read our full terms and conditions before booking.
How to purchase a Rhino Encounter as a gift
If you’d like to gift an Animal Encounter but aren’t ready to book a specific date, purchase a gift voucher instead. Simply enter the value of the encounter ($59.00pp) as the voucher amount in the 'choose your own value' field and complete your payment. Once done, you’ll receive a gift voucher that you can either print out or send directly to the recipient via email.
Please note: Admission to Hamilton Zoo is not included in the Animal Encounter ticket price and will need to be purchased in addition. For more details, see our full terms and conditions.