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 wellbeing of our animals. Due to their natural behaviours and needs, we don't have a consistent schedule for Animal Encounters. These encounters are animal-led, allowing our animals to participate voluntarily, and ensuring they remain healthy and happy.
Thank you for understanding and supporting our commitment to animal welfare.
General information
Standard Hamilton Zoo entry fee applies in addition to the price of the Animal Encounter.
All participants must be over the age of 5 years old. Children 5-15 years of age must have an accompanying adult (booked and paid) with them on the encounter. There must be at least one adult per every three children.
Every Animal Encounter is unique and the amount of interaction will be led by the animals themselves to ensure their welfare.
The Animal Encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes overall with a maximum of 6 people per group. 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: The entry fee is not included in the Animal Encounter price. For more details, see our terms and conditions.