Animal Encounters at Hamilton Zoo
Curiosity meets conservation
Get ready for an adventure unlike any other with Hamilton Zoo’s Animal Encounters! Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of wildlife as you get up close and personal with our incredible animals. From majestic big cats to playful primates, you will get face-to-face with some of our iconic animals and discover more about their diets, behaviours and habitats. From $39.00 per person, Animal Encounters are available to book for guests 5 years and older.
We take an Animal-led approach with our Animal Encounters, with no fixed regular schedule and allow them to participate voluntarily, overall to ensure their contentment and welfare. By booking an Animal Encounter, you are supporting vital conservation work. With 80% of your purchase going directly towards supporting the species both at Hamilton Zoo and in the wild.
Tiger Encounter
Step into the wild and get up close with one of the most majestic creatures in the world during this behind-the-scenes Tiger Encounter. Gain firsthand insight into the daily lives of our tigers as you discover their behaviours, diet, and the crucial conservation initiatives dedicated to this endangered species.
Lemur Encounter
Enter the world of ring-tailed lemurs and experience their playful nature up-close as you assist our keepers with feeding time. Learn about lemurs' diet, behaviours, and natural habitat from our knowledgeable primate keepers, gaining a deeper understanding of these fascinating creatures.
Rhino Encounter
Get hands-on with one of our resident rhinos during this behind-the-scenes encounter as you learn more about this remarkable species. Discover the daily routines and conservation efforts dedicated to rhinos from our experienced ungulate keepers, who are committed to their care and preservation.
Tuatara Encounter
Enter the world of living dinosaurs and meet one of the earth’s oldest living reptile species during this behind-the-scenes Tuatara Encounter. Learn about the vital conservation efforts taking place in our own backyard to protect tuatara and how you can support these initiatives.
Macaw and Agouti Encounter
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of macaws and discover the curious nature of agoutis during this captivating encounter. Learn about their behaviour, diet, and habitat, and even feed them a treat. Discover the fascinating relationship between these two species and what makes them so special.
Porcupine Encounter
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime close encounter with one of the most unique creatures in the animal kingdom – the cape porcupine. Gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by these animals in their natural environment and understand their role in the ecosystem.
Siamang Encounter
Watch these incredible primates swing through the trees and hear their distinctive calls echo across the zoo. Siamangs are known for their expressive behaviours and strong social bonds, this encounter offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of these fascinating creatures.
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Animal Encounter tickets
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.
Porcupine Encounter
$39.00
Macaw and Agouti Encounter
$39.00
Tuatara Encounter
$39.00
Lemur Encounter
$59.00
Siamang Encounter
$59.00
Rhino Encounter
$59.00
Tiger Encounter
$99.00
Understanding our animal-first approach
Ensuring the wellbeing of our animals is our top priority at Hamilton Zoo. As we prioritise the natural behaviours and needs of our animals, we do not follow a fixed schedule for Animal Encounters.
Our approach allows the animals to participate voluntarily, ensuring their contentment and welfare.
General information
Standard Hamilton Zoo entry fee applies in addition to the price of the Animal Encounter.
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. 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.
Please read our full terms and conditions before booking.
How to purchase an Animal 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 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.