South East
A wild animal park near Canterbury, run by the Aspinall Foundation.
FeaturedTwo female capybaras, Tchin-Tchin and Grumpy, arrived at Howletts from Belgium in April at just 7 and 9 months old. The younger pair have joined the zoo's original trio in the South American paddock and are already entertaining visitors with their playful swimming and climbing antics.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is highlighting its original three capybaras—Georgio, Spud, and Jane—as must-see attractions for families visiting during May half term. The relaxed rodents live in the South American paddock alongside giant anteaters and are known for their friendly, laid-back personalities.
Visitors to Howletts Wild Animal Park can see the four newborn Sumatran tiger cubs for the first time during Springfest this May half term, as the cubs begin exploring outside their den. The event offers family-friendly activities including an elephant activity trail, face painting, and discounted children's tickets at £10.
FeaturedHowletts Wild Animal Park has celebrated the birth of four critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs on 9th April 2026, the first Sumatran tigers ever born at the park. Born to first-time mother Tipah and father Nakal, the litter of four represents a significant conservation milestone for a species with fewer than 400 individuals remaining in the wild.
Two 15-year-old bull elephants, Impi and Mchumba, have left Howletts Wild Animal Park to move to Noah's Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol as part of a natural progression in their development. The move reflects wild elephant behaviour where young males leave their family herd as they reach adulthood to establish themselves independently or with other males.
FeaturedHowletts Wild Animal Park has welcomed Shaka, an adult bull African elephant, from Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol as part of a carefully planned exchange. Shaka arrived on 12 May and will play a key role in maintaining balance and stability within Kent's only elephant herd.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Springfest from 23–31 May 2026, featuring elephant activity trails, enrichment making, crafts, and conservation education. Children's tickets are available for £10 when booked online, a saving of £12.50 on standard prices.
FeaturedBaby western lowland gorilla Lekedi was born on 19 December 2025 at Howletts Wild Animal Park and is showing advanced development for his age, including early weaning onto solid foods. His birth represents the 155th gorilla born across Howletts and Port Lympne, reinforcing the parks' status as one of the UK's most successful breeders of this critically endangered species.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is inviting visitors to meet young western lowland gorilla Lekedi during Springfest 2026 in May half term, where guests can observe his development and progress firsthand. The event offers families a chance to watch gorilla behaviour within a close family group and support the care of endangered species.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is offering free admission for children during the February half-term holiday from 13–22 February 2026. Visitors can book in advance online to see the newly born gorilla and other attractions.
FeaturedHowletts Wild Animal Park has welcomed a western lowland gorilla infant born on 19 December 2025 to parents Sanki and Djanghou. This birth marks the 155th gorilla birth across Howletts and Port Lympne combined and is already on public display for half-term visitors.
Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent has opened Joshi's Jungle, a new gorilla-themed playground designed to inspire children through adventure play while teaching conservation. The immersive play area features climbing structures, swings, and interactive panels that tell the story of Joshi, a young silverback born at Howletts who was rewilded to Congo in 2021 as part of The Aspinall Foundation's conservation programme.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is running its Wild Summer event from 23rd July to 2nd September 2025, offering children entry for just £10. The celebration features weekly animal-themed activities, talks, feeds, and a brand-new adventure play park called Joshi's Jungle inspired by the park's rewilded gorillas.
Howletts Wild Animal Park has opened Joshi's Jungle, a brand-new adventure play park designed for children to climb, swing, and slide through an environment inspired by the park's rewilded gorillas. The facility is included as part of the Wild Summer celebration running through early September.
Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent has introduced new family bundle tickets available from July 2024, offering savings of up to 35% compared to individual ticket prices. The flexible bundles accommodate families of two to six people and include free parking and access to animal talks.
Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent is hosting a new 'Wild Summer' event running from 22 July to 1 September 2024, featuring six themed weeks dedicated to different species including monkeys, carnivores, rhinos, elephants, gorillas, and lemurs. The event includes animal face painting, expert talks, feeds, activity trails, and a new 'Animals of The Ice Age' experience.
Howletts Wild Animal Park has launched new bundle tickets for 2024, allowing visitors to purchase tickets for entire groups at discounted rates of up to 35% savings. A five-person family bundle is priced at £80 compared to £125 for individual tickets.
Howletts is hosting a Wild Summer event throughout the season featuring free animal-themed weeks with face painting, expert talks, animal feeds, activity trails, and new seasonal food offerings. The event runs all summer and is included with family bundle ticket purchases.
Visitors to Howletts can book exclusive close encounter experiences with favourite animals, including feeding elephants, going behind the scenes with gorillas, meeting black rhinos, and hand-feeding giant anteaters, starting from £15. These unforgettable experiences allow guests to get even closer to the wildlife.
The Aspinall Foundation, the conservation charity partner of Howletts, has been operating rescue and rehabilitation projects in Java since December 2010. The foundation works to rescue primates from the illegal pet trade and reintroduce captive-bred primates from UK zoos back into the wild.