Should I buy this experience?
Who it's for
Who doesn’t love animals? We’re a nation of animal lovers and we’ve got an eclectic collection of animal encounters that’ll let you get up close to your favourite species. So much better than just going to the zoo or wildlife park for the day, your knowledgeable hosts will really make your day special. You’ll learn fascinating facts and, in many cases, be very hands-on with the day-to-day care of the animals too. Feeding time at the zoo anyone?
Who it's not for
We quite agree that diving with sharks or swimming with crocodiles might not be for everyone. But we’ve got lots of different animals waiting to meet you, so there’s bound to be a creature you’d like to learn more about. Of course, if you’re allergic to animal hair, you might want to avoid our furry friends in favour of meeting the reptilians instead!
Animal experience FAQs
I can’t see any falconry experiences on this page?
No that’s right. Because falconry and birds of prey experiences are some of our most popular with lots of centres around the whole of the UK, we’ve got a separate section for
falconry experiences.
Do I get to cuddle a meerkat then?
Whilst you do get to go inside their enclosure to meet these fascinating little creatures we now know so well and love, most centres prefer that meerkats, as wild creatures, are not handled. In most cases you will be able to feed them though, which is all just too cute.
Will I be feeding the animals on these experiences?
Very often yes, you’ll be able to participate in animal feeding time. These moments are by far the most popular parts of the experiences from what you’ve told us, so if feeding is included in the programme, it’ll be mentioned in the product description on each individual page.
Can I really swim with sharks?
Yes! Of course, the breed of sharks you swim with are not man-eating, aggressive sharks, but they are sharks and they certainly look like sharks with fins and teeth and all! Again, safety is paramount and no experience would intentionally be putting you in danger. Shark experiences are designed to be thrilling, yet totally safe too.
Do I have to be able to swim to swim with sharks?
Not necessarily. You will need to be confident in water, but it’s more like a diving or snorkelling experience and often you’ll be lowered into a cage within the water. All the training is given on the day and no previous diving experience is necessary either.
Surely it’s dangerous to swim with crocodiles?
Of course it'd be very dangerous to swim in crocodile-infested waters. Our experiences are in a controlled environment, where the crocodilian species has been carefully selected and hand reared to be used to being around humans.
Will I get stung on a beekeeping experience?
Hopefully not. You’ll be wearing all the beekeeper protective gear and will have had a full safety briefing before approaching the hives. Some centres have constructed clever hives where the inner workings are visible from behind a screen so you’re highly unlikely to get stung. Might be one to avoid if you suffer from allergic reactions to stings though.
Do alpacas actually like trekking with us humans?
They love it! They all have their own character, so there’s bound to be one that’s stubborn and might refuse to budge for a bit, but they love hiking and trekking. It’s a great experience to try in the UK and offers a day out in the country with a difference.
Are there animal experiences suitable for families?
The vast majority of our animal-themed experiences are perfect for families to enjoy the outdoors together. Look out for special family packages that offer excellent value for money when adults and children do an animal experience together.
Do you have to be able to whistle to do a sheepdog experience?
Nope! You can still have your One Man and His Dog moment even if you can’t whistle very loudly, as you can use a whistle or even vocal commands to get your faithful friend to round up those cheeky sheep.
Are there really whales and dolphins in British waters?
Yes! The best places to see them are generally on the Atlantic coast, which is why our sea life experiences are based in places like Scotland and North Cornwall. You’re not guaranteed to spot them, but the skippers and crews know their local waters really well and are pretty skilled at finding them.
Are there any be a zookeeper experiences?
Yes. Have a browse of our all animal experiences and you’ll see there are several activities that give you an insight into what the life of an animal keeper is like.
What happens of I’ve chosen the wrong animal experience?
If you thought they loved Husky dogs when in fact all they’ve ever wanted to do is meet big cats, IntotheBlue offers a no-quibble voucher exchange programme, so you can swap your voucher for anything else on our website within its validity date.
Are there any animal experiences near me?
It depends what animals you fancy meeting, but we’ve got fun and fascinating animal experiences for you all over the country. Current locations include:
- Bristol
- West Sussex
- East Sussex
- Oxfordshire
- Kent
- Shropshire
- Cornwall
- Leicestershire
- Scotland - Fife
- West Yorkshire
- Blackpool
- Scotland - Moray Firth
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