When you experience a Black and White Ruffed Close Encounter at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, you get the chance to meet two of the Zoo’s loudest and fluffiest residents up-close. Share their space and learn how the Zookeepers who know them best care for them and what makes Black and white Ruffed Lemurs incredible while you get closer than ever before. 

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting an amazing animal close-up. You’re joined by a Zoo Keeper who works with the animals you are meeting. They will introduce you to your encounter animals and answer any of your questions about them, and about Lemurs in the wild and why they’re critically endangered. They’ll also happily take a photo of you with a Lemur sitting right next to you, so don’t forget your camera! 

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Wellington Zoo in our work to save Black and White Ruffed Lemurs in the wild.  10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save animals in the wild through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund.

Wellington Zoo is home to two species of Lemur. This Close Encounter lets you get up close to our two male Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, Kamory and Ankari. 

Black & White Ruffed Lemur Close Encounter details

Age: 6 years old and up. Anyone aged 6 - 13 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience. 

Time: 2:45pm every day. Participants must arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled Encounter time.

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per Encounter. Enclosed shoes must be worn.

Duration: 30 minutes

Bookings: Please book in advance. If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking. If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, click here to check the availability of our other experiences.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

Our Meerkats are no shy wall flowers and they’ll be happy to welcome you to their home while they get fed some special treats. 

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting an amazing animal close-up. You’re joined by an animal expert who works with the animals you are meeting. They will introduce you to your encounter animals and answer any of your questions about them, and about Meerkats in the wild. They’ll also happily take a photo of you with the Meerkats, so don’t forget your camera! 

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Wellington Zoo in our work to save animals in the wild.  10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save animals in the wild through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund. 

You’ll never forget your Meerkat Close Encounter. 

Meerkat Close Encounter details

Age: 6 years old and up. Anyone aged 6 - 13 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.

Time: 1.00pm and 4.00pm every day. Participants must arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled encounter time.

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per encounter. 

Requirements: Long pants and enclosed shoes must be worn for the experience. Crocs or similar shoes are not counted as enclosed shoes for these purposes.

Duration: 30 minutes

Bookings: Please book in advance. If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking. If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, click here to check the availability of our other experiences.

Accessibility: Please talk to us
about wheelchair accessibility before confirming your booking.

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

What’s your favourite fruit? Our Red Pandas aren’t shy to let you know what they want and they will clamber all over you to make sure they get it. 

Sitting down with a bowl of fruit and vegetables and waiting for our Red Pandas to come down from the trees and meet you is the start of what will be a very up close and personal Close Encounter. While they put their paws on your knees to grab another tasty treat, you’ll be able to admire their amazingly thick, red fur.

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting an amazing animal close-up. You’re joined by an animal expert who works with the animals you are meeting. They will introduce you to your encounter animals and answer any of your questions about them, and about Red Pandas in the wild. They’ll also happily take a photo of you with a Red Panda in your lap, so don’t forget your camera! 

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Wellington Zoo in our work to save Red Pandas in the wild.  10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save animals in the wild through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo
Partners in Conservation Fund.

You’ll never forget your Red Panda Close Encounter!

Red Panda Close Encounter details

Age: 6 years old and up. Anyone aged 6 - 13 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.

Time: 11.30am every day. Participants must arrive at

least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled encounter time.

Cost: $159 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per encounter. Enclosed shoes must be worn.

Requirements: Long pants and enclosed shoes must be worn for the experience. Crocs or similar shoes are not counted as enclosed shoes for these purposes.

Duration: 30 minutes

Bookings: The Red Panda Close Encounter is very popular, so you will need to book your experience well in advance. If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking. If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, click here to check the availability of our other experiences.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

BOOKINGS OPENING SOON.

The Capybara is the world’s largest rodent and they share similar features with rats, mice and guinea pigs, such as their ever-growing front teeth. One of their notable features is their partially webbed feet making the Capybara excellent swimmers!

Capybaras are herbivores, eating mostly grass, water plants and vegetables, as well as fruit and tree bark. They are also a herd species, which means they are a very social animal.

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting an amazing animal close-up. You’re joined by a Zoo Keeper who works with the animals you are meeting. They will introduce you to your encounter animals and answer any of your questions about them, and about Capybaras in the wild and why they’re important. They’ll also happily take a photo of you inside the Capybara Habitat, so don’t forget your camera!

10% from every Capybara Close Encounter goes directly to the Wellington Zoo Conservation Fund – so when you book, you’re personally helping us to save animals in the wild through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo
Partners in Conservation Fund.

Capybara Close Encounter details

Age: 6 years old and up. Anyone aged 6 - 13 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.

Time: 1.00pm every day. Participants must arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled encounter time.

Cost: $129 per person including Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per encounter. Enclosed shoes must be worn. 

Duration: 30 minutes

Bookings: Please book in advance. If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking. If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, click here to check the availability of our other experiences.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

You think that a Giraffe has a long neck? Wait until you see its tongue extending out of its mouth all the way to get a tasty treat! Getting up close to one of our Giraffes at Wellington Zoo at a Close Encounter means getting a real feel for just how huge these majestic animals are and what it takes to care for them. 

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting an amazing animal close-up. You’re joined by a Zoo Keeper who works with the animals you are meeting. They will take you behind the scenes, showing you around the different areas of our Giraffe house so you can see how we care for our Giraffes and other animals in the Savannah habitat. You will be able to ask any questions you have about our Giraffes and their counterparts in the wild. They’ll also happily take a photo of you looking tiny right next to a Giraffe, so don’t forget your camera! 

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Wellington Zoo in our work to save Giraffes in the wild. 10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save animals in the wild through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo
Partners in Conservation Fund.

You’ll never forget your Giraffe Close Encounter, and the feeling of being dwarfed by a towering Giraffe right next to you. 

Giraffe Close Encounter details

Age: 6 years old and up. Anyone aged 6 - 13 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.

Time: 2:45pm Friday to Monday. Participants must arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled encounter time.

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per encounter. Enclosed shoes must be worn.

Duration: 30 minutes

Bookings: Please book in advance. If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking. If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, click here to check the availability of our other experiences.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

Sun Bear Close Encounter

Do you know how intelligent a Sun Bear is? Meet clever Sasa the Sun Bear and the team who care for her in this unique Close Encounter!

You will be taken into our Sun Bear den to get an up close look at how we take care of Sasa. Learn how Sasa works with our Zoo Keepers during her daily health checks and see for yourself just how loooong a Sun Bear’s tongue is! Get an up close view of her distinctive sun markings and see how she uses her sharp claws to explore an enrichment item. You will even be able to feed Sasa some of her diet!

For everyone’s safety our Zoo Keepers have protected contact with Sasa, which means that they don’t work with her in a hands-on manner.

You’ll learn how your experience helps Wellington Zoo to save Sun Bears and the wild places they come from. 10% of proceeds from all Animal Experiences help us save wildlife and wild places through the Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund. One of the projects supported is Free the Bears, who work to save Sun Bears in South East Asia.

You’ll never forget your Sun Bear Close Encounter experience, and the privilege of getting close to such a rare and beautiful animal. 

Sun Bear Close Encounter Details:

Age: 14 years old and up. Anyone aged 14 – 17 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.

Time: 11:45am Thursday to Monday

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 2 people per experience.

Duration: 30 minutes

Please note that participants will not have physical contact with Sasa.

If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Voucher which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page. This Close Encounter is not wheelchair accessible.

Invisibility! Regeneration! Super strength and size! Invertebrates are the superheroes of the animal world.  You can learn all about their amazing powers at our Minibeasts Close Encounter Experience at Wellington Zoo.

Go behind the scenes at our invertebrate house, Hero HQ and an expert Zoo Keeper will introduce you to some of nature's most marvellous, and misunderstood
animals.  As you are guided around the space you'll be able to see amazing creatures up close including Scorpions, Goliath Stick Insects and Millipedes. Have you ever wondered how we do a health check on a Tarantula?

Hear all about their super powers and why they're so important to their ecosystem.  You'll never look at these important little guys the same way again!

You'll also learn how your  Close Encounter Experience helps Wellington Zoo in our conservation work.  10% of proceeds from all animal experiences help us save wildlife and wild places through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo
Partners in Conservation Fund.

"I couldn’t rate this highly enough. The zoo keeper knows his stuff and is super passionate about what he does which only elevated the experience for me. Really informative and definitely worth while." - James 

"It was an amazing experience and one I would highly recommend to any lover of creatures that have more than 4 legs. [Dave's] knowledge and passion for the animals in your care made the experience extremely enjoyable, fascinating, and educational." - Cat

Minibeasts Close Encounter Experience Details:

Age: 6 years old and up.
Anyone aged 6 - 13 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating
adult on the experience.

Time: 2:45pm Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Participants must arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled encounter time.

Cost: $129.00 per person, including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per experience.  Enclosed footwear must be worn.

Duration: 30 minutes.

Please note our Hero HQ facility is designed to provide the best environment for the animals, which means it is quite hot and humid. Please make sure you will be able to enjoy the experience in these conditions - contact us if you have any concerns.  There will be space to leave bags and coats before entering the facility.

Please note that participants will not have physical contact with any live animals on this experience.

Bookings: Please book in advance.  If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

Tiger Close Encounter

Want to get up close and personal with one of the most powerful predators on the planet? Join one of our Sumatran Tigers, Bashii or Senja, for an unforgettable
Close Encounter!

Your Encounter will be with one Tiger - through a gate, well away from other visitors. You’ll see how our keepers care for these amazing big cats… get an up-close view of their striking fur, deadly paws, and mesmerising eyes - and make a friend by feeding them some of their daily diet!                                   
         

All tiger contact is ‘hands off’ - even for our Zookeepers - so there’s no pats or cuddles. But you will get closer than most people ever have (and live to tell the tale!).                 

You’ll also learn how your experience helps Wellington Zoo support Tigers in the wild. With as little as 500 wild Sumatran Tigers remaining, 10% of proceeds from all Animal Experiences go to worldwide conservation projects such as WildCats Conservation Alliance - supporting wild Tiger and Amur Leopard populations around the world.
                                                                

So, book your Tiger Close Encounter - and truly, experience incredible.

Tiger Close Encounter Details:

Age: 14 years old and up. Anyone aged 14 – 17 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.

Time: 2.45pm Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per experience.

Duration: 30 minutes.

Please note that participants will not have physical contact with Bashii or Senja.

If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Voucher which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking.

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible. 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are
available on the booking page. 

There’s no better way to really experience the power and strength of a Lion than by being close enough to smell their breath and see the real size of their teeth and claws (behind a mesh screen)! You may even get the chance to feed them. You’re never likely to get this close to a Lion again – so don’t forget your camera! 

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting an amazing animal close-up. You’re joined by a Zoo Keeper who works with the animals you are meeting. They’ll show you how we work with our Lions to make sure they’re well cared for and happy, and they’ll answer all of your questions about Lions.

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Wellington Zoo in our work to save wildlife and wild places.  10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save animals in the wild through projects supported by the Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund.

You’ll never forget your Lion Close Encounter, and the privilege of getting close to these beautiful cats.  

Lion Close Encounter details

Age: 14 years old and up. Anyone aged 14 - 17 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience.  

Time:  Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:45pm.

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per encounter. Enclosed shoes must be worn.

Duration: 30 minutes

Accessibility: Please talk to us about wheelchair accessibility before confirming your booking.

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page.

Bookings: Please book in advance. If you want to give someone else this
amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Card which the lucky recipient can
redeem when they make their booking. If your first choice Close Encounter isn't
available, Click Here to check availability of our other experiences. 

Fancy an opportunity to witness the beauty of one of nature's most elusive and majestic creatures? Join Snow Leopards Asha and Manju for an experience you won’t forget!  

This Close Encounter allows you exclusive, close-up access to the Snow Leopard sisters. You will actively participate in their care and learn how our Animal care team look after these amazing big cats. 

Your Close Encounter could focus on nutrition, health checks, or the training and behaviour of the Snow Leopards.   The Close Encounter will take place behind the scenes, away from other visitors. You will be inside the den of Asha and Manju’s new purpose-built habitat, while respecting their space safely through a secure wire mesh fence. 

All Snow Leopard contact is ‘hands-off’ even for our Zookeepers - so there are no pats or cuddles. You will still get closer than most people ever have. 

You’ll also learn how your experience helps Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo support Snow Leopards in the wild. 10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters go to worldwide conservation projects like Mountain Spirit, working in Nepal with local communities to help protect Snow Leopards.  

Book your spot today and prepare to experience incredible with the Snow Leopard sisters!  

Snow Leopard Close Encounter Details: 

Age: 14 years old and up. Anyone aged 14 – 17 will need to be accompanied by a paying and participating adult on the experience. 

Time:  11:45am, Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun 

Cost: $199 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per experience. 

Duration: 30 minutes. 

Please note that participants will not have physical contact with Asha or Manju. 

If you want to give someone else this amazing experience, you can buy a Gift Voucher which the lucky recipient can redeem when they make their booking. 

Accessibility: This encounter is not Wheelchair accessible.  

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions for this experience are available on the booking page. 

Ring-Tailed Lemur Close Encounter

Being up close with the bounding boisterous male Ring-Tailed Lemurs at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo is an experience you’ll never forget. Go behind the scenes and help prepare their enrichment to experience how our Zookeepers care for the Lemurs and ensure that every day the animals have different and exciting experiences.

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting amazing animals close-up. You’re joined by a Zookeeper who works with the animals you are meeting. They will introduce you to the animals you encounter and answer any of your questions about them, and you’ll find out why Ring-Tailed Lemurs are endangered and what makes them so special – and what you can do to protect them. You can take photos during your Close Encounter so don’t forget your camera!

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo protect Ring-Tailed Lemurs in Madagascar. 10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save wildlife and wild places through projects supported by the Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund.

Experience incredible with a Ring-tailed Lemur Close Encounter.   

Wellington Zoo is home to two species of Lemur. This Close Encounter lets you get up close to our male Ring-Tailed Lemurs.

Ring-Tailed Lemur Close Encounter details

Age: 7 years old and up. 7–13 year-olds will need to be accompanied on the Close Encounter by a paid participating adult.

Time:  11.45am every day. Please arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled Close Encounter time.

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 4 people per Encounter.

Duration: 30 minutes. You are welcome to explore the Zoo before or after your Close Encounter

Bookings: You’ll need to book in advance. If you’re giving someone a Close Encounter, you can buy a  Gift Card and your lucky recipient can redeem this when they book their experience.

If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, please  click here to check other experience availability.

Accessibility: Please note this experience is not suitable for those with mobility issues, if you have other accessibility needs, please contact us to ensure we can welcome you on this Close Encounter.

Terms and Conditions: Please ensure you wear fully closed toe shoes (no Crocs please). Please read the full terms and conditions for this experience on the booking page.

Otter Close Encounter

Being up close with our energetic and charismatic Otter brothers at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo is an experience you’ll never forget. Go behind the scenes and help prepare their enrichment and experience how our Zookeepers care for the Otters and ensure that every day the animals have different and exciting experiences.

A Close Encounter at Wellington Zoo is more than just meeting amazing animals close-up. You’re joined by a Zookeeper who works with the animals you are meeting. They will introduce you to the Otters and answer any of your questions about them, and you’ll find out why Otters are endangered and what makes them so special – and what you can do to protect them.

You’ll learn how your Close Encounter helps Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo support conservation projects like Traffic, which works to stop the illegal trade in animals. 10% of proceeds from all Close Encounters help us save wildlife and wild places through projects supported by the Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund.

Experience incredible with an Otter Close Encounter.  

Otter Close Encounter details

Age:  6 years old and up. 6–13 year-olds will need to be accompanied on the Close Encounter by a paid participating adult.

Time:  2.45pm every day. Please arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled Close Encounter time.

Cost: $129 per person including free Zoo entry.

If you’re a Zoo Crew member, you get a 15% discount on this, and all other Close Encounters. 

Participants: Maximum of 2 people per Close Encounter.

Duration: 30 minutes

Bookings: You’ll need to book in advance. If you’re giving someone a Close Encounter, you can buy a  Gift Card and your lucky recipient can redeem this when they book their experience.

If your first choice Close Encounter isn't available, please  click here to check other experience availability.

Accessibility: Please note this experience is not suitable for those with mobility issues, if you have other accessibility needs, please contact us to ensure we can welcome you on this Close Encounter.

Terms and Conditions: Please ensure you wear fully closed toe shoes (no Crocs please). Please read the full terms and conditions for this experience on the booking page.