Opening times

Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 2.15pm (May to October)

Type of place
Habitat
Area
Africa
Status
Open
Facilities

Download a visual story to help support your experience: Meet the Giraffes experience visual story

Meet our common hippos

This is a once in a lifetime experience to meet and feed one of our common hippos. Hosted by an expert zookeeper, you'll get a unique insight into their daily life and the chance to ask questions about these incredible animals.

Your experience 

This 20 minute VIP experience begins with a health and safety briefing from our expert zookeeper. You will then get the opportunity to feed one of our common hippos, whilst learning more about these amazing animals and how they make their own sunscreen!

Tip: Meet the Hippos takes place behind the scenes and due to the small group size, spectators are not permitted to access this area.

Keeper with common hippo

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Know before you book

Important information before booking your Meet the Hippos experience:

  • Admission to the zoo is not included and must be purchased separately
  • Participants must be 12 years of age or older.
  • Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult  – each adult must also have a valid Meet the Hippos ticket. No more than 2 children per adult
  • Pregnant or nursing mothers who have given birth within the previous six months cannot participate
  • Participants with learning or visual impairment must be accompanied by a carer. Accompanying carers can enter the behind the scenes area free of charge but will not participate in the experience. 
  • Wheelchair access is not available for this experience.
  • Please see our full terms and conditions for more information

Availability

  • Meet the Hippos takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 2.15pm, from May to October
Man feeding hippo
keeper stroking hippo's nose

Our Common Hippos

Common hippo at Whipsnade Zoo
Hippopotamus amphibius

Hippo

Hippos make their own 'sunscreen', which they secrete through their skin to keep it moist and protect them from the sun's rays.

Get closer to wildlife

  • A woman and a boy feeding a giraffe as part of the Meet the Giraffes experience at Whipsnade Zoo
    Feed our giraffes

    Meet the Giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo

    Get up close to the world's tallest animals with this special Meet the Giraffes experience.

  • Amur tiger at Whipsnade Zoo
    Feed the world's biggest cat

    Meet the tigers

    A once in a lifetime experience to feed a beautiful Amur tiger. Hosted by an expert zookeeper, you'll get a unique insight into the life of an Amur tiger and the chance to ask questions about these incredible animals. 

  • Asian elephant Kaylee
    Feed our elephants

    Meet the elephants

    Hand feed our elephant family and get to know their individual personalities, and how they are helping inform elephant conservation work in the field.

  • Three Zoo Academy participants smiling as they use shovels in an animal habitat
    For the conservationists of tomorrow

    Whipsnade Zoo Academy (15-17 year-olds)

    Join us for an exciting five-day course designed for 15-17 year olds who wish to become zoo keepers or pursue other animal related careers and studies such as vets and vet nurses.

  • Camping at Whipsnade Zoo, man and woman sitting in tent for Nature nights
    Camping at the Zoo

    Nature Night Camping

    Pitch your tent and spend the evening discovering what both native and exotic animals get up to at night. Test your knowledge of animals before going on a torchlight expedition around the Zoo to see what you can find and who is still awake.

  • Experiences