The wonder of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

I have fond memories of Whipsnade Zoo having visited as a child when we lived in nearby Hertfordshire. Funnily enough the chalk lion that was carved into the hillside below the zoo in 1933 was always something we looked out for when we passed.

Fast forward many years living in London, a move to Surrey and becoming parents, a return trip feels like its been a long time coming. POD loves animals and we’re lucky we have a farm local to us we visit regularly. I’ve been itching to revisit Whipsnade for some time and a zoo was certainly on three-year-old POD’s wishlist – along with a unicorn!

What stuck me when we arrived was the expanse of space, not just for the animals but children too. We love being up close and personal to nature so it was wonderful to see Mara wandering freely. POD was enthralled by this large relation to the guinea pig that comes from South America.

As we walked towards the Base Camp hub, which connects the Asia, Africa and Europe zones, POD and Daddy got to explore the nearby hills. This provided them with the perfect opportunity to see what was going on around them – and of course run about!

Base Camp

At Base Camp we paid the Hullubazoo Children’s Farm a visit while Daddy grabbed the coffee. Miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, pigs, sheep and ferrets are just some of the animals there with red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs, chimpanzees and otters nearby.

The Jumbo Express is a steam engine journey that will take you through territories to see animals such as elephants, rhinos, yaks and camels.

There’s also a Discovery Centre that has insects, lizards and frogs, a live Birds of the World demonstration with eagles, hawkes and macaws and sealions in the Splash Zone. We absolutely loved the sealion show especially when they gave us a show of their ears!

Afterwards we had a quick refuel before heading to the Asia zone. POD took it upon herself to practice rolling down a hill

gathering some speed at times!

Asia 

Passage through Asia is a large paddock with no barriers between you and the animals. Although Whipsnade Zoo is not a safari park, this area does have a safari feel as it’s accessible by car and also on the Jumbo Express route. There are camels, yak and deer to be seen with shelters if it rains which it did!

One of the animals I was really keen to photograph was a tiger. Although I captured one while it was sleeping without the bars in view, it proved impossible with this wonderful creature as I wasn’t close enough. Probably a good thing looking at those sharp teeth!

It’s always a treat watching flamingoes and we were lucky to see some babies too. This flamingo spent a little while just cleaning its beak, creating lovely ripples in the water.

POD’s excitement levels were at fever pitch as she’d not seen many of these animals in the flesh before. Although it was pouring with rain when we reached the Asian Rhino, it meant we did get to see him enjoying a fabulous bath.

It was great to see the elephants and we were lucky enough to spot a baby one too – presumably baby Max! Also in the Asia zone were sloth bears, przewalski’s horse (previously extinct in the wild), onager and blackbucks.

Africa 

In the African zone, we got to get up really close to the most beautiful giraffes. This one just stopped to say hello and show me these incredible eyelashes. Giraffes are such graceful creatures, it must be amazing to feed them by hand.

We also got to enjoy seeing two cheetahs having a moment together, thankfully this time I was almost able to bypass the bars.

The zebras were spectacular and appeared to trot over when we stood by the perimeter fence – mother and child both mirroring each other.

Having had changeable weather the day we visited, we missed the white rhino and hippo. We certainly weren’t going to miss the lions. When were arrived there was a male right up against the glass with the lionesses sitting behind him. It was impossible to get close so I moved and waited until he walked away from the group.

Somehow I had a feeling if I kept my camera in position he’d turn and look back. It was a superb moment when he did, seemingly just at me too.

Not to be outdone, this is POD doing probably the best roar ever. Ever passers-by stopped to watch her impressive display!

Meerkats are always quite entertaining and the ones at Whipsnade were no different. You had this chap looking out and another one poking his head through a crevice like he was invisible. POD thought they were just brilliant.

Europe 

In the Europe zone there are wolverine, brown bears, penguins and wolves. The latter were in the midst of eating so it was an interesting experience seeing each protect the food it had been given.

There are also Lookout Lodges at Whipsnade Zoo where you can stay overnight, what an amazing experience that would be! I bet it just comes alive at night time.

We headed over to one of the lookout points to have a look at the views. Having enjoyed a spell of jumping in muddy puddles, POD got to enjoy a run around the hillside. That and seeing elephants walk down the road was the perfect end to the most fantastic day. We absolutely loved Whipsnade Zoo, it really is an awesome experience.

There is lots on at Whipsnade, whether it be watching what lemurs have for breakfast, feeding bears brunch or seeing hungry penguins. There are also special talks on Gaur and why they enjoy their afternoon snack, how Scimitar-horned Oryx can go so long without having a drink and how Whipsnade brough Przewalkski’s Horse back from extinction.

Linking up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast.