Group Giraffe Feed

Get closer to our gentle giants and have the opportunity to hand feed our towering giraffes! Each experience caters for a smaller number of people per feed to give a more exclusive feel, whilst also supporting the Zoo!

For just £20.00, a group of up to 5 people can participate in this exclusive group feeding experience with our giraffes.

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Dinosaur Realm

Included in standard admission, visitors can embark on a journey as they come face to face with a herd of static and animatronic dinosaurs, including a Brachiosaurus that stands just under 5 metres tall.

Smoke and sounds are present along the route with a Palaeontology Hub that includes interactive zones to engage and educate on the creatures that once lived. 

Jungle Tumble

Release your wild side at our indoor soft play area, Jungle Tumble! Open daily from 10:30am, you must book a FREE pre-bookable slot for your child to enjoy this play area and have valid admission to Colchester Zoo to access this play area.

Please be aware that our indoor soft play, Jungle Tumble, will be closed on the following dates due to annual maintenance and a thorough deep clean: Monday 13th to 17th January 2025 and Monday 20th to 24th January 2025.

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Hand Feed Lorikeets

Enjoy a tropical journey from 10:30am through the exotic aviary at Australian Rainbows, with the chance to get up close with these colourful birds whilst feeding them a pot of nectar for a small charge.

Feeding times may vary as the lorikeets are given a quota of nectar each day therefore we cannot guarantee times of when they will be feeding.

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Crazy Sand

Create your own colourful sand bottles and pendants at Crazy Sand which is located next to Meerkat Hangout. All items are available whilst stocks last.

Open weekends and school holidays from 11:00am and closes 1 hour prior to zoo closing. This area may not be open on quieter days or in poorer weather so please check opening times on the day of your visit.

Discovery Den

Get hands on at our interactive sand table where you can build different animal habitats or watch as your creations come to life on the Draw Alive wall. PLUS get up close and hold a creepy crawly!

Open from 10:30am until an hour before zoo closing on weekend and school holiday dates, and from 12 noon until 3:00pm during term time. Located inside Elephant Kingdom.

Outdoor Play Areas

As you walk around the zoo you will come across plenty of different outdoor adventure play areas perfect for the kids to let off some steam, with benches, toilet facilities and snack shops also close by each area.

  • Kids’ Safari Play Area (near zoo entrance & exit)
  • Waterhole Play Area (next to Kingdom of the Wild)
  • Meerkat Hangout Play Area (next to Lion Rock)
  • Remi Brown Accessible Play Area (near Edge of Africa)
Terms & Conditions

Lost Madagascar Road Train

The Lost Madagascar Express will take visitors across countries and continents to spot many exciting species along the way, before disembarking at the Lost Madagascar Lemur Walkthrough, where the adventure will really begin…

Please speak to the train driver as you arrive at the station for help with accessibility.

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Face Painting Station

Transform into your favourite species at our Face Painting Station! Have your face painted as a growling leopard or maybe a cheeky chimpanzee for a small charge!

Open from 11:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Closes 1 hours before zoo closing at weekends. Located near Penguini’s Restaurant.

Hand Feed Goats & Sheep

Visit our African village of Colenso and have the chance to feed the friendly sheep and goats a treat for a small charge!

Please be aware all animals can bite so take care to feed the animals with a flat hand and be respectful of their personal space. The animals in this enclosure are FREE-ROAMING so please be vigilant when visiting with young children as the animals can push and nudge you.