Go wild this summer

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The Gorilla Kingdom at London Zoo

Encounter giraffes at Woburn

You don't have to fly to Africa to go on safari. There are plenty of places to get up close to wildlife in and around London.

Whipsnade Zoo

New exhibits at Whipsnade include a floor to ceiling glass cheetah enclosure and the rhinos of Nepal. Old favourites do not disappoint. Dunstable, Beds LUG 2LF. £15.40/£17 (inc donation) under 16s £11.90/£13.50, under threes free, family ticket £49.10/£55.50. 01582 872 171 or www.zsl.org/whipsnade

London Zoo

Be transported to a jungle paradise at the new Blackburn Pavilion, a restored Victorian birdhouse, which houses tropical birds and an indoor waterfall. The new £3.75m Gorilla Kingdom is a must along with the Clore Rainforest, Butterfly Kingdom and aquarium.
Outer Circle, Regent's Park, NW1. £15.40/£17 (inc donation) under 16s £11.90/£13.50, under threes free, family ticket £49.10/£55.50. 0207 722 3333 or www.zsl.org

Drusillas Park

Drusillas boasts animals, adventure play parks, toddler areas and Lemurland, a walk-through experience which allows visitors to get nose to nose with ring-tailed lemurs.
Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS. £13.45, under 13s £12.45, under twos free, family £49.80. 01323 874100 or www.drusillas.co.uk

Paradise Wildlife Park

An impressive range of animals including tigers, lions, monkeys, zebras, camels and wolves. Three themed adventure playgrounds, children's rides, indoor soft play areas and a woodland railway add to the fun. Bring your cossie for a dip in the Paradise Lagoon.
White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Herts, EN10 7QA. £13, under 15s £10, under twos free, family £44. 01992470 490 or www.pwpark.com

Howletts

The emphasis is on conservation and the keepers' relationships with the animals. Don't miss the glass fronted tiger enclosure and the latest baby additions to the UK's largest herd of elephants. These 90 acres of ancient parkland are also home to gorillas, monkeys, clouded leopards and you can walk alongside the free roaming lively Lemurs.
Bekesbourne, Kent, CT4 5EL. £14.45, under 16s £11.45, under fours free. 0870 750 4647 or www.howletts.net

Port Lympne Animal Park

Set in 600 acres Port Lympne is home to Siberian and Indian tigers, African elephants, small cats, monkeys, Barbary lions and the largest breeding herd of Black Rhinos outside Africa. For a small extra charge take the 90-minute African Experience safari to see wildlife roaming as if on the plains of Africa.
Port Lympne, Nr Hythe, Kent, CT21 4PD. £14.45, under 16s £11.45, under fours free. 0870 750 4647 or www.totallywild.net

Woburn

Drive round encountering bears, wolves, monkeys, rhino, giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions and tigers. Go for a ride on the Safari Lorry into the animal's territories, explore the 40-acre leisure area and don't miss bear feeding time, sea lion demonstrations, birds in action and keeper talks.
Woburn Park, Bedfordshire, MK17 9QN. £16 (£17.50 from 19 Jul), 3-15s £12 (£13.50). 01525 290 407 or woburnsafari.co.uk

Birdworld

Heron theatre, a safari ride, penguin feeding and 26 acres of aviaries, play areas and animal handling. Teddy bears picnic 6 Aug and Bug Day 20 Aug.
Holt Pound, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LD. £12.95, under 16s £10.95, under sevens £9.95, under threes free, family £42. 01420 22838 or www. birdworld.co.uk

Battersea Park Zoo

A treasure for under eights, with monkeys, Shetland ponies, meerkats and giant rabbits. There is also a cafe and play area. Take a picnic and also visit the park with its boating lake.
Queenstown Road, SW11 4NJ. £6.50, under 15s £4.95, under twos free, family £20.50. 020 7924 5826 or battersea parkzoo.co.uk

 

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