Today's Announcements

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

New Website:
We are now pleased to announce that this new website will launch on Monday 7^th October at 12 noon! In order to complete this changeover, please be aware that our webstore will be offline from 11:30am until 3:00pm. You will be able to access our website during this time but you will not be able to make any online purchases until the maintenance work is completed from 3:00pm.

Restricted Viewing:
Please be aware that our sun bears are only viewable in their indoor habitat at the upper indoor viewing area of Bears of the Rising Sun.
From 30th September to 11th October, please be aware that elephants, Opal and Tanya, will not be viewable in their outdoor paddock. Our elephants can still be seen in their indoor house located inside Elephant Kingdom.

Please be aware of the following closures due to Halloween preparations:
- Elephant Bushwalk will be closed from 7th October 2024
- Woodland Hollow will be closed from 14th October 2024
- Restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) from 23rd to 30th September 2024

Go digital and download the Colchester Zoo App.
Find out more here

Important Information

What's Happening

5th Oct

Zookeeper Weekend

Zookeeper Weekend 5th October & 6th October...

18th Oct

Trail of Terror – 18th October

Trail of Terror 2024 18th, 19th, 23rd,...

19th Oct

Trail of Terror – 19th October

Trail of Terror 2024 18th, 19th, 23rd,...

23rd Oct

Trail of Terror – 23rd October

Trail of Terror 2024 18th, 19th, 23rd,...

25th Oct

Trail of Terror – 25th October

Trail of Terror 2024 18th, 19th, 23rd,...

26th Oct

Trail of Terror – 26th October

Trail of Terror 2024 18th, 19th, 23rd,...

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Offers and Discounts

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Offers and Discounts

Introducing Colchester Zoological Society

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Introducing Colchester Zoological Society

NEW Dinosaur Realm

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NEW Dinosaur Realm

Accessibility Information

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Accessibility Information

Zoo Pass

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Zoo Pass

Animal Experiences

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Animal Experiences

Beautiful, Unusual & Rare Species Of The Animal Kingdom

Colchester Zoo is home to over 155 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes!

As you navigate your way around Colchester Zoo you’ll visit many different habitats and see animals from around the world, from the humid habitat of our Komodo dragons to our very own Africa plain, home to White rhino, giraffes, ostrich, zebra and kudu!

The Latest Zoo News

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Un-feather-gettable Friends

Un-feather-gettable Friends

October 3, 2024

We’re not ‘over-striching’ the truth when we say you’ll...

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New Arrivals

The Pick of the Patch

The Pick of the Patch

September 27, 2024

Back in August, we spotted the first sprouts of...

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News

Colchester Zoo are delighted to be a part of celebrating the 250th anniversary of Colchester Medical Society!

Colchester Zoo are delighted to be a part of celebrating the 250th anniversary of Colchester Medical Society!

September 20, 2024

Colchester Medical Society is the oldest provincial medical society...

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News

Essex Mum Awards 2024

Essex Mum Awards 2024

September 19, 2024

In July 2024, we were delighted to have been...

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Awards

#colchesterzoo

Follow us on Instagram and make sure you add our hastag to your zoo pictures!

Support the Zoo and treat your favourite species t

Support the Zoo and treat your favourite species to an enrichment gift!⚽🥏

There are many forms of enrichment but the overall aim of Colchester Zoo’s enrichment programme is to provide a mentally and physically enriching environment specific to each species in our care.

All items purchase from our Amazon Enrichment Wish List are delivered directly to Colchester Zoo and put to good use as exciting additions for a number of different species.

Find out more at www.colchesterzoo.org

This Christmas, bring your class to Colchester Zoo

This Christmas, bring your class to Colchester Zoo for an enchanting educational experience!❄️

Your students will meet a merry elf and discover the fascinating adaptations of reindeer. After journeying through a magical forest, they’ll see our young reindeer up-close encounter. The session concludes with a special visit from Father Christmas, including a photo opportunity and a unique gift for each pupil. Perfect for EYFS, KS1, lower KS2, and SEND classes working at these levels. This adventure combines festive fun with valuable learning!

Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/9kJs50TAT5n

Learn just what it takes to care for some of the m

Learn just what it takes to care for some of the most endangered species around the world with our Zookeeper Weekend this Saturday and Sunday! You can try some of the tasks they carry out every day; from analysing poo to preparing enrichment and training 🦧🐯🐘

See our full activity timetable at www.colchesterzoo.org

The Pick of the Patch! Back in August, we spotted

It’s officially Halloween season! 👻 Enjoy a S

It’s officially Halloween season! 👻 Enjoy a SPOOK-TACULAR visit to the Zoo during Shriek Week from 26th October to 3rd November 2024 or face your fears along the Trail of Terror on selected evenings this month!

Tickets from only £12.50 this November! We’re o

Tickets from only £12.50 this November! We’re offering you the chance to visit us this November at a highly reduced rate so there’s no need for those Winter Woes! From 4th to 30th November 2024 you can enjoy cosy walks around the Zoo for less! Find out more and pre-book online today at www.colchesterzoo.org

*Ts and Cs apply. Offer excludes Magic of Christmas Days. Offer available online only.

OFFER ENDS TONIGHT! SAVE more than 25% OFF a Keepe

OFFER ENDS TONIGHT! SAVE more than 25% OFF a Keeper for the Day Animal Experience and get closer to your favourite species! Step into the boots of the Animal Care Team for just £150 when purchased before 30th September 2024 and booked to take place before 31st December 2024!
*Ts and Cs apply. Offer ends 23:59 on 30th September 2024.

Bailey is enjoying a purr-fect Sunday snooze… 💤 #SleepySunday

Pass offer alert! Enjoy 12 months for the price of

Pass offer alert! Enjoy 12 months for the price of 10 with any Zoo Pass purchase until 20th October 2024! Enjoy entry to a number of seasonal events for less, including our ever-popular Shriek Week and Magic of Christmas. Find out more > https://ow.ly/oKjB50Tx9kv
*Ts and Cs apply. Offer ends 20th October 2024.

Have you seen our green tree skinks? 🦎Did you k

Have you seen our green tree skinks? 🦎Did you know that green tree skinks can shed its tail when threatened. The detached tail will continue to move as a means to distract the predator and allow the skink to escape. You can see these amazing creatures at the home in Kingdom of the Wild.

We are open until 9:00pm today for our final Starl

We are open until 9:00pm today for our final Starlight Safari Night! 🌟🌙 Dance into the evening with live musical performances and learn more about your favourite species with special animal encounters including a torchlight feed with our sea lions. View the full timetable at https://ow.ly/ns2950Tw2Sx

Extra-ordinary Experience - LAST MINUTE AVAILABILI

Extra-ordinary Experience - LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY!
Explore the very heart of Colchester Zoo and see a whole variety of amazing animals whilst being guided by an experience Zoo Host.

⭐Afternoon: Sunday 29th September
⭐Morning, afternoon or full-day: Monday 30th September
⭐Morning, afternoon or full-day: Thursday 3rd October
⭐Afternoon: Friday 4th October

Call our team today!

Join us tomorrow for our last Starlight Safari Nig

Join us tomorrow for our last Starlight Safari Night of the year!

⭐Enjoy live musical performances from One Drum
⭐Listen to Tales under the Stars
⭐Learn more about native bats at the Nature Area
⭐Watch our magical dancing fountains
⭐Toast marshmallows at our fire pit
⭐Dance with the Zoo Crew during our Zootastic Party
⭐Discover more at the Exploratorium
⭐Transform into your favourite species at our Face Painting Station
⭐Take a step back in time at Dinosaur Realm

Cheetah update at UmPhafa Nature Reserve! In conju

Cheetah update at UmPhafa Nature Reserve! In conjunction with the Cheetah Advisory Committee (CAG) and Ashia, we are finally moving forward with permits to introduce a female and a male cheetah to UmPhafa Nature Reserve. As we have an existing bonding boma which was previously used for the Wild Dogs, we are now turning our hand to cheetah.

Guinea pigs are one of the UK’s most owned pets,

Guinea pigs are one of the UK’s most owned pets, but few people know how to take care of these adorable creatures. As part of @guineapigawarenessweek (23rd – 27th September 2024), the Guinea Pig Alliance is helping to share some light on the five welfare needs of guinea pigs as well as the importance of rehoming and adopting these furry friends!

Don’t forget you can see our herd of guinea pigs at the Guinea Pig Village located at Familiar Friends!

Rare predators sighted on UmPhafa! Over the past f

Rare predators sighted on UmPhafa! Over the past few weeks, the team at our UmPhafa Nature Reserve have managed to get a glimpse of some of the rarest species living on the reserve with the elusive aardwolf being spotted for only the second time to date. Other rare sightings also included the African wildcat, caracal, and serval.

Step into the boots of the Animal Care Team for ju

Step into the boots of the Animal Care Team for just £150 when purchased before 30th September 2024 and booked to take place before 31st December 2024! Find out more and book online today > https://ow.ly/G4Y850TqFzL

Learn just what it takes to care for some of the m

Learn just what it takes to care for some of the most endangered species around the world with our Zookeeper Weekend on 5th and 6th October 2024. Take part in some daily talks from analysing poo to preparing enrichment and training. Find out more > https://www.colchester-zoo.com/event/zookeeper-weekend/

Missed our Starlight Safari Night last weekend? Do

Missed our Starlight Safari Night last weekend? Don’t worry, we are open until 9:00pm again on Saturday 28th September 2024! Enjoy a number of activities throughout the evening and learn more about your favourite species with additional special encounters.

⭐ Enjoy live musical performances from One Drum
⭐ Listen to Tales under the Stars
⭐ Learn more about native bats at the Nature Area
⭐ Watch our magical dancing fountains
⭐ Toast marshmallows at our fire pit
⭐ Dance with the Zoo Crew during our Zootastic Party
⭐ Discover more at the Exploratorium
⭐ Transform into your favourite species at our Face Painting Station
⭐ Take a step back in time at Dinosaur Realm

See our full activity timetable > https://ow.ly/5mzq50TqFgx

Autumn savings coming soon! 🍂👀 Enjoy 12 mont

Autumn savings coming soon! 🍂👀 Enjoy 12 months for the price of 10 with any Zoo Pass purchase from 28th September to 20th October 2024! Enjoy entry to a number of seasonal events for less, including our ever-popular Shriek Week and Magic of Christmas. Find out more https://ow.ly/smqz50TsYOk

*Ts and Cs apply. Offer valid from 28th September – 20th October 2024.

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