5 fantastic wildlife parks in Kent you have to visit

The county of Kent in south east England is packed with fun, family-friendly attractions and ideas for days out. Alongside world-class historical sites, charming coastal towns, miles of lush pastures and acres of outdoor gardens, Kent is also home to a variety of wildlife parks that will please visitors of all ages.

From the exotic and unfamiliar to your British childhood favourites, you'll find a range of animals to see in our guide to the biggest and best wildlife parks in Kent.

Howletts Wild Animal Park

Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne near Canterbury is one of the most popular attractions in Kent. Known for being a world leader in breeding rare and endangered species from around the world, the park's attractions include big cats, elephants, primates and herds of hoofstock.

One of its many achievements is to play a significant part in the management and breeding of one of the world’s most loved creatures - Gorillas - with more than 130 births to date.

As well as visiting the animals, the 90-acres of beautiful parkland host special events throughout the year, treetop adventures, guided tours and zoo keeper experiences.

Savvy families can save 20% on tickets when they book online.

Wildwood Trust

Wildwood Trust in Herne Bay is one of the UK’s best British wildlife parks and is dedicated to preserving the nation’s native species across 40 acres of ancient English woodland.

Expect to see plenty of much-loved familiar wildlife, including owls, deer and red squirrels, alongside some larger, rarer species such as wild boar, lynx and wild horses.

Wildwood’s packed events list for families includes talks and feeds, zoo keeper days, photography days and festive events during the Christmas period. If you want to relive your Wildwood experience again, you can become a charity member for just £3.50 to gain free admission throughout the year.

Port Lympne Reserve

The Port Lympne Reserve in Lympne near Hythe is linked to Howletts through the Aspinall Foundation and offers the same 20% online ticket discount.

Like Howletts, Port Lympne is one of the largest wildlife parks in the country and is committed to the conservation and care of endangered species from around the world. There are plenty of animals roaming around the park’s large open spaces, from stunning tigers and majestic elephants to agile wildcats and captivating wolves.

Younger nature enthusiasts can get their hands dirty by enrolling on the Junior Ranger for a Day experience while families can travel around the enclosures in style on one of Port Lympne’s VIP safaris with optional dining experiences.

Wingham Wildlife Park

Wingham Wildlife Park has rapidly become a family-favourite in Kent due to its stunning variety of animals and its long list of events and well planned experiences throughout the year.

Since it first opened its doors in 1986 as a bird park, the large site has grown to become a world-contender in family entertainment, which was proved in 2012 when it was named Kent’s most popular tourist attraction during the Kent Big Weekend.

Wingham now houses more species than any other zoo in Kent, including big cats, penguins, primates and reptiles. Its long list of experiences for guests includes penguin feeds, close encounters with tigers and hanging out with inquisitive meerkats.

Tickets are affordably priced at £13 and £11 for adults and children.

Eagle Heights

Situated in the beautiful Darent Valley, Eagle Heights is another must-see Kent attraction for nature lovers of all ages.

With more than 100 birds of prey to see, Eagle Heights is the UK’s largest bird of prey centre. Alongside its splendid bird of prey collection, the wildlife park also boasts reptiles, mammals and other brilliant creatures.

As well as its array of animals, Eagle Heights also has a play area, a tearoom and a gift shop to make your trip both memorable and comfortable. Experiences at this top attraction in Kent include hand feeding a cheetah, husky meet and greets and a five day falconry course. With admission prices as low as £9.00 for adults and £5.50 for children, it really would be a shame to miss out whilst you are in the area.

Go Wild in Kent

If you want to experience a taste of the wilder side of Kentish life, the region’s most popular campsites can be found near its largest tourist hotspots, including Margate, Canterbury and Herne Bay.