Howletts and Wingham

[devilfish]

I'm thinking of visiting both these collections tomorrow, for my first time. To travel between them I'll probably walk to/from Littlebourne and get the bus. Does anyone have any tips for a first-timer, or any preference on which order to see them in? How long does a decent visit to each collection take?

Thanks.

 

[sooty mangabey]

Although I understand that Wingham has improved massively in recent years, my advice would nonetheless be to focus on Howletts, especially if it's a first visit. Yes, there are lots of faults, and yes, the place is not what it once was, but you'd be hard pressed to do it justice in less than a whole day - especially now that the evenings are drawing in, a little. It's a zoo which may well require your returning to exhibits in order to see everything. And even then, you won't see everything....

Given how many exotic zoos you've been to, in far-flung corners of the globe, I'm surprised that as a resident of London you've not 'done' Howletts before. It is a zoo which any serious zoo nerd has to see!

 

[pipaluk]

Although I understand that Wingham has improved massively in recent years, my advice would nonetheless be to focus on Howletts, especially if it's a first visit. Yes, there are lots of faults, and yes, the place is not what it once was, but you'd be hard pressed to do it justice in less than a whole day - especially now that the evenings are drawing in, a little. It's a zoo which may well require your returning to exhibits in order to see everything. And even then, you won't see everything....

Given how many exotic zoos you've been to, in far-flung corners of the globe, I'm surprised that as a resident of London you've not 'done' Howletts before. It is a zoo which any serious zoo nerd has to see!

I'd agree Howletts is pretty much a full day, i rushed it 2 summers ago to get to the RSCC for an hour or so, but as it wasn't my first visit to Howletts, it didn't matter i hadn't done it justice.
If you want to see the clouded leopards active & really want to do both, i'd go to Wingham first at opening time and leave yourself at least 4 hours at. Howletts, finishing off by their enclosures, i always only see them late on when they're fed.

 

[devilfish]

Thanks guys!

Given how many exotic zoos you've been to, in far-flung corners of the globe, I'm surprised that as a resident of London you've not 'done' Howletts before. It is a zoo which any serious zoo nerd has to see!

I know, and unfortunately there are quite a few other major UK zoos I've yet to see. I'm trying to remedy that though.
The trouble is that I rarely get a completely free day off which I'm aware of in advance (hence the thread created at twelve hours' notice) - combined with transport & entry costs, and variable weather, this is the best shot I've had of doing a Kent zoo for a while. Ideally I wouldn't be going during half-term but I'm very keen to catch Howletts before opening hours change this weekend.

 

[sooty mangabey]

Ideally I wouldn't be going during half-term.

You're okay on this front! Most maintained schools - including those in Kent - are not on holiday until next week; most independent schools are on holiday this week as well, but I don't think Howletts will be flooded with unruly youths from King's Canterbury and Sevenoaks....

 

[Pertinax]

but I don't think Howletts will be flooded with unruly youths from King's Canterbury and Sevenoaks....

I don't think I've ever seen an unruly youth at either of the Parks. They are pretty much off the beaten track for those types I think!

Probably too late now but advice to Devilfish would depend on what species are priorities at Howletts. If its small cats and Clouded Leopard then yes, be there in the late afternoon so go to Wingham first. The Gorilla groups on the other hand tend to be more active early in the day but they have 'feeds' at intervals during the whole day so there are times when they are more active later on too.

Don't get too excited about seeing the Iberian Wolves behind the Mansion
though- they are virtually impossible to see.

Four hours is a fair time to spend at Howletts, though you could easily spend the whole day there.

 

[devilfish]

Again, thanks very much guys. Just got back.

Pertinax, I checked my email this morning, so you weren't too late. Ta.

I started with just under two hours at Wingham, which was nice. Not amazing, but not bad. Nice. The real appeal are the ex-RSCC animals and rare reptiles, but I think zootierliste needs some updating.

Then Howletts. I got there before 12.30, so I had about five and a half hours to spend. I like it. I was looking forward to seeing some animals which apparently are no longer about/on display, but I actually did manage to see everything (so long as it was labelled and on-show). Clouded leopards were active almost every time I passed, including a couple of youngsters in one of the rear cages. Iberian wolves were showing nicely all day; I passed them on four occassions and they were active most of the time, coming very close to the fence. Gorilla groups were active throughout the day - I've never been anywhere where gorillas are so enjoyable to watch, and interact so actively with visitors. Very impressive.

Humidity - 100% (to the point where heavy mist was condensing on tree leaves and dripping like rain)
Cost - >£50

But I'm so glad I finally made it.

 

[pipaluk]

Again, thanks very much guys. Just got back.

Pertinax, I checked my email this morning, so you weren't too late. Ta.

I started with just under two hours at Wingham, which was nice. Not amazing, but not bad. Nice. The real appeal are the ex-RSCC animals and rare reptiles, but I think zootierliste needs some updating.

Then Howletts. I got there before 12.30, so I had about five and a half hours to spend. I like it. I was looking forward to seeing some animals which are no longer about/on display, but I actually did manage to see everything (so long as it was labelled and on-show). Clouded leopards were active almost every time I passed, including a couple of youngsters in one of the rear cages. Iberian wolves were showing nicely all day; I passed them on four occassions and they were active most of the time, coming very close to the fence. Gorilla groups were active throughout the day - I've never been anywhere where gorillas are so enjoyable to watch, and interact so actively with visitors. Very impressive.

Humidity - 100% (to the point where heavy mist was condensing on tree leaves and dripping like rain)
Cost - >£50

But I'm so glad I finally made it.

Glad you had a good day and managed to fit everything in and you clearly had more success with the clouded leopards than i've ever had, i'm quite envious, but not half as much as Pertinax will be over the elusive wolves! I only managed my first major sighting of them on my 4th visit earlier this year.

 

[callum]

yeah well done on seeing the clouded leopards active
(i must have been to howletts a million times and only got a glimpse)

 

[Pertinax]

Iberian wolves were showing nicely all day; I passed them on four occassions and they were active most of the time, coming very close to the fence.

I just don't believe it! I don't understand why I always fail so miserably to see them at either Park. I must be jinxed. Last time they even fed them while I was there but the food was still untouched later in the day and I only got the most fleeting glimpse of a couple.

Glad you enjoyed your visit though.

 

[callum]

the iberian wolves are easy to see always up against the fence

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I just don't believe it! I don't understand why I always fail so miserably to see them at either Park. I must be jinxed.

We all have our nemesis species I bet *you* have never had any trouble whatsoever spotting kinkajou or palm civets!