Howletts or Port Lympne?

[taun]

The two collections are very similar, but I was wondering if one is better than the other?

Is it possible that one is better than the other? I know Port Lympne has an advantage because of its size but is there a huge difference?

Do you go to howletts and get a mini version of Port Lympne?

I have a chance to visit one of these collections at easter, I doubt I could make it to both but which would you say is the best place to go?

 

[gentle lemur]

That's almost as hard as London or Whipsnade?
There are more species at Howletts and it's the only place in the country where you can see some of the leaf monkeys and the Heck's macaques. The elephant herd is amazing too. With luck you'll see tamandua and honey badger. But unfortunately it's not the best zoo for viewing (or photographing) the animals - lots of wire and distant barriers.
I prefer Port Lympne - you can see the sifaka, broad-nosed gentle lemurs and drills, and you'll get better views of the rhinos and gorillas, plus anoa, water buffalo and roan antelope - and the African big game too if you go the bus safari. Also the site is spectacular (if tiring) and the restaurant does a nice chicken curry

Alan

 

[MARK]

Thats quite correct Alan, Both zoos are great with Port Lympne having much more room for larger animals and bigger herds, Howletts is where it all started so I guess there is a bit more history with it, both are worth a visit maybe you could try doing both in one day as they are not really that far apart

 

[taun]

That's almost as hard as London or Whipsnade?
There are more species at Howletts and it's the only place in the country where you can see some of the leaf monkeys and the Heck's macaques. The elephant herd is amazing too. With luck you'll see tamandua and honey badger. But unfortunately it's not the best zoo for viewing (or photographing) the animals - lots of wire and distant barriers.

Tamandua and Honey badger would be good to see

I prefer Port Lympne - you can see the sifaka, broad-nosed gentle lemurs and drills, and you'll get better views of the rhinos and gorillas, plus anoa, water buffalo and roan antelope - and the African big game too if you go the bus safari. Also the site is spectacular (if tiring) and the restaurant does a nice chicken curry

Alan

Completely forgot they had drills (one of my favourite animals)

You have just made it much harder to choose

 

[taun]

Thats quite correct Alan, Both zoos are great with Port Lympne having much more room for larger animals and bigger herds, Howletts is where it all started so I guess there is a bit more history with it, both are worth a visit maybe you could try doing both in one day as they are not really that far apart

I know but I will have my daughter and she really is too young to try and do both in one day. Am hoping that I get an another spare day when am down there so I can visit both.

Howletts also have more clouded leopards so there is a better chance of seeing them also (although I gather they are very differcuilt to see anyhow)

 

[MARK]

Yes thats right they are not easy to see, if you are going to visit both zoos then it really does not matter to much which one you go to, I guess Howletts is a bit closer to you if you are coming down from Chester, PL has all those Black rhino, I think it's the largest captive breeding herd in any zoo.

 

[Jose]

Although my knowledge of the parks is outdated , i would suggest Port lympne there is alot more to see, it is very natraulistic , and the view over the rommey marshes is fantastic. But perhaps your children would be tired as it is a long trek around the park.

 

[Bele]

From experience of visiting with small children I would suggest Howletts as you have a much better chance of getting all around as the site is much smaller and reasonably level . Getting down to and back from the lower levels of Port Lympne is a real hike . Also , unless the roadways on the African Safari have been improved in the last year , the trip is very bumpy and can make you feel ill !

If you do get the chance you really should try to get to Port Lympne on your own for at least half a day , well worth it . As Kent is such a long way from here I do not get over there very often but have always managed to fit in a visit to both collections . Last time , on a day to myself , I managed Howletts , Wingham and RSCC in one day .

 

[taun]

Thanks Joes and Bele,

I don't really want to push the visits as it will be my first, really want to just wander around slowly and take in as much as I can.

Am thinking Howletts is becoming the better choice, for this trip. However I do want to see all the gorilla at Port Lympne only ever seeing 7 in one place before

 

[foz]

its funny you know the amount of times i've heard that you could do two zoos in a day or just spend half a day aty a zoo. whereas i can spend the entire day from opening to closing at a really small zoo like newquay! i could literally spend hours just watching the animals in one exhibit.

i personally would most like to visit howletts, i think it is far easier to get around than port lympne

 

[zooman]

Has to be Howlettes if there is to be only 1 visited. Go top where it all started. You can see where Mr Aspinall lived and now burried. Very touching and inspiring the differance one mad made!. Also the origional gorilla houses and tiger enclosures.

 

[Pertinax]

I don't really want to push the visits as it will be my first, really want to just wander around slowly and take in as much as I can.

Am thinking Howletts is becoming the better choice, for this trip. However I do want to see all the gorilla at Port Lympne only ever seeing 7 in one place before

Taun.

With a young daughter in tow and from what you say above,if only one can be done, then I would strongly advise Howletts. Much easier walking, exhibits closer together and numerically there are far more Gorillas at Howletts than Port Lympne anyway(five groups) and you'll get to see the Mansion, grave etc too. The oldest run of Gorilla cages ,still in use, are where the Gorilla story started too..

 

[taun]

Taun.

With a young daughter in tow and from what you say above,if only one can be done, then I would strongly advise Howletts. Much easier walking, exhibits closer together and numerically there are far more Gorillas at Howletts than Port Lympne anyway(five groups) and you'll get to see the Mansion, grave etc too. The oldest run of Gorilla cages ,still in use, are where the Gorilla story started too..

Thanks Pertinax,

Will probably have my cousins two girls in tow aswell. So howletts seems the better choice.

Thanks everyone on the advice.

Forgetting my circumstances would your advice be the same?

 

[Pertinax]

Forgetting my circumstances would your advice be the same?

Probably. In the last few years I have usually made a day trip and combined both parks in one day- that gives you about 3 hours at one and (say) 4+ at the other (but I don't do the African safari). I normally go to Howletts first and then its almost exactly a 30 mins drive to Port Lympne along the B2068, in part an old Roman road and very straight.

Last time I overnighted again and spent a whole day at each, which gives you a much more relaxed day obviously. Port Lympne can be very tiring especially if you have already spent half a day at Howletts. A lot of the exhibits are a long way apart- its similar to Whipsnade but mostly on a steep slope of downland. There used to be a bus system(tractor trailers) to ferry people between, but now that has been dispensed with and applies only to the African 'safari' section.

 

[gentle lemur]

I gave my advice before you mentioned the other circumstances - so I agree Howletts is your better bet. I think there's a little bit more for kids at Howletts too.
In the past, I have done both in a day like Pertinax - it's possible, but it's a real test of stamina and you don't get the chance to watch the animals as much as you'd like. I think I'm too old for it now.
Last year I combined Howletts with RSCC, I didn't add Winghams as Bele did because I didn't know it was there until I drove past it en route.

Alan

 

[taun]

Thanks, Seems I will be doing Howletts first and check out were it all began. (its still months off but am like a child am getting very excited about visiting them, I have wanted to visit them since hearing about the Gorillas held there )

 

[Pertinax]

In the past, I have done both in a day like Pertinax - it's possible, but it's a real test of stamina and you don't get the chance to watch the animals as much as you'd like. I think I'm too old for it now.

Yes its a real rush around, I enjoyed my full day at each last year much more.

 

[Pertinax]

Thanks, Seems I will be doing Howletts first and check out were it all began.

The problem is being only half an hour apart, its a real shame if you don't have the time to visit both- as while there is considerable species overlap, there are some species at Port Lympne you won't see at Howletts- Drill, Malayan Tapir, 'Barbary'(ahem) Lion, many more Black Rino etc, so you may try and replan your visit to take in both. Of course when PL had Sumatran rhinos it was even more attractive!!! But I must say Port Lympne is NOT a particulaly visitor friendly place- the long distances and steep slopes make it more like an endurance test, whereas the much smaller Howletts is very pleasant & easy walking.

 

[taun]

The problem is being only half an hour apart, its a real shame if you don't have the time to visit both- as while there is considerable species overlap, there are some species at Port Lympne you won't see at Howletts- Drill, Malayan Tapir, 'Barbary'(ahem) Lion, many more Black Rino etc, so you may try and replan your visit to take in both. Of course when PL had Sumatran rhinos it was even more attractive!!! But I must say Port Lympne is NOT a particulaly visitor friendly place- the long distances and steep slopes make it more like an endurance test, whereas the much smaller Howletts is very pleasant & easy walking.

Am staying only half an hour from both parks aswell

Don't remind me about the Drills and Malayan Tapirs (both would be a first for me). If I had longer down there I would get family to look after my daughter and go to Port Lympne by myself.

 

[Pertinax]

Am staying only half an hour from both parks aswell

Don't remind me about the Drills and Malayan Tapirs (both would be a first for me). If I had longer down there I would get family to look after my daughter and go to Port Lympne by myself.

Well, go to Howletts and just put the Drills out of mind... you can see Malay Tapirs at Twycross or London. At Port Lympne they can sometimes be invisible.