Visiting the Aspinall Parks - Suggestions, Routes, etc.

Zambar

Zambar

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Visiting Howletts on Tuesday and Port Lymnpe Wednesday of next week - very excited as these will be my first visits to such landmarks of the zoo world. As there seems to be a lot of these, any suggestions, recommendations and advice would be appreciated. :)
 
in port lympne, take the african experience at the first available time, quietist at the beggining of the day, mine was at 10 past 10am, this takes till about 12pm (including discovory zone and ice cream stop at the discovory zone) then do the rest of the park, gorillas fed at 12 for batulas that you see on the african experiance and 3pm for the family at palace of the apes
 
Howletts I would suggest heading straight for the Gorillas in the older enclosures. Meaning you can view some animals on the way plus the added bonus of it being quite means you can really enjoy your time with them.

Well thats if you like Gorillas as much as I do. :D
 
Are the older enclosures the ones at the bottom near the honey badgers?
 
Marwell Dalek said:
Are the older enclosures the ones at the bottom near the honey badgers?
Click to expand...

Yes thats them, they house the really old females and two breeding groups. It was lovely sitting there watching the gorillas in peace. Popped back mid afternoon and you could walk anywhere it was so jammed up with people.
 
Try and see the brown hyena at Lympne, they're quite impressive to look at, although they'll probably be asleep. I got lucky as they'd just arrived and were exploring when I visited. They're at the bottom of the hill by the lone "Barbary" lioness. Also, try and see the gorilla feeding at palace of the apes. Was great seeing them all outside foraging.
 
taun said:
Yes thats them, they house the really old females and two breeding groups. It was lovely sitting there watching the gorillas in peace. Popped back mid afternoon and you could walk anywhere it was so jammed up with people.
Click to expand...

For some reason I can't really explain, these groups are usually a lot more visible and active than the ones near the Park entrance, so although its worth having a look at the others too, you get a lot more out of spending time down at the older enclosures.
 
Howletts isn't too large, so you can hope to see everything (or everything that's happy to be seen). Don't miss the Heck's macaques (behind the old gorilla cages already mentioned) or the tamanduas, next to the giant anteaters. Last time I was there I nearly forgot to go round the dholes to see the black rhinos, which also gives you only unobstructed view of the elephants.
PL is a different matter. It's easy to miss out on something special in the woods. My favourites are the broad-nosed gentle lemurs ;) next to 'Palace of the Apes' and the drills a little further on. Don't forget the sifaka, near the top of the tapir paddock, or the fishing cats just below the roan antelope on the path that goes down to the water buffalo - they have a nice enclosure with good viewing and they show themselves much better than the other small cats. The brown hyenas have arrived since my last visit, but they will be high on my list for next time of course.
Enjoy your visits.

Alan
 
gentle lemur said:
Don't miss the Heck's macaques (behind the old gorilla cages already mentioned)
Click to expand...

Not there now, they have been moved to one of the old style cages along the Woodland walk behind the mansion. Unfortunately not so close as they were either.
 
Right, off to Howletts today and Port Lymnpe, even if I get a bit of shower. Expect reviews and photos by Thursday!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top