A day at the zoo (Colchester Zoo)

Member Name: philhaz

Product:	Colchester Zoo
Date:	22/05/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads of animals!

Disadvantages: Limited wheelchair access

Went just for the day, and found it very enjoyable! Although the ticket price looks like a lot (around £14 for an adult, half that for children), it is easily worth it for the sheer variety of fauna you get to see.

The big outdoor African bit was easily the most impressive in my opinion. An elephant spotted us from the other side of the enclosure and came all the way over to us, then posed for pictures before wandering off again. Very intelligent creatures!

Other things definitely worth finding are the pigmy hippo (so cute!), Sasha the white tiger (incredibly cool, haven't been spotted in the wild in over half a century) and of course the meerkats (which are now impossible to look at without imagining a smoking jacket and a Russian accent).

One thing I will say is that most of the best stuff is outside, so be sure to go on a nice day. It was pretty cold when I went, which meant that we ended up rushing round some things which was a bit of a disapointment. The penguins in particular are a favourite of mine, but due to our poor timing we missed the show :(

Honestly, if you move quickly it is possible to see everything in one day. But if you're like me, and enjoy watching the shows and taking your time, it's a bit of a push. I'd recommend prioritising what you want to see, and planning your day around that. There's nothing more disappointing than noticing something on the leaflet on the way home that you really would have liked to see.

The other factor to consider is that although they do cater for wheelchair users, the path provided is very limiting in what you will get to see. Maybe something to consider for those who are affected by this.

There are plenty of food outlets to cater for a variety of tastes, although they are mainly in one cluster around the main entrance. I can't comment on prices, as we took packed lunches. This is something which I would recommend doing, as it gives you that much more freedom to plan your day (but please don't be tempted to feed the animals).

And one final tip: be sure to go on the train ride for some unique views of enclosures! This includes the wild dogs, which can't be seen any other way. It's comfortable, warm and free, so going round more than once is definitely an option!

Summary: Whatever you're into, there's something for everyone.