January 15th 2025.
I have many cherished memories of Edinburgh Zoo. As a child, I would often visit with my grandparents and as I got older, it became the highlight of my summer holidays. However, it has been quite some time since my last visit and as I arrive in the city on a bitterly cold day, bundled up in layers, I can't help but wonder if the zoo still holds the same magic it did for me in my youth.
But today, I am here for a different kind of experience. I have signed up for one of the zoo's new bespoke tours. It is a VIP adventure where I get to choose the animals I want to see and have a private tour guide for the day. It doesn't come cheap, with a price tag of £2,000 for two guests, but it includes entry to the zoo, coffee and cake vouchers, and lunch on site.
I am excited to see which animals I will get to meet up close. I have chosen to see the big cats, koalas, armadillos, and sloths, but as a self-professed animal lover, I would have been happy with any of the creatures at the zoo.
After a quick stroll to spot some familiar faces like meerkats, otters, and penguins, I meet my guide for the day, Lynsey, who is a zookeeper at the Edinburgh Zoo. She is a wealth of knowledge about the animals and has a genuine love for her job. We enter the keeper's hut where she tells me about the day's itinerary before handing me a large bowl filled with chunks of red meat.
"We'll be walking a lot today and the first part is uphill, so we'll take our time," Lynsey explains to me.
And she is right. As we make our way towards the big cat enclosure, I am quickly reminded of the steep incline of the zoo, which seemed much easier to conquer as a child. But the excitement of what's to come keeps me going.
We finally reach the Sumatran tiger Lucu's enclosure, and Lynsey tells me that he is one of the rarest species of tigers, classified as critically endangered.
"It is estimated that there are only 300 of them left in the wild," she shares.
Lucu spots us and eagerly comes to the fence where we feed him the meat using tongs. He is smaller than I expected, but it is still an incredible and slightly intimidating experience to be so close to a magnificent creature like him.
But with Lynsey's calming presence, I quickly relax and before I know it, we have finished feeding him. "Lucu, all done," Lynsey announces, signaling to the tiger that the feeding is over.
"We like to let the animals know that there won't be any more food for now," she explains.
We move on to meet four-year-old Asiatic lion Jay, and I am amazed at his size. Lynsey tells me about the zoo's efforts to help increase the declining population of Asiatic lions. They have recently welcomed eight-year-old lioness Bindee, who they hope will eventually mate with Jay.
As we feed Jay, Lynsey tells me that they are currently keeping Jay and Bindee separated but will eventually introduce them to each other. Jay shows off his ferocious roar as he rubs against the fence near where Bindee is pacing.
"Hopefully, we'll have some cubs soon," Lynsey says with a smile.
Next, we visit the Queensland koalas, and Lynsey tells me that we will get to see one of the zoo's three koalas get weighed. I can tell she is excited about this, and as we enter the room, we are greeted by the adorable marsupial named Kalari. Weighing day is a special occasion at the zoo, and the room is filled with the aroma of Eucalyptus, the koala's favorite food.
Lynsey introduces me to Kalari's keeper, Lorna, and we get to hold this beautiful creature and feel her soft, dense fur. Lorna then weighs Kalari on a scale while we watch in awe.
After a delicious two-course lunch at the Mansion House, which was a £72 per person upgrade, Lynsey and I continue our tour. We visit the armadillos and sloths, which are Lynsey's specialties. We even get to help make their food, which is a mixture of dry ingredients, water, and locust toppers.
I am amazed by the three-banded armadillos Rio and Pacha, who are small enough to fit into the palm of my hand. They are the only armadillo species that can roll into a ball. The larger hairy armadillos share a habitat with sloths Nico and Feira, who are equally fascinating with their slow movements and unique personalities.
As we make our way back to the keeper's hut, Lynsey tells me about the other animals we pass by. She is a wealth of knowledge, and her passion for the zoo's residents is truly admirable.
As I leave the zoo with a goodie bag and a free t-shirt, I am filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude for the amazing experience I had. The day exceeded my expectations, and I can only imagine how thrilled my younger self would have been to have such an incredible day.
Only time will tell if others will be willing to pay the price for this surreal and unforgettable experience. The Edinburgh Zoo Bespoke Tours Package costs £2,000 for two guests and can be booked through their website or by emailing
[email protected]. As for me, I am already planning my next visit to this magical place.
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