Meerkat Encounters
Buy The cheeky meerkat mob at Rockhampton Zoo is waiting to have an encounter with you.
While visiting the Zoo, why not treat yourself, or someone else, to an up-close encounter with our Meerkat boys. You have seen them on Meerkat Manor, and laughed with Timon from the Lion King, now you can be part of this lovable family by joining them in an encounter, while at the same time learning all about these cheeky characters.
Get up close with our family of meerkats and get ready to entertain your friends with stories of your amazing experience. Feed our meerkat family during a private keeper talk about meerkats.
If you would like photos during your meerkat encounter, please bring a suitable device, such as a mobile phone or small camera. During the encounter, a Rockhampton Zoo keeper will take photos on your own mobile device.
Meerkat encounters are available seven days a week, including all public holidays apart from Christmas Day.
Meerkat encounters take place at 11.30am every day. An additional afternoon encounter takes place at 2.00pm on Saturdays. There will also be a Thursday 2.00pm session in Queensland school holidays.
Experience duration: Approximately 25 minutes (including collection and safety brief)
Experience location: Meet zoo keeper at 'Meet here for Meerkat Encounters' sign on the keeper access gate at the top of the meerkat enclosure (between chimp enclosure and otter enclosure). Participants must be at meeting point at least 5 minutes prior to their encounter time. Parking is limited in school holidays so please ensure you allow sufficient time as the encounter will continue at the scheduled time.
Maximum participants: Four participants per animal encounter.
Minimum age: 8 years old. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult (aged 18+) who is also a paying participant.
Dress code: Participants must wear fully enclosed shoes (not thongs or sandals). It is recommended that participants wear clothing which covers their arms and shoulders as the animals may wish to sit/perch on them resulting in scratches if not protected.
Accessibility: Standard Meerkat Encounter bookings are not suitable for guests with mobility difficulties due to the requirement to walk across sand and sit close to the ground. Participants who require the use of walking aids or are unable to sit down (on a low log) and stand back up must email Rockhampton Zoo or call Rockhampton Regional Council customer service to book their encounter.
Language: Participants must be able to speak and understand English or be accompanied by a translator who is a paying participant in the encounter.
Covid-19: When visiting the zoo, you must comply with all Queensland Government COVID-19 requirements.
Participants who do not abide by these entry requirements will not be entitled to reschedule or to a refund.
Rockhampton Regional Council and Rockhampton Zoo do not take any responsibility for any injuries or illnesses sustained by any of the participants, whether caused as a result of the animal encounter or as a result of being in the animal enclosure.
Please read our full Terms and Conditions(PDF, 173KB) before booking a Meerkat Encounter.
If you have any questions after reading the details on this webpage, please check our Frequently Asked Questions.
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