How long is a Big Cat Encounter?
Big Cat Encounters run for 1 hour and start at either 9:45am or 11:00am.
How many people can I book on to a Big Cat Encounter?
Big Cat Encounters can accommodate a maximum of 5 guests, including the main participant and additional spectators.
How long do I get at the Sanctuary?
Access to the Sanctuary is from 9.30am and you are more than welcome to stay until 4pm. We just ask that you sign in on arrival.
What do I learn on a Big Cat Encounter?
During both experiences, you will learn about the individual cats at the Sanctuary, species facts and adaptations, and the day-to-day care and welfare of our animals. Guests will also explore the threats facing wild cats in the wild, conservation projects helping to protect them, and how we support global wild cat conservation through our work at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Who will be taking my Big Cat Encounter?
Your experience may be led by a member of our animal care team, conservation education team, or one of our trained volunteers. All of our guides are highly knowledgeable about our cats, their care and welfare, and the conservation work carried out at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
How many times do we get to feed the cat?
Guests will feed one individual cat three pieces of meat. This helps us carefully manage each cat’s diet and maintain healthy weights, while also ensuring the experience remains positive and enriching for the animals.
What cats do I get to pick for my Big Cat Encounter?
You can choose from lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and jaguars. Please note that while you can select your chosen species, we can never guarantee a specific individual cat, as participation is always voluntary and led by the welfare needs of the animals.
Can I request a cat to feed?
You are very welcome to let our keepers know if you have a preferred cat or species, and we will always do our best to accommodate requests where possible. However, we cannot guarantee a specific individual cat, as participation in our experiences is always voluntary and guided by the welfare and needs of the animals on the day.
What happens if the cat I’m feeding only takes one piece of meat, do I get to feed the rest to another?
Our cats always have the choice whether they would like to participate in the experience and to what degree. This means that occasionally a cat may choose to only take one piece of meat before walking away, and we always respect the animal’s choice.
If this does happen, our team will always do their best to ensure guests still have a fantastic experience and, where possible, will take you to another suitable cat to complete the remainder of your feeding experience.
What happens if I want to book four of us for a Big Cat Encounter feeding? (More than two people want feed)
If more than two guests would like to participate in hand feeding, you will need to book two separate Big Cat Encounters. Where possible, these encounters can be grouped together and taken out at the same time.
Can I split the 6 pieces of meat across everyone on the Big Cat Encounter?
No, only the paying main participants are able to take part in the hand-feeding experience. Additional guests attending the encounter are welcome to observe and enjoy the experience, but cannot participate in feeding.
Can I book on for lunch or afternoon tea with my Big Cat Encounter?
You are welcome to book a table for lunch or an afternoon tea to enjoy whilst you are with us. Paul Hollywood Afternoon teas must be pre booked and our lunch service is subject to availability on the day. You are welcome to speak to our guest services team to pre book a table for lunch before the day.
Can I bolt on a Big Cat Encounter feed to a Group Guided Tour?
Yes, you can book both experiences on the same day, however they must be booked separately. Unfortunately, hand-feeding experiences cannot be added onto a Group Guided Tour itself, as our Big Cat Encounters are carefully managed with limited guest numbers to support the welfare and feeding plans of our cats.
What is the difference between a Guided Tour and a Big Cat Encounter?
Big Cat Encounters are designed to provide a more in-depth experience focused on one individual cat and their species. Currently, available species for Big Cat Encounters include lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and cheetahs. These experiences are smaller and more exclusive, with up to two hand-feeding guests and three additional spectators. Guests will also enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at our ARC facilities while learning more about animal welfare, behaviour, and conservation.
Group Guided Tours are designed to give guests an engaging introduction to a wider selection of our cats, both big and small. Led by an expert member of the team, tours can accommodate up to ten guests and focus on species facts, conservation messaging, and the work of the Sanctuary. These tours do not include a hand-feeding experience.
Can I bring a child on a Big Cat Encounter?
Children are welcome to attend however they are included as a guest and therefore counted in the maximum group size. Under 2’s can attend free of charge. Any children over the age of two are charged as a guest.
Children are very welcome to attend our experiences, however they are included within the maximum group size for both Big Cat Encounters and Group Guided Tours.
Children under the age of 2 can attend free of charge. Any child over the age of 2 will be charged at the standard guest rate.
Please note that accompanying parents or guardians remain responsible for the behaviour and supervision of children at all times. During Big Cat Encounter hand-feeding experiences, children are not permitted within the stand-off feeding areas and must remain on the pathway with a supervising adult or guardian. Our staff are unable to supervise children during the experience.
We also kindly ask that children attending Group Guided Tours are respectful of other guests wishing to enjoy the experience.