Animal Experiences : Meet the Animals

Is someone in your family obsessed by a particular animal – maybe meerkats, thanks to a certain TV advert? Perhaps they just love cats, dogs or ponies – but unfortunately you can’t commit to keeping one as a pet? Into The Blue has the answer. Like many things, it is cheaper to ‘rent’ time with animals than to commit to owning a pet full time.

Meet your favourite animals

So let’s start with those experiences with familiar cuddly animals. How about getting up close and hands on with a working sheepdog on a farm and out in the field? Into The Blue offers a range of dog handling and walking experiences. Or perhaps horses are the objects of affection – so why not try a pony walking activity?

Say hello to some unusual animals

Into The Blue also caters for lovers of more unusual animals. Still at the cuddly end, how about handling the now famous meerkats? Or going walking with a fluffy alpaca? And then there are the KuneKune pigs who are as happy as the proverbial pig in mud when they get to meet you!

There are also animal experiences catering for people interested in the other extreme; that’s to say cold-blooded reptiles, lizards and snakes. Yes, you really can swim with crocodiles here in the UK. 

Hear from expert breeders how these fascinating creatures manage to keep warm and stay alive. Perhaps by handling and learning about these ancient reptiles you will even overcome your fears (like this blogger)! And all without the worry of providing a heated vivarium and an endless supply of frozen chicks and mice as food…

Birds of Prey experiences

The same diet is also the food of choice for birds of prey and owls. Only individuals with special training and licences are allowed to breed and keep these aerial raptors in captivity. So the opportunity to meet, handle and hear all about these amazing birds is a real treat. 

Owls in particular are hugely special to see up close on an animal experience, because they usually only fly and hunt at night, silently and unseen. In addition, this experience makes an ideal gift for fans of Harry Potter and his pet snowy owl, Hedwig! 

And while you enjoy meeting your birds of prey, be sure to ask your handler about the falconry origins of the expressions ‘under your thumb’, ‘wrapped around your finger’ and ‘at the end of your tether’!

Photographing animals

As well as meeting the animals, Into The Blue offers opportunities to photograph animals too. The workshops are hosted by professional wildlife photographers and will see you granted special access to get right up close to animals to be able to take stunning portraits and photos. Browse our wildlife photography courses.

For more information and to book your animal experiences all around the UK, visit the Into The Blue website here:  https://www.intotheblue.co.uk/adventure-gifts/animal-experiences/