Highland Wildlife Park is a 250-acre safari park and zoo set within the Cairngorms National Park, focusing on native Scottish species and cold-tundra animals from around the world. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To skip the details and just book your tickets, head here.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the current £22.70 advance online adult ticket price and the transition to the extended 5:00 pm summer operating hours.
Quick facts about Highland Wildlife Park
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily from 10:00 am. Closes at 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm depending on the season. |
| Ticket prices | Advance online: Adults £22.70, Children (3–15) £17, Under 3s go free. |
| Address | Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire, PH21 1NL, Scotland. |
| Nearest public transport | Aviemore or Kingussie railway stations (taxi required for final leg). |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 4 hours. |
Highland Wildlife Park opening hours
Highland Wildlife Park opens at 10:00 am every day of the year, closing only on Christmas Day. Closing times adjust slightly depending on the season and daylight hours.
During the main summer season from March to October, the park closes at 5:00 pm. During the winter months from November through February, the closing time shifts to 4:00 pm. Last entry to the park is one hour before the daily closing time, and winter weather conditions can occasionally force the closure of the drive-through reserve.
Why book tickets for the Highland Wildlife Park?
- 🐻❄️ The UK’s Only Polar Bears: Visit the world-class “Hamish’s Hame” and other enclosures to see these magnificent Arctic predators, including the only breeding pair of polar bears in the UK.
- 🚗 Drive-Through Safari: Experience a unique Scottish safari from your own vehicle, driving through the main reserve to see European bison, elk, red deer, and Przewalski’s wild horses roaming freely.
- 🐅 Majestic Cold-Weather Cats: Observe rare and beautiful species adapted to cold climates, including the elusive Amur tiger and the stunning snow leopards in their hillside habitats.
- 🌲 Native Scottish Species: Learn about vital conservation efforts for local wildlife, such as the rare Scottish wildcat (the “Highland Tiger”), European grey wolves, and the Eurasian lynx.
- 🏔️ Breathtaking Cairngorms Backdrop: Enjoy a day out surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms National Park, offering incredible photographic opportunities of both the animals and the landscape.
Highland Wildlife Park ticket prices
Standard walk-up tickets at the gate cost £25 for adults and £18.70 for children aged 3 to 15. However, booking online in advance secures a discounted rate of £22.70 for adults, £20.45 for concessions, and £17 for children. Children under the age of three enter for free, and visitors claiming certain income-related benefits can access heavily reduced tickets online.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026. Highland Wildlife Park is operated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS); therefore, visitors who hold an active RZSS membership receive unlimited free entry to both this park and Edinburgh Zoo.
How to get to Highland Wildlife Park
The park is located seven miles south of Aviemore, just off the main A9 trunk road. Drivers should turn off the A9 south of Aviemore towards Kincraig and follow the B9152 directly to the park entrance.
Because the attraction features a drive-through reserve, arriving by private car is highly recommended. Visitors relying on public transport can take a train to Aviemore or Kingussie, but will need to hire a local taxi to reach the park gates.
Parking at Highland Wildlife Park
There is a free visitor car park located on-site, situated immediately after the drive-through reserve section and before the main walk-around zoo entrance.
Parking capacity is generally plentiful, though it can become busy during the peak Scottish school summer holidays. Coach parking is also available for pre-booked groups.
How long to spend at Highland Wildlife Park
Most visitors spend between three and four hours exploring the Highland Wildlife Park.
The initial drive-through reserve takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete at a slow pace. The remaining time is spent navigating the extensive steep, walking paths that connect the individual animal enclosures on foot.
Accessibility at Highland Wildlife Park
Due to its authentic Highland setting, the park’s terrain is steep, rugged, and challenging for manual wheelchair users. While most staircases can be bypassed via alternative paths, these ramped routes feature significant inclines that require strong physical exertion to navigate.
Visitors can download a specific accessibility map from the official website to identify the most suitable routes. Registered assistance dogs are permitted under strict conditions, but owners must inform the admissions team upon arrival, as access to certain sensitive animal areas is restricted.
Inside / what to see at Highland Wildlife Park
The park experience is divided into two distinct sections: the Main Reserve and the walk-around park.
The Main Reserve is a drive-through safari experience where visitors must remain inside their vehicles with windows closed. This large open expanse houses herds of European bison, red deer, vicuña, and Przewalski’s horses roaming freely across the landscape.
After parking, visitors enter the walk-around park, which focuses on animals adapted to cold climates. A major highlight is the polar bear enclosure, which is one of the largest and most naturalistic in Europe, giving the bears access to a large pool and rough terrain.
The park also houses Amur tigers, snow leopards, and a troop of Japanese macaques (snow monkeys). Native Scottish wildlife is prominently featured, with dedicated enclosures for the critically endangered Scottish wildcat, Eurasian cranes, and European grey wolves in the atmospheric Wolf Wood.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Practical advice |
| Timing | Check the chalkboards at the cafe upon arrival to note the daily keeper talk and feeding times. |
| Crowds | Arrive early during the winter months, as the limited daylight makes the 4:00 pm closing time approach quickly. |
| Layout | Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking boots, as the unpaved paths can become muddy and slippery after rain. |
| Entry process | Purchase your tickets online prior to travel, as mobile signal at the entry gates can be unreliable. |
| On-site logistics | Pet dogs are strictly prohibited from entering the park, including the car park, so they must be left at home. |
Frequently asked questions about Highland Wildlife Park
| Query | Answer |
| Is Highland Wildlife Park suitable for children? | Yes, the park is very family-friendly, though pushing a pram up the steep, rugged hillside paths can be strenuous. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Highland Wildlife Park? | Walk-up tickets are available, but booking online is highly recommended to secure the discounted advance rate. |
| Is Highland Wildlife Park open on Sundays? | Yes, the park is open every Sunday year-round, closing only on Christmas Day. |
| Are bags allowed at Highland Wildlife Park? | Yes, standard day bags and backpacks are permitted, and visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic food. |
Things to do near Highland Wildlife Park
- Cairngorms National Park: The surrounding protected area offering extensive hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports opportunities.
- Highland Folk Museum: An open-air museum in nearby Newtonmore featuring historical Highland buildings and living history demonstrations.
- Loch Insh Outdoor Centre: A watersports and activity centre offering kayaking, sailing, and archery near Kincraig.
- Landmark Forest Adventure Park: A family-focused theme park located in Carrbridge, featuring a dinosaur trail and high ropes courses.
- Strathspey Steam Railway: A heritage railway offering scenic trips on vintage steam trains between Aviemore and Broomhill.
More Scottish Highlands travel
Other Scottish Highlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How – and why – to get to the Commando Memorial in the Scottish Highlands.
- The logistics of stopping at the Loch Tulla Viewpoint.
- What to expect at the Falls of Shin near Lairg.
- Guides to Scottish Highlands castles: Eilean Donan Castle, Dunrobin Castle, Inverness Castle and Urquhart Castle.
- What you need to know before visiting Attadale Gardens and Strome Castle.
