Tropical World's Meerkat
The mischievous mammals have had a new enclosure constructed specially for them at the Roundhay Park attraction with all the mod cons they would expect in their natural desert habitat.
It will be a 360 degree viewing experience as visitors are able to walk round the entire enclosure and watch what the cheeky creatures get up to through transparent panels.
Underground burrows and an artificial termite mound have been constructed to mimic their natural habitats. They will have a quiet area which will act not only as their sleeping quarters but also as a bolt hole for when they are feeling camera-shy or nervous.
The project has involved a year of planning and consultation with veterinary experts and zoos which also house meerkats. The enclosure itself was designed and constructed by Roundhay Park staff.
See our videos of the meerkats in their new enclosure:
Video1 Video 2 Video 3 (opens in new window)
Webcam
A webcam is being installed in the meerkat enclosure, this will be available in a few weeks time.
Tropical World
Tropical World is one of the UK's most popular garden tourist attractions and home to the largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew Gardens. Tropical World is open all the year round apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Opening times
Summer (BST)
10am until 6pm (last admission at 5:30)
Winter (GMT)
10am until 4pm (last admission at 3:30)
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Admission charges
Adults £3.25
Children (aged 5 – 15yrs) £2
Under 5’s free
Leeds/Breeze card holders free
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact
For more information please call us on 0113 214 5715. Please note that the opening hours for this number are 8.30 - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am - 4.00pm on a Friday. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on the answerphone.
Tropical world experience
Leave Yorkshire's climate behind. Step onboard HMS Tropical World for an unforgettable, fun adventure on a Tropical Island. Land on the white sandy beach; discover beach huts and lush planting before wading through the depths of the swamp, forging inland to the rainforests.
Follow the Tropical Trail…
Into the rainforest, you will find waterfalls tumbling into jungle pools, tropical birds and butterflies of every colour flying through the canopy. Keep a look out for some exotic animals on your journey, you will discover iguanas, snakes and spiders along with many unusual tropical insects.
Emerge from the rainforest into…
The desert! Experience the hot, dry desolate climate, home to a group of meerkats and hundreds of magnificent succulents and cacti.
Escape…
From the heat of the day into the cool of the night. Experience the secret world of the Nocturnal house. Fruit bats, monkeys, bush babies and sugar gliders. discover animals that can normally only be seen during twilight hours.
It’s a Tropical World…
On land and sea! Discover the steamy waters of the Amazon and hot tropical oceans. Watch out for the red-tailed catfish and piranhas – but keep your distance, they eat almost anything!
Finally, when you leave the island, don’t forget to stop at the gift shop or the Tropical World café. Before leaving why not stay awhile and take the opportunity to enjoy a stroll in the 700 acre Roundhay Park. You can find lakeside walks, woodlands, display gardens and sports facilities.
Educational visits and group bookings
You can download our teachers pack (which provides useful information about your visit as well as classroom ideas and curriculum links) and our reference only 'Group Visit to Tropical World' Risk Assessment.
We recommend that you make a free planning visit to Tropical World.
There are education rooms at Roundhay Park which are free for schools to use. The rooms must be booked in advance. To book a room, or for more information please call us on 0113 214 5715
Access
Tropical World is accessible, with wheelchairs and scooters available on request. Blue Badge parking is available outside Tropical World on Princes Avenue.
Tropical World Shop
Tropical World shop offers souvenirs and gifts for all ages, from small stretchy toy snakes to our new Fair Trade range of musical instruments. We also offer pre-made goodie bags tailored to your specifications, perfect for parties and group visits.
For more information please contact the shop on - 0113 2695800 / 214 5715.
Explorers Café
The Explorers Café provides the perfect opportunity to relax with friends and family in our imaginatively themed surroundings.
This exciting facility offers a new counter service, new toilet facilities and a large screen monitor so you can watch the Meerkats play whilst you tuck into some of the tasty ranges of organic and fair trade produce available.
The Explorers Café includes a Rainforest, a 1940’s gentleman’s club and an airport departure lounge of the period. The centrepiece of the Café is a fragile packing crate containing a very unhappy animatronic creature waiting to be transported by air to Tropical World.
The redesign has incorporated many suggestions made by visitors over the years, including greater accessibility, family friendly environment, excellent toilet facilities and increasing the organic range of treats available.
Explorers Café is open 10.30am – 4.30 weekdays, 10.30 – 5pm on weekends. Open seven days a week!
For more information please contact the café on – 0113 237 0495 / 214 5715
Please note that the Parks and Countryside's Head Office main reception telephone number 0113 3957400 is staffed from 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am - 4.00pm on a Friday. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on the answerphone.