Be There! Experience Programs at Budapest Zoo in 2026

If you’re visiting Budapest between April 1 and November 1, 2026, make sure to put the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden on your itinerary — and not just for the animals. The zoo’s popular “Be There!” (LégyOtt!) public program series turns a regular zoo visit into a full-day, hands-on experience packed with keeper-led feedings, live demonstrations, and expert talks that bring you closer to the animal world than you ever expected.

Running every day throughout spring, summer, and autumn, these programs are designed for curious visitors of all ages — whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with kids in tow.

What Is the “Be There!” Program?

The “Be There!” series is Budapest Zoo’s flagship public engagement program, offering up to 16 scheduled activities per day on zoo grounds, plus an extra program at the Margit Island Mini Zoo. The events combine entertainment with education, showcasing the zoo’s extraordinary collection of animals and plants — yes, plants too, because the Budapest Zoo is also a certified botanical garden with more plant species than animal species on display.

Each program is led by the animals’ own keepers or subject-matter experts, giving you genuine behind-the-scenes insight rather than a scripted tourist show.

A Day of Programs: What to Expect

10:00 AM — Penguin Feeding

Start your morning right with the penguin feeding, one of the zoo’s most charming programs. Watch the colony’s personalities come alive as the keepers work to make sure every penguin gets its fair share of marine fish — without any of them being too greedy. These birds are as interested in their keepers’ company as they are in their food, which makes the whole thing wonderfully entertaining to watch.

10:30 AM — Carnivore Feeding & Bat Feeding

Two exciting programs run simultaneously at 10:30. At the Carnivore Feeding, a different predator is featured each day — Indian lions, Persian leopards, Pallas’s cats, wolverines, red pandas, or dholes. Check the sign near the Ashoka Pillar at the India House to find out which one is on for the day.

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Meanwhile, the Bat Feeding offers something truly unusual: a keeper enters the bat enclosure while visitors watch up close as these nocturnal animals feed and move around. Afterward, the keeper steps out to share fascinating facts about bat life — a rare and memorable experience.

11:00 AM — Sea Lion Training

Meet Jacques and Noé, the zoo’s two California sea lions. Their training sessions — affectionately called “Seal Fun” — are anything but a circus act. Every behavior they perform is rooted in their natural instincts, and the training itself actually makes veterinary check-ups and everyday care much easier. It’s entertaining, yes, but there’s real science behind it.

11:30 AM — Gardening Show & Kea Feeding

At 11:30, plant lovers can join the Gardening Show, where the zoo’s expert gardeners introduce you to some of the remarkable species in their botanical collection — a collection so extensive it rivals a dedicated botanical garden. At the same time, the Kea Feeding gives you a front-row seat to observe some of the world’s most intelligent birds in action. Keas can solve problems, use tools, and yes, open door handles — you’ll see why they have such a reputation.

12:00 PM — Animal Demonstration & World of Sharks

Noon brings two very different experiences running side by side. The Animal Demonstration is a live ethology show featuring hand-trained birds flown directly over the audience — the perfect way to understand how animals like owls and small mammals have adapted to their environments.

Just steps away, the World of Sharks invites you to rethink everything you thought you knew about these ancient creatures. On most days of the week, keepers dive into the shark tank in full scuba gear, demonstrating the close bond they’ve built with these animals. The dive happens five days a week (not on Mondays or Thursdays), so plan your visit accordingly.

12:30 PM — Farmyard Friends & Bonsai Exhibition

If you’re visiting with children, don’t miss the Farmyard Friends program, where keepers introduce cows, horses, rabbits, and other farm animals in an up-close, informal setting — revealing just how interesting these “familiar” animals really are.

At the same time, head to the Japanese Garden pavilion for the Bonsai Exhibition, where the Hungarian National Bonsai Collection is on permanent display. During the “Be There!” program slot, expert gardeners give guided talks about the art of bonsai and traditional Japanese garden culture — a peaceful contrast to the animal action elsewhere in the zoo.

1:00 PM — Gorilla Feeding & Giant Otter Feeding

By early afternoon, two more highlights await. The Gorilla Feeding introduces the zoo’s five-member gorilla family and immediately dispels the myth that gorillas mainly eat bananas. The keepers walk you through the group’s family dynamics and touch on the serious conservation challenges facing wild gorillas.

Meanwhile, the Giant Otter Feeding is a multi-sensory event — these South American natives are notoriously vocal and “chatty,” and they get visibly excited at feeding time. Watch them move with puppy-like clumsiness on land, then transform into acrobatic swimmers the moment they hit the water.

2:00 PM — Wildlife Rescue Talk

One of the most moving programs of the day, the Wildlife Rescue Talk takes place at the zoo’s rescue center, which is open to the public. Staff care for thousands of rescued animals every year — from storks with broken wings to bats disturbed during hibernation. This daily presentation gives you a window into that work and introduces some of the animals currently in recovery.

2:30 PM — Pelican Feeding & Hiding Animals

At 2:30, two more programs run in parallel. Head to the shore of the Great Lake near the Crocodile House for the Pelican Feeding, where both great white and Dalmatian pelicans gather with impressive punctuality — and where visitors are often invited to participate in the feeding itself.

At the same time, the Hiding Animals program takes camouflage to a new level, introducing you to species that have mastered disguise and deception. You’ll get surprisingly close to animals you might otherwise walk right past without noticing.

3:00 PM — Elephant Training

The afternoon’s highlight is the Elephant Training session, held at the rear elephant enclosure near the base of the Elephant House tower (accessible from the hippopotamus pool side). Watching these highly intelligent animals engage in keeper-guided training — all built on trust and natural behavior — is genuinely moving. It’s a reminder of the careful, relationship-based work that goes into caring for large animals in a zoo setting.

4:00 PM — Sea Lion Training (Second Session)

If you missed the morning session, Jacques and Noé take center stage again at 4:00 PM. A great way to wrap up your afternoon at the zoo.

4:30 PM (May 1 – August 31) — Visayan Warty Pig Presentation

Available only during the summer months, this program at the outdoor enclosure of the Reptile House introduces you to Visayan warty pigs — unusual-looking animals with a distinctive ridged back. Keepers feed them and then answer any questions visitors have. If the weather turns, the program moves indoors, so you won’t miss out regardless.

Don’t Miss: Margaret Island Mini Zoo Program

At 1:00 PM, an additional program runs at the Margaret Island Mini Zoo, maintained by the Budapest Zoo. Here, keepers introduce animals that are connected to the island’s medieval history, alongside rescued animals that found a home there. It’s a quieter, less-visited gem worth seeking out if you’re spending more than one day in Budapest.

Planning Your Visit

The “Be There!” programs run daily from April 1 to November 1, 2026, and are included with regular zoo admission. The Budapest Zoo is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, and on weekends and public holidays from 9 AM to 6 PM. Adult tickets are 5,900 HUF and children’s tickets are 4,200 HUF — tickets can also be purchased online to skip the queue.

Keep in mind that the zoo reserves the right to adjust or change individual programs, so it’s worth checking the schedule at the entrance on the day of your visit.