An overnight stay at Port Lympne Safari Park is in my opinion, one of the most unforgettable staycation experiences in the UK. It’s a magical wildlife adventure that combines a luxury, boutique retreat with a unique safari experience.
The park is set amongst a beautiful 600 acre reserve in Kent and has an incredible range of accommodation options. You can choose from luxury lodges and forest hideaways to shepherd’s huts and glamping pods. There is something for everyone, so every short break feels like an adventure.
Accommodation & Facilities
During our recent trip to Port Lympne, we stayed at the amazing Tiger Lodge. A unique two bed wood panelled lodge, partially built into the tiger enclosure. The living area and one of the bedrooms feature floor to ceiling windows, where you can observe the tigers as they play, feed, stretch and lounge throughout the day and night. During our stay, they often, curiously came right up to the windows, providing us with amazing photo opportunities.
The lodge itself is beautifully designed. Cosy and luxurious with a log burner, Bamford toiletries, a 4K TV with soundbar, monsoon shower and private garden with deck. Another highlight is the wood fired outdoor bath, also overlooking the tiger enclosure. Our daughter especially loved ‘the tiger who came to bath time’.
Additionally, you receive exclusive access to the safari park, where you can explore the reserve out of public hours and guests are also given their own golf buggy to roam freely and explore the reserve (golf buggies are only available with certain accommodation types).
A safari experience is included with short breaks, a guided safari ride through the reserve spotting giraffe’s, bears, camels, zebras and more roaming free.
Dining at Port Lympne is just as great, with options including Babydolls woodfire pizzas, Basecamp and Pinewood cafes for snacks, sandwiches and refreshments. And The Garden Room, a beautiful restaurant serving lunch and dinner with locally sourced, seasonal Kent produce. There is also an option for room service. We enjoyed takeaway pizzas whilst watching the tigers throughout our living room window.
You will also find a range of family friendly facilities around the reserve, including play areas, picnic spots, toilets and accessibility routes.
Port Lympne Reserve
Port Lympne isn’t just a place to sleep and encounter animals. It is a unique visitor experience that contributes to vital conservation projects and wildlife protection programmes.
Run by The Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne wildlife reserve focuses on animals that are critically endangered. Focusing on breeding, protecting and reintroducing endangered species back into the wild.
The reserve itself is home to over 900 animals, spanning around 75 species. They are provided with large, naturalistic habitats that enable animals to live and breed safely. Additionally, through the Aspinall Foundation, animals born or raised at the reserve are often released back into protected habitats in their native countries.
Enabling visitors to witness animals in large, safari style habitats, the reserve aims to increase awareness and support for wildlife conservation.
Enclosures
Animals at Port Lympne wildlife reserve live and roam in large open habitats, grouped into geographical or habitat style areas. These include:
- African Savannah & Grassland, where you can see giraffes, zebras, rhinos, African painted dogs, antelope and more.
- Big Cats & Wolves, including lions, Amur tigers, grey wolves, leopards and more in rocky woodland enclosures.
- Primate & Forest Habitat, home to one of the largest gorilla facilities in Europe. In this area of the reserve, you can see gorillas, orangutans, capuchins and lemurs in forested enclosures.
- Asian & Tropical Forest, where animals include Malayan tapir, spectacled bears, red pandas and birds.
- Smaller Mammals & Special Species, including bush dogs, porcupines, wallabies, red rive hogs and more, located along walking trails.
TIP – Catching a safari truck is the best way to see African animals and large mammals. Whilst walking trails cover primates, bears and big cats.
Dinosaur Valley
Dinosaur Valley is a new, upgraded Jurassic experience, set in a natural forest setting, displaying the UKs largest collection of life-sized dinosaurs. Wander among realistic, prehistoric giants, along improved pathways that make the trail more accessible and immersive for families. Encounter favourites such as, the T-rex, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus and many more.
There are also signs explaining the different prehistoric periods and fun facts about how dinosaurs lived.
Top Tips
- Book accommodation early. Popular lodges can get booked up weeks in advance, especially for weekends and school holidays.
- You will need a valid driving license to drive a golf buggy around the reserve. Some accommodation types do not include a one so it is worth checking first.
- Guided safaris are included in your stay.
- Plan additional engaging experiences, such as animal encounters that you can book separately to enhance your stay.
- Don’t forget your stay also includes entrance to Howletts, the sister park of Port Lympne.
Useful links: