safari park kent reviews

Our Day At Port Lympne Safari Park and Wild Animal Reserve REVIEW

This year I have started to hear about Port Lympne. A safari park and wild animal reserve in Kent. Who also offer amazingly different short break experiences. I couldn’t believe that there is a safari park in Kent giving you the full safari jeep experience. The only time we had ever experienced something like that is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom , I didn’t know it was an option in the UK. We were offered the chance to visit for the day to review the park, I couldn’t wait to take the children there.

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Visiting Port Lympne

Port Lympne works extremely closely with the Aspinall Foundation. They are a conservation charity who are leading the way in the reintroduction of captive-bred animals back into the wild.

Port Lympne is home to Kent’s only giraffes and spectacled bears. Gorilla feeds are a real highlight of any visit and take place at 12 and 3 pm. They also have a Dinosaur Forest that is the UK’s largest outdoor dinosaur exhibition.

The reserve covers 600 acres and is home to more than 760 animals from over 90 species. It is split into two areas, the safari truck routes, and the pedestrian routes. It has a combination of hilly and flat terrain. This can sometimes be steep and uneven.

If you are interested in a short break at Port Lympne there are over 13 different ways to stay there. Including glamping, the hotel, a stay in a bubble or a tiger, wolf or rhino lodge.

The Safari Experience

Upon entering Port Lympne we were directed to Basecamp. This is where the truck stop is to join the safari. We got there just after opening and wanted to make this our first port of call to avoid any long queuing times. As soon as we arrived at the truck stop a truck arrived for us to board with the group of passengers already waiting.

The safari takes you through a South American Experience, an Asian Experience, and an African Experience. The safari easily lasted an hour and our driver was full of information about the animals and the reserve.

At the South American Experience, you might be able to spot

• Spectacled Bears

In the Asian Experience, you might be able to spot

• Red River Hogs

• Pere David’s deer

• Asian water buffalo

• Przewalski’s horses

In the African Experience, you might be able to spot

• Eastern black rhino

• African painted dogs

The safari truck drops you at the stop in Carnivore territory. This is located at the bottom of the reserve. The driver did give us the option to return to Basecamp with him but we wanted to explore this area next. From this point, you walk up the hill back towards Basecamp. There are parts that are steep. If you stay on a short break some of the accommodation comes with the use of golf buggies. I think these would come in very handy to visit the rest of the park.

We captured our safari experience in the below video.

Dinosaur Forest

The next area of Port Lympne that we visited was the Dinosaur Forest. As expected this area is filled with dinosaurs. They are displayed in the correct timeline from when they roamed the earth.

The area contains lots of information about each dinosaur. We were even given a questionnaire about the dinosaurs to complete as we entered Port Lympne. We didn’t fill it in though as the children were having too much fun dinosaur spotting.

Dinosaur Forest is a lot bigger than we were expecting it to be and the children loved it.

The below video shows us exploring the Dinosaur Forest.

Meeting A T-Rex

Every Sunday during the summer holidays the Dinosaur Forest has had another visitor. A ‘real-life’ T-Rex . We made sure we were there when it was time for him to visit.

Joe the T-Rex was lots of fun and the children thought he was very funny.

Little E was even put in charge of him. She had to walk him around and keep him under control! You can see all the fun the children had below…

The Primate Trail

After we stopped for lunch at Babydoll’s Wood Fired Pizza we made our way around the pedestrian route. We headed towards the Primate Trail. The highlight of this part of the reserve for me was the Apes and Gorillas.

They are animals that Colchester Zoo doesn’t have, and I think they are a rare sight in many zoos.

What was really amazing was that there was a baby ape. It was fantastic to see one so small. It is also nice to know that they are happy enough to breed at Port Lympne.

I really wanted to experience the Gorilla feed but Ethan had struggled during our visit so we decided to give it a miss on this visit. I’m hoping there will be a future visit where we can experience this.

The below video is the full vlog of our day at Port Lympne.

Our Thoughts Of Port Lympne

Port Lympne doesn’t have the feel of a zoo. There is a more relaxed feel in the atmosphere. There are so many different animals to see there.

The safari was a real highlight for us. Amazing to have this experience in the UK. It was also very educational for us all.

The children loved their time there and also enjoyed playing in the different playgrounds.

I feel like Port Lympne want to offer its visitors an experience to remember at their reserve. They do this by offering a very different short break experience. Even down to the restaurant where we ate lunch, it just feels so different from a normal zoo-type visit. Babydoll’s could easily be a standalone restaurant found in your local town.

We would love to return but we would like to experience an overnight stay . Preferably accommodation that includes a golf buggy. The hills of the reserve did call for the purchase of cake on our return to Basecamp.

DISCLOSURE – We were gifted entrance to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve for the purposes of this post and to create our YouTube videos. We always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, and experiences.

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AAA Safari - totally worth it! - Port Lympne Reserve

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• England    
• Kent    
• Lympne    
• Lympne - Things to Do    
• Port Lympne Reserve

Nice day out. Be prepared for hills and steps as set on a hill side. Lots of animals, in nice... read more

Treehouse stay, No where near as good as the previous. accommodation looking more tired welcome... read more

AAA Safari - totally worth it!

The triple AAA safari is a particular experience separate to normal safari but it is unquestionably worth every penny. Your ranger (in our case the knowledgeable and highly engaging Will) gets you into a small jeep/truck affair and takes you off to explore! We had 8 people in the jeep and the more personal nature of the tour allowed plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Our particular experienced allowed for some hand feeding of Rosie, the obliging and surprising soft skinned Rhino. There was also some serious quality time spent in the giraffe house feeding these stunning animals...and who doesn't love a giraffe! The relaxed nature of this tour meant we got to spend a bit more time viewing the wolves, camels (who have real character), tapir, various antelope and cheetah. In total the safari was about 2.5hrs. Within the experience cost you can then spend the rest of the day exploring the rest of the reserve. This may just have become a yearly pre-Christmas treat away from the hustle and bustle!

Thank you very much for taking time to leave your kind review. It is very good to hear how much you enjoyed your AAA safari which gives a wonderful overview of the African Experience where the animals roam free with the added bonus of feeding our Rhino and Giraffe. We look forward to welcoming you back again to Port Lympne hopefully for your pre-Christmas treat! Thank you once again.

We enjoyed a day around the park, used the safari bus, driver was very friendly, informative and had a good sense of humour, made it all very enjoyable as did seeing the animals with so much space and being cared for so well, they are also doing a great job increasing depleting numbers and releasing some back to the wild.

Thank you very much for your lovely positive review. We are delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your time with us and we hope to welcome you back in the near future. Thank you once again

Lost track of how many times I heard the word "enrichment" to describe how the animals are cared for. I'm not into zoos and safari parks and this place is no different. Some of the animals are cared for more than others, think Animal Farm by Orwell. Will not return to add further misery to these poor captive ( yet "enriched" animals )by filling the pockets of the owners under the banner of it's all about the animals.

Thank you for taking time to leave your review. As a world renowned conservation charity we are justifiably proud of our conservation record here at our Parks and of our many overseas projects. We are always looking to return our animals back to the wild where we can, having sent back Black Rhino, Javan Gibbon, Western Lowland Gorilla and the first ever repatriation of African painted dogs back to their home states to name but a few. Our animals here at the Reserve live in large naturalistic enclosures that mimic their natural habitat. Our dedicated keepers take great pride in providing the greatest care for the animals and their well being with their welfare always being our top priority. Thank you once again.

Me and six others ( should have been 7) had an overnight stay and had our own ranger and chef who provided us with a three course evening meal and a cooked breakfast in the morning. Also had two safaris with our ranger, and what he didn’t know about all the animals wasn’t worth knowing. Fantastic break

Dear Catherine B, Thank you for your 5* review on your recent stay at Giraffe Cottage. We are very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you back in the near future. Kind regards The Customer Service Team

An amazing day out on Monday with my small Granddaughter beautiful crisp autumn day. Hardly any people in the Park we walked through the Wallaby enclosure then took the safari truck. The driver mentioned a rocky ride due to the resent weather but that aside all the animals were out to greet us Spectacled Bears I’ve not seen before because always hiding.. Rhinos, Giraffe, Painted Dogs, Ostrich, Wolves, Common Eland , Zebras, Red Lechwe plus more glorious to them out and grazing. We stopped off and walked towards the Dinosaur Park, but was I told they did like them so stopped and saw the Tiger having his lunch right in our window view.. time for our lunch in Babydoll a warm welcome good coffee and a great pizza.. Time to make tracks home a walk back to pick our buggy up my only little request if providing child buggies make sure they are working and better still buy new ones please.. will I return yes I’ve brought a yearly pass so they can carry on their great conservation program..

Thank you very much for your lovely review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your day with us so much that you have purchased a membership pass. Regarding the buggies I have passed your comments to our Estates Manager who will be monitoring their condition and arranging for replacements as required. Thank you once again for your support and we look forward to welcoming you back throughout the year.

Me and my wife took our two little girls, straight away we found the staff very informative and very helpful, we had a walk around the park and saw lots of animals out even tho it was raining, both the girls myself and wife where pleasantly surprised! We then took a safari truck,as was told this was the only way to see the giraffe. So we jumped on the truck? We only had to wait 10 minutes. I believe the drivers name was Matt, he was very polite and again very knowledgeable really topped the day off, I tried to tip him ,but he respectfully declined and asked me to donate it instead. (We did this) What an amazing young chap ! We all had a fantastic day out,the girls loved it. Thank you to all the staff. I would highly recommend going, we will definitely be coming back and maybe staying next time!

Thank you for your lovely positive review. We are delighted to hear that you all enjoyed your day with us and we really do appreciate your kind comments about our staff. We hope to welcome you back as a day visitor or perhaps we can tempt you to stay at one of our many luxurious accommodations?? Thank you once again.

• Nov 1, 2022

Port Lympne Safari Park- Five Tips to Walking on Kent’s Wild Side

If you thought Kent was just a county in the UK with nothing majorly animalistic to offer, think again! Port Lympne Safari Park offers those who visit Kent an educational insight into the animal kingdom. Perfect for those who don’t fancy leaving the country yet want to experience the ultimate Safari experience.

The following five tips will show how you can experience the walk on Kent’s wild side by making the most of your time with this Safari Park:

Tip 1 - Embark on a Safari Experience

a.aNow, this may seem obvious enough, but embarking on a Safari is the best way to discover the animals that are being well looked after and fed by the considerate volunteers who work here. The Safari will take you across the world’s major continents, such as Asia, South America and Africa.

You will encounter animals of a wide range of species, some of which you will have seen and some of which will be completely new to you. Your driver/animal expert will share their knowledge of the animals with you as you go around the world in around 80 minutes. You will even discover one of Kent’s charming views looking out towards the Strait of Dover on the left of your jeep.

One of the Safari's most attractive views

The prices of each Safari vary depending on the type of Safari and whether you are staying in Port Lympne overnight as a guest. For example, if you are a guest staying overnight, then your Safari ticket will include free entry to the park.

Click Here for further details about the Safaris on offer.

Tip 2 – Attend an Animal Encounter

Port Lympne Safari Park strives to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals, particularly those that are endangered and becoming close to extinction.

Animal encounters take place regularly across Port Lympne Safari Park. The beginning of these animal encounters will cover the educational aspect, where you can learn the names of the animals, their sex and any unusual facts you wouldn’t necessarily hear that often about the animals you are encountering.

If your timing is on the ball, you can also expect to help feed the animals you encounter. As you carry out this task, you will learn about the diet that these animals follow or have to follow. Elephants, for example, are satisfied with the bucketsful of chopped carrots that they receive.

Armed with carrots ready to feed the elephants

All animal encounters are available to book either via the website or on the day of your visit and can range from £15 to £150. Click Here to learn more about the encounters available.

Tip 3 – Become a Keeper for a Day with the Keeper Academy

This tip will be handy for those teens with an everlasting love for animalistic things. Becoming a Keeper for a day will entail beginning your work at 9 am to become cultivated into the Dos and Don’ts of being a Keeper (Including Health & Safety aspects). You can then expect a VIP tour of the whole Safari Park, including your chance to observe the endangered species as they go about their morning business.

The nutritional diets of the animals will also be covered as you learn about what they eat and what they avoid. Aspiring keepers can also feed the animals themselves in the hope of forming a connection with them.

The Bengal Tiger can be one of the animals aspiring keepers can feed

You can also access the sleeping quarters of the animals and make their beds for them (Unfortunately they will not pay you to do the work, however your payment comes in the form of appreciation from the Safari Park staff). As the day comes to an end, you will be thanked for your hard work, and no doubt you will go away from this experience having formed animal connections and friends with other aspiring keepers.

Want to experience all of this? Then sign up for the Keeper Academy .

Tip 4 – Travel Back in Time to the Pre-Historic Range

In many cases, dinosaurs are a kid’s best friend. To bring their Jurassic imagination to life, they have the opportunity to journey through the period of the dinosaurs with the Dinosaur Forest.

The largest in the UK, this forest features the dinosaurs that kids adore the most, including the Velociraptor, Stegosaurus and the T-rex and Stegosaurus.

Before visiting this Dino-domain, kids can use the Safari Park website to find their Dinosaur name using the Dinosaur Name Generator . Once their name is discovered, the dinosaurs had better watch out for the new boy/girl in town!

The Safari Park regularly releases new dinosaurs to add to the arsenal of prehistoric predators that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. This fact will certainly make the kids hungry for more!

Tip 5 – Stay Overnight

What better way is there to get the most out of your experience at Port Lympne than staying overnight in either the onsite hotel, one of the lodges or a glamping pod? This Safari Park is equipped with many accommodation options, all of which will offer you a warm feeling and staggering views.

The accommodation options include the Treehouse Hotel, a wide range of Lodges (all of which are dedicated to the animals on the Safari Park), a Giraffe Cottage, the Hog Deer Creek and cosy romantic Bubbles (The ideal place to stargaze).

One of the many bear lodges at Port Lympne

Not only are you going to enjoy your stimulating stay at this Safari Park, but you will also be helping the welfare of the animals in the park, as well as supporting the Aspinall Foundation in their work to release further animals back into the wild.

The cost of each accommodation option will vary depending on the season, and it will be advisable to check the prices of each option to find out what suits your individual needs. Click Here to read more.

And there we have it! Five tips that will help you with Walking on Kent’s Wild Side. Go book your adventure at Port Lympne Safari Park and remember the wise words from the Disney Pixar film ‘Up’ “The wilderness must be explored!”.

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Sublime glamping in a Kent safari park - Refundable hotel

Giraffe lodge, port lympne hotel & reserve, kent.

Property details

• Bringing the Savannah to Kent: Located in the tranquil, bucolic landscape of south Kent, Port Lympne Reserve is a true slice of the African Savannah by the English coast. Taking its luxury tented accommodation to new heights, it now offers the chance to get up close and personal with their mesmerising giraffes, with a stay under the stars at Giraffe Lodge.
• Award-winning experience: Offering one-night safari trips, Giraffe Lodge was a winner of the Tourism Experience of the Year award at the 2016 Visit England Awards - and for good reason. This utterly unique spot offers luxury camping in private safari tents, with views out over the park's watering hole and beyond to the English Channel.
• Delicious dining: You'll be as close to an authentic African escape as it gets, with safaris led by the Reserve's specialist rangers. Dinner is served in the Lapa - a large African-style lodge with views onto the watering hole. Here, traditional South African-style food is prepared over an open fire.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements (including those related to COVID-19) at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements, before you travel.

Location and what's nearby

Aldington Road, Lympne, near Hythe, Kent CT21 4LR

Is this the UK’s chicest safari experience? Port Lympne launches glass wigwam accommodation where your neighbours are a pair of rare leopards

By Rebecca Cope

Wigwams at Leopard Creek

I’m waking up to the sound of what can only be described as ‘lion song’, with a grizzly alpha male named Milo making most of the racket. Sitting up in bed, I look out of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, watching a herd of wildebeest doing their morning ablutions. If I step outside, I could encounter a group of rhinos, or a solitary bush dog - or even a pair of extremely rare leopards. No, I’m not in Africa, but rather Kent - at Port Lympne, Damian Aspinall’s sprawling and celebrated safari park and sanctuary.

Bedroom at the Cubs unit

By Isaac Bickerstaff

By Harriet Johnston

I’m staying in a glass wigwam at Leopard Creek, a brand new area of accommodation that Port Lympne opened to the public in November. It joins Tiger Lodge and Lion Lodge - where your windows look out into the big cats’ pens - as one of the most luxurious and exclusive stays in the park, except here, your neighbours are a pair of Amur leopards. 

Amur leopard

Designed to accommodate two adults and two children, the unique glass structure features faux fur throws and fake animal skin rugs, cow-hide armchairs and animal skull bowls, with Creative Director Victoria Aspinall’s touch evident everywhere. With no blinds or curtains, you’re slightly exposed to the elements, but you aren’t overlooked by anyone - albeit the wildebeest. It’s a truly romantic experience, falling asleep underneath the stars, staring up at the moon, and waking up as the sun rises. Adding to the experience is a fire pit that you share with your neighbouring wigwam, where you can enjoy your morning coffee al fresco, or sip sundowners ahead of dinner, gazing out as far as the French coast, on a clear day. Fully equipped with everything you need, there’s a flat-screen TV that you can ‘cast’ your laptop or mobile on to, a stocked fridge and coffee-making facilities, plus a fabulously powerful rainforest shower and the fluffiest towels and robes. For couples, there's also the option of the smaller ‘cubs’, which are just as luxurious but smaller in size. 

Interior of the Cabins

Overnight guests are all given the keys to a golf buggy, with these wheels allowing you to zip about from one corner of the ginormous park to another throughout the day and night. You might catch sight of the infamously private red panda, taking its evening walk, or the lynxes, watching you from their spot high in the trees. These vehicles are essential for getting to and from the park’s many restaurants and bars, too, from the Garden Room, a Soho Farmhouse-esque eatery, to the more laidback Babydolls, a pizzeria named for a beloved gorilla once adopted by the family.

Terrace at the Cubs

Stays at Leopard Creek, as with the other accommodations, include a safari experience, but you'd do best to upgrade to the VIP version, dubbed the ‘AAA’ safari. Although it covers a lot of the same ground as the standard drive, with your guide taking you through Port Lympne’s African, Asian and South American zones, it offers a more in-depth experience that is twice as long. There’s also the addition of two hand-feeding experiences with the rhinos and the giraffes, which make this truly memorable. Further ‘animal encounters’ can also be organised, from feeding the lions to the gorillas, at an extra cost.

For more information and to book, visit aspinallfoundation.org  

By Chandler Tregaskes

By Damian Hurley

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Port Lympne Safari Park Kent

Visit Website

01303 264 647

MONTHS OPEN

Port Lympne Safari Park Kent is the biggest animal wildlife reserve and breeding sanctuary. Your students will experience enrichment learning covering topics and issues relating to animal welfare, biology, conservation and environmental studies on this award winning safari park educational day trip.

Listed under: Curriculum Subject / Activity Type | Animal Welfare | Biology | Conservation | Day Trip Destinations | Ecology & Green Awareness | Enrichment Learning | Environmental Studies | Geography | Geology | History | Outdoor Education | Reward Trip | Safari Parks | Science | STEM | Wildlife and Nature Reserves | Wildlife Parks | Wow Days | Zoos |

What we offer on a school trip

A school trip to Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent will bring your learning sessions and textbooks to life!  Whether you book one of our curriculum linked school talks or workshops or set off on a self-guided adventure, your class will enjoy a fun and educational day out of the classroom!

Port Lympne Animal Reserve is home to over 900 rare and endangered animals, including the largest herd of black rhinos in the UK, western lowland gorillas, the only giraffes in Kent, big cats, primates and bears.

As well as all the amazing animals in our 600 acre reserve, your students will discover our BIG attraction Dinosaur Forest, play parks, the Port Lympne Hotel gardens and more. You can also join in our FREE animal talks.

As part of your school trip you can choose to embark on the iconic Port Lympne truck safari, journeying through the African and Asian experience, getting up close and personal to free roaming giraffes, zebras, camels and many more.

Wildlife Reserve Kent

Animal Reserve Kent

Safari Parks Kent

Conservation Kent 

What makes us a great choice for educational groups

• Over 900 rare and endangered animals to see and learn about
• Seats on the iconic Port Lympne truck safari journeying through the African and Asian experience, to see free roaming giraffes, zebra, camels and much more
• Dinosaur Forest
• Various play parks
• Port Lympne Hotel historic gardens to explore
• Free animal interactive ranger talks
• Three on-site restaurant and cafes

What is typically included on your school trips

– Entrance to Port Lympne Safari Reserve to see over 900 rare and endangered animals, including the largest herd of black rhinos in the UK, western lowland gorillas, the only giraffes in Kent, big cats, primates and bears

– Your students will discover our BIG attraction Dinosaur Forest

– Play parks

– Port Lympne Hotel gardens to explore

– Join the FREE animal talks

– Seats on the iconic Port Lympne truck safari journeying through the African and Asian experience to see free roaming giraffes, zebras, camels and many more.

Group Sizes

We cater for any group size as long as its 15 +

Materials, Resources & Keystage Information

Port Lympne Reserve provides a map for each child. There are no materials required for the talks and workshops.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

No commercial filming, recording or photography of any kind in any media is permitted without permission of Howletts Wild Animal Park.

Risk Assessment

These are provided at time of booking.

Education Officer Details

You will receive this on arrival or contact us via; 01303 264 647 or [email protected]

School Child aged 3 – 15:  £15

Student aged 16+:  £17

Teacher of TA:  £17 (one admitted free per 5 paying children)

Clothing Requirements

We just advise suitable footwear for walking.

Available Facilities

• There are lots of picnic areas and cafes to eat lunch.
• Pocket money is required if children want to shop in the gift shop.
• There are toilets located around the park.
• There are three restaurants, two cafes and coffee/snacks/ice cream kiosks
• On site souvenir shop

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

We are DDA compliant.

We do not have qualitied SEM staff

There are accessible toilets

Opening Times

Port Lympne is open every day of the week, 09.30am – 5pm

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12 BEST Safari Parks in the UK

From guided tours and drive through safaris, to wallaby walkthroughs and big cats roaming, here are the best safari parks in the uk..

Forget going to the zoo, this post is all about going on safari in the UK!

Did you know that the UK offers some of the best safari park experiences in Europe? It’s true! And it means you don’t need to spend big bucks when seeing the big 5.

Whether you’re looking for a drive through experience or to get up close and personal with the animals, we’ve compiled a list of the best safari parks in the UK. These are the best ones in England , Scotland and Wales .

From drive-through experiences at Longleat, to walkthrough experiences such as the foot safari at Woburn Safari Park, there are so many options to choose from. And all of them are guaranteed good days out!

If you prefer a guided tour with zoo experts, West Midland Safari Park offers fantastic mini bus tours. Or maybe you’d prefer to walk with the wallabies at Manor Wildlife Park? 

We absolutely love watching the monkeys climb on top of the cars at Blair Drummond – be warned because they are very cheeky! Will you choose to sleep with the animals, ride a safari, or hand feed parakeets?

Find out all of this and more in our list of the best UK safari parks.

Best Safari Parks in the UK

Longleat safari park.

Check out the UK’s Number 1 safari park at Longleat, Wiltshire! Discover big cats, elephants, wolves and more at the drive-through safari experience.

Wind up your windows for the safari of a lifetime as you pass through Tiger Territory, Cheetah Kingdom and The Big Game Park, where you can see a herd of Southern white rhinos.

Don’t forget to check out our favourite part – Monkey Mayhem. The troupe of macaques are known for causing mischief (just watch out for your windscreen wipers!)

Jump out at the African Village and Walking Safari as you journey across the African reserve and discover giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and ostriches. 

• Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
• Website: https://www.longleat.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Longleat tickets here

West Midland Safari Park

Whether you’re driving yourself or jumping on a guided minibus tour, the safari experience at West Midland Safari Park can be enjoyed by everyone.

Animal fanatics can book onto a guided minibus safari tour where the knowledgeable staff will teach you all about the different animals. Can you spot the rhinos, lions, camels and elephants across the 5 different zones? You can even take your own car if you’d prefer to experience the safari at your own pace.

View the animals up close on the African Walking Trail. Watch out for the elephants roaming their new habitat, or the giraffes grazing on the trees.

• Address: West Midland Safari Park. Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF
• Website: https://www.wmsp.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your WMSP tickets here

Chessington Safari Resort

For a unique type of safari experience, check out Chessington Safari Resort. With a range of themed rooms, you can see animals whilst you sleep.

Choose between exquisitely themed rooms with views over the enclosures of your favourite animals. The giraffe room, tiger room, penguin room and monkey mayhem room overlook the Wanyama reserve.

Many of the rooms include access to the savannah splash pool and hotel entertainment. To finish off your trip, check Chessington World of Adventure for a day full of thrill rides and zoo fun. 

• Address: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Rd, Chessington. KT9 2NE
• Website: https://www.chessington.com/
• Tickets: Get your Chessington World of Adventures tickets here

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in England with over 10,000 animals. As part of the Zoological Society London , Whipsnade is dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and science. 

Whipsnade Zoo has many incredible animals you won’t see elsewhere, like brown bears and wolverines. This year an endangered baby Asian elephant was born at the zoo! Grab tickets for the Elephant Cafe where you will be able to see mum and baby.

Why not try one of the many experiences at the zoo? Become a keeper for the day and you can work with the rhinos, giraffes and elephants. 

• Address: Whipsnade, Dunstable. LU6 2LF
• Website: https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo
• Tickets: Get your Whipsnade tickets here

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Scottish readers are definitely going to want to visit Blair Drummond Park to get their animal fix. From lions and macaques, to deer and antelope, there’s so much to see. 

Venture through the African animals, Asian animals, the lions and the macaque reserve in your own car for a day of family fun. Will you spot the rhino in the grass or hear the lion roar? The cheeky monkeys love to jump on cars as they pass so don’t forget to lock your doors!

Once you’ve had your drive-through fun you can check out the 300 species at Blair Drummond. I’m a big fan of the wallabies!

• Address: Blair Drummond, Stirling. FK9 4UR
• Website: https://www.blairdrummond.com/
• Tickets: Get your Blair Drummond tickets here

Manor Wildlife Park

If you like to get up close and personal with the wildlife, Manor Wildlife Park in Wales is the safari park for you. With several walkthrough safari experiences, there are so many animals to spot.

Start off your day in the Wallaby Walkthrough, where visitors can see young Joey’s hop into their mother’s pouch. I love to look for my favourite animal, the red panda, through the forest canopy. 

Don’t forget to visit the Lemurs in their Madagascan home where you can watch them jump and climb. If you’re lucky they might even sit next to you!

• Address: Manor Wildlife Park, St Florence, Tenby. SA70 8RJ
• Website: https://www.manorwildlifepark.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Manor Wildlife Park tickets here

Port Lympne Safari Park

Come face to face with rare and endangered animals at Port Lympne Safari Park. Head to Kent to experience hundreds of acres of savannah. 

Port Lympne offers three unique safari experiences for you to choose from. On the AAA safari, an expert ranger takes you on a guided tour to see Savannah animals, like the giraffe, zebra, ostrich and wildebeest. Can you spot the black rhino?

Perhaps you’d prefer to jump on the rhino and giraffe safari, or the rangers tour, where you’ll journey through the Asian and African exhibits. 

• Address: Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe. CT21 4LR
• Website: https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/
• Tickets: Get your Pork Lympne tickets here

Knowsley Safari Park

Did you know that Knowsley Safari Park is actually the biggest safari park in the UK?

This 550 acre safari park is home to animals from across the globe. Journey through Eastern and Southern Asia, where you can see yaks and deer, or check out the African Savannah zone which is home to one of the largest white rhinos in the UK. Hop on the baboon bus for a car-friendly view of the baboons as they swing off the ropes.

Finish off your day with a walk through the Amur Tiger trail where you can get nose to nose with the two tigers.

• Address: Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot. L34 4AN
• Website: https://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Knowsley Safari Park tickets here

Woburn Safari Park

Check out over 300 acres of drive-through safari nestled amongst the Bedfordshire landscape at Woburn Safari Park. You can have a whole day of fun with the drive-through and walk-through safari experiences.

Drive through the vast nature reserves to spot the animals lurking within. From bison and rhinos, to bears and tigers, there are so many incredible animals across 5 zones. I’d recommend the Kingdom of the Carnivores, where you can see tigers, lions, bears and wolves!

End your experience with the foot safari, where you can explore small mammals and birds. With lemurs, penguins, birds of prey, otters, wallabies, and more, this is not one to be missed.

• Address: Woburn Safari Park, Crawley Rd, Woburn, Ridgmont, Bedford. MK43 0TU
• Website: https://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Woburn Safari Park tickets here

Knepp Wildlife Safari

If you’re looking for something different, check out the safari experiences at Knepp Safari. Encounter local wildlife, such as ponies, deer, and pigs, on one of the many vehicle and walking safaris at Knepp.

Hop on the all terrain vehicle and enjoy the half-day safari to discover British wildlife. You will see free-roaming herds of cattle, ponies, pigs and deer on your journey.

You’ll get to stop at the wildlife ‘refugia’ and spot small animals, such as grass snakes, toads and voles. There’s even a cafe stop so you can enjoy delicious local brownies.

Why not try a themed safari, such as the autumn safari, where you can spot red deer stags, or the bats and moths safari, where you can see nocturnal creatures.

• Address: Knepp Wildland Safaris, New Barn Farm, Swallows Ln, Dial Post, Horsham. RH13 8NN
• Website: https://www.kneppsafaris.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Knepp Wildlife Safari tickets here

South Lakes Safari Zoo

Home to over 1,000 of the rarest and most endangered species across the globe, South Lakes Safari Zoo is the perfect place to get up close and personal with the animals.

From Africa and Madagascar, to Australia and South America, there’s so much to see. Check out the jaguars and snow leopards or head to the lemurs and arctic wolves. South Lakes Safari Zoo is committed to conservation so you can view the animals in their natural environment. 

Why not book an animal encounter to learn all about your favourite animal? I’d love to prepare Stanley the sloth his favourite snacks!

• Address: South Lakes Safari Zoo, Melton Ter, Lindal in Furness, Ulverston. LA12 0LU
• Website: https://www.southlakessafarizoo.com/
• Tickets: Get your South Lakes Safari Zoo tickets here

Peak Wildlife Park

Peak Wildlife Park offers fantastic walk through experiences for all the family. Whether you decide to explore the African village or walk with the penguins, there’s something for everyone.

Have you ever wanted to walk with the lemurs or wallabies? I certainly have! Watch the lemurs leap through the canopies and listen to their distinct calls, or check out wallaby wonderland where the friendly animals will munch on branches out of your hands.

Head to the African village where you can spot meerkats, chickens, and Pygmy goats. Don’t forget to give their horns a good scratch!

• Address: Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill, Leek. ST13 7QR
• Website: https://www.peakwildlifepark.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Peak Wildlife Park tickets here

Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo prides itself on being at the heart of conservation. With several walkthrough enclosures and a brand new The Gruffalo Discovery Land, this is a fantastic choice for little ones. 

Walk among the flutters of colourful wings in the Butterfly Paradise or hand feed the birds at Lorikeet Landing. Head to the goat walkthrough where your little ones (and the biggest members of the family!) can stroke the farmyard animals. 

Check out the lemurs as they weave in and out of your feet. You can even watch the tigers roam above you in the glass visitor tunnel. 

• Address: Twycross Zoo, East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Rd, Atherstone. CV9 3PX
• Website: https://twycrosszoo.org/
• Tickets: Get your Twycross Zoo tickets here

That concludes our list of the best UK safari parks. Which one will you be visiting on your next day out with the family? If you have any questions at all, you can let us know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for other fun days out, then check out our guide to the best theme parks in the UK . Again, this is perfect for the whole family!

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Howletts Wild Animal Park

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HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 09:30 - 17:00
• (0.46 mi) The Evenhill
• (0.44 mi) The Pilgrims Rest
• (2.46 mi) The Dog at Wingham
• (3.44 mi) Harriet House B&B
• (4.03 mi) Yorke Lodge Bed and Breakfast
• (0.44 mi) The Evenhill Restaurant
• (1.51 mi) The Haywain
• (2.46 mi) The Dog at Wingham Restaurant
• (3.29 mi) Mr Falafel Canterbury
• (3.48 mi) Notorious BRG Canterbury

Family glamping adventure in the great outdoors with wild neighbours

Spend your days spotting wild animals and making memories with the family in the 600 acre Reserve, followed by an evening of toasting marshmallows at the firepit and a night under canvas, snuggled up in real beds with en suite facilities!

Open all year and overlooking the spectacled bear habitat in a quiet corner of Port Lympne Reserve, you'll feel like you're part of the sky as you enjoy the colourful sunsets and spectacular display of the stars from your comfy perch on the hilltop at Bear Lodge.

Sleeping 8 in comfortable beds with snug bedding and towels, fridge and tea-making facilities included, Bear Lodge provides the perfect base for your wild adventures, with a touch of rustic charm. The 19 glamping tents surround the central Clubhouse where you'll find home cooked, family favourites in the restaurant and a well stocked bar.

Book a front row tent at Bear Lodge       Book a back row tent at Bear Lodge

Please note : Golf buggies are not available at Bear Lodge and your view will be of our spectacled bear enclosure, not our new brown bear enclosure.

Your Accommodation

Wildlife at your doorstep.

• Safari experience

Eat & Drink

Prices and booking.

Bear Lodge is a complex of 19 glamping tents each sleeping 8 people in 2 double beds and 2 bunk beds. With ensuite bathroom and shower, bedding and towels included, fridge and tea-making facilities and a cosy living area with log burner, Bear Lodge provides the perfect base for your wild adventures, with a touch of rustic charm. 

Your family and friends will love spending the nights under canvas, listening to the sounds of the wild and reconnecting with nature. Snuggle up with extra blankets and a glass of wine on your private deck for a cosy evening of star gazing, or simply enjoying the starlit view of the reserve and over the Romney Marsh to the coast. Make sure you pack your cosiest PJs and fluffiest bed socks, as seasoned glampers will know, it can get a little chilly at night.

Please note: Golf buggies are not available at Bear Lodge

As well as Oberon & Rina, Kent's only spectacled bears, you'll discover over 900 rare and endangered animals as you wander the rest of the 600 acre reserve. Jump aboard a safari truck at Basecamp and journey to the South American, Asian and African Experiences where you'll encounter free roaming animals and spectacular scenery. Admission to our sister park, Howletts Wild Animal Park is also included in your stay from 9.30am on the arrival day to closure on your departure day.

All of our short breaks guests have a safari included in the cost of their stay. Your safari will take you on an adventure through our South American, Asian and African Experience zones where you will see spectacled bears, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, camels and more. 

The Bear Lodge Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner bookings, or you can venture into the Reserve itself to enjoy one of the many cafes and restaurants at Port Lympne, like the wood fired pizza at Babydoll's or the  bistro style dishes at The Garden Room. Alternatively, relax in the tranquillity of the unique Moroccan Courtyard at Port Lympne Hotel (open spring & summer).

Bear Lodge is o pen all year. Prices from £350.  For more information, you can call 01303 234112 Monday to Sunday between 9am to 5pm, or fill in our simple online form at the end of the page and one of our team will be in touch.

What's Included

• Stay at Bear Lodge for 8 people
• Entrance to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park (from 9.30am on the day of arrival until closure on the day of departure)
• Access to the park's   restaurants
• Bedding and towels
• Fridge and tea-making facilities
• Communal firepit
• Free on site parking

Book Online

For more information or to enquire about gift vouchers for our short breaks, you can call 01303 234112 Monday to Sunday between 9am to 5pm, or fill in our simple online form and one of our team will be in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Below you'll find the most common questions our guests ask about staying at Bear Lodge.

How do we check in?

Our friendly team will meet you in Reception.

What time do we check in?

Check in is at 3pm but if you would like to arrive earlier and explore the Reserve, we can look after your luggage. A code for entry to Bear Lodge will be supplied in your booking confirmation, please call us on 01303 234112 if you have not received this before arrival.

Is it a separate entrance to Bear Lodge from the reserve?

Yes, for satnav the postcode to Bear Lodge is CT21 4LN, for the main park the postcode is CT21 4LR, they are approximately half a mile drive apart. If you would like to make use of the park on the day of arrival please head straight to the main entrance and show your booking confirmation for access. During your stay, access to the park is via the main entrance only.

Do we get admission to Howletts Wild Animal Park included in our stay?

Yes. Bear Lodge guests get admission to both Port Lympne Reserve and our sister park Howletts for the duration of your stay, for satnav the postcode to Howletts is CT4 5EL, please show your booking confirmation for access.

Can we cook in the tent?

The tents do not have cooking facilities, however tea and coffee making facilities are available and each tent has a small fridge. The onsite Club House Restaurant offers breakfast and dinner or guests are welcome to dine at our other restaurants within the reserve. Please  book dining times when you arrive.

Where will I sleep?

All tents are comfortably furnished and include bedding and en suite facilities. Tents sleep up to 8 people in 2 double beds and 2 sets of bunk beds.

Are towels, bedding and toiletries supplied?

Bath towels, hand towels, tea towels and bedding are supplied along with body wash for the shower and hand soap for the toilet. A starter toilet roll is supplied, however we recommend that you bring an adequate supply for the duration of your stay. Alternatively there is a supermarket in the nearby town of Hythe and a small shop in the nearby village of Lympne.

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Yes, alcohol may be consumed within the area of your tent, however if you wish to try an unusual tipple, the Club House bar is open until 10.00pm.

What food is offered in the restaurant?

A variety of menu choices are served in the restaurant. We also offer bar snacks and a children’s menu. For any dietary requirements, please give us a call on 01303 234112.

What are the restaurant opening times?

The Club House Restaurant opens at 8am for breakfast until 10.00am. In the evening the kitchen closes at 9.00pm and the Club House closes at 10.00pm. You will need to book your dining times for our restaurant. 

What entertainment is included?

You’ll enjoy free entry to Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal park throughout your stay with us. Plus, there are a number of optional activities available to buy, including special safaris and animal encounters. There will be an onsite Ranger with whom you can book this when you check in or please book prior to your visit.

Are there lodges with wheelchair access?

One of our luxury tented lodges is adapted for wheelchair access. Please call 01303 234112 to check availability of this Lodge.

Can we play music in our tents?

Playing music is fine, but please remember that there will be other guests who may not share your taste. The tents are canvas and noise carries across the site so please don’t be alarmed if we ask you to turn it down.

Is there a power supply in the tent?

There is limited power supply in the tents so we recommend that you check with the Reception staff on arrival but this is 'Camping' after all!

Can we bring candles?

Yes, but please only use in proper candle holders for your own safety and that of fellow campers.

Can we bring balloons & footballs?

Unfortunately not, if these were to get into our animal enclosures and in turn were ingested by our animals they would become very sick.

Is smoking allowed on the site?

Yes, but please note that smoking is not allowed in the tents, Club House Restaurant or on the decking.  

Does it get cold in the tents?

During adverse weather and in the early spring/autumn months the tents can get cold. Extra blankets are provided in all the tents, but we would advise that you pack appropriate clothing for the cold and pack extra blankets in case of colder weather. The Lodge is a tent and therefore can get cold once the sun goes down.

Do all of the tents have a view?

Some tents are situated at the front of the site with views of the spectacled bear paddock, South American Experience and the coast. Some are situated to the left of the clubhouse and behind the clubhouse. When booking, please indicate your preference of location/upgrade.

Is a golf buggy included?

Golf buggies are not available at Bear Lodge. 

You may also like

With 14 different ways to stay, we're certain we have the perfect accommodation for you at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. Don't forget that our unique accommodations can be booked as part of your conference or private event.

Giraffe Lodge

Camp out under the stars and immerse yourself in an exciting safari experience - right here in Kent!

Forest Hideaway

Exclusive hidden forest dens, for the ultimate romantic retreat. Includes a golf buggy to explore the reserve at your leisure.

Put the fun back into camping without the need to pitch a tent at Pinewood, where you can sleep within roaring distance of lions!

Back to the Wild!

With your visit and stay you contribute to our greatest mission, getting the animals 'Back to the Wild'. This initiative has already seen an impressive number of animals born at Howletts and Port Lympne returned to their natural habitats. Your help is vital for our worldwide conservation projects.

Gift Vouchers

Give the gift of an overnight stay at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, where choices of short breaks range from seasonal glamping to luxury lodges and can include the opportunity to wake up in a tiger’s world at Tiger Lodge or come face to face with a magnificent lion at Lion Lodge.

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