Sleepover In The Zoo?

1 day ago

Now's your chance

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As prices soar and belts tighten, your safari dreams may be shrinking on the horizon. But what if we could go on safari right here in the UK? From Yorkshire Wildlife Park to Longleat, the options are abundant – and a new player is entering the arena. Here’s everything you need to know about Chester Zoo’s upcoming luxury lodges, plus how to secure a booking for yourself.

Chester Zoo Is Launching Luxury Lodges

When the evening draws in and the zoo shuts its gates for the night, there’s something a little Night at the Museum in the air. What do the animals get up to when the visitors have been shooed away? If you fancy finding out, add Chester Zoo’s brand new overnight safari-style lodge experience to your bucket list. Launching later this year, guests will experience exclusive behind-the-scenes moments with animals as well as special out-of-hours access to the zoo, all rolled into an overnight package.

‘There’s nothing else quite like The Reserve at Chester Zoo in the UK,’ says Chester Zoo CEO Jamie Christon. ‘It’s so much more than just a short break – it’ll provide guests with unforgettable experiences and bring them face-to-face with extraordinary animals, all while helping to protect the wild world and fund powerful conservation action.’

View of Lake from Welcome Building terrace

The Luxury Lodges

More than 50 lodges will house up to nine guests for an overnight stay. Some are lakeside, while others offer an unparalleled glimpse into the Northern giraffe enclosure. Crafted using natural, responsibly sourced materials, the decor is safari-inspired, drawing inspiration from Africa especially, where Chester Zoo is working to help endangered species thrive in the wild.

As well as their overnight accommodation, guests will ‘have special, out-of-hours access to the zoo, the opportunity to engage in a range of behind-the-scenes and animal experiences and be able to enjoy a freshly prepared meals, before taking in conservation stories while relaxing by our fire-pit on our lakeside terrace with blankets, cushions and toasting marshmallows,’ says Jamie.

‘What’s very special about this project is that stays at The Reserve will help to fund our species-saving conservation work, both here at the zoo and over in Kenya and Uganda, where our teams are working to secure a brighter future for highly endangered species like the eastern black rhino, giant pangolin and mountain bongo,’ Jamie adds.