Sleep in a zoo! Spend the night surrounded by wild animals and make the most of your trip to the zoo or safari park.
There are plenty of accommodation options, from hotels to luxury lodges or glamping, which will suit all budgets.
On this page I have handpicked 10 of the wildest and wonderful UK safari park and zoo stays.
Stay At Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
Set in a unique coastal location surrounded by wildlife is Port Lympne Wild Animal Reserve.
Stay at the Port Lympne Mansion Hotel which features stunning views across the Romney Marsh and over the Kent Coast.
The historic Edwardian mansion house has elegant rooms including some luxury suites with four-poster beds.
The hotel serves full English and continental breakfasts. Afternoon tea can also be organised and picnic hampers can be provided. Guests are free to explore Howletts Wild Animal Park (the smaller of the two safari parks), which is also within the grounds.
Guest rate this hotel an excellent 8.9/10 based on 95 reviews.
There are plenty of amazing ways to stay at Port Lympne Wild Animal Reserve from luxury lodges with windows looking straight into lion, tiger or wolf enclosures or unforgettable glamping with giraffes or bears!
Available from: Booking.com
Stay In A Lookout Lodge At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Stay at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo at night in a Lookout Lodge. The lodges are situated in extraordinary surroundings overlooking the Chiltern Downs.
Your neighbours for the evening will include white rhinos and reindeer and you may even awake in the morning to the sound of roaring lions!
Lookout lodges have either two twin beds or double beds. There is also a sofa bed in each lodge, which children (aged 5-13 years) can stay on.
Included in the overnight stay package are the following;-
- Complimentary drink on arrival
- Three exclusive after-hours tours of the Zoo at sunset, after-dark and in the morning
- A delicious two-course dinner
- Full English breakfast
- Free entry into ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and ZSL London Zoo for two days of your evening stay
- Free car entry
- Exclusive discounts on Keeper for a Day and Meet the Animals experiences
The Lookout Lodges at ZSL Whipsnade have excellent 5/5 ratings on Trip Advisor based on 88 reviews.
Alternatively stay nearby at The Old Hunters Lodge, located just 650 yards from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, which has fabulous 8.6/10 reviews on Booking.com.
Available from: ZSL Whipsnade
Stay At Chessington Safari Hotel
Stay at this modern safari themed hotel located at Chessington World of Adventures Resort.
Family rooms have separate children’s sleeping area with flat-screen TV’s showing popular kids’ channels.
There is a heated indoor swimming pool, Savannah splash kids’ pool and sauna, steam room and gym.
Other nearby places of interest include Epsom and Sandown racecourses, Wimbledon, Hampton Court Palace and Thorpe Park.
The hotels ZAFARI Bar & Grill has an impressive theatre kitchen, a sun terrace and views across Wanyama, the African style animal reserve.
Very good 8.1/10 star ratings based on 696 guest reviews.
For more information on the best hotels near Chessington plus hotel and park ticket deals, click here.
Available from: Booking.com
Stay At A Safari Lodge West Midland Safari Park
Check out the brand new Safari Lodges at West Midland Safari Park. They are eight exclusive, luxury lodges, designed to give you an up-close and immersive overnight wildlife experience.
Short breaks include dinner and breakfast, spectacular views of the animals, admission to the Park during the day and Theme Park wristbands (summer season only).
Alternatively stay nearby at Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel, located 0.5 miles from West Midlands Safari Park. Good 7/10 reviews on Booking.com based on 973 guest reviews.
Available from: WMSP
Stay In A ZSL London Zoo Lodge
London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo! Visit the animals and then stay in one of these cool Gir Lion Lodges!
There are adult nights (where guests must be ages 14 years or older) or family nights (with children between 5-13 years old). Under 5’s are unable to stay over.
Each lodge can accommodate a maximum of two people plus an additional two children.
Included in the overnight stay package are the following;-
- Three exclusive after-hours tours of the Zoo
- Overnight stay in a private lodge (double or twin bed) with an en-suite bathroom and complimentary toiletries
- Dinner and breakfast
- Free entry into ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo for two days during your evening stay
- Free car parking
- Exclusive 15% discount on Meet the Animals experiences
- 10% off in gift shop and restaurant
Alternatively book a stay at the York & Albany, which is family friendly and has fabulous 8.9/10 ratings based on 439 guest reviews. Less than 10 minutes’ walk away from the Zoo!
Available from: ZSL London Zoo
Stay At Longleat In A Luxury Cottage
At Longleat Safari Park you can relax on the beach, take a Jungle Cruise or even ride the Longleat railway.
After a fun-packed day you can retreat to one of seven beautifully renovated self-catering cottages.
The cottages can accommodate couples or families of up to 6 people.
Included in the overnight stay package are the following;-
- Continental breakfast each morning
- A selection of locally sourced and Estate food and drink
- Entrance to Longleat for each day of your stay on open dates
- A 10% discount on retail, food and beverage purchases across the Park throughout your stay
Alternatively book a stay at The Bath Arms, which is family friendly and has very good 8.3/10 ratings based on 1,189 guest reviews. Only 4.3 miles from Longleat Safari Park.
Available from: Longleat
Stay At Flamingo Land
Flamingo Land in Yorkshire comprises of a theme park, award winning zoo and holiday park so there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
There are lots of accommodation options here from lodges to riverside cottages and there is also the option for camping or caravan stays.
The holiday park facilities are great and you can visit the splash zone swimming pool with slides, the club and golf course.
Alternatively book a stay at Barker Stakes Farm lodge set in 16 acres, which has exceptional 9.5/10 ratings based on 513 guest reviews. Only 1.2 miles from Flamingo Land.
Available from: Flamingo Land
Stay At Drayton Manor Resort
At Drayton Manor there are over 100 theme park rides and attractions including Thomas Land for the little ones, a 15-acre zoo and plenty more! There is also a 4* hotel onsite and camping and caravanning.
Check out the Drayton Manor Resort website for all of its latest stay and play offers where you can enjoy a relaxing overnight stay plus a delicious English breakfast and theme park tickets.
Alternatively book a stay at OYO Tamworth Arms Boutique Pub & Hotel, which has fabulous 8.8/10 ratings based on 212 guest reviews. Only a ten minute drive from Drayton Manor Resort.
Available from: Booking.com
Stay At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Stay at the Lookout Lodges at Whipsnade Safari Park, which is situated in beautiful surroundings overlooking the Chiltern Downs.
Stay close to a herd of white rhinos and reindeer and be awoken to the sound of penguins, flamingos or roaring tigers!
Each lodge comes with either double or twin beds and has a private veranda.
Included in the overnight stay package are the following;-
- Complimentary drink on arrival
- Three exclusive after-hours tours of the Zoo at sunset, after-dark and in the morning
- Overnight stay in a private lodge
- A delicious two-course dinner
- Full English breakfast
- Free entry into ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and ZSL London Zoo for day two of your evening stay
- Free car entry to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
- Exclusive discounts on Keeper for a Day and Meet the Animals experiences
It is also possible to book Nature Night Camping on the main lawn where you can pitch up your own tent on selected Saturday’s.
Alternatively book a stay at Old Hunters Lodge, which is family friendly and has fabulous 8.9/10 ratings based on 318 guest reviews. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is just 0.2 miles away.
Available from: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Stay At Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is the UK’s No.1 walk-through wildlife experience.
You can enjoy an overnight stay on a budget at Camp Lion family-friendly campsite, choose glamping or even take your motorhome or caravan and stay in the heart of nature. Wake up in the morning to the roar of African Lions!
All campers can benefit from visiting Evolution Restaurant and Wilds Café-Bistro in the evening at Hex Hotel at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Stay at Hex Hotel at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which has fabulous 8.7/10 ratings based on 304 guest reviews.
Available from: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
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