Overview
The UK’s chicest safari experience, where authentic animal encounters are found alongside a range of luxurious lodgings. This 600 acre wildlife reserve in the Kentish savannah cares for over 900 animals, ranging from lions and tigers to bears and dinosaurs! Overnight guests can choose from mid priced glamping pods through to boutique bedrooms and fantasy fulfilling big cat lodges. Selected short break stays include keys to a private golf buggy to zip through the extensive grounds, a guided truck safari tour and delightful breakfast. For more information on which accommodation is right for you, head to Mama Knows Best. With no compromise on style or sustenance (the on site restaurants and afternoon tea experience is sublime whilst the design led décor is dazzling), Port Lympne is a magical place for children and adults alike
Mama
Get in touch
Nearest station
The closest train station is Westenhanger (10 minutes away)
Best time to visit
Bear Lodge and Giraffe Lodge close during Winter months (Oct – March) but all other accommodations are open year round. Visit outside of school holidays for fewer crowds
Favourite room
Whether you’re looking for up close and personal animal encounters or more budget friendly options, there’s something for you
Lion and Tiger Lodges are the reserve’s most premium accommodation with 2 bedrooms, separate living space, outdoor bath and floor to ceiling windows backing onto the big cat enclosures
Wolf and Rhino Lodges are cottages in the heart of the park, complete with private viewing areas. Leopard Creek Cubs & Cabins are ideal for families with young children
For more glamping vibes, Hog Deer Creek are cosy huts sleeping up to 4; the Forest Hideaway is great for families; Treehouses are self catering spaces tucked away in the trees with 2 bedrooms and separate living space; Pinewood Pods are the most budget friendly option and located right next to the lion and tiger enclosures, Bear Lodge is best suited for bigger groups of up to 8
There are 8 bedrooms in the main Mansion Hotel, for a more traditional stay in rich history
Nearby
All Short Break stays include entry to Howletts Wild Animal Park on the second day, a short 30 minute drive from Port Lympne
Price
from £139 p/night in low season and £269 p/night in high season
Meet the family...
Frankie
Parent to Tiny Traveller aged 2
We were truly blown away by our stay at Port Lympne. I have mixed feelings about zoos, but this was unlike anywhere I’ve visited before, and totally put my heart and mind at ease. Working alongside The Aspinall Foundation, a charity with conservation at its core, it was clear animal welfare is a top priority. We stayed in the Tiger Lodge - large and luxurious with two incredible big cats free roaming outside. The delicious food also totally took us by surprise, such a treat!
Worth waking the baby for
01
Safari
All overnight stays include a safari experience. Come face to face with the roaming residents of Africa, Asia and South America, on the expert ranger guided jeep tour. Animal enthusiasts can get hands on with a range of up close and personal experiences for all ages, from feeding to stepping into the boots of a ranger for the day
02
Dinosaur Forest
Step back in time to the prehistoric world at the Dinosaur Forest, the largest in the UK, and home to over 100 life sized creatures. Marvel at the tremendous T Rex, stare at the Stegosaurus and delight at the sheer size of the diplodocus!
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Howletts Wild Animal Park
Continue your animal adventure at Howletts Wild Animal Park, a 30 minute drive away, where you’ll find over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, gorillas, leopards, monkeys and more. All overnight guests are treated to free entry
Reviews from other parents
You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Africa at Port Lympne Park. We spent a magical weekend in the luxurious Wolf Lodge, which included entry to the animal park and keys to our very own buggy - perfect for playing private ranger. We also added on a safari and giraffe feeding experience, both of which were just amazing. One of our favourite family weekends ever!
Mama Charlotte, Tiny Travellers aged 3 and 5
