It was an experience I’ll never forget
I’ve been going to Port Lympne since I was a young girl – and it’s fair to say the attraction has evolved considerably since. Back then, the wildlife park itself was significantly smaller and the idea of staying overnight there would have appeared incredibly unlikely.
It has always been one of my favourite places – even more so since I’ve had a son to enjoy it with – and as a frequent visitor I’ve witnessed the attraction flourish over the years. Today, the stunning 600-acre reserve, near Hythe, is home to 900 animals and luxury lodges overlooking the Kentish savannah.
My family and I have had the pleasure of staying at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve a number of times, but we were eager to experience Leopard Creek. Here, you can sleep just metres away from where the big cats roam.
Offering three ways to stay: two romantic cosy ‘cubs’, for couples only; three larger cabins, suitable for two adults and two children under eight; or two four-person wigwams, Leopard Creek is billed as “a lavish retreat from the outside world where your neighbours are our majestic leopards and white rhinos”. And to put it bluntly, we could not wait to arrive.
We stayed in one of the cabins, which was truly stunning. It had large doors at the front with far-reaching views and we could hear animals roaring around us.
The cabin came equipped with Wi-Fi, complimentary prosecco and marshmallows to toast at the fire-pit, a 24-hour concierge service, and a free buggy for exploring the reserve. It also had a very comfortable king-sized bed, a wood burning stove, and an ensuite shower room stocked with Molton Brown toiletries.
On arriving in our lodge, we were able to look out on the private leopard enclosure and could see one of the impressive big cats in their habitat. I just wish I had captured the look on my four-year-old son’s little face in that moment!
Inside, there was also a staircase leading up to a snug mezzanine nook, with two single beds suitable for children under eight. It’s safe to say my son was in absolute awe of this cosy area.
Despite the weather not being the best during our stay, we explored the park’s 600 acres of winding trails, open plains, and wooded paths. We saw tigers, lions, deer, rhinos, and a red panda to name but a few of the animals.
We also witnessed a brown bear climbing a tree! See the photo below.
For dinner, we had a table booked at the Garden Room restaurant, where the quality of the fresh local ingredients was evident. We had the BBQ chicken wings to start, which were succulent and tasty.
To follow, my husband had the porchetta (slow-cooked rolled pork belly, smoked sausage cassoulet with gremolata), my son had penne pasta with a tomato sauce and cheddar cheese, and I had the garlic butter chicken kiev which was served with fries and a rocket and parmesan salad. There wasn’t much talking going on whilst we all dug into our meals.
Each was cooked to perfection and the presentation was also incredible. To finish, my husband had the apple and cinnamon crumble, with vanilla ice cream, and I opted to share an ice cream selection with my little man.
We had vanilla, chocolate and honeycomb. The latter was our favourite, hands down.
The décor of the Garden Room is beautiful and the soft colours and low lighting create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff are also very attentive and friendly, and my husband and I felt very comfortable dining there with a small child.
After dinner, we headed back to our cabin. It was exceptionally cosy at night-time, with plenty of soft lighting and the stunning wood burner which kept us nice and toasty on a chilly winter’s night.
The following morning, we headed back to the Garden Room for breakfast. We all had a full English breakfast, which was exactly what we needed to set us up for another day of exploring.
Our day began with a Giraffe Safari. This dedicated animal encounter allowed us to get up-close-and-personal with the park’s beautiful giraffes.
It started with us boarding a Land Rover led by expert ranger Richard – who was extremely knowledgeable and super friendly. He was also very patient with my curious son who wanted to ask him lots of questions!
We then went to meet and hand-feed the giraffes inside the Vic Reeves Giraffe House. I’m not exaggerating when I say we created memories that will last a lifetime.
All three of us absolutely loved this experience and didn’t want it to end. Luckily for us, it didn’t.
We then continued on our safari and saw dozens of free-roaming animals including a zebra, deer, camels, antelope and more. The whole experience took around two hours in total, and then we were able to wander around the wildlife park once more.
Our stay at Port Lympne was nothing short of magical. And even though we have stayed and visited a number of times before, it shows how each accommodation offers completely different experiences – and, in my opinion, there’s nothing else like it in Kent.
We were all sad to leave our little lodge after the most wonderful stay but it’s made us more excited for our next adventure at the park. If you’re thinking about booking a short break there, think no more.
Just book it. I promise, you won’t regret it.
To find out more or to book a short break at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, click here.
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