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Luxe Kent treehouse stay with safari experience

Treehouse hotel, port lympne hotel & reserve, ashford.

Time-limited

Property details

• Sensational setting: Set within Port Lympne Reserve's 600 acres of parkland, Treehouse Hotel commands an impressive panorama from its lofty location above the rhino enclosure, with a view that stretches across Kent's grassy plains all the way to the English Channel beyond.
• Treetop chic: It doesn't get much more unique than staying in the canopies, and your treetop pad positively oozes contemporary cool. Expect an atmosphere of understated sophistication with sleek modern designs and soothing neutral tones, plus a slew of high-end amenities like a large flatscreen TV, an ultra-modern kitchen, and luxury touches like fluffy bathrobes and slippers.
• Varied dining options: Cook up a storm in your fully-equipped kitchen, or choose between an array of delicious dining options for stress-free savouring. The airy Garden Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in the mansion's former stable yard, while Babydoll's Wood-Fired Pizza offers hearty Italian fare in a casual setting. Elsewhere, take in lush landscaped gardens from the swanky Mansion Bar & Terrace, and refuel between safari stints at one of three cosy cafés.

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

Port Lympne Reserve, Adlington Road, Lympne, Hythe, Kent CT21 4LR

Luxury treehouse adventures in England's safari country

Lympne, kent.

Experience a unique safari experience with a luxurious twist in the heart of the English countryside.

The exclusive Treehouse Hotel at Port Lympne Reserve in Kent offers couples, friends or families an incredible experience. Ensconced in the tree canopy above the 600-acre reserve are ten glass-fronted suites with wide terraces, state-of-the-art kitchens, plush living rooms and two bedrooms. After a day exploring the reserve or enjoying VIP safaris, guests can relax on their private balcony and take in the glorious sunsets and listening to the sounds of the reserve below. For guests who would rather eat out, the four-star Port Lympne Hotel is a short buggy ride away; alternatively, there are a variety of cafes and restaurants on-site with something to suit all appetites.

Port Lympne is opening its park for day trips only from 15th June. Please check their website below for more information. 

• Find out more about Port Lympne Reserve
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Treehouses at Port Lympne

The Experience

Set in a canopy of trees high above our 600 acre reserve, the exclusive Treehouse Hotel at Port Lympne in Kent is taking the height of luxury even higher.

With glass-fronted suites reflecting stunning natural surroundings and a 26 mile view across the English Channel to France, the Treehouse transforms your childhood dreams into an adult-friendly sanctuary of sumptuousness.

Getting Around

You'll have easy transport throughout the reserve, with use of a dedicated golf buggy available at your disposal. You'll never want to come back down to earth. You'll be able to transport yourself around specific routes of the 600 acre reserve during the day and, after the reserve closes to the public, explore exclusive areas, just for Treehouse guests and not normally open to the public, so that you can spot where the wild things are.

Relax and Unwind

After a day exploring the reserve or enjoying VIP safaris and animal encounters, guests can relax and unwind on their own private balconies. Spanning the length of their suites, they're the perfect place to soak up the glorious sunsets and sounds of the reserve below.

Dining Opportunities

For guests who would rather eat out, the four star Port Lympne Hotel is a short buggy ride away - or there are a variety of cafes and restaurants on site offering menus designed to delight, no matter your appetite.

A stay at the Treehouse Hotel doesn't just include the sleep of your dreams. Entrance to Port Lympne Reserve and sister park, Howletts, come as standard. 

Confort and Serenity

Brought to life by celebrated British designer, Tara Bernerd, the interior blend upscale luxe with on-trend minimalism; offering space, comfort and serenity away from the stresses of the outside world.

Perfectly Designed

Fit for four, the self-catering suites offer a natural retreat combined with contemporary furnishings and appliances, including 50" smart TV and WIFI.

From £300 to £750 in peak season.

Weekends during peak seasons are a minimum of a two night stay.

Information

Each tree house accommodates up to 4 people in 2 separate bedrooms (1 twin and 1 double). Each suite has an open plan kitchen, lounge area and contempory bathroom including shower and bath facilities. Luxury toiletries, slippers and bath robes will be provided for use during guests stay.

Open all year round.

Treehouses at Port Lympne Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve Aldington Road Lympne, nr Hythe CT21 4PD

Accessibility Links

Port Lympne hotel review: a safari reserve in Kent perfect for adventurous families

A taste of the serengeti in the southeast of england with thrilling safari tours, treehouse stays and child-friendly restaurants.

A swathe of the Masai Mara (almost) cuts through the plains of Kent at Port Lympne. Set up by John Aspinall, the casino owner, the 600-acre reserve near Hythe is home to hundreds of endangered animals, from lowland gorillas to red pandas. So it’s coffee with a chorus of the jungle here. Scattered around is an eclectic range of digs, from pods, cabins and treehouses to rough-luxe wood-panelled lodges with outdoor baths and full picture windows overlooking lion enclosures. Most rooms come with a golf buggy in which to tootle around the reserve and all breaks include a one-hour safari. Several cafés and restaurants keep even tricky young eaters happy.

Overall score 9/10

Main photo: Get up close to giraffes at the 600-acre Port Lympne reserve

This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue

Rooms and suites

Score 8/10 The 89 “units” peppered across the reserve are of all shapes, sizes and price tags. Interiors tend towards the sleek with a touch of Serengeti luxe, featuring tent canvas fabrics, rattan lamp stands and ostrich-feather blankets. Pictures of tigers, gorillas and co abound. Families love the two-bedroom treehouses with large decks. The centre point of the park is the red-brick main house (Mansion Hotel), which was built in 1913 in the Cape Dutch revival style for Philip Sassoon, the MP and socialite. Sassoon used it as a postwar party pad and eight themed rooms and suites are named after his famous guests, among whom were Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Mountbatten and Charlie Chaplin. Original furnishings and features include four-poster beds and tiled bathrooms. Aspinall, who bought the house in 1973, was also big on the eccentric aristo vibe. The reception rooms feature black and white marble floors, a pink Moroccan courtyard, a Tent Room with a trompe l’oeil from Rex Whistler and full-scale floor to ceiling murals of wild animals by the artist Arthur Spencer Roberts.

Food and drink

Score 8/10 The restaurants offer children’s menus and are open at the strange hours that children like to eat. Babydoll’s does a good line in pizza and pasta. For a less-carby, more refined offering, there’s the main restaurant, the Garden Room. Set in the converted stable block of the Mansion Hotel, it’s a light, verdant room with plush furnishings and an excellent bar. The menu is European, the right side of adventurous and uses a lot of local produce — grilled sardines, breaded lamb shoulder with polenta, Ibérico pork chop. Staff are lovely, even to tired young children.

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What else is there?

Score 10/10 Guests can buzz around the reserve on golf buggies and the included safari involves a ride in an open-sided modified military truck that goes into the park’s African, Asian and South American animal quarters. The rangers know their beasts. Expect facts about why giraffes have black tongues and why guinea baboons have about as many teeth as cheetahs. There are a huge range of add-on animal experiences — hand-feeding giraffes, keeper experience days. Away from the creatures, the house has 15 acres of beautifully kept Italianate formal gardens to wander through. A stay also includes access to the sister Aspinall Foundation property, Howletts Wild Animal Park (30 minutes by car).

Where is it?

Score 9/10 Central London is just under two hours away by car and the coastal town of Hythe is a ten-minute drive. The hotel can arrange taxis to Ashford International station, or there’s a bus. Views are over Romney Marsh to the Channel. On a clear day, you can even see France on the horizon.

Price room-only doubles from £139 Restaurant mains from £18 Family-friendly Y Dog-friendly N Accessible Y

• Best hotels in Kent • Best family-friendly hotels in the UK

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REVIEW: PORT LYMPNE RESERVE TREEHOUSE HOTEL

The height of luxury among rhinos at uk’s top safari experience.

We get a  wild taste of the high life, staying at a luxury treehouse overlooking 26 glorious miles of green, savannah-like scenery, with two rhinos barrelling around beneath us, like oversized puppies.

It’s difficult to believe we’re not on an exotic, Kenyan safari and are in fact, just 90 minutes from London at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Kent. 

This extraordinary park is set within 600 acres of English countryside, which is home to more than 900 animals and over 75 species, and its prime purpose is to help  The Aspinall Foundation ’s successful efforts to save and repopulate endangered species. 

On arrival, we check in at its grand, Grade II listed  mansion, which was built for  Sir Philip Sassoon  and has welcomed everybody from Winston Churchill to Charlie Chaplin. 

The Cape Dutch style mansion sits within  15 acres of immaculate, landscaped gardens, complete with hippo water features. Inside, we discover a gloriously eccentric and opulent warren of spaces, with hand-painted murals of dramatic wildlife scenes and a made-for-Instagram pink, flower-festooned Moroccan Courtyard.

Then we head to the bush-style lodge, where khaki-clad staff give us the keys to our golf buggy - if we think our kids’ excitement (and let’s be honest, our own) can't get any higher, the buggy raises it several notches. All Treehouse guests have their own buggy to explore the park, which is particularly magical in the evening, when you have it and the animals to yourselves.

We drive past primates, wolves and rhinos, through a grand security gate into the Treehouse Hotel area. Voted “Best Tourism Experience” by Tourism South East , these ten, glass-fronted apartments sit within the trees at the top of steps, which snake through the jungly scenery, above the rhino enclosure. 

It already feels like an adventure as we make our way to the top, where we arrive on our wrap-around balcony and get the first, jaw-dropping sight of our view across the grassy plains, to the English Channel and beyond.

Inside, we find a sleek, fully equipped kitchen in an open plan lounge-diner, with floor-to-ceiling, panoramic windows and doors to the terrace. Through sliding, Japanese-style glass doors, there are two elegant bedrooms (a double and twin) and spacious bathroom. 

Tara Bernerd is behind the interior, so its sophisticated aesthetic reflects its setting, with olive greens, crisp whites and earthy tones. There are Scandi-style lounge chairs, earthy concrete lampshades and tawny fabric wallpaper. Naturally, all the luxury touch points are here - the fluffy white dressing gowns and slippers (which my three-year-old immediately dons) Nespresso machine, and luxury (sustainable) Bamford toiletries.

This is just one of the many extraordinary accommodation options, which also includes the Lion Lodge - bathing in luxury with a lion’s nose pressed against the window -  Rhino Lodge, Bear Lodge, Giraffe Lodge, Wolf Lodge, Hog Deer Creek, Leopard Creek and an assortment of futuristic bubbles, forest hideaways and glamping experiences.

Eventually, we drag ourselves away and head to the Treehouse Clubhouse (above) , with internal and external fire pits, where we enjoy our welcome Proseccos, while our children are given bags of marshmallows to toast on the firepit outside, under the watchful eyes of the rhinos. It is pure magic. 

We jump back into the buggy and zip off for dinner, while the children squeal at the pleasingly bumpy ride and wave at the wolves, slumbering together like cuddly huskies.

Dinner is in the beautifully restored Garden Room, originally the stable yard of Sir Philip Sassoon's country estate. True to the name, its black or exposed brick walls are festooned with leafy foliage, while its glass roof is studded with oversized chandeliers. 

It’s opulent, but cosy and welcoming and our children happily plonk themselves among the perfectly chopped, tapestry cushions.

All of the food is sustainably sourced from artisinal suppliers, with produce picked from the Port Lympne gardens. It is high quality, beautifully plated dining, with our stand out dish being a perfect sea bream fillet (with skin like pork crackling and tender, flaky flesh) perched atop celeriac puree and cavolo nero and served with buttery, brown crab mashed potato, which I could happily eat by the bucket, with a spade.  You can read our full review of the meal here . 

Afterwards, as the sun plunges towards the horizon, we enjoy an exclusive, after-hours adventure around the park in our buggy. The serenity is only broken by the squealing of monkeys - the park’s and our own pair. 

And we are lucky enough to catch lionness Oudrika gracefully strolling a few metres from our faces, and in the distance a glimpse of her eight-week old cubs, the newest additions to the Port Lympne family. 

The buggies have interactive maps, which guide us through extraordinary encounters with a gaggle of magnificent creatures, from silverback gorillas and orangutans to leopards and lemurs.

The following morning, all four of us leap out of our beds and are magnetically drawn to the terrace, to drink in the morning sun as it creeps across the countryside. 

Then it's back to The Garden Room for breakfast, which is a triumph of runny orange yolks and crispy rashers. Read more on that, here.

We have one last buggy adventure around the park, before grudgingly returning the keys and exploring further on foot. A particular highlight for our children is our walk through the wallaby enclosure, where beautiful, red-necked wallabies leap about alongside us, bouncing in front of my delighted son and around the corner for a nap beneath the whispering leaves of a tree. Read more about the park’s animals here .

There are a range of extraordinary animal encounters which can be booked at the park, from hand-feeding giraffes - r ead our review here - to feeding Cheetahs with grab sticks, leopards or lions with bbq tongs or giving rhinos a good scratch, up close. 

We head off to scatter feed two, magnificent Spectacled Bears, Oberon and Rina. This is the only bear species in South America - and the inspiration for everybody’s favourite Peruvian bear, Paddington . And there are high hopes the pair will make cubs together. 

The jolly ranger fields my daughter’s relentless bear questions with fascinating detail - they’re the second most vegetarian bear species after pandas; their only predators are humans and their long front legs make them excellent climbers.

The handsome, hungry bears are patient with my son’s terrible throwing skills, as we catapult giant Kongs of mealworms and tubes of sweet potato and carrot into their enclosure.

The experience also gives us the opportunity to explore the gated South America area on foot, which is normally only experienced in one of their safari trucks.  Vicuña flutter their long lashes and gracefully leap alongside us, while giant  Capybara rodents give each other piggy-backs across their watering hole. 

We close the experience with a  90-minute Ranger Safari (from £30) , which is included with the Treehouse booking and takes us in a wonderfully bumpy, camouflaged truck through the South American, Asian and African experiences. 

It’s the closest you can get to a Kenyan safari without jumping on a plane, as exotic animals run wild and free around us and our guide provides informative, entertaining and sometimes heartbreaking information about the animals and their reasons for being at the heart of a conservation drive.

We pass too many wonderful animals to name. Giraffes, zebras, water buffalo, black rhinos, wolves, ostrich and even Przewalski’s horses - the breed so wild that even Ghengis Khan couldn’t tame them. As our ranger tells us, this entire species of horse was brought back from the brink of extinction, when just NINE were found in a private collection after it was thought the last one in the world had died. Now, there are over 1,500 in the world, and Port Lympne has sent its own horses to China to help with the repopulation efforts.

As our unforgettable trip draws to a close, it’s Port Lympne ’s - or, more specifically, The Aspinall Foundation ’s - continued, successful efforts to save and repopulate species that sets it apart from safari parks or zoos. Visitors of all ages leave with renewed love for the animals and a sense of satisfaction from being allowed to share their home, knowing that our money has gone towards a great cause.

From the safari through to the overnight stays and the beautiful mansion house at the centre of it all, it’s clear that although we have felt like the kings of this jungle, it's the animals that come first.

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve , Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR. Treehouse hotel prices from £459. All stays include Treehouse stay for up to 4 people, golf buggy during your stay, entrance to Port Lympne and its sister park, Howletts Wild Animal Park, a safari experience and free onsite parking

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Treehouses at Port Lympne

The Experience

Set in a canopy of trees high above our 600 acre reserve, the exclusive Treehouse Hotel at Port Lympne in Kent is taking the height of luxury even higher.

With glass-fronted suites reflecting stunning natural surroundings and a 26 mile view across the English Channel to France, the Treehouse transforms your childhood dreams into an adult-friendly sanctuary of sumptuousness.

Getting Around

You'll have easy transport throughout the reserve, with use of a dedicated golf buggy available at your disposal. You'll never want to come back down to earth. You'll be able to transport yourself around specific routes of the 600 acre reserve during the day and, after the reserve closes to the public, explore exclusive areas, just for Treehouse guests and not normally open to the public, so that you can spot where the wild things are.

Relax and Unwind

After a day exploring the reserve or enjoying VIP safaris and animal encounters, guests can relax and unwind on their own private balconies. Spanning the length of their suites, they're the perfect place to soak up the glorious sunsets and sounds of the reserve below.

Dining Opportunities

For guests who would rather eat out, the four star Port Lympne Hotel is a short buggy ride away - or there are a variety of cafes and restaurants on site offering menus designed to delight, no matter your appetite.

A stay at the Treehouse Hotel doesn't just include the sleep of your dreams. Entrance to Port Lympne Reserve and sister park, Howletts, come as standard. 

Confort and Serenity

Brought to life by celebrated British designer, Tara Bernerd, the interior blend upscale luxe with on-trend minimalism; offering space, comfort and serenity away from the stresses of the outside world.

Perfectly Designed

Fit for four, the self-catering suites offer a natural retreat combined with contemporary furnishings and appliances, including 50" smart TV and WIFI.

From £300 to £750 in peak season.

Weekends during peak seasons are a minimum of a two night stay.

Information

Each tree house accommodates up to 4 people in 2 separate bedrooms (1 twin and 1 double). Each suite has an open plan kitchen, lounge area and contempory bathroom including shower and bath facilities. Luxury toiletries, slippers and bath robes will be provided for use during guests stay.

Open all year round.

Treehouses at Port Lympne Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve Aldington Road Lympne, nr Hythe CT21 4PD

Giraffe Lodge

Book Your Stay Now

Unforgettable glamping getaway 

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

Giraffe Lodge offers multi award-winning exclusive accommodation which transports you to the plains of Africa as you sip sundowners on the private deck of your luxury safari tent and marvel at the stunning wildlife that approaches the watering hole beneath the lodges.

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.

The African Experience in Kent

Your accommodation, exclusive access, safari experience, eat & drink, pricing and booking.

Your stay at Giraffe Lodge is a unique experience that will truly make you feel like you are in Africa. Stay in one of the eight glamping tents and wake up to the most magnificent view of the sunrise. This is a half board experience with full English breakfast and dinner included.

As you travel through the African plain to your luxury safari lodge, you’ll spot some of our iconic animals including giraffes, zebras, rhinos, ostriches and wildebeest as well as some of our more elusive antelope herds roaming the 100 acre wilderness.

Giraffe Lodge hosts 8 luxury safari tents. Each tent provides the perfect blend of safari-luxe and glamping charm, with en suite facilities, heating, lighting, fluffy towels and dressing gowns. Sleeping 2 in king, double or twin beds you'll spend a magical night under the stars in total comfort, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife just metres away.

Giraffe Lodge overlooks the African Experience with tents carefully positioned in the natural surroundings. Guests can explore the grounds and venture out on a private safari for perfect photo opportunities and knowledgeable staff who will guide you through the experience. With a balcony overlooking the reserve, this glamping experience is the closest you can be to your roaming neighbours.

You will have access to Port Lympne Reserve during and outside of normal visitor hours from the day of your arrival to the day of your departure. Included with your stay admission to both our wildlife parks - Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve - from 9.30am to closure.

Guest are welcome to arrive from 9.30am and complete their paperwork in the Port Lympne Hotel, then return to concierge for 1.45pm ready for 2pm safari to Giraffe Lodge.

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. 

Your stay at Giraffe Lodge includes breakfast and dinner. Dining is a big part of the experience at Giraffe Lodge. Our chef will delight you with African inspired dishes and brai cooked on the open fire pit in the Lapa, using fresh, locally sourced produce.

Join your fellow guests for after dinner drinks or retreat to your private deck and enjoy the beautiful colours of the sunset reflected in the watering hole as the free roaming herds prepare for nightfall.

Sample dinner menu

Prices from £525 per night based on two people sharing, breakfast and dinner included.

Open from Friday 29th March to October:  7 days a week March to September and Wednesday to Sunday in October. 

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.

Book a double Giraffe Lodge       Book a twin Giraffe Lodge

Giraffe Lodge is o pen from April to October. Whether you experience the majesty of the savannah in spring, spot the herds of antelope calves in the summer or marvel at the changing colours of the landscape in the autumn, you'll always experience a unique African staycation on your doorstep!

Please note timings are approximate and itinerary is subject to change.

1:30pm Check in You're welcome to enjoy the reserve from 9:30am before heading to Guest Services to check in. We'll take your luggage up to your Lodge while you get acquainted with your fellow adventurers and your expert Ranger.

2pm Safari time! Keep your camera ready as your expert ranger guides you through the reserve and onto The African Experience, where giraffes, zebras, rhinos and wildebeest wander freely across the plain. Your safari vehicle is open-sided so don't forget to wrap up warm!

3pm Arrive at your luxury lodge Enjoy a welcome glass of bubbly on arrival and explore your authentic safari tent, furnished with real beds and all the creature comforts you need for a romantic night under the stars. Remember, this is glamping so make sure you've packed your fluffiest bed socks as it can get a bit nippy especially in the early spring/autumn months.

6pm Feeding time Join your fellow guests in the Lapa for an African inspired feast cooked on an open fire pit. Meals are included in your stay.

9pm onwards And relax... Spend the evening chatting to your host and fellow guests in the lapa, or enjoy a sundowner or two wrapped in a cosy blanket on your private deck as you watch the sky turn brilliantly red and orange and the animals settle down for the night.

7am Wake up call If you're not already awake watching the dawn break over the vast expanse of the African Experience, your host will wake you with a gentle call to start the day

8am Breakfast Rejoin your fellow guests in the Lapa for a full English breakfast, included in your stay.

9am Return trip Instead of enduring a tedious flight back to the UK after your safari adventure, you'll enjoy a short drive through the African Experience for a final glimpse of the animals and back into the Reserve where your luggage will be waiting for you.

10am Reserve access Spend the day exploring the rest of the 600 acre reserve and discover even more rare and endangered animals, beautiful landscaped gardens and wooded walks. We'll look after your luggage until you're ready to head home.

What's Included

• Stay for two at Giraffe Lodge
• Full English Breakfast and African inspired dinner (Braii) in the Lapa
• 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)
• Safari experience at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
• Access to the park's  restaurants
• Bedding and towels
• Welcome drink
• Free on site parking

Frequently asked questions

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

What time do we check in?

Check in starts at 1:30pm at Guest Services for a 1.45pm departure. If you would like to explore the reserve before your safari we can look after your luggage.

What time does the safari start?

Your safari starts at 1.45pm and takes around 1 – 1 ½ hours. We advise that you take a bathroom break before boarding the safari truck as there are no stops until you reach Giraffe Lodge. We also advise that you take a coat/extra layer on safari.

How do we redeem our free admission to Howletts?

As part of your stay you get free admission to our sister park, Howletts Wild Animal Park, approximately half an hour away near Canterbury. When arriving at the Howletts Gatehouse, please provide your reservation name from Port Lympne or show your booking confirmation for free admission.

Are the tents heated?

Although there is a heater in your tent it can get cold during adverse weather and the early spring/autumn months.  We would advise that you pack appropriate clothing for the current weather conditions.

Are there any kettles/hair dryers for the tents?

Tea and coffee making facilities are available in your tent, as well as a hairdryer.

Can we bring our own alcohol to the lodge?

Guests are not permitted to bring their own alcohol, however, there is a bar in the restaurant where you may purchase drinks to accompany your meal.

Are there toilets in the restaurant?

Unfortunately, there are no toilets in the restaurant. You can either use the en suite in your tent or the main shower block a short walk away at the top of the slope.

Can we have candles in the tent?

We do not allow candles or any naked flames in or around the tents for Health & Safety reasons. Lamps are provided in your tent.

Where can we smoke?

There are two designated smoking areas. One by the shower block at the top of the slope and the other is located behind the Lapa restaurant. There is a strict no smoking policy in or around the tents.

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.

Unforgettable glamping getaway overlooking the spectacled bear habitat. Camp out under the stars and immerse yourself in an exciting safari experience.

Forest Hideaway

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

Tiger Lodge

Wake up in a tiger’s world, then head out in your own personal golf buggy to meet the rest of the animals in the 600 acre reserve.

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.

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.

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Treehouse Hotel, Kent - review

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It’s Friday evening in Kent and I’m nose to snout with a rhino. It’s a whopper, this prehistoric beast, its horn-heavy muzzle mere centimetres from my face, albeit behind a hefty fence. Beyond the paddock, in the distance across the fields are the unmistakable long-necked outlines of giraffe roaming free and beyond them, on the horizon, the shores of Calais. I left London barely an hour ago and here I am, among the Serengeti’s finest.

The only thing that could complete this somewhat surreal picture of safari perfection is a sundowner, which I’m duly offered in the shape of some excellent sparkling Chapel Down rosé from the vineyard in nearby Tenterden.

This is the life, I think, as I contemplate a tray of canapés that’s appeared beside me. My child, meanwhile, has disappeared, whisked off by a ranger to help feed a mob of meerkats. Certainly for the UK, this is not your average safari park experience but then, Port Lympne Reserve has never been your average safari park.

Set in 600 acres of rolling, English land just outside Ashford, Port Lympne (pronounced “Lim”) is one of the UK’s largest animal parks. Here, some 200 creatures roam as if on the African plains, while enclosures are home to over 700 rare and endangered animals, including western lowland gorillas, the largest herd of black rhino in the UK, big cats, small cats, meerkats and more. It’s also home to increasing number of short-breakers thanks to an ever-expanding range of accommodation.

Spread across the park there are eco-pods, safari tents, a rental cottage and hotel rooms set in a redbrick mansion built in the early 20th century by British architect Herbert Baker for politician-socialite, Sir Phillip Sassoon. The house’s OTT opulence — all tented ceilings, acid-coloured animal frescos and labyrinthine formal gardens — has seen everything from parties hosted by Churchill to debates preceding the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Then there’s the latest opening: 10 smartly appointed treehouses that come with state-of-the-art kitchens, wrap-around balconies and your own golf buggy. So far, so indulgent, but the clincher for wildlife lovers is that proceeds from accommodation go towards international animal conservation projects run by Port Lympne’s owner, the Aspinall Foundation.

The treehouses look a bit smarter than that, however. Set on a bank overlooking the park and the Channel beyond, this new opening is more a terrace of wooden cabins set in the treeline rather than classic tree-top houses. But, accessed via a set of steeply raked wooden steps and each fronted by a generous wooden deck, they look the part.

We set out in an open-sided safari truck into the Africa Experience — the fields where the big game are — through a security gate worthy of Jurassic Park. Giraffe man Gareth Chamberlain could not be more graciously British, however: “Guys, guys, over here,” he calls, beckoning the towering beasts as if they were friends. It works a treat and once the giraffes have eaten from the truck-side buckets, we get to stroke their long necks and flaring noses.

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A thundering herd of eland, wildebeest and a lone zebra hoof around in the distance as the sun sets over the waterholes, and I have to remind myself, again, that I’m in Kent.

We’re up and at ’em the next morning via a quick breakfast in the tented rhino-view clubhouse, to feed some gorillas. These magnificent and frankly funky-smelling primates reduce most of the kids to silence. The meditative silence is broken as my daughter spots something. “Mummy look it’s a BUNNY!” City kids, it seems, are easily pleased.

Treehouse Hotel at Port Lympne Reserve, Aldington Road, CT21 4PD (01303 802 649; aspinallfoundation.org/treehouse-hotel ). Treehouses sleeping four cost from £300 a night (two night minimum stay at weekends), including access to Port Lympne Reserve and nearby Howletts Reserve, safari trips and animal talks.

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Port Lympne Reserve: Can a safari in Kent live up to the real thing?

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Sipping my coffee in the weak morning sun, I look out over the balcony. A male adult rhino is eating his breakfast less than 10 metres from where I stand. Beyond him, I can see a herd of wildebeest – an implausibility of wildebeest, which I learnt is the correct collective noun – grazing in the distance. Red lechwe scamper and frolic in the long grass nearby, looking like impossibly beautiful, Bambi-style deer.

No, I’m not at some exotic safari lodge on the South African plains – I’m in Kent. South Kent, to be precise, somewhere between the oh-so-glamorous destinations of Ashford and Folkestone. Though the location may be pedestrian, the experience is not; this is Port Lympne Reserve, a wildlife park and breeding sanctuary for rare and endangered species that, attraction-wise, has really upped its game in 2017.

The much-publicised Tiger Lodge – a luxury apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows through which guests can see (you guessed it) a tiger – is sold out for the next six months following a huge advertising campaign. But that’s not the only eye-catching accommodation on offer.

The newly launched Hogdeer Creek is a set of adorably bijoux shepherd huts in the eyeline of a watering hole, providing ample chances to clock a variety of animals as they gather to quench their thirst. Then there's Bear Lodge, aka family glamping at its coolest, with 19 tents sleeping up to eight people each; they come with fridges, wood burners, separate bedrooms and a private deck.

I, meanwhile, am staying at the newly rebranded Giraffe Lodge – a parade of adult-only luxury tents, complete with en suites, four poster beds and heaters, lined up along the treeline and boasting spectacular views over the park and out to sea. You can spot France from here on a good day, according to our guide Becca, who used to lead safaris on a South African big game reserve.

We reached the Lodge by way of an hour-and-a-half long safari that meandered through the park, the driver stopping every few minutes for Becca to point out another rare species and explain more about its heritage, its history and its challenges as it dwindles towards extinction.

I couldn’t quite make-believe this was South Africa – the sky was a flat grey and intermittently drizzly – but it was spellbinding nonetheless.

Within five minutes, the genius of doing an adult-only package fully hit me. I’ve got nothing against children, but the experience we had simply wouldn’t be possible with kids in tow. Without short attention spans to contend with, Becca was able to go into wonderful detail about the cheetahs’ genetic limitations, the giraffes’ previously unknown five sub-species, and the volatile political situation that meant saving the painted dog was low down on many countries' priority list.

Not that it was all serious. Rhino poo, she explained, is “like social media – it tells the other rhinos where he’s been, what he’s been up to, whether they should follow him and say hello or head in the other direction.” I also loved learning that a collective of zebras is known as a “dazzle”, and that one of the female rhinos, Rosie, is a professional spinster who loses her temper if the males try it on with her.

Finally we arrived at the Lodge, looking all inviting and cosily lit up in the gathering dusk. Next to the tents sat the Laapa Restaurant, with a roaring firepit to warm us up, wooden masks adorning the walls and a welcome drink waiting – all helping to create the impression that we’d just enjoyed a day out on the savannah.

I was the tiniest bit disappointed that there were no giraffes directly outside our tents (Tiger Lodge gave me firm but tragically unfounded expectations in this regard), but I quickly forgot my misgivings upon learning that the next morning the experience would culminate in a breakfast giraffe-feeding session. Good enough for me.

That night, we ate like people who’d spent all day tracking the Big Five on foot, rather than sitting quietly in a moving vehicle for 90 minutes: steak, sausage, chicken and prawns were all cooked to perfection on the firepit, with plentiful potatoes and vegetable curries to accompany.

As the wine slipped down easy, real easy, we gradually learnt more about our fellow guests. Everyone seemed to be there for a special occasion, proving that this is the ideal way to celebrate – from birthdays and wedding anniversaries, to a woman marking the end of her cancer treatment in style. There was a joyful, giddy, holiday atmosphere in the room – and we hadn’t even got to the giraffe feeding bit yet.

The next morning dawns bright and clear, and after my coffee (and a full English breakfast) we bundle back into the safari vehicle to see the long-awaited giraffes. We round the corner and there they are, in all their gold and chocolate splendour – lithe-limbed, long-lashed and utterly, utterly gorgeous. “Take a branch and hold it up for them,” instructs Becca. “But grip it tight – they’re stronger than they look.”

Branch in palm, I tentatively raise it towards the nearest one, a baby called Mwezi, who reaches down and, with his curiously blue-hued tongue, wraps and pulls . Becca’s right – he is strong, and I have to brace myself so he can more easily extract the sweet leaves. It’s one of those moments when you think “Am I really doing this?” I am grinning from ear to ear; I look around and, amid the bobbing giraffe necks, everyone else has the same expression on their face.

All too soon it’s time to say goodbye – our new friends are restless to get out of the enclosure and onto the reserve, free to wander at will. It’s back aboard the safari truck for the final time to head for the check-out desk (but we still manage to catch wild horses, ostriches and teenage gorillas along the way).

No, it’s not quite South Africa. But then again, one brief taxi ride and a fast train from Ashford International later, and I’m back at home, recounting my adventures to my envious partner. And there’s something rather lovely about that.

Travel essentials

Getting there

Trains run from London St Pancras to Ashford International, from £26.80 return. A taxi from there to the reserve costs around £25.

Staying there

Port Lympne ( aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne ) offers Giraffe Lodge for £190 per person based on two sharing a luxury tent, including guided safari, giraffe feeding experience, welcome drink, four-course dinner and hot and cold breakfast, plus entry to Howletts Wild Animal Park ( aspinallfoundation.org/howletts ) near Canterbury.

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Tiger Lodge

• Premier host

Hythe, Kent, England

• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathroom: 1
• Minimum stay: 1 night

Tiger Lodge offers an opportunity like no other – to see the world from a tiger’s perspective as you live and sleep just a whisker away from some of the planet’s most ferocious, yet magnificent, felines.

Appreciate the size and majesty of these beautiful creatures from your living room, where a picture window provides a cat’s eye view into the enclosure. Better still, wake in the morning to see the thrilling sight of Port Lympne’s Amur tigers pad past your bedroom window – just magical!

As well as the unforgettable experience of living side-by-side with big cats, Tiger Lodge offers exceptional accommodation for its lucky guests, who will find luxurious touches and beautiful design flowing throughout the whole two-bedroomed lodge. Creature comforts have never been more aptly named, and you’ll certainly find them here – including a stylish 4K television, turntable, Bamford toiletries, and fluffy bathrobes and towels, as well as a coffee machine and minibar.

You’ll also notice how natural touches blend beautifully with exotic flourishes in this spectacular bolthole. Wood-clad walls make you feel like you’re holidaying in a genuine safari lodge, while Serengeti-inspired artwork and a traveling trunk coffee table create a sense of far-flung adventure across the world. Curl up on the plush peacock-blue Chesterfield sofa as the log burner crackles away, and dive into tales of old from the well-stocked library.

As well as the incredible sight of the tiger enclosure on one side of Tiger Lodge, you’ll also find sensational vistas on the other side – best enjoyed from your private balcony! As you relax back in luxurious rattan furniture, feel your mind unwind as you soak up those 30-mile views towards the English Channel. Sip something cool as the sun sets over the horizon, and wait for the twinkling lights of the French coast as darkness falls. Pure heaven.

While staying at Tiger Lodge, you’re invited to dine at the sensational 4* Port Lympne Hotel, where home-grown and locally sourced ingredients are served up in the opulent dining room, or treat yourself to an authentic Italian feast at Babydoll’s Wood Fired Pizza and enjoy a glass of prosecco in the beautiful restaurant garden, before tucking into a delicious pizza or pasta dish. Afterwards, unwind in the Treehouse Clubhouse, where you can mingle with other guests and Port Lympne’s Rangers, chill out around the circular log fireplace or sit out in the sunshine with a long drink or two.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, as a guest at Tiger Lodge, you’re also entitled to explore the whole 600-acre reserve! Experience the full VIP treatment in your own personal golf buggy, and get closer to nature as you meet and learn about over 88 species of marvellous animals that live at Port Lympne.

At a glance

• Stunning safari lodge in Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent, partially inside the tiger enclosure
• Sleeps 4 between 2 bedrooms
• Picture windows in second bedroom and living room give unrivalled views of stunning Amur tigers
• Private balcony with views across English Channel to French coast
• VIP access to Port Lympne, personal golf buggy, and use of Treehouse Clubhouse
• Includes entry to Port Lympne and Howletts

Sleeps 4, double bedroom, twin bedroom, Bamford toiletries, bath robes, log burner, 4K TV,  sound bar sound system, free buggy use during stay, parking. Local activities Onsite:  Free entry to Port Lympne Reserve, Free entry to Howletts park, evening walks & safaris. Offsite:  Beaches, walks, swimming, historic sites, nature reserve, wildlife centre, horse riding, light railway, go karting, pottery, museums.

More information

You can also look forward to exploring the reserve before and after regular opening hours, as well as booking exclusive experiences to make your stay even more memorable. Enjoy wild encounters with an animal experience, or see all the superstars of the savannah on a very special safari.

At the end of it all, make your way back to Tiger Lodge for one of the most special catnaps of your life. After all, the chance to live alongside tigers surely comes just once in a lifetime.

Things to note

Check-in is from 3pm at the Clubhouse, smoking is permitted but not inside the lodge, the terraces or the Club House Restaurant.

Where you'll be staying

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Family Relocation from Moscow to Canterbury, Kent

Many of our clients relocate to Kent from London and other regions in the UK, but our first client came from Moscow. Looking to settle their family in Kent and to educate their six children at The King’s School, Canterbury, they required an architect to design and oversee the extension and refurbishment of the house they had recently purchased. At the time our founder James Clague was an Associate at Clague Architects LLP. They were instructed to provide full architectural services for the project.  Discover more about life in Kent…

The house, a former residential home, required a complete re-design to provide the accommodation and quality that the client expected.  Time was of paramount importance as the family was in rental accommodation for a limited period.

Having gained planning and building regulation consents Clague Architects obtained competitive quotes for the building work and construction began, just 12 weeks after the initial introduction.  Clague administered a building contract between the client and a local contractor. Throughout the construction period frequent visits were made to the site to monitor progress, quality and budget.

The Transformation

The house was totally transformed from a tired residential home to a stunning 10-bedroom luxury home of exceptional quality.  Several carefully designed modest extensions replaced the previous unsightly extensions. The aim of this was to improve the flow of the house and provide the required accommodation.  The quality of finishes and joinery was exquisite. Work included a large kitchen and a library lined with purpose made shelving. The large roof was completely re-engineered and replaced to accommodate two further en-suite bedrooms and a cinema. Furthermore, the garage was converted into staff accommodation. Landscape architects we instructed to create the approach and garden fitting a house of this stature.

Client Relationship

Throughout the design and building process James Clague spent a great deal of time with the Russian client. The relationship and the service provided developed to include tasks such as the management of household staff, assisting with the children’s schooling administration, making travel arrangements and helping with immigration matters.

After less than a year living in their new home, the family felt well settled in the UK.  They then decided that they would like to move to a more substantial house in the countryside surrounding Canterbury. Discover how we helped to find their dream home in Kent in our second case study: Oxney Court.

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Name : Moscow topographic map, elevation, terrain.

Location : Moscow, Central Federal District, Russia ( 55.49131 37.29050 55.95777 37.96743 )

Average elevation : 528 ft

Minimum elevation : 351 ft

Maximum elevation : 843 ft

Moscow is situated on the banks of the Moskva River, which flows for just over 500 km (311 mi) through the East European Plain in central Russia, not far from the natural border of the forest and forest-steppe zone. 49 bridges span the river and its canals within the city's limits. The elevation of Moscow at the All-Russia Exhibition Center (VVC), where the leading Moscow weather station is situated, is 156 metres (512 feet). Teplostan Upland is the city's highest point at 255 metres (837 feet). The width of Moscow city (not limiting MKAD) from west to east is 39.7 km (24.7 mi), and the length from north to south is 51.8 km (32.2 mi).

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