Chester Zoo showcases first ever luxury overnight safari lodges with amazing views of animals

Chester Zoo has released pictures of their new luxury overnight safari-style lodges which are set to open in August.

The stunning images provide a glimpse of the highly anticipated 51-lodge wildlife experience, called The Reserve at Chester Zoo. Some of the lodges offers views of the picturesque wildlife, including the giraffes.

Bookings go on general sale at 9am today, January 29, with a range of packages available, including exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, the chance to interact with conservation experts and special out-of-hours access to the zoo.

Guests can choose from a variety of different lodges, available for up to nine people. A number will be located at the side of a lake while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat, home to Northern giraffes.

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Prices will start from £375 a night based on two sharing in the low season, however exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences will set you back at around £1000 per night.

Those behind the "very special" project say a stay at The Reserve will help to fund Chester Zoo’s global conservation projects.

Scheduled to officially open in August 2025, the lodges have been crafted using natural and sustainable materials.

The décor is being inspired by landscapes in Africa, where the zoo is working to help highly endangered species to thrive in the wild.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said: "There’s nothing else quite like The Reserve at Chester Zoo in the UK. 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.

"Guests will be able to wake up in luxurious surroundings and enjoy sunrise views across a private savannah and the chance to view wildlife straight from their lodge balcony.

"They’ll 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 meal, before taking in conservation stories while relaxing by our fire-pit on our lakeside terrace with blankets, cushions and toasting marshmallows. It’s the ultimate African safari experience, right here in the UK."

Jamie pointed to what makes the project particularly special - that every booking will go towards animal conservation work.

He said: "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.

"This will be a bucket list stay that also contributes to helping wildlife not only survive, but thrive."

The new artist’s impressions released today also show how the luxury resort will look. It will feature a new welcome building and its very own restaurant, The Amboseli Restaurant.

It is named in a nod to the region in Kenya where the zoo and its partners work to protect lion populations.

Guests will also be able to enjoy freshly prepared food and drinks on a lakeside terrace, Tsavo Lounge.

Chester Zoo sits on a 128-acre site and is home to more than 37,000 animals and more than 500 species. It is consistently named one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK

The grand opening of The Reserve at Chester Zoo is planned for August 2025.

A spokesman said that prices for a stay at The Reserve start from £375 per night based on two sharing in the low season, right through to exclusive packages, which include various add-ons such as behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, starting from £1000 per night based on two sharing in the high season.

To find out more or to book your stay, visit: www.chesterzoo.org/accommodation

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