A classic country retreat with a guided safari and a private chef!
A historic private lodge positioned at the top of the African experience with views
sweeping across the Reserve to the coastline. Wake up as the sun begins to rise over
the picturesque landscape and relax as the sun sets over the Port Lympne plains.
The Experience
Your Accommodation
Location
Exclusive Access
Safari Experience
Eat & Drink
Pricing and booking
The Experience
Hidden away on the hillside overlooking the sprawling expanse of The African Experience, you'll spend a cosy night with family or friends enjoying good food, spectacular views and all the creature comforts you could wish for.
Whilst you're discovering the abundant wildlife on a guided safari and finding out all about our overseas conservation work from your expert ranger, your personal chef will be busy preparing a four course feast made with locally sourced ingredients. Retreat to the garden or the comfortable snug and relax with after dinner drinks as the sun sets over the plain and the animals visit the watering hole one last time before night falls.
Your Accommodation
This lovingly restored former keepers cottage with two storeys can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests in two double bedrooms with ensuite and two twin rooms with a shared bathroom. Fluffy towels, dressing gowns and indulgent toiletries are included. A country-style kitchen, a cosy snug and private garden create a home from home experience in the heart of the Port Lympne Reserve.
Location
Giraffe Cottage has a prime location looking out over the African Experience at Port Lympne. You can lounge in your private garden and gaze over the Reserve to views sweeping all the way to the coastline.
Exclusive Access
Included in your stay at Giraffe Cottage is the entrance to both our wildlife animal parks Port Lympne and Howletts from 9.30am on your arrival day to closure on your departure day. You will have exclusive access to Port Lympne Reserve outside of normal visitor hours.
The check-in time for your stay is at 2.30pm and the check-out time is at 10am.
Safari Experience
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.
Eat & Drink
The stay at Giraffe Cottage comes with a personal chef who will create a tempting set menu dinner for your group and a full English breakfast allowing everyone to have a stress-free break.
During the day you can choose from a variety of home cooked dishes, using local produce and ingredients grown in our kitchen gardens at our onsite restaurants and cafes. Enjoy gluten friendly pizza and authentic Italian dishes at Babydoll’s Wood Fired Pizza, or bistro style dishes at Port Lympne Hotel Restaurant. Alternatively, relax in the tranquillity of the unique Moroccan Courtyard (open spring & summer) or the picturesque atmosphere of The Garden Room at Port Lympne Hotel.
Sample Dinner Menu Sample Children's Menu
Pricing and booking
Prices from £929 per night for 8 guests including dinner, breakfast, and a private chef.
Open 7 days a week from April to October & Holidays. Open Wednesday to Sunday in January, February, March, November, December.
For our availability or for more information, you can book online, call 01303 234112 Monday to Sunday between 9am to 5pm, or fill in our simple online form below and one of our team will be in touch.
Itinerary
Giraffe Cottage is open all year round so you can experience the African savannah in all its glory, whatever the season. Whether you prefer the new life and misty sunrises of a spring morning or the clacking of antlers and moody skies of the autumn, you'll be enchanted by your African staycation - right here in Kent!
Please note timings are approximate and itinerary is subject to change.
2:15pm
Check-in & Safari
You're welcome to enjoy the reserve from 9:30am before heading to guest services to check in. Your experienced Ranger will guide you to all the best locations to spot the free roaming giraffes, zebras, rhinos and wildebeest as well as the more elusive antelopes. Once you know how to spot them amongst the scrub you'll want to keep your camera at the ready!
3:15pm
Arrive at Giraffe Cottage
Enjoy a welcome glass of bubbly in the pretty walled front garden, with far reaching views across the African experience to the Kent coast beyond. Your luggage will be waiting for you when you arrive.
7pm
Dinner
Your pre-booked menu choice is served in the country kitchen/dining room. Made with locally sourced produce, you'll enjoy three delicious courses prepared by your private chef.
8pm onwards
And relax...
Relax in the garden with after dinner drinks and use your new-found safari spotter skills to observe the animals preparing for nightfall in the fading light of the setting sun. Retreat to the snug and settle into the comfortable sofas by the open fire place for the evening.
9am
Breakfast
With a full day of adventuring ahead of you, you'll need a good breakfast! Tuck into a full English breakfast, included in your stay.
10am
Return trip
Time to leave the seclusion of your country cottage and take one last look at the animals as you head back through the African Experience and return to Guest Services.
10:45am - 5pm
Reserve access
Spend the morning exploring the 600 acre reserve and spot the rest of the animals that make their home at Port Lympne, enjoy beautiful landscaped gardens and wooded walks. Admission to our sister park, Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury is included in your stay. Just a short drive away you'll discover even more rare and endangered animals including elephants, gorillas, leopards, primates and big cats.
What's Included
- Stay for up to 8 people at Giraffe Cottage (2 double ensuite rooms, 2 twin rooms sharing one bathroom)
- Half board stay with Full English Breakfast and Dinner prepared by a private chef (dinner is a set menu 1 x starter, 1 x main and 1 x dessert for the entire party)
- 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
- Bedding and towels
- Welcome drink
- Free WiFi
- Free on site parking
Meet the animals
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is home to over 900 animals and 75 species. See these magnificent animals during your stay. With rhino right on your doorstep there's plenty to keep you occupied but you can also see wolves, bears, giraffe, zebra and many more.
Explore the reserve
There's so much to see and do at Port Lympne that you'll want to stay even longer! Enjoy our amazing animals, visit our landscaped gardens, take in the views from the Trojan steps and even visit our new attraction Dinosaur Forest. There's plenty to keep you entertained during your stay.
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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.
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.
Check availability and prices here.
Book now
