Port Lympne Restaurant in Shepway

We had a fantastic time, the glamping pods are fantastic. Our family had a brilliant experience and I am looking forward to our next stay.

We really enjoyed our stay there. We chose the cabins right next to the lion enclosure. Clean cosy and tranquil. Bathrooms and showers are very clean and modern. We were so lucky to sit by the fire and hear the lions and tigers roar, amazing experience. The restaurant by the hotel serves amazing food. It's not the cheapest but it's excellent quality and for a birthday treat weekend is totally worth it.

Really interesting selection of animals that appear to be being treated well.

Had a good time here on a safari day. I thought the safari was good, animals etc were excellent, but the trip wasn't great. Firstly smelly diesel fumes from WW2 trucks wasn't nice, and our "guide" was so loud on the tannoy speaker, coupled with not speaking well, it was actually a painful 45 minutes where the kids hated the loud noise and the adults hated the commentary. Also, the info just isn't very good about the restaurants, we planned our day to have lunch at the "lookout cafe", which we thought, given the lcoation would be very plesant. It was two shepherds huts selling undercooked, warm Panini and Burgers with some picnic benches, looking at the side of a hill. It was neither a lookout, or a cafe. The highlight of our day was the shuttle back up the hill from near the lookout cafe, which was excellent, we saw the animals, the older guy gave a shorter but much better safari tour. My recommendation would be, go down the left side of the park, past the primates, have lunch at baby dolls near the dinosaur forest, walk along the bottom and get the shuttle up from near the lookout cafe. I wouldn't do the safari again.

I love coming here, the experience is amazing. I would highly recommend coming for some family fun. An added bonus is you can stay here and look over some incredible enclosure.

We visited port lympne today. We have avoided zoos for about 20 years as the animals always seem sad but felt like a safari location might be somewhere we could support. The animals range over a huge expanse of land. There is a safari truck to ride that was included in our standard ticket. It was good to have a guided tour on the truck to see the animals that were further away. Generally speaking we could admire all these animals- rhinos, camels, antelopes and capybaras however the giraffes were disappointingly far away. You have to pay even more money to see these up close. There were a few enclosure renovations happening when we visited (which should have been completed ) but meant we didn’t get to see the orangoutangs as they were inside. There were many trials you could do on foot, so we saw many areas again and more closely. There was an incredible dinosaur exhibition in the dinosaur forest…this was one of the highlights. The port lympne mansion was breathtaking. The staff let us admire the 2 specially painted rooms which were amazing!! Was a little pricey for drinks but not unaffordable- £16 for 2 coffees and 2 colas. We brought a picnic-lots of picnic areas available!

We visited for the day with 9yo and 13yo. The jeep safari is well worth it for covering ground and enclosures you won’t get to by foot. We took lunch in with us. Walking was also good but you are likely to leave yourself with a reasonable uphill walk to finish - harder with tired small legs.

Port Lympne is one of the best places I have ever been to. We stayed for 2 nights, first in hog deer creek, which was amazing! We received complimentary marshmallows and roasted them in the wood fire. Under the stars it was a surreal experience, we had dinner at baby dolls wood fired pizza which was some of the best pizza I have ever had. the staff in the restaurant and pretty much everyone else was super kind and friendly. The most friendly staff I have ever seen in any place ever! The cabin was very cosy and yet very modern. In the morning we had breakfast in the bear lodge restaurant. It was also very yummy, The full English is very good 👍. We went on an ultimate safari which is the main attraction and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We got to feed giraffes and rhinos, see all the animals, learn a lot about them and go to places that aren’t open to the public. I definitely recommend to try this it’s worth the price. For lunch and dinner we ate at the garden room restaurant and the chicken wings and chicken gyoza were really nice, and the chicken goujons were reminiscent to kfc! The chicken Caesar salad was very nice as well. The rooms in the main hotel were very clean and comfortable, and the main area was the pinnacle of luxury. Oil paintings everywhere, giant marble pillars, and oh dont get me started on the Moroccan courtyard. The animals themselves were phenomenal. The Sumatran tiger was super cool especially when it jumped onto a tall wooden pole! The silverback gorillas were also fascinating, I loved it when they swung around and went down the slides 🤣. Don’t worry! There are loads of photo opportunities all around the reserve. Some of the animals are, lions, tigers, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, gorillas, monkeys, red pandas just to name a few! The reserve is also partners with the Aspinall foundation and is great to know that they release loads of animals back into the wild. The reserve is really fascinating, extraordinary and heartwarming, many memories were made here, and will definitely come again.

Absolutely amazing! I took my partner here on Saturday and he loved it! I purchased tickets through Groupon + it was such an easy process. I had to reschedule my booking as well and the staff were extremely lenient + accommodating. The safari tour went for 45 mins and then you can stroll around the park to get a closer view of all the animals. It takes 2 hours to walk around depending on what animals you want to see. Also I wish I knew this before, but it’s impossible to get uber from here.

I stayed at leopard creek and it was amazing, The service from all the staff was great and the experience was brilliant. Food at the garden room was brilliant and didn't have to wait too long for high quality food. I took my wife and 3 year old daughter and both had an amazing experience and loved travelling the park on a golf buggy

Great setting with amazing views and an enjoyable walk locating fantastic animals

Great place for a day out. Prepare to walk a lot. Zoo is located on a steep hill, which may cause problems to anyone with a disability. There is something for everyone here, including dinosaurs.

Fantastic day out, the animals are stunning and obviously well cared for, the staff are very friendly and very approachable, the views are breathtaking, absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend

Disappointing Experience – Not Worth the Hype or the Price I regret choosing Port Lympne Safari Park for my daughter's birthday. The safari truck takes you around the park, but you can barely see any animals — most are behind fences or so far in the distance you can’t make them out properly. It felt more like a bumpy bus ride through a field than a safari experience. The cafe we visited had a very poor selection — only two sandwiches were available. Not what you'd expect at a family-friendly attraction with high ticket prices. A couple of years ago, we visited Woburn Safari Park, and it was a completely different (and much better) experience. There, we drove our own car, animals like monkeys jumped on the car, and rhinos and lions were walking right next to us — exactly what you'd imagine from a safari. I was hoping for something similar at Port Lympne, but instead it was a real letdown. To get close to any of the animals, you have to pay £80 extra per animal experience — which feels like a total rip-off after already paying for entry. Unfortunately, it just didn’t live up to expectations and I wouldn’t recommend it if you're looking for a true safari-style experience.

The experience was awesome, some amazing views. I had to make some changes and the customer service was spot on

An absolutely wonderful day. We did the truck safari and I was totally hooked on every word our driver Norman was saying. His knowledge and passion for the animals and work they do at Port Lympne shone through and made for a thoroughly enjoyable ride. Afterwards we walked the rest of the site which took about 3 hours at a chill pace. We managed to see almost every animal, and many of them up close including bears, wolves, and gorillas. We went on a Friday daytime and it didn't feel busy at all - we were rarely stood with other people whilst looking at the animals and there was space on our truck during the tour. It is a lot of walking on uneven and uphill terrain if you want to see everything, but there are plenty of benches dotted around for rest breaks. I would recommend bringing a packed lunch as the food on site is incredibly sparse and expensive. I found that the attitude and demeanour of the café staff didn't match the standard of quality displayed by the rest of the staff at the park. This however did not detract from the experience of being able to see these beautiful, rare animals so closely. All in all a brilliant day, and will happily visit again and consider booking one of the animal feeding experiences etc.

Truly an awesome day out. Booked on for a Truck Safari and have to say that Norman was an excellent guide. Full of information, friendly and had a wonderful energy & passion for the animals. I’m sure all other staff are also providing great tours! Managed to see almost everyone up and about in their enclosures on Friday and it was a delight. Would love to see some water fountains or bottle refill stations set up around the walking route.

The staff are amazing except in the cafe, they could not do enough, and are very knowledgeable and friendly. Had a lovely time around the park and relaxed with some games in the treehouse club, lovely staff there as well.

Great day out and love the ethos. Worth spending the day there so you're not rushing around. Definitely take a packed lunch though, the food is pretty pricey and could easily get heavy for a family. This is the only reason for 4 stars.

Top, par. Against during the safari sit on the left in the truck, you will thank me

Currently on this “safari” adventure which is just a truck driving 2mph to show you a few ENCLOSED “nature reserves” I can’t believe we have been scammed out of 70 pound, we saw 4 deer, 2 camels and a rhino from about 30 metres away. If you are lucky the lions will be at the front of their ENCLOSURE and you might see them with a bit of luck. Please save your money from this enclosured farm tour. Every single animal was behind a trapped in enclosure which makes it impossible for an authentic safari experience. The cafe also want to charge 3 British pounds of my money for some water, but if you want some hot water and hot chocolate powder from the pound shop you have to pay 5! Avoid avoid avoid avoid avoid avoid

My friend and I rang the previous day to know if we could experience the safari if we didn’t book prior ( we were not sure we could go). Over the phone we were told we could. We turned up the next but unfortunately did not get to ride on the carts (safari), we were told we had to have booked before showing up (although we were told differently on phone). We didn’t mind though. We walked round as much as we could. The land is vast, we saw as many animals as we could possibly see on foot. At the end of the day, we were exhausted but it was worth it. We did not stay over, although the cabins looked really nice. Tip: Book ahead!

We booked through buy a gift and we felt quite let down by what was advertised to be honest. The picture showed the giraffes right up close to the safari trucks, along with the other animals too. It also said the safari was 1.5 hours long. The safari was 45 minutes, the giraffes were in their gated off enclosure that you could see across the field and the only animals not caged were some deer and camels. You don't stop to feed them or to take pictures you just drive through. I wouldn't pay to do it again. I've given a 4 star rating because the only thing to save the day was the afternoon tea which was out of this world! We were there to celebrate my wifes birthday and our anniversary. The room was stunning, our server Liz, was absolutely wonderful! What a beautiful human being she is! She instantly made us feel welcome and comfortable and made the over all experience 10/10 for us. If I was basing my review on the afternoon tea it would have been a sold 5star but the safari advertising is misleading. Liz, if you're reading this, we absolutely loved you! Thankyou for a wonderful afternoon!

What a complete waste of time. I was there 90 mins with my toddler only saw one tiger that was pacing up and down which shows he was just stressed and bored! The cafe was hideous £2.75 for a small packet of crisps! £4.95 for a small mocha that was made by what looked to be a child. Don't waste ur time or money coming to this so called Wildlife Park, you won't see any animals and just get ripped off in the cafe.

I was completely blown away! I visited Port Lympne to celebrate my birthday and I've never had so much fun. The weather wasn't great by that didn't stop us. All the staff were incredibly friendly, with everyone saying hey and asking if we needed any help locating certain animals. The safari itself was so insightful and so interesting regarding the work the reserve are trying to achieve. We booked our safari for 1.30pm which gave us plenty of time to wonder round. I would recommend working from the back of the zoo to the front. An amazing experience ✨️

Absolutely fantastic time here. Went with my daughters and their 2/3 and 4 year old children. They loved it. Our ranger Dom was a real hit with us all. So passionate and knowledgeable about the animals and the park. He answered endless questions from the children. Also so cheerful and friendly. We stayed in giraffe cottage which was a real treat. Our two chefs were so nice and friendly and the food was delicious. All the staff at Port Lympne could not have been more welcoming and helpful.

What an amazing experience aspinal foundation is such a well kept place with amazing staff - big shout to Penny our safari guide - she was excellent and so knowledgeable - clearly very passionate about the park

Loved the reserve. If you aren’t physically fit then it’s very hard to navigate around the whole reserve especially when walking uphill. Quite depressing to see the tigers pacing back and forth and growling, but amazing to see them so close up! I think they need a bigger enclosure. The food is VERY expensive, so I’d advise you to bring your own food!

Very tired in places and exceptionally expensive for the encounters.

Absolutely amazing Safari Park. Make sure if you just go for a day that you book the Safari. Super informative guides. Excellent place for Families or couples. Amazing staff throughout.

The safari was an amazing experience and definitely worth it. The staff were lovely and very helpful. Staying overnight in the forest hideaway was an amazing experience you get a really nice view though the main road next to you maybe more of a problem for other people. The use of a golf buggy was very pleasant and made the exploration experience even better.

Port Lympne Safari Park is an excellent choice for a day trip, offering a unique and immersive wildlife experience. The park is massive, giving animals plenty of space in their enclosures while allowing visitors to explore a wide range of species up close. From big cats to rhinos and giraffes, there’s so much to see, making it a great experience for all ages. The safari ride through the reserve is a highlight, and the staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to share insights about the animals and conservation efforts. There’s also a restaurant on-site, which is convenient after a day of exploring, but I’d definitely recommend booking in advance as it can get busy.

Me and my boyfriend went to the zoo on Friday and it was amazing, since we got home I showed my mum some photos and she would love to go, however she is disabled and has very poor mobility, I called the zoo today to ask if we could hire the buggy cars to drive her around and we was told no as these are for people who are staying in site, I then asked could we get someone to drive us around for the day as we could not hire the buggy, I was told no to this as well. So if your disabled and don't have your own wheel chair that's electric, or family that can push you around unfortunately anyone with reduced mobility will not be able to go. I was very disappointed with this from the zoo, I said to the lady on the phone unless your rich, or have saved all year around to stay the night no one, disabled in my mum situation can go to the zoo. If the zoo did accommodate for disabled people i would have given 5 stars, but because they discriminate. Against disabled people they get a 1 star VERY VERY POOR ZOO FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

I cant rate the rooms as I did not stay but went for a day, I did go past the accommodation on the safari and it looked good, I can imagine the views are amazing. From the moment I walked in to the moment I left , every interaction with staff was so positive and friendly. The animals seem well cared for and I like the information on the different animals and their journeys and how the sanctuary has helped them. It was cold so naturally the cafes did get busy but the service was efficient and quick regardless. I'll defintely visit again when its warm and spend more time.

Nice Park, different animals, the safari was fun. Lots of hills, definitely recommend.

It was a cold February day, and our expectations were not high, but we didn't see that many animals. The gorilla's were all in doors so you couldn't see them. The highlight is that virtually all the big cats were out.

Can’t fault this brilliant place. Everything just flows so nicely. Lots to see and do and all set in a fantastic, picturesque location. My wife and our two kids stayed in Pinewood in the smallest pod you can get there but this was adequate for us and actually really cost and fun for one night. As night fell you could hear the sound of fire pits crackling, families chatting and laughing and Lions roaring -as it was just next to one of the the enclosures. Everything settled right down come 9pm and we all slept soundly. We did the safari tour day 1 which was great (definitely worth getting g a map and familiarising yourself with the lay of the place first!). After exploring for the afternoon we got a shuttle/cab to the bear lodge restaurant. Everything is so interesting and exciting given you have amazing animals all around. The staff at the restaurant couldn’t have been more friendly (a theme throughout the whole of the estate) and the food, whilst not the cheapest, was absolutely delicious (again another theme - really great quality). After a lovely chilled night of moonlight walks, marshmallow toasting etc we had breakfast in the garden room restaurant which was really lovely (the light breakfast options were included in room cost and could be incorporated into the large bfast options which was cool). Set amidst the main mansion house of the estate and its exquisite grounds. From here we talk a walk across the park seeing gorillas, gibbons, bears, cheetahs, tigers, rhinos - everything! And really close up and personal. Nothing like a zoo, but everything like a well-run, well cared for animal sanctuary. Loved every moment and was sad to leave.

The closest you will get to being on an African Safari in an authentic vehicle without leaving England. There are a wide range of animals including giraffes, lions, rhinos and gorillas at this conservation focussed attraction. The site is very beautiful and set on a slope looking out towards the sea. The landscape formal gardens and house are stunning. There are walking trails and the guided truck safaris and animal experiences for additional fees. There could do with being more places to eat and you need good fitness to get around. It would be good if child cars and adult and older children only cars could be provided for the safari trips as several screaming young children took away from our experience. Well worth a visit but a bit awkward to get to on public transport, our bus from the train station did not turn up. A shuttle from the station would massively help with access for none car drivers. We did not stay overnight but the accommodation options look fantastic.

This place is incredible. We didn't stay in the accommodation, just visited for the day. We just about managed to get around the whole park with a rhino experience and a ranger-led safari too, but if you stay over you'd have more time to enjoy the park. The rhino experience was incredible, the keeper was very knowledgeable and loves her animals. The ranger-led experience was also great, an hour and a half drive through Asia and Africa learning about the free roaming animals that can only be seen via the safari. Again the ranger was so knowledgeable and fun. We drove 3 hours to visit and it was so worth it.

We had the pleasure of staying in the treehouse with a view of the rhinos. Upon arrival, the property was warmly welcoming, with no issues regarding heating. The grounds were beautiful, offering a serene environment for leisurely walks. The service throughout our stay was exceptional, and our dining experience at The Garden Room was of the highest quality. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and highly recommend this experience.

Fantastic..this is our second visit..the fact you can walk around the zoo once its closed was brilliant!! Highly recommend

The Charlie Chaplin room was full of character, loved it. The mansion and gardens were absolutely stunning, the garden restaurant not cheap but food was great, service very good and overall the staff were excellent , I nearly forgot the bonus you have a zoo at the bottom of the garden incredible. Thankyou 👍

Beautiful park with lovely animals. The safari trip is certainly worth doing as you see so much that you can't see when walking.

This place is absolutely amazing ! I honestly can’t understand how there can even be negative reviews. The animals are clearly cared for and we did the gorilla feeding which was amazing how close you can actually get to them. The staff are so kind and very informative and clearly care deeply for the animals(if you do a feeding experience you will see this). I would suggest not the best place for young children lots of walking and stairs.

We have wonderful time at this safari - my Doughter love it along with other family members - maybe Will will be back next year - sad part is they give as lathe coffee which was cold , I don’t won’t to complain just enjoy ❤️

Simply superb. Everything about this place is just amazing. The kids especially loved the giraffe safari. The lodges are stunning for any special occasion and when you're looking to really treat yourself.

We had the most amazing stay at Tiger Lodge 2,celebrating my husbands special birthday. The staff were all amazing,Penny our safari experience driver was so knowledgeable and brilliant at her job,full of enthusiasm,and you could tell she loved the animals.It was a must to also have the golf buggies to get around,as husband was suffering from poor mobility with his knee.The most amazing experience was to see the tigers sleeping against the window in out Tiger Lodge 2.I highly recommend this experience,as the zoo really thought about the animal,and had lots of space for them. Can't wait to return in the future.

A great day out. Definitely go on the safari tour. Great to see such passion in animal conservation.

I went there with my family to celebrate my Birthday … it was amazing more than I expected! We booked Forest hideaway den ( it is way luxurious for a den!) which was LOVELY! We had our in room wood burner and we have our own outdoor fire pit, this is were we enjoy our marshmallow bbq! We had our golf cart which is kind of must as the place is huge! We fed the cheetahs, rhinos, Giraffes it was spectacular experiences … we also booked 2 and half hours private safari and here I must say thank you for becky ( I hope I spelled your name right) Becky was amazing, super friendly and highly knowledgeable ! The food was great !!! Specially the wood-fire pizza !!! We are planning to go back soon!!!

Garden room Restaurant terrible had steak had to send back twice do not recommend eat anywhere just not here.

We were visiting the Safari park itself we were not staying in the hotel. But the safari park views and the whole experience was outstanding. If was such a sunny and warm day that kids really felt like transported to proper African safari. Especially when we could see giraffes and stroke them

Lovely day - organised, friendly, easy and all in great condition.

Spent the day at the park on Sunday for my wife's birthday We have difficulties getting about and my wife suffers from arthritis and has limited mobility the staff could not have been more helpful Some of the steep paths were very challenging for us but big thank you to the team there who arranged a lift back up to the exit which meant we could see more of the animals

An amazing family getaway, you wake up with the wild life around you and it’s such serenity. Just the peace of the wild and the few other people in the camp! Definitely going again!

We had the most magical ultimate safari experience at Port Lympne celebrating our birthday. It was a surprise organised by our parents and my sister and I couldn't have imagined what was in store. Huge thank you to Richard for making our day so memorable. Your expertise was mind-blowing and you made the trip so fun and engaging, thank you!!

I visited the zoo recently and i was amazed at this place! The animals are treated well and in great conditions. The safari is amazing! It lasts about 1 hour and it’s perfect to get to know more about the animals. The staff are lovely and very informative about all the different animals! Will definitely be coming back once the weather is warmer

Great safari park. The park has a great location with beautiful views. Due to its hilly and extensive terrain, you can see the expanse of the enclosures very well. Despite the size, you can see plenty of animals (without binoculars or similar) :) Just remember that you should have enough stamina and strength, as there are many inclines to climb up and down. Even if you've explored the park on foot, the track tour is worth trying out as you'll see even more things. Really great!

Visited for a day trip and had a gorilla feeding experience for 2 people. We didn't stay at the accommodation. Overall, we went in the winter. The place is open pretty much every day of the year so whilst it was cold and wet, it was still a good day out. The large open plains mean the wind can be quite cutting so bring a windbreaker, something waterproof and warm for the colder months. The entrance tickets are really good value for what you get but I guess they mark up other areas like accommodation, activities or the food significantly to help with running costs. The cafe for a coffee and 2 sandwiches was crazy pricing and came to something like £26. If you book an animal experience, it does not include entry. That has to be bought separately. The safari truck ride takes about an hour. It's noisy and bumpy but part of the fun so I'm not sure why others are complaining. Do people expect a safari in a limo? They have speakers to narrate what animals you will see. If you're not staying in the accommodation you need to be able to walk a lot. After an entire day we did pretty much all the park I believe. Unless I missed something, it was a very gentle incline and mostly well paved. Unless you are really unfit, elderly or have to push a pram around it's not a problem at all and nothing like Everest like some people make out. Some of the animals enclosures feel a bit dated or not laid out very well. E.g. hard to get a view into their sleeping huts (unless the intent is to give them privacy/a safe space). A few seemed empty but that may be due to the animals coming out at different times. The gorilla feeding experience was unique as you got to go into their house and last the sleeping areas, scatter some food into the garden from the roof and chat to one of the keepers. Overall it was a good trip and a nice day out. Bring a packed lunch and a flask to keep costs down.

We had the most wonderful time at Port Lympne! We visited for the day and booked the ultimate safari where we got to feed rhinos and giraffes as part of the experience. Our guide, Dom, was absolutely brilliant! He provided so much information, was enthusiastic and made the safari great fun. We really felt like he knew everything we needed to know about all of the animals! The feeding opportunities were wonderful too and were done with the animals put first at all time. We also booked the Tapir experience, and again the staff were kind, extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Their dedication to ensuring a good life for the animals and to conservation of species is amazing. Highly recommend to anyone interested in animal conservation, or just loves animals. You won't be disappointed!!

The Rhino lodge was so cozy, log burners and lovely decor. Rhino paddock at the back and can watch them eat there breakfast. We really enjoyed the safari and was great fun driving around in our own buggy

Brilliant hotel Staff lovely Safari park amazing

Possibly the internets most difficult site to book a holiday (seriously you should discipline your website builder) maybe you'll book an amazing vacation or you'll get fatigued trying. Maybe the best place to stay or not, who knows as it's impossible to find out!

We came in Jan to do the red panda experience, I definitely recommend it and the safari truck rides, it's 100% worth it

A good walk round, not as many animals out and about as Howletts. If you want gorillas, Howletts.

A great day out. We loved the safari and also listening to the talks from keepers, so informative and interesting. I had a cream tea as well which was delicious and enjoyed looking at the works of art in the mansion.

Great time with the kids. Thoroughly recommend it! For me the best part was toasting marshmallows... first time I've had the opportunity. Staff were friendly and happy to help. They have a mini taxi service that shuttles you between locations... you'll need this for dinner reservations depending on location. Remember to book early. The gorillas were amazing as were the tigers! We will be back in summer. The Pizza restaurant was a bit of a let down, we had to send one back for being a bit burnt.... other than that... Great.

We expected a lot, going by instagram…but it was a bit rubbish really. The check in process was so long winded and disorganised. We went mid week so hardly enough food for the amount of of people in the park. Too much walking to do, and there really didn’t seem to be many animals around to view.

Brilliant overnight stay. Lovely accommodation, great fun on the golf buggy, and got to see some really interesting and well-looked-after animals. Probably wouldn't come for a day, but will definitely be back for an overnight stay again in the future. Staff very friendly, safari tour very good too. The food in the restaurants is in the expensive side, but I can wear that for all the positives of the place. Superb for young families.

Excellent place to visit, the staff are so friendly and welcoming.

Wow what an amazing place. Came today with my family and mainly on the request of my daughter who loves going to different zoos. Arrived not long after opening to make the most of the day. Admin team very welcoming and full of information to give. Started making our way round, place absolutely massive with alot to see and take in. Lucky they give you a map 😅. We did the safari ride which last nearly an hour and totally worth it. Unfortunately didn't see the giraffes 🦒 as too cold for them to be out, but did grab a glimpse of one through a open door while driving past. The safari tour was fantastic alot of animals to see and the guides very knowledgeable. Continued walking around for the rest of the afternoon trying to see everything but as a cold 🥶 and bit of a foggy day quite a few animals stayed inside (can't blame them tho). We did have a look around the rest of the area , was interested in the different type of accommodation, tempted to do over night visit. In all wonderful day but might try again at a warmer time of the year tho. Only negative I had didn't realise that, thought the gift shop shut abit early , missed out on a new fridge magnet 😅 Looking at the memberships at the moment as looks like worth while .

Even though it was so cold 🥶 we did go in January and we all loved it 🥰 Wellies are an essential

We visited 9 January 25. The room in the mansion was nice however the heating pipes were so noisy I had problems sleeping. The room was cold and I have to request an additional heater. The staff are just lovely and obliging. The restaurant nearest to the mansion was nice, again cold, had yo eat dinner in my coat and don't even get me started on the 'discretionary ' service charge of 10 % for 2 diners. I find this infuriating, don't they get paid? We have a national minimum wage, just why? No other area are you expected to tip. Do you tip at the supermarket because they are nice? NO. The girl brazenly came over with the card reader and the tip added to the bill without asking and full of assumptions. I wish we didn't pay, but this is what they count on, that you'll feel embarrassed and cheap however, why do they get an extra 10% for bringing me a plate of food and a few drinks. This rip off really needs to stop

Such a lovely place! Amazing weekend away with the kids! I hope we can get the lion or tiger lodge next time!!!

Lovely place friendly staff great location I will definitely be going again

Stayed there new years the weather was just awful which made the nights in bear lodge just horrendous the noise kept us awake all night. The food on site was so over priced , hardly any animals to see and in pretty poor condition , part of it was closed so never got to see zebras tigers or elephants , security well none , check in terrible and we left early ,

How this utterly magnificent reserve does not get recognition as a 5* hotel, lodge, reserve is beyond me. We were greeted by the friendliest staff during the peak festive period, the facilities and the entire set up from the walkways, the gardens, the safari trucks, tour trucks etc were the finest we have seen in this country, absolutely on point and flawless. Massive thank you to the tour guide whose name slips us, she's worked here for nine years and took us around to feed the Girrafes, this was simply brilliant. This time round we stayed at the "Sidonie Treehouse" ...this was not the premium option available here but it was the chosen option for myself, wife and two children. The place was absolutely spot on, beautiful rooms, dining area + all facilities, gorgeous Christmas tree all lit up, big screen tv, full WiFi options ...the works, all first class. I shudder to think how awesome the lodges would be here and we will be looking into the Lion Lodge next year. We had a golf buggy to travel across the park, again, just awesome, kids loved it. We had dinner at the Bear Lodge where Elise took care of the family absolutely magnificent. To cap off the night we went into the main Treehouse, with a beautiful open fire and kids toasting marshmallows, playing board games and the guy running the show here was Theo, special mention to Jensen who traversed across the park in the moped in the dark to provide my children with vegetarian marshmallows, spectacular effort that opened all our eyes. Service standards this high I have not seen in the United Kingdom. Whoever is running the show here, huge congratulations, we parted ways with a lot of money, happily and extremely satisfied that we got more than our moneys worth in experience and memories. We will be back in summer! Dr Ali & family West Midlands

Lympne Safari Park was a huge disappointment. The animals looked poorly taken care of, and it was clear that their well-being wasn't a priority. The conditions they were kept in were unacceptable, which made the visit quite upsetting. Additionally, the park advertised a range of attractions and experiences that simply weren't there. It felt like a complete misrepresentation of what was promised. Overall, I left feeling frustrated and sad about the treatment of the animals. I wouldn't recommend visiting until they make serious improvements.

AVOID THIS PLACE!!! Booked a night in the treehouse, all I can say is it ruined my wife’s birthday. We have 2 young kids & It was just above freezing outside. We arrived with no heating & limited hot water. The carpets were filthy & the bathroom smelt of sewage. This company do not take any pride in their maintenance, how can you offer accommodation at £750 a night with no heating & hot water! We was offered a downgrade to a shack in the woods… On top of this we ordered delivery pizza at extortionate prices only to have half of the order delivered & yet this was cold upon receipt. Their offer was due to there being no heating & only receiving half of the order placed for dinner they would refund the cost of the food. Absolutely ridiculous. We will NEVER be returning to this place. Please if you consider this place think twice.. you DO NOT get what you pay for…

Lovely overnight stay in pinewood pod with safari included. Lions were right opposite and tigers round the corner.

We only attend the safari park not the hotel, we had a very enjoyable day despite the weather, the safari trip around the park was interesting and informative despite the weather the animals still showed up bless them, and when the safari trip was over we a free walk about to see which of the animals braved the weather, we did take are own packed picnic lunch and brought two coffee's but at £4:25 each we did think this is a bit expensive, but we both said we would go again next year when it's warmer.

Booked in for a safari park experience. Think twice and make sure you can attend before booking this. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be moved. Unfortunately our 1 year old babies are still recovering from illness and the day we booked also fell on the day storm Darragh is about. Pleaded to reschedule but weren't helpful because of policy. Wouldn't book at all unless I know my kids are going to be healthy and no storms are happening.

Stunning location and views. Was a bit of a weird layout for the walking people as most people we saw where driving golf carts around, they where rented while staying at the safari park. Loved the safari tour, Emelda our driver was great!

Me and my partner did a Ranger Safari Ride with Charlie - he was so knowledgeable and engaging the whole time, really shows he clearly loves what he does and can answer all your questions. We enjoyed it so much and would definitely return and recommend it for a day out!

My girlfriend and I had an amazing time seeing all the animals

Unless you’re in the mood for a hike in mud and rocks. Don’t bother. £5 for a sausage roll! Ridiculously overpriced. Not many animals. More woods than animals.

We've been going here since the birth of my son 1 years ago. I'm sure it's very nice to stay but only if you are affluent. It's expensive and really rather overpriced in every way. There aren't enough cafes.

Beautiful place, views from Tree houses are amazing, staff are lovely and helpful.

We had an afternoon tea. Very nice. Excellent.

What an amazing experience, I'll be coming back often! Reading some of the negative reviews makes me laugh....this isn't a zoo designed for your pleasure, it's an animal conservation park so you're lucky to see one animal. Luckily I saw hundreds of animals in mid November, they all look happy and content which is the only thing that matters. Port Lympne are doing fantastic work, keep it up!

A pleasant location with lovely views. It is very hilly and with extensive grounds so you would get the best experience if you are physically fit. We were assured that anyone who couldn't manage the return up the hill just needed to find a staff member who would arrange transport back to main camp. (We didn't test this out however).

Our visit to Port Lympne today was excellent, until a deeply disappointing experience at the gift shop, which left us feeling frustrated and disrespected. Our group consisted of 10 disabled adults and 4 carers, all with concession tickets, and we tried to visit the shop around 4pm. When we arrived, the doors to the shop were abruptly closed in our faces by a staff member, who explained that it was “too dark” for us to enter so the shop was closing after three separate doors were closed on our faces. However, we noticed that one member of our group was allowed entry through a side door with the instruction to “be quick.” Confused, the rest of the group attempted to follow and were met with rude shouts that the shop was closed. A carer asked why only one person from our group was allowed in, while the rest were turned away. The staff member’s response was dismissive and rude, claiming that everyone could enter but needed to hurry. This response completely disregarded the fact that our group consists of adults with disabilities who require additional time and support—rushing them was simply not feasible. The overall tone was unhelpful and insensitive, leading us to decide to leave the shop entirely. We understand that there may be operational challenges, but treating disabled visitors with respect and understanding is essential, especially when they are paying customers. This experience was not only unpleasant but also alienating. We hope Port Lympne will consider how to better accommodate all visitors, particularly those who need extra time and support, in a more respectful and accessible manner in the future.

Visited Port Lympne for the day to enjoy the safari experience and afternoon tea. I can't recommend it enough! Huge site, very clean and good facilities (although maybe a few more bins further out are needed, ending up carrying an empty coffee cup almost round the whole place 😅) The safari experience is a must! You'll see animals and areas you can't get to on foot. Penny was our safari driver and host and was fantastic, truly passionate about her job. The afternoon tea is also a must! They catered for my partners dislike of currants in the scones and even swapped the carrot cake for something else. Something I didn't even consider when I let them know about the scones! The service was great and my partner got a complimentary drink for her birthday, they made her a mocktail which was great. Food was super, fresh and plenty of tea. Sausage roll and quiche came out warm too. For those reviews that complain about not seeing animals or empty enclosures, remember this isn't a zoo. They have space to roam and not always in view and if it's cold, much like humans, they'll be sheltered!

I visited here for the first time with my family for my 10-year-old birthday. We had a fantastic day here and got to see a lot of the big cats and wolves, which my kids were mostly interested in. The staff were very nice and helpful but I would suggest taking a packed lunch especially for kids, personally I found the food options for kids lacking. Highly recommend the safari it's brilliant. We didn't use the hotel or its services at all, but it looked absolutely stunning as we walked through.

A fantastic day at the zoo. We enjoyed the animals, especially the tapirs and the tiger. The zoo aspect of the visit was excellent Just a shame that the catering and shop staff let the side down with early closures and disappointing attitudes.

We had the zoo visit with safari included in the package. The Safari was 1 hour long and was worth it. You can take a stroll before or after the Safari depending on the time you've booked it. They don't show the animals on the left side of the safari so that's what you should cover by foot mainly the Lion, Tiger and the path leading down. It was a sunny day so we got to see most of the animals. Overall a good experience, highly recommended.

We visited today, I was bought the Red Panda experience as a gift. It was really good, getting to feed them with half hour in the enclosure. The park guide we had as well was very knowledgeable and great at hosting. This was definitely the high point of our day. What is fairly awful is the Red Panda experience doesn’t include admission to the park, that was an extra £60 for two of us on top of the £134 for the experience. The rest of the park was quite a let down. Comes across very dark and dingy. The walk around the safari park, is horrendous. The hills are mental, don’t see how anyone with disabilities or young kids could get around the place. The safari truck ride, last about a hour and you do get to see abit, that’s when you’re not being thrown around on the back of the lorry. I wouldn’t expect luxury, but that is an awfully uncomfortable hour of your life. The prices of the food and beverages is beyond ridiculous, taking a family there and eating will cost you an absolute fortune! All in all it took us just under 3 hours to do the entire place. I wouldn’t return personally, isn’t worth the money payed. Is essentially a cut rate West Midlands Safari park ( which is genuinely top class ) but for the same price.

Lovely afternoon tea and safari. Beautiful place, good customer service and knowledgeable guide.

Be prepared for a lot of walking. We went to visit at the end of October, not a lot of refreshments/lunch options at this time. Not a lot of animals to see either!

We booked last minute to take our family of 3 boys here at the end of the summer holidays. One of our boys is a full time wheelchair user, staff could not be more helpful in trying to ensure we got the best out of the park down to blending foods for us and giving us a helping hand up the steep hills. Our youngest son was a little too young to feed the Gorillas, only a few months shy, but staff at the park once again went above an beyond to ensure our experience was the best it could be, Concierge Freya organised a guided tour by Rae who knew all there was to know about the primates and answered every question our son had and found us a fantastic viewing spot to see the gorillas up close. Freya and Rae truly made our stay at Port Lympne the park was amazing the staff especially Freya and Rae, fantastic would highly recommend and would love to do it again! Might invest in a poster pack for son’s wheelchair next time 🤣

Outstanding every minute was a joy what memories for the future ❤️