Chester Zoo's first ever safari lodges with views of giraffes opening date confirmed for overnight stays

"It’s the ultimate African safari experience, right here in the UK."

Dianne Bourne Lifestyle Editor

13:00, 28 Jan 2025

The Reserve at Chester Zoo will launch in August 2025, with 51 safari-style lodges with views of the giraffe savannah or a lakeside setting.(Image: Chester Zoo)

Chester Zoo has announced the opening dates for its first ever overnight safari-style lodges. Bookings are being taken from August this year for the accommodation, which will be officially called The Reserve at Chester Zoo.

New images released today show how the highly-anticipated new lodgings will look at the zoo. There will be 51 lodges in total, some offering views of the giraffe enclosure, others with a lakeside setting.

‌

Bookings go on general sale at 9am on Wednesday 29 January, although a pre-sale for email subscribers has begun today (Tuesday) with a range of packages available. Prices will start from £375 a night based on two sharing in the low season.

Article continues below

But there will also be more tailored packages available with options of exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, the chance to interact with conservation experts and special out-of-hours access to the zoo from £1,000 a night.

How the lodges are set to look at Chester Zoo - many with views of the giraffes(Image: Chester Zoo)

Guests can choose from a variety of different lodges, available for up to nine people to suit the family market. 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.

‌

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.

‌

Views across the lake (Image: Chester Zoo)

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.

‌

Inside the lodges - how they are set to look(Image: Chester Zoo)

"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.

‌

An aerial view of the new lodges in the "Heart of Africa" area at the zoo(Image: Chester Zoo)

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.

The new welcome building will feature a restaurant and bar with stunning views(Image: Chester Zoo)

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.

How the lodges will look inside(Image: Chester Zoo)

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.

Article continues below

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