Nestled in the picturesque Kent countryside, Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve offers an extraordinary escape where luxury accommodation meets wildlife conservation. Spanning over 600 acres, this unique destination combines the elegance of a historic mansion with the thrill of encountering over 900 rare and endangered animals. Whether you’re planning a family day out, a romantic getaway, or a wildlife adventure, Port Lympne delivers an experience that’s both memorable and meaningful, all while supporting vital conservation efforts around the globe.
A Brief History of Port Lympne
Port Lympne’s fascinating story begins in the early 20th century when Sir Philip Sassoon, a wealthy politician and art collector, commissioned architect Sir Herbert Baker to build an impressive country house. Completed in 1913, Port Lympne Mansion quickly became famous for hosting lavish parties attended by numerous celebrities, royalty, and politicians of the era, including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and Lawrence of Arabia.
Following Sir Philip’s death in 1939, the estate served various purposes, including a military training ground during World War II. Its transformation into a wildlife reserve began in 1973 when John Aspinall, a passionate conservationist, purchased the property. Aspinall established the reserve with a clear mission: to protect endangered species and eventually return them to their natural habitats.
Today, Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve operates under The Aspinall Foundation, continuing John Aspinall’s legacy of conservation work. The foundation has successfully reintroduced numerous animals back into the wild, including gorillas, black rhinos, and European bison, making it one of the most successful conservation projects in the UK.
Wildlife Experiences at Port Lympne
The reserve is home to an impressive collection of over 900 animals across 75 species, many of which are rare or endangered. Unlike traditional zoos, Port Lympne provides spacious, natural enclosures that closely mimic the animals’ native habitats, allowing visitors to observe these magnificent creatures in environments that promote their natural behaviours.
Safari Experience
One of the most popular attractions at Port Lympne is the safari experience. Aboard specially designed safari trucks, visitors embark on a journey through the reserve’s ‘African Experience’ – a 100-acre landscape where animals including rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest roam freely. Knowledgeable rangers guide these tours, sharing fascinating insights about the animals and the conservation efforts supporting them.
The safari experience lasts approximately 90 minutes and offers unparalleled opportunities for wildlife photography. The open-sided vehicles provide excellent viewing points, while the guides ensure you don’t miss any of the reserve’s star attractions. For wildlife enthusiasts, this safari adventure offers a taste of Africa without leaving Kent.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, private safaris can be arranged, allowing for a more personalised journey through the reserve with dedicated guides who can tailor the experience to your specific interests.
Walking Routes
Beyond the safari, Port Lympne offers several walking routes that wind through different sections of the reserve. The South American Trail introduces visitors to species such as tapirs and capybaras, while the Asian Experiences showcases tigers, leopards, and small-clawed otters. The Palace of the Apes houses one of the largest collections of western lowland gorillas in the UK, providing a rare opportunity to observe these intelligent primates.
The Carnivore Territory is home to lions, wolves, and hunting dogs, while the Primate Trail features various monkey species swinging through their habitats. Each walking route is thoughtfully designed to provide optimal viewing opportunities while ensuring the animals’ comfort and privacy.
Animal Encounters
For those looking to get even closer to the wildlife, Port Lympne offers special animal encounters. These experiences allow visitors to feed giraffes, meet rhinos up close, or spend time with the reserve’s gorillas. Led by experienced keepers, these encounters not only create unforgettable memories but also deepen visitors’ understanding of these remarkable species and the challenges they face in the wild.
Animal encounters require advance booking and are subject to availability, with all proceeds supporting The Aspinall Foundation’s conservation projects worldwide. These experiences make wonderful gifts for animal lovers and provide unique photo opportunities that standard visits don’t offer.
Accommodation Options
What truly sets Port Lympne apart from other wildlife parks is its range of extraordinary accommodation options. From luxury lodges to quirky glamping pods, there’s something to suit every taste and budget, all offering the unique opportunity to stay overnight within the reserve.
Port Lympne Hotel
The historic Port Lympne Mansion has been transformed into a stunning hotel that combines period charm with modern luxury. The sixteen elegantly appointed rooms and suites feature unique décor inspired by the mansion’s illustrious past, with many offering panoramic views over Romney Marsh and the English Channel.
Guests at the hotel enjoy exclusive access to the Mansion Terrace Bar and Restaurant, where they can dine in style while watching the sun set over the Kent countryside. The hotel also houses the Aspinall Suite, a glamorous space for special events that reflects the mansion’s heritage as a venue for sophisticated gatherings.
Animal Lodges
Perhaps the most exciting accommodation options are the animal lodges, which offer guests the chance to wake up to views of specific animal habitats. Lion Lodge provides a glass window into the lion habitat, while Tiger Lodge offers similar proximity to Amur tigers. Wolf Lodge overlooks the wolf pack, and Giraffe Lodge features elevated balconies at eye level with these gentle giants.
Each lodge is luxuriously appointed with unique theming that reflects its animal neighbours. The experience of sipping morning coffee while watching tigers patrol their territory or hearing lions roar at dusk is truly unparalleled in the UK and creates memories that last a lifetime.
Glamping and Unique Stays
For those seeking something different, Port Lympne offers a variety of glamping options. The Treehouse Hotel features elevated wooden structures with stunning views across the reserve, while the Bubble pods offer transparent domes for stargazing. Pinewood pods and Shepherd’s Huts provide cosy retreats for couples, and the Bear Lodge offers safari-style tents perfect for families.
The newest addition, Leopard Creek, features luxury wigwams and cabins overlooking the reserve’s Amur leopards. Each accommodation option comes with its own unique benefits, from private hot tubs to dedicated rangers, ensuring a stay that’s as comfortable as it is memorable.
Coaste
While the stay experiences at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve are truly mesmerising, Coaste offers an alternative solution as one of the fastest growing holiday lets in Kent. Just a short drive of 30 to 40 minutes, along the coast, over to Deal, you can stay near beautiful beaches and experience a traditional British seaside resort.
Dining Experiences
Port Lympne takes its culinary offerings as seriously as its conservation work, with several restaurants and cafés catering to different tastes and occasions.
The Garden Room Restaurant, located within the mansion, offers fine dining with seasonal menus featuring locally sourced ingredients. With its elegant décor and views over the terraced gardens, it’s perfect for special occasions or romantic dinners. For overnight guests, breakfast here is a particular treat, with options ranging from full English to continental selections.
Babydoll’s Wood Fired Pizza, named after a famous gorilla born at the reserve, serves authentic Italian pizzas from a wood-fired oven in a relaxed setting. The Pinewood Café offers family-friendly meals and snacks throughout the day, while the Port Lympne Hotel Bar provides a sophisticated space for evening cocktails.
For those staying in the reserve’s accommodation, many lodges offer self-catering facilities, though private dining experiences can also be arranged. These range from bush BBQs to formal dinners, adding another layer of luxury to the Port Lympne experience.
Conservation Work and Education
Beyond providing an exceptional visitor experience, Port Lympne’s primary mission remains wildlife conservation. The Aspinall Foundation, which operates the reserve, runs breeding programmes for endangered species with the aim of reintroducing animals to protected areas in their native habitats.
Breeding Programmes
Port Lympne has achieved remarkable success with its breeding programmes, particularly for western lowland gorillas, black rhinos, and Przewalski horses. The reserve’s gorilla breeding programme is one of the most successful in the world, having produced over 140 gorilla births. Many of these gorillas have been reintroduced to protected reserves in Congo and Gabon, where they now live in family groups.
The black rhino breeding programme has also seen significant success, with several rhinos born at Port Lympne now living in protected reserves in Tanzania and South Africa. These achievements represent vital contributions to global conservation efforts for species facing extinction in the wild.
Educational Initiatives
Education forms a core part of Port Lympne’s mission, with various programmes designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists. School visits offer curriculum-linked learning experiences, while workshops and talks provide deeper insights into specific conservation challenges and solutions.
Throughout the reserve, informative signage explains the threats facing different species and the actions being taken to protect them. Keeper talks scheduled throughout the day offer visitors the chance to learn more about particular animals and ask questions about their care and conservation.
For those looking to gain hands-on experience, Port Lympne offers volunteer programmes and keeper experiences that provide behind-the-scenes access to the reserve’s operations. These initiatives not only support the reserve’s work but also foster a deeper connection between participants and wildlife conservation.
Special Events and Seasonal Activities
Throughout the year, Port Lympne hosts various events that add extra dimensions to the visitor experience. During school holidays, special activities for children might include treasure hunts, craft workshops, and junior keeper experiences. Halloween brings spooky-themed events, while Christmas sees the mansion and grounds transformed with festive decorations.
The reserve also offers photography workshops led by professional wildlife photographers, taking advantage of the unique opportunities presented by the diverse animal collection. For those celebrating special occasions, exclusive venue hire is available for weddings, corporate events, and milestone birthdays.
Annual passes provide excellent value for those planning multiple visits, with special pass-holder events and previews of new attractions adding extra benefits. These passes also contribute directly to the reserve’s conservation work, turning regular visitors into ongoing supporters of wildlife protection.
Planning Your Visit to Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve
Best Time to Visit
Port Lympne is open year-round, with each season offering different advantages. Spring brings baby animals and blooming gardens, while summer offers the longest opening hours and warmest weather for exploring. Autumn sees stunning colours across the reserve and often fewer crowds, while winter offers a more tranquil experience with the chance to see certain animals, like tigers and snow leopards, at their most active.
Weekdays typically see fewer visitors than weekends, particularly outside school holidays. For those staying overnight, midweek breaks often offer better value, with the added benefit of a more peaceful experience when exploring the reserve before and after day visitors have departed.
Practical Information
Located near Hythe in Kent, Port Lympne is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. The nearest train stations are Ashford International and Folkestone West, with taxi services available to complete the journey. For those using satellite navigation, it’s advisable to use the postcode CT21 4LR.
The reserve is largely accessible for visitors with mobility challenges, with wheelchair-friendly paths throughout much of the site and adapted safari vehicles available with advance notice. Comfort facilities are plentiful, with baby-changing stations, first aid points, and rest areas distributed across the reserve.
Booking in advance is highly recommended, particularly for overnight stays and special experiences, which often sell out during peak periods. The reserve’s website offers real-time availability and the best rates, with various packages combining accommodation, meals, and activities for a complete experience.
Final Thoughts on Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve
Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve represents a remarkable fusion of luxury tourism and vital conservation work. By visiting this extraordinary destination, guests not only enjoy unique wildlife encounters and exceptional accommodation but also contribute directly to protecting endangered species around the world.
From the thrill of seeing rhinos roaming across open grassland to the luxury of waking up with tigers outside your window, Port Lympne creates experiences that connect people with wildlife in meaningful ways. Whether you visit for a day or stay for a week, this Kent treasure offers memories that last a lifetime and the satisfaction of supporting a mission that extends far beyond the reserve’s boundaries.
As conservation challenges grow globally, destinations like Port Lympne demonstrate how tourism can be harnessed as a force for positive change, creating sustainable funding for wildlife protection while educating and inspiring visitors. This innovative approach ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the wonder of these magnificent animals, both at Port Lympne and, crucially, in their natural habitats around the world.
To learn more about Port Lympne, visit their website.