The wow-moment of the trip happens as soon as we arrive… after stepping through the doors of our lodge there is a sight that stops us in our tracks.
A mere 50ft away from our private decking, a giraffe and a calf pad silently across the sand, a zebra then appears behind them. We stand and stare, not daring to move, as we watch them roam freely and feed on foliage.
Close-up and personal encounters with African animals are what people travel thousands of miles across continents to see. We, however, are just 15 miles from the Mersey Ferry, and this feels as close to a safari as you can get without stepping on a plane.
We are among the first-ever guests staying at The Reserve, Chester Zoo’s brand new luxury lodge complex, which opens to the public on Monday, and it certainly has the feel of a high-end, bucket-list experience.
Our safari adventure begins as soon as we drive into the new quarters, with greeters waiting at the doors to whisk our luggage to one of the 51 lodges, then valet park our car.
Into the elegant reception area, the central bar with natural, African-inspired decor, beautifully furnished with sink-in sofas, statement chairs and green foliage, leads out on to a sleek decking area overlooking a lake, perfect for sundowners. There’s even a firepit for after-dark drinks.
The lodges themselves are a cut-above, verging on honeymoon luxe, with giant beds placed front and centre – the ideal lounging spot to watch those majestic creatures wandering past the windows. The outdoor decking runs the length of the lodge, with an in-built love-seat ideal for snuggling up and observing animals by moonlight.
Our lodge, sleeping four, also has a sofabed for our children, a sparkling bathroom with rose-gold fixtures, walk-in shower and separate bath. Brimming with luxuries, there are bath products by Origins, a minibar, coffee maker, bathrobes, slippers and a large, wall-mounted TV. Although I did wonder if this would ever get used given the front row seats to the live animal show right on the doorstep. If you’re travelling as a group, double or triple (interconnecting) lodges are available, sleeping up to nine.
Guests at The Reserve can choose from the introductory Savannah Explorer package, with overnight stay, dinner allowance, campfire experience and extended hours in the zoo, right up to a two-night VIP package. We opted for the Savannah Adventurer package, which includes special hands-on and behind-the-scenes experiences including the Heart of Africa evening safari tour.
Guided by rangers who provided in-depth commentary, we were able to enter the new area when all the other day visitors had gone home, for uninterrupted views of the animals as they went about their night-time rituals. African wild dogs and dik-diks (adorably tiny antelopes), seemed to enjoy a bit of evening company as they came out to play under the cover of darkness.
We also loved our Giraffe Keeper Kitchen experience, where we learned about the life of a giraffe keeper (which, among other things, involves becoming an expert in giraffe droppings), before making snacks of leaves and branches in basketball-sized containers with holes, which the giraffes enjoy prising out with their long tongues!
Giraffe dinner done, we grabbed a drink in the Tsavo Lounge at The Reserve. From the Taste of Africa cocktail selection, we sipped a zinging Dawa, with vodka, lime, brown sugar and honey, and a Fynbos, a mix of brandy, ginger liqueur, rooibos tea and honey, as a band of percussionists drummed lively African rhythms and the good vibes flowed.
Dining in the new Amboseli Restaurant, named after a Kenyan region where Chester Zoo works to protect lion populations, is another highlight for guests at The Reserve. On the menu, the sharing platter starter featuring chicken wings, mini glazed sausages, padron peppers and dipping sauces, was excellent, as were mains of linguini with mussels, ribeye steak and fillet of beef for two. We enjoyed this feast with pints of Alpacalypse, a session IPA from SALT Beer Factory from Saltaire, West Yorkshire, and a smooth pinot noir called Great Moor by Pattingham Vineyard in Staffordshire.
A peaceful night in the lodge was followed by morning coffee on the decking overlooking our new pals, father and son giraffe duo Meru and Stanley (named after Mount Stanley, the tallest mountain in Uganda, where the zoo’s conservationists are helping giraffe populations), and a full English with Bury black pudding in the restaurant.
Then it was through a special gateway, just for residents of The Reserve, and into the new Heart of Africa area of the zoo, for a full-on day of animal antics.
Opened in spring this year, this 22-acre habitat is the largest in the zoo and home to 57 species including giraffes, zebras, ostriches, meerkats, rhinos, and flamingos. Wide, meandering pathways snake through them all, with elevated spots and glass barriers giving the best views. There’s also the new Pamoja Village play area for kids.
With 37,000 animals from over 500 species at the zoo, staying overnight gives you the chance to fully explore everything at your leisure. Some of the biggest thrills came from seeing the big cats, including lions, jaguars, and snow leopards – first-time parents Nubra and Yashin welcomed a cub in June. Don’t miss the butterfly house, either, where hundreds of butterflies fly freely, and the bat house, where you can see (and feel) fruit bats in the moonlit bat cave as they flit through the air, millimetres from your face!
During the zoo’s 94-year history, generations have enjoyed fun-filled days with the family, but with the addition of The Reserve, a trip to the zoo becomes a dream destination with added animal magnetism.
Book the holiday
Savannah Explorer package from £492.50 per night, based on two adults sharing a Lakeside Lodge and staying September 17. Savannah Adventurer from £611 per night, based on two adults sharing a Lakeside Lodge and staying September 17.
Savannah VIP package from £1,488.62 for two nights, based on two adults sharing a Giraffe VIP Lodge, December 16-18. Day tickets: adults £38, children (3-5) £28, toddler (1-2) £2.50, under 12 months free, four-person family ticket £99.
MORE INFO: thereservechesterzoo.com; chesterzoo.org