Bookings for the ‘very special’ conservation initiative at Chester Zoo went live this morning with prices starting from £375
Chester Zoo is set to launch its first-ever overnight safari-style lodges, with bookings now being taken for the new digs dubbed The Reserve at Chester Zoo.
Eager beavers were able to snap up a spot from 9am this morning (Wednesday January 29) with prices starting from £375 per night for two in low season. Visitors looking for the crème de la crème experience can splurge on bespoke packages including exclusive zoo experiences and chats with conservation gurus starting from £1,000 a night.
Crafted with natural and sustainable materials, the lodges will open their doors on August 18, 2025, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Freshly released images give a sneak peek of what guests can expect from the 51-lodge development, featuring some with giraffe enclosure views and others by the lakeside.
READ MORE: The private UK beach that offers ‘a little slice of Italy’ on the north Wales coastline
Families or groups can pick from several lodge types, accommodating up to nine guests, with some nestled by a lake and others overlooking a private savannah where northern giraffes roam. The team behind this “very special” initiative says a stay at The Reserve will directly support Chester Zoo’s worldwide conservation efforts.
Artist’s impressions provide a glimpse of the luxury resort, complete with a new welcome building and its exclusive restaurant, The Amboseli Restaurant — named after the Kenyan region where the zoo aids lion conservation. Guests can look forward to indulging in fresh food and drinks on the lakeside terrace, Tsavo Lounge.
Speaking about the all new experience, Chester Zoo’s CEO Jamie Christon 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,”
‘The Reserve at Chester Zoo’ promises to be a unique UK getaway inspired by African landscapes, aimed at supporting endangered species. Jamie added: “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.”
“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.”
He also highlighted the added bonus that every stay contributes directly to the zoo’s conservation efforts.
“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.”
Chester Zoo, sprawling over 128 acres, houses more than 37,000 animals across 500 species and is a top UK attraction. For more information or to book your stay, head to www.chesterzoo.org/accommodation.
