Port Lympne Safari Park - Hythe

Jenna P.

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!!

Fadwa R.

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.

George S.

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.

Haps

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.

Jena F.

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

Paulina B. P. L.

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

Louis T.

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.

Paul L.

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.