Jamala Wildlife Lodge

The time my wife & I just spent at Jamala Wildlife Lodge was an “Exceptional Experience” that has given us everlasting memories for all the right reasons ! From the moment we entered the complex until the time we left, the staff could not be more accommodating & obliging. The facilities were such that you often felt immersed in a “African Safari” - with all the sounds,sights & tastes that fulfill the experience. But the ultimate was the animals themself & how close we were to them ! Sleeping with just a glass window between us & 2 very cute Lemurs - sitting back watching them go about their regular day was amazing. Waking up to the fearsome roar of a Lion is unforgettable - & glancing down from our room to see them prancing around is fantastic Complimenting all this, is the fact that the Lodge adjoins the National Zoo - & as such the package including opportunities to feed animals such as. Tigers,Bears & many others! Overall, a bucket list MUST if you like close encounters with animals !

Days 10 and 11 of our 20-day trip and we were returning to Jamala after an absence of 8 years. On that earlier trip, the place had been open for a year and a bit and was in the middle of development and expansion. Then, we'd aimed for the lions but were allocated the big bear. I stayed in the cheetah room the first night which included a session the following day for just the two of us (patting and feeding) and she stayed in the bear room. Second night, we moved to the giraffe room. It was a great stay and the huge bear was the highlight. Sadly, the bear died a while later and that room is now one of the two tiger rooms. We were very keen to return and see if we could stay with the lions this time. The deal is that they won't guarantee that you'll get what you ask for so, this time, I rang in mid-July for an early November stay. I advised that we'd really like to stay with the lions and the tigers on a 2-night visit and was told that it couldn't be guaranteed. However, they advised that, because nobody had booked for our dates yet, they would note our booking for the lions and tigers as "First request" but, still, with no guarantees. The day before we were due to arrive, we received an email advising that we'd been allocated the tigers and we were delighted but a little disappointed that we'd missed out on the lions. However, next morning, we received another email advising that we'd been allocated the lions for our second night. Wow, major excitement ! Whilst you're invited to arrive for welcome and afternoon tea from 1pm, you can arrive earlier, drop your luggage at the lodge and wander around the zoo. So, we did. The first tour for new guests starts at 1.45 and the guides do a talk and let you hold an enormous python before that so it's worth being there at 1pm. The "afternoon tea" is actually a vast array of hot and cold offerings (sweet and savoury) and is well worth having. The first tour takes you around the zoo to get your bearings and to interact with various animals. We were split into 2 groups and Cooper was our guide. It quickly becomes very obvious that the welfare of the animals is way above every other consideration and so it should be. Cooper was very careful to ensure that we understood zoo etiquette and a number of children from not very well supervised school groups were left in no doubt of the errors of their ways (especially one young man who Cooper had seen kick an emu. He was sorted out very quickly whilst his teachers studied their shoes intently). Cooper is a credit to the organisation and we were fortunate to have him as our guide for the encounter/feeding tour next day too. Even better, there were only 3 of us on that tour because all of the other guests were staying only one night. On that point, staying 2 nights is a must. Yes, it's a stretch financially, particularly if you're staying in one of the Jungle Bungalows eg lions and tigers but you miss out on so much and it would feel a bit rushed for a one-night stay. On

From the moment you walk in you feel like you are in a safari lodge. Nothing has been missed. Very helpful and the afternoon tea on arrival was gorgeous as was dinner and breakfast. We stayed in a reef room and our son loved it, very calming for him. The access to animals was amazing

From the start to the end of our stay was exceptional. All the staff, zoo keepers, guides and restaurant staff were helpful, fantastic and wonderful. We did multiple tours, animal experiences and we stayed in the Giraffe lodge. Absolutely one of the best experiences in our lives. Great wedding anniversary stay. Dinner was to die for with the servings, options for each of the 3 courses. Wines etc were great. Mia one of our tour guides of the zoo was so knowledgeable and answered every question. Aaron our waiter at dinner was great, entertaining and held a great conversation. 5 Star experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We stayed in the Reef Room in the Lodge. The in room aquarium is beautiful and Oscar( big blue fish) much quieter than the lions. It’s good value with zoo entrance fees and all meals and drinks included. Plus we did the 2 night package to get 3 close encounters included.