Chester Zoo releases images of new ‘safari lodges’

From later this year people will be able to stay overnight at Chester Zoo in safari-style lodges, built by Starship in Wirral, and as bookings open the zoo has released images of how they will look. Tony McDonough reports

Chester Zoo
Image of The Reserve, a new development at Chester Zoo. Picture by Chester Zoo

 

Chester Zoo has released images of its new multi-million pound safari lodge development that will allow people to stay overnight.

Called The Reserve at Chester Zoo, bookings for the 51 lodges go on general sale from 9am on Wednesday (January 29). The zoo says it will welcome its first guests to the accommodation in August.

These ‘low carbon’ lodges are being designed and delivered by Starship, a Wirral-based company that specialises in homes built using modern methods of construction (MMC). They are constructed at its Birkenhead factory and quickly assembled on site.

Chester Zoo is already one of the UK’s most popular paid-for visitor attractions with around 2m visitors a year. It hopes this new accommodation will further enhance the visitor experience.

People can book a range of packages, including exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, the chance to interact with conservation experts and special out-of-hours access to the zoo.

Lodges will house up to nine people. A number will be located at the side of a lake while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat, home to the zoo’s Northern giraffes. Guests will also be helping to fund the zoo’s global conservation projects.

These lodges have been crafted using natural and sustainable materials, with the décor being inspired by landscapes in Africa where the zoo is working to help highly endangered species to thrive in the wild.

Chester Zoo chief executive 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 it will bring them face-to-face with extraordinary animals, all while helping to protect the wild world and fund powerful conservation action.

 

Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is this week taking bookings for The Reserve. Picture by Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo
The Reserve lodges will sleep up to nine people. Picture by Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo
People can wake up to views of the Northern giraffes. Picture by Chester Zoo

 

Chester Zoo
Aerial image of The Reserve, a new development at Chester Zoo. Picture by Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo
The Reserve will feature a restaurant for guests. Picture by Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo already welcomes around 2m visitors a year. Picture by Chester Zoo

 

“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 freshly prepared meals.”

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Projects the lodges will help fund include those in Kenya and Uganda, where teams are working to secure a brighter future for highly endangered species such as the eastern black rhino, giant pangolin and mountain bongo. 

The Reserve will also feature a welcome building and its own restaurant, The Amboseli Restaurant – named in a nod to the region in Kenya where the zoo and its partners work to protect lion populations.

Guests will also be able to enjoy freshly prepared food and drinks on a lakeside terrace, Tsavo Lounge.

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