I stayed at UK safari park’s luxury lodge – and had a very unexpected wake up call

For those seeking an African wildlife experience, Worcestershire’s West Midlands Safari Park is the perfect destination. Emily Chaplin, a reporter for and enthusiast, recently spent a night at one of the park’s newest hippo lodges – and received a very funny wake-up call in the morning.

She reported that a single night’s stay for two people costs a minimum of £515. This price includes accommodation with prime views of the hippo enclosure, dinner and breakfast, two days’ access to the park including the safari drive and theme park rides, and a 20 percent discount in the restaurants and gift shops. The park also offers lodges overlooking the habitats of tigers, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, and red pandas.

Emily, her husband, best friend and her best friend’s two young children arrived at the park in the afternoon.

They planned to complete a lap around the four mile safari drive before returning for the safari walk. Check-in was straightforward – they parked in the nearly full Safari Lodge car park, where a helpful staff member at the front desk explained everything – directions, timings, what the passes included and who to contact with queries.

The group received special golden wristbands (which allow for after-hours access to certain areas of the park), a map, a general guide and a key to the Zambezi Lodge before setting off.

The Safari Drive was bustling due to the half-term break, causing the circuit to take longer than expected. Despite viewing their favourite animals from a greater distance than usual, the group of five managed to see them all.

The park has recently implemented a new rule prohibiting feeding the animals.

Emily noted that the animals have adapted well to this change, keeping their distance from the vehicles without any incentive to approach.

After their drive, they returned to their accommodation. The African-inspired interior was hinted at by the thatched roofs and lush palm gardens, featuring a spacious yet cosy living area, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, a double bedroom and an upstairs room with bunk beds.

All rooms featured floor-to-ceiling windows offering prime views of the hippo enclosure, along with an accessible washroom.

The attention to detail was remarkable, with the entire decor reflecting the safari theme, including delightful hippo-shaped home accessories scattered around.

However, it was on the balcony where the reporter and her group were truly mesmerised. Hippos named Mavis, Hilary, Gussie and Friday could be seen lounging in the mud, wandering about the grassy slope and basking in the sun, just a short distance away.

In the late afternoon, the gang left their viewing spot to discover the Safari Walk.

The little ones were delighted by the sight of penguins frolicking and the Land of the Living Dinosaurs. However, by the time the park closed at 5pm, all the stalls, rides and restaurants had shut down, and most of the animals they could visit had retreated for dinner or bedtime.

Disappointingly still, when they returned to their lodge they found that the neighbouring hippos had retreated out of sight. Emily noted that it might have been better to arive at the park a little earlier.

But the evening did not lose its charm, with the loud roars of big cats serenading them into the night, transporting Emily and her party to far-flung lands.

Dinner came pre-packaged, a choice of flavoursome Asian chicken, succulent braised beef cheek accompanied by dauphinoise potatoes, a hearty soup paired with fresh bread, and traditional sausage and mash to satiate the youngest appetites—all chosen by Emily and company.

Stored in the lodge’s refrigerator for guests to warm up, the meals fared variably once reheated; Emily noted they were overall quite palatable.

The most unexpected moment of the trip came at 6am, when the group was awoken by a noise that sounded like something from a Jurassic Park scene, but it turned out to be the resident hippos groaning and grunting as they woke up.

The group enjoyed a breakfast of savoury croissants and a salmon bagel, delivered to their lodge, while watching the hippos being fed.

After checking out at 10am, they were treated to an exclusive sea lion show, which helped pass the time until the park opened at 11am. They took another stroll around the Safari Walk before heading home.

Emily reflected on the experience, saying: “We’d have planned our day out better to make the most of our time and maybe visited in the summer instead, when the animals are likely to be out and about for longer.”

However, the trip clearly left a lasting impression, with Emily adding: “it was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience we’ll all be talking about for years to come, which alone, makes it worth the money for those that can afford it.”

For more information on the lodges and experiences available, visit the .