Guests at UK safari holidays have an early morning surprise

Punching in the top secret four-digit security code to pass through multiple gates in different lodge areas has all the trappings of the opening scene in a Jurassic Park movie – and we all know what happened there.

It’s a hot summer day and the pastures are eerily quiet, while the great beasts of the Serengeti and Sumatra take shelter in the shade from the sun. There is a feeling of being detected, if not watched, by the natural hunters in our midst as we trudge along a dusty path just on the right side of the security fence to reach Lion Lodge.

It might sound like I’m in the African wilderness, but I’m not.

I’m at West Midlands Safari Park, near Kidderminster, which in 2021 became one of the first UK’s safari park to offer an overnight immersive wildlife encounter.

The out-of-Africa experience allows visitors to sleep in a luxurious lodge where outside, separated only by a protective lens of glass, lions prowl, hippos stir and giraffes graze. The wildlife you see is dependent on your choice of lodge, but each one offers its inhabitants something different.

Vikki Green, head of marketing at WMSP, says the lodge project is creature-led.

“It’s first and foremost about upgrading the animal habitat and facilities,” she explains. “Each habitat has been designed with the animals in mind, with lots of enrichment points, 24-hour, heated, upgraded housing and animal husbandry areas.”

But it’s clear it’s equally enriching for humankind. So popular has the overnight experience been that the idea has spread to at least six other UK wildlife parks – the latest, The Reserve, is due to open at Chester Zoo next month. In a first, the zoo will use the income to fund species-saving conservation programmes at home and across the globe.

And this new type of trip is due to grow in popularity: in one recent survey, 45% of UK holidaymakers said they’d rather take a safari trip than book a beach stay for their holiday.

Unsurprisingly, however, the cost and commitment of a memory-making mission to the Masai Mara often pushes it beyond the realms of reality for many hardworking families. Still, the question I want to answer is this: Can a staycation safari really live up to the hype?

In short, the answer is yes. Of course, nothing can compare to seeing the majesty of a lion in its natural habitat or a herd of elephants roaming through African savannas – but as I discovered during a stay at WMSP’s lion lodge with my husband Steve and two children Jesse, 11, and Jemima, eight, that it’s a goosebump-inducing experience nonetheless.

Arriving on a Friday afternoon to our two-bed lodge, nestled in a far corner of the 200-acre park, we were excited to get up close and personal with our new neighbours – a pride of four brothers named Havoc, Hodge, Harabi and Hercules, who were born in the park in 2019.

Perched on a hill at a reasonably safe distance from the four huge viewing windows in our African-themed hut, we prayed that it was safe enough to stop this dispatch taking a dark turn when mealtime came around. It wasn’t long before our presence triggered the curiosity of the majestic big cats enough for them to inspect us closely through the window, a mere whisker away.

Arriving on a Friday afternoon to our two-bed lodge, nestled in a far corner of the 200-acre park, we were excited to get up close and personal with our new neighbours – a pride of four brothers named Havoc, Hodge, Harabi and Hercules, who were born in the park in 2019.

Perched on a hill at a reasonably safe distance from the four huge viewing windows in our African-themed hut, we prayed that it was safe enough to stop this dispatch taking a dark turn when mealtime came around. It wasn’t long before our presence triggered the curiosity of the majestic big cats enough for them to inspect us closely through the window, a mere whisker away.

At this point I noticed scratch marks on the reinforced glass, so did what any self-respecting Briton would do in a crisis – whipped out my phone to record whatever might unfold for posterity and for family and friends!

I was reliably informed that all of the habitats feature 40mm-thick laminated, carnivore-proof glass panels set in steel frames.

Yet the awe-inspiring beauty of four happy, healthy and earth-shatteringly terrifying lions so close could not entirely free my mind of the nagging doubt of what could happen were the windows to fail (spoiler: they didn’t).

It left my 11-year-old lost for words – no one is too cool for school when you have a tiger, or better still, a lion, for tea. As our new friend slumped down outside our living area, we could see the kaleidoscope of colour in his eyes and a silencing sense of humility fell over us all.

While the pride seemed not to interact too much with each other, they seemed to intuitively follow the lead of one and understand their role within the group – silently stalking the enclosure. After a few minutes, the lions moved on to a secluded area away from the admiring gaze of lodge-dwellers, while we remained dumbstruck.

Having finally recovered the power of speech, we headed out to explore the rest of the park. Once the gates close at 5pm, overnight guests are free to explore the enclosures, whatever the hour.

If a midnight safari is on your bucket list, then this is the place to do it.

And there’s no need to feel conflicted about human intrusion. The park is committed to creating a respect for the animals they house.

“The lodges reflect our deep commitment to animal preservation, education and conservation,” says Vikki.

“Through these experiences, we aim to inspire the next generation of conservationists, helping guests connect with nature in meaningful ways and fostering a lifelong respect for the natural world.” Worn out after an evening of seeing tiger cubs frolic near their watchful mum, feeding the giraffes and being enchanted by the elephants – just a few of the highlights – we retired to our lodge.

Our animal hosts had taken themselves out of sight, but their spine-tingling roars – capable of travelling five miles in the wild – were a constant reminder of who was really watching who.

As we bedded down for the night, their cries enveloped the darkening park like a cloak – we felt firmly in lion territory.

Despite our nerves, we slept soundly. But it was still a surprise to open the curtains and find a lion outside the window in the morning.

Did he think we were breakfast?

It was hard to tell – his stare and padded steps indicated confidence and, perhaps, even an air of contempt!

Sadly, it’s the lions who are now in need of protection, with an estimated 23,000 to 39,000 of them left in the wild. Currently classed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, they are at risk of ending up as endangered, should their current rate of decline continue.

That is why the conservation efforts of UK safari parks and zoos to protect this sociable breed through new visitor attractions is so vital.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, explains: “They 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… both here at the zoo and over in Kenya and Uganda.

“Our teams are working to secure a brighter future for highly endangered species like the eastern black rhino, giant pangolin and mountain bongo.”

He adds of the incoming Chester Zoo experience: “This will be a bucket list stay that also contributes to helping wildlife not only survive, but thrive.”

And after our roarsome stay with these magnificent beasts, I can concur.

Seeing a lion is awe-inspiring but scary, even when in a place of safety – but scarier still is the fact that without our help, one day they might not be seen at all.

WMSP safari lodges available include lions, white lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, red pandas, rhinos, hippos and tigers. Prices start from £450 per night. Visit wmsp.co.uk for more information