Port Lympne Safari Park

Kate3150 · 2023-05-18T10:01:37+00:00

Hello. I’ve just discovered this place and really want to take my DS. Thinking of maybe staying over too. Just looking for recommendations really from people who have visited/stayed. Good places to eat, etc and maybe any experiences you’d reccommend? TIA 🥰

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 18/05/2023 11:09

It's a lovely place. But it is in the middle of nowhere. Going into Dymchurch for fish and chips would be easy. Or somewhere in Hythe for a pub/restaurant.

HolyFuckerRooney · 18/05/2023 12:02

Are you looking for a hotel or B&B ?
Get the little railway to Dymchurchfor the fun fair and sandy beach from hythe, then nip back on and go to dungerness for fish & chips
Trip to Dover Castle to see the hidden tunnels used in WW1

Visit PLs sister site Howletts ?

christmastreefarm · 18/05/2023 12:14

We stayed in the glamping tents - they have a shower / toilet.

They were nice. You get an evening tour round the park which was lovely as sun was setting.

There was an on-site restaurant - not sure how easy it would be to go off site for dinner.

Bells3032 · 18/05/2023 12:17

We stayed in the giraffe accommodations which was fun. however, i found they took us up at like 3pm and we weren't allowed to come and go so just stuck there for hours. lovely to look at the animals but couldn't do it for hours straight so if booking one of their lodges i'd book the ones in the main park rather than further out.

We went to Howletts the next day which was fun. We did a lemur experience which was amazing and highly reccomend that

Pascha · 18/05/2023 12:32

It's very steep. The safari bus is useful but long. My kids like the dinosaur bit.

Cant say I would pay the prices now though. Maybe as a one off if you've never been.

Cinderbelly · 18/05/2023 12:54

We stayed in 2019, not sure how much has changed due to Covid restrictions. We stayed in the shepherds hut by the deer creek - they were small but lovely. The whole experience was really magical, and we had a golf buggy to get around for the 2 days we were there, toasted marshmallows in the evening by the communal FirePit and the on-site restaurant we ate in was nice although a little pricey. The kids still talk about it as being one of their favourite mini breaks.
if we went back again I would love to stay in the wolf cottage or the tiger cottage

Lindy2 · 18/05/2023 13:34

Cinderbelly · 18/05/2023 12:54

We stayed in 2019, not sure how much has changed due to Covid restrictions. We stayed in the shepherds hut by the deer creek - they were small but lovely. The whole experience was really magical, and we had a golf buggy to get around for the 2 days we were there, toasted marshmallows in the evening by the communal FirePit and the on-site restaurant we ate in was nice although a little pricey. The kids still talk about it as being one of their favourite mini breaks.
if we went back again I would love to stay in the wolf cottage or the tiger cottage

We went last month and stayed in one of the treehouses. It was for a joint DH and I big birthday celebration.

It was expensive but we wanted something a bit different.

Our experience was very like Cinderbelly so post Covid sounds very like pre Covid.

We got a golf buggy to ride around in but only limited hours. I think it was after 3pm and before 10am the next day. It was fun though.

Tickets for the safari tour which is very good.

Marshmallow toasting and complimentary drink on arrival at the treehouse.

Free entry to the sister Park Howletts. We did that on the second day.

We ate at the posh restaurant on site for the evening meal. I wouldn't bother with that again. Too noisy, expensive and OK but nothing special in terms of food.

It's a very big, hilly park but we liked how much room the animals had. It's a good place to visit.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 18/05/2023 15:11

Re steep: there's a footpath which goes right down the middle and an older man who regularly runs up and down it! 💪🏻

Original poster

Kate3150 · 18/05/2023 15:46

Thank you for all the suggestions, i really appreciate it.

I will start looking into things a bit more closely. I’m finding the accommodation all a bit confusing, but your suggestions should narrow it down a bit for me 😁

OP posts:

Bearpawk · 18/05/2023 17:13

I've stayed over in one of their cabin/ tent things. If it's within budget it's so much fun and the kids will love it. You can hear the lions roaring all night!
We ate at the Italian style restaurant on site which was average, and had breakfast in the main hotel/ house in the morning which was very good.
If you sleep over maybe you could bring s picnic dinner to save ££

FrownedUpon · 18/05/2023 17:21

Don’t drink the water. People have caught legionnaires disease from there. Some are currently suing the company.

Icedlatteplease · 18/05/2023 17:21

Don't bother with a day trip. It's a very odd place to day trip with all the golf buggies zooming around. I know they are essential if you are staying there but the really interfere with the peacefulness of the place, both the noise and the jumping out the way. If you're in one I don't think you notice so much.

starpatch · 18/05/2023 17:29

We are local and have a annual pass so visit loads and love it. Lovely countryside and the animals are really well looked after and they return many to the wild. It is a large and hilly site great if you do like country walks. It's on number 10 bus route if you don't have a car. I think I would find some reasonable accommodation in Folkestone/ Hythe / Ashford if I wasn't local. Last summer hols they did buy one visit and come back all summer which was a good offer. The animal feeding/ talks is included and very good.

Pascha · 18/05/2023 19:29

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 18/05/2023 15:11

Re steep: there's a footpath which goes right down the middle and an older man who regularly runs up and down it! 💪🏻

20 years ago, pre-safari bus, I remember pushing SiLs big pram plus newborn up that damn hill and nearly dying of asthma unfitness. I can't believe someone runs it. Madness.

Outside the park, there is a towpath that runs along the bottom, next to the canal and then there's a path that goes up the hill. Sometimes the giraffes come and say hello which is nice.

Original poster

Kate3150 · 19/05/2023 13:33

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions.
I have downloaded their brochure to narrow things down a bit.
Would like to pick an animal experience too for DS.
Very exciting 🥰

OP posts:

Port Lympne Safari Park

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