Lucy Devine
A UK zoo is set to open a range of safari lodges, so guests can enjoy overnight stays while overlooking the incredible animals.
Original plans to create a number of lodges and tents had previously been submitted back in 2019, but due to the covid pandemic - and the delays that followed - they never went ahead.
But now, the conservationist zoo has resubmitted another plan for 63 lodges to be built around a lake, alongside a restaurant for 120 people - serving breakfast, lunch and dinner - and a bar, all in a Savannah-style setting.
Advert
Guests at Chester Zoo will be able to see giraffes feeding right outside their lodges, meanwhile an ‘island’ in the centre of the ground's lake will hold events and functions.
The buildings - which are expected to be four and six-person lodges - are thought to be inspired by the Pangolin's scales, featuring timber shingles which are designed to blend into the landscape.
Meanwhile, at the rear of each lodge there will be long glass windows to make sure guests can have a sneak peek at the feeding giraffes. The plans would also see two new giraffe feeding stations developed next to the Bachelor Giraffe Paddock, one reserved exclusively for guests.
There's also expected to be a check-in area for visitors upon their arrival and buggies to transport them to their lodges from the main car park area.
The zoo says that the area where the lodges will be developed is not currently being used for animals or any other guest experience.
The zoo's submission explains: "The overnight accommodation proposals will provide the opportunity for guests to have an extended visit to the zoo to allow them to become more immersed in Grasslands and the wider zoo offer.
"This luxury proposal will provide restaurant and bar facilities for guests, and a collection of uniquely themed lodges all set within a naturalistic and subtly stylised environment that is representational of the African Grassland landscape.
"The overnight accommodation provides direct access for guests into the main zoo to strengthen the connection between the Grasslands zone and this site, and reinforces the North of England Zoological Society's conservation and educational messages through the creation of a habitat rich and biodiverse landscape and a communal events Island space for conservation talks."
With Chester Zoo now given the green light for the plans, they are expected to be complete by mid-2023.
When can we book?!