African safari experience 90 minutes from London where roaring lions lull you to sleep in incredible glamping bubbles
FOR many, waking to the sound of hungry lions roaring just a few feet away would be terrifying. But I was thrilled.
I was willing them to come closer, roar louder and make my morning that little bit more special.
This is Port Lympne safari resort, close to the Kent coast, where I had just spent the night in the new Lookout Bubble — a transparent dome positioned within grumbling distance of the lion enclosure.
The dark sky above the bubble showed it was still the early hours.
So I picked up where I’d left off the night before, staring at the stars, before I drifted back to sleep with the lions’ gruff chattering more of a comfort than cause for concern.
I couldn’t have been safer, despite being so close to the big cats.
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The bubble was providing me with a cosy shelter from both the lions’ enclosure, which is the largest in Europe, and the elements.
It’s also cleverly angled so that any early birds wandering around the park couldn’t get a glimpse of me having a lie-in in the marshmallow-soft king-sized bed housed inside the inflatable glamping dome.
It was a well-earned lie-in, too, having spent the previous day wearing myself out in the best possible way.
It started with an epic safari tour which involved a truck ride around the 600-acre site, guided by one of the park’s extremely capable and enthusiastic guides.
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I was introduced to ostriches, wolves, baboons, vicuñas, antelope, camels and plenty more of the 900 captivating creatures on site.
Each animal here plays a role in the Aspinall Foundation’s Back to the Wild initiative which aims to halt the extinction of endangered species and return them to the wild where possible.
To date, it has rescued and rewilded more than 1,000 animals and their work at Port Lympne is extremely significant in their efforts.
Afternoon tea
I was happy to pitch in during my visit, with rhino and giraffe feeding included in my tour. It was exhilarating to offer leaves and celery to each of the gentle giants, so much so that I didn’t mind when they left behind dollops of saliva.
I assumed it was their way of saying thank you.
After a thorough hand-wash, it was time to feed myself — and the resort’s afternoon tea was a great choice for lunch.
Delicately cut finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries satisfied the appetite I’d worked up, in the ornate surrounding of the Mansion House where the likes of Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Charlie Chaplin both once dined.
For those after something heartier, the house’s Garden Room and Restaurant offers hot and cold breakfast, a light lunch menu of sandwiches, and larger portions in the evening.
For dinner I went with the lasagne and the pithivier, a sort of pie, although they have excellent steaks and veggie meals too.
The time between meals was spent exploring the rest of the park from the comfort of the golf buggy that is made available to everyone who stays in the Lookout Bubble.
But as much as I was enjoying scooting around meeting the animals, I was happiest when the time came to drive back to the dome and park up for the night.
It was then that I got to take in views of the Kent countryside, first beneath a blanket of stars then in front of a glowing morning sunrise.
It’s moments like that which make a stay in the Lookout Bubble much more than just a trip to the zoo.
Sun reader exclusive
SUN readers can stay in a Pinewood glamping pod, usually costing up to £269 per night, for just £125 for two people per night, £150 for three people per night OR £175 for four people per night.
It includes breakfast and dinner, entrance to Port Lympne Reserve, seats on the Truck Safari and free entrance to Howletts Wild Animal Park.
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Book by February 29 using the code SUNSTAY at checkout. Go to .
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STAYING THERE: Accommodation prices at Port Lympne start from £139 per night, while The Lookout Bubble is from £439 per night, based on two sharing and including breakfast and use of a golf buggy. For details, see .
OUT & ABOUT: Afternoon tea in the Mansion House costs £29pp. See .
