South East
A 600-acre wildlife reserve in Kent run by the Aspinall Foundation.
FeaturedThree-year-old Zabini, a belted ruffed lemur, was born at Port Lympne to parents Ikala and Mino and is one of seven of these striking yellow-eyed lemurs at the reserve. Belted ruffed lemurs are the largest members of the Lemuridae family and are found in eastern Madagascar's rainforests.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is hosting Wild Wonders throughout May 2026, culminating in Endangered Species Day on Friday 15th May, to highlight critically endangered animals including western lowland gorillas, eastern black rhinos, Sumatran orangutans, Javan gibbons and Malayan tapirs. The event aims to raise awareness that endangered species protection requires year-round commitment, not just a single day of recognition.
FeaturedPort Lympne added Sumatran orangutans to its collection in 2024, with brothers Hadjah and Malou now representing one of the world's top 25 most endangered primates. Only 144 Sumatran orangutans live in European zoos across 29 institutions, with just 15 in the UK.
Kingut, a Malayan tapir who arrived at Port Lympne in 1992 and was recognised by Guinness World Records in 2019 as the world's oldest tapir in captivity, has died at the remarkable age of 42. He served as a lasting ambassador for his species and became a much-loved resident of the reserve.
FeaturedPort Lympne Hotel & Reserve has achieved more Przewalski's horse births than any other UK collection, with 184 animals born over the past 50 years, and 11 individuals from the reserve helping restore wild populations in Mongolia and China. This represents a major conservation success for a species once extinct in the wild that has been brought back through careful breeding and rewilding programmes.
Lion Lodge, a world-first luxury accommodation at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, offers guests the opportunity to stay within a lion habitat with floor-to-ceiling views of resident lions. The experience includes access to the reserve's 8-acre pride habitat, home to male lion Hunter, lioness Oudrika, and five other lions, plus private safari experiences and conservation support.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is marking World Lion Day on 10th August 2026 with immersive wildlife experiences centred on lion conservation. The global awareness day, founded in 2013, highlights the plight of lions, with only 20,000–39,000 estimated to remain in the wild and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is promoting International Tiger Day on 29 July 2026 with an immersive Tiger Lodge stay overlooking Amur tigers Amura and Mischa. The experience combines luxury accommodation with conservation awareness, highlighting the critical status of fewer than 500 Amur tigers remaining in the wild.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent is hosting a special International Leopard Day celebration on 3rd May 2026, featuring exclusive overnight stays at Leopard Creek with views of the reserve's Sri Lankan leopards. The event raises awareness of leopard conservation, with proceeds supporting breeding programmes and endangered species protection through The Aspinall Foundation.
Babydoll, a beloved gorilla from Howletts Wild Animal Park, passed away in 2018 at age 55. Port Lympne's Italian restaurant Babydoll's Wood-Fired Pizza is named in her honour, creating a charming conservation connection to the dining experience.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is promoting stargazing stays across three luxury accommodations timed with major celestial events in 2026, including meteor showers and a partial solar eclipse in August. Guests can watch the night sky from Giraffe Lodge, The Treetop Bubble, and The Lookout Bubble, each offering unique vantage points across the reserve's landscapes.
Port Lympne Reserve is marking five decades since opening to the public in 1976, reflecting on its evolution from a private Edwardian mansion into a major UK wildlife conservation destination. The milestone celebrates the site's transformation under John Aspinall's ownership from 1973 onwards, alongside its rich history spanning Roman fortifications, Sassoon-era grandeur, and wartime service.
Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve is offering significant discounts on accommodation and wildlife experiences during its January Sale, running until 17th January 2026. Savings include up to 50% off pods and treehouses for January–March stays, plus up to 50% off animal encounters and safaris available through 31st March 2026.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve has launched its inaugural Port Lympne Illuminated, a festive light trail blending wildlife experiences with cutting-edge illumination and interactive installations. The event, running until 3 January 2026, has exceeded expectations with thousands of visitors and overwhelmingly positive press coverage, with plans to return next year.
Port Lympne is offering overnight stays at Pinewood Pods from £108 per night for up to four people during a Black Friday sale valid until 7 December 2025. Stays include access to Port Lympne Illuminated, reserved seats on the truck safari, and tickets to sister site Howletts Wild Animal Park.
Port Lympne Reserve has opened its first-ever festive light trail, Port Lympne Illuminated, running from 28 November 2025 to 3 January 2026. The illuminated experience features lighting installations, magical moments, a fairy disco, and a new Food Court & Bar in the Orangery.