Jamala Wildlife Lodge

Although this is not the only zoo in the world that offers overnight stays, the Jamela Wildlife Lodge takes it a notch further than some others in terms of luxury and animal encounters. The experience is more similar to a luxurious safari than to a family-friendly zoo visit, with animals right at arm’s length, the odd lion roar into the night, and the full immersion into the animals’ habitats. Before arrival, guests are given a schedule with meeting and meal times, activities, instructions, and general information about the experience. Check-in is done in the Lodge’s living room, an elegant space with African lodge-themed decor featuring tons of original artifacts, ornaments, and pieces of furniture brought from Africa by the owners. The feel is elegant and exotic throughout, and animal prints, leather couches, wooden floors and ceilings, and stone accents combine to create a unique space. A shark tank and a monkey enclosure round out the African theme.

Formerly the owners’ residence, Ushaka Lodge is the main building here, with seven rooms and an infinity pool exclusively for guests staying in this section. The restaurant is housed in a cave-like room with long communal tables and large windows overlooking an area where hyenas and lions like to hang out during meal times. There are two other accommodation areas: the Giraffe Treehouses, and the Jungle Bungalows, each offering a different experience and located in more isolated areas within the zoo. The hotel offers one-, two- and three-night stays, with the option to change rooms each night to make the most of the experience. The property is owned and run by a local family, and all profits go to the zoo’s conservation and breeding projects. 

The hotel is located within the grounds of the National Zoo & Aquarium, right off the Tuggeranong Parkway and overlooking the Molonglo River. This location is a little isolated, as there is nothing within walking distance except for a dam located right outside the property, but central Canberra is a 10-minute drive away. Major attractions such as the National Museum of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, and the Parliament House can also be reached in about 10 minutes. It’s a five-minute drive to the National Botanic Gardens, and eight minutes to Questacon. Canberra International Airport is a 15-minute drive away. 

The hotel has 18 luxurious rooms divided into three categories: Giraffe Treehouses, Jungle Bungalows, and Ushaka Lodge units. All have elegant African lodge-themed decor, with king-size four-poster beds, original African furniture with wood carvings and beautiful inlays, wooden floors, and dozens of African artifacts such as masks and traditional ornaments. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Most bathrooms have glass rain showers, separate soaking tubs, and high-end Australian Appelles toiletries in large containers to reduce waste.

Each room type offers a different experience. The hotel’s three Giraffe Treehouses are located right above the giraffe enclosure, which allows guests to feed these animals from the room’s private balcony. Jungle Bungalows, of which there are six units, are stand-alone buildings with large floor-to-ceiling windows in the bathroom, bedroom and living area overlooking the habitats of hyenas, lions, bears, and cheetahs. (Note that children are not allowed in the Cheetah Bungalow, and kids under 14 are not allowed in the Lion or Tiger Bungalows.) All but four of the seven rooms housed in the Ushaka Lodge have walls looking out over the enclosures as well. Guest staying in one of the four view-less units are offered private encounters with cheetahs, meerkats, hyenas, or sharks. 

The restaurant is located in the Ushaka Lodge, and is housed in a cave-like room with stone walls, low lights, and windows overlooking the lion and hyena enclosures. Long communal tables encourage guests to share stories about their encounters with animals over excellent international cuisine. A long veranda offers outdoor seating with zoo views, and free pre-dinner drinks are served in the lounge daily. Afternoon tea is also included in the room rate and served in the Lodge’s living room. Ushaka Lodge guests get access to a lovely infinity pool with zoo views and several cocoon-style cabanas. All-inclusive rates cover all meals, drinks, afternoon tea, zoo tours, Wi-Fi, and on-site parking.