IMAGINE waking from one of the best sleeps of your life to the deep roar of a lion.
In most hotels you might think you are still dreaming, but at Jamala Wildlife Lodge this is simply part of the experience.
Jamala offers guests luxurious accommodation paired with an encounter with wildlife that is unlike anything else in Australia.
Set within the grounds of the National Zoo and Aquarium, in the centre of Canberra, the lodge features a range of safari style suites and bungalows designed to suit the needs of every kind of traveller.
Your stay begins with a high tea in the grand uShaka Lodge, served beside the 200,000 litre shark tank and a lively family of colobus monkeys.
Afterward, a zoo guide leads an exclusive behind the scenes tour where guests meet some of the remarkable animals in the zoo’s care. Guests may find themselves up close with a rhino or interacting with one of the other animal residents.
The tour highlights the work of the National Zoo and Aquarium and shows how each stay contributes to the wellbeing of both the resident animals and their species in the wild.
After the tour, guests are escorted to their suites where their neighbours may include a majestic tiger, a stunning sun bear or a chattering meerkat.
Those staying in the Giraffe Treehouses are even treated to the unforgettable experience of hand-feeding giraffes from their private balcony with the help of an education guide!
Each suite and bungalow is adorned with original African art and décor, creating an atmosphere that feels worlds away from Australia’s capital city.
The interiors rival the finest safari lodges, yet offer the warmth and intimacy of a proudly family-owned retreat.
Guests are invited to unwind in deep soaking baths, sink into luxurious bedding and relax on private terraces, all while knowing that some of the planet’s most extraordinary animals are just steps from their door.
As evening arrives, the experience continues with drinks on the terrace before a four-course dinner in the striking Rainforest Cave.
Dining beside white lions and hyenas while enjoying fine wines and Moet champagne gives the impression of eating in a secluded oasis rather than in the nation’s capital.
When you sample Jamala’s incredible tasting plate entree, you will experience why they have won some of Canberra’s most prestigious restaurant awards.
In Canberra, Jamala Wildlife Lodge stands as a beacon of what travel can be when luxury meets purpose. It is more than a stay.
It is a story, an adventure and a call to protect the extraordinary creatures with whom we share our planet.
Visit: www.jamalawildlifelodge.com.au