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Port Lympne Wild Animal Park
Port Lympne Animal Park
Lympne
Nr Hythe
Kent CT21 4PD
About Port Lympe Animal Park
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is a super family attraction that puts Ashford, Kent, on the map every bit as much as Eurostar.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park first opened its gates in 1976 and, since then, has won global renown for its ground-breaking conservation work. It operates as a charity with an eye on ensuring a wonderful family day out and its 600-acre site is open nearly every day of the year.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park boasts some 90 rare and endangered species and a total of 650 animals. Among them are the world’s biggest land mammal, the African Elephant; the packs of African Hunting Dogs and Asiatic Wild Dogs, the ‘buffalo’ of cowboy fame, the American Bison, Canadian Timber Wolves, and mischievous Black and Gold Howler Monkeys, who are a sight – and a sound – to behold. Even more exotic are the Indian and Siberian Tigers – the biggest of the big cats – the Lynx, the Malayan Tapir – with their bizarre proboscis – the graceful Ocelot, quick and agile Ostrich, the rare Red Panda, majestic Roan Antelope, cunningly camouflaged Snow Leopard and the magnificent Water Buffalo.
Additionally, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is home to the largest breeding herd of the highly endangered Black Rhinoceros outside of Africa, as well as a family of Mountain Gorillas that can be seen taking their gargantuan lunch each day between noon and three. They reside in The Palace Of The Apes, which is the world's largest gorillarium, and a picnic shared in their presence is a family attraction like no other.
Among the many other unusual species on show are Agouti, Anoa, Banteng, Barasingha, Bongo, Caracal, Gaur, Javan Langur, Margay, Nilgai, Red Lechwe, Samango and Sambar. Children and adults alike can learn all about them and broaden their knowledge of fauna from every corner of the globe, while marvelling at their antics in the naturalistic habitats provided by Port Lympne Wild Animal Park.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park also enhances its reputation as a leading family attraction thanks to the splendid Edwardian house on the estate, with its deluxe apartments and gleaming period furnishings designed for Sir Philip Sassoon during the Great War. It nestles in 15 acres of breathtaking landscape gardens that afford lovely views of Romney Marsh. They are open to ticket holders to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and have brought several royal visitors and won it the highest seal of approval!
For a token charge over the ticket admission to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, there are a choice of Safaris to enhance an action-packed family day out, whether taking in the estate on foot or travelling in landrovers, in the wee small hours or as the sun sets, in a tour ranging from an hour and a half to a whole day, or for that matter, overnight. Designer packages are provided by Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and can feature grand celebration meals, while The African Experience! includes close encounters with giraffes, zebras and Wildebeests that offer amazing photo opportunities for wildlife in action, but without the risk of dengue fever or scorpion stings! It’s even possible to sleep over at Livingstone Safari Lodge, taking in the chatter of the bush and all its inhabitants.
A ticket to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park also allows visitors to see any current animal births, some of the more recent ones having been several Barbary Lion cubs and African Hunting Dogs, aside from numerous other endangered species that can be seen on a walk around the enclosures. Conservation is as vital to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park as furnishing visitors with a memorable family day out, and Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is a world pioneer in conservation, besides being a top family attraction, having released to the wild several Przewalski's horses, Sumatran rhinos, Cape buffalo, ocelots, pythons and gorillas.
As a leading family attraction, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park appeared in TV’s Roar series in 2006-07 and, in March/April 2008, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park had Recruitment Fairs where visitors could sign up to extend their family day out indefinitely! Indeed, visitors are encouraged to talk to the staff and ask questions, and a ticket includes Adopt An Animal and Totallywild Challenge programmes, as well as the restaurant, refreshment kiosks, picnic areas, gift shops, an adventure playground and a maze. It all makes for a variegated family attraction that expands this year with the hairy Treejumpers aerial walkway, adding lustre to an already cracking family day out.
A visit to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park takes around 3-5 hours, providing a relaxed, thrilling and enticing family day out. It’s the ideal family attraction even if the elements think otherwise, indoor features including ongoing Keeper talks, a Park Hopper service, an Education centre and regular special events advertised on Port Lympne Wild Animal Park’s website. Furthermore, a ticket grants visitors free parking, there are toilets located all about the park, and even occasional weddings and private functions to sticky-beak at.
A ticket to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park also includes reduced admission for less-able guests and there are selected routes for wheelchairs, enhancing any family day out.