Howletts and Port Lympne - A day out in kent and adopt an animal

Livingstone Lodge Safari Wins Gold Award

Bob O'Connor and Russel McKelvey accept the Gold Award for Livingstone Lodge Overnight Safari

Livingstone Lodge Overnight Safari at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is thrilled to have won Gold in the Tourism ExSEllence Awards 2009.

The judges called the safari a "genuinely unique UK tourism experience". The award is the tourism industry's most esteemed mark of recognition, identifying quality, excellence and innovation achieved over the last 18 months.

The result was announced at a glittering Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, hosted by television personality Gyles Brandreth, and was held at the exclusive Wentworth Club, Surrey, on Thursday 22nd October.

Russel McKelvey, Operations Director at Port Lympne, commented on our outstanding success:

"To have won Best Tourism Experience 2009 is a fantastic achievement for both Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Kent as a tourism destination. Livingstone Lodge is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where visitors can enjoy a safari experience akin to that of being in Africa and it is wonderful to have this innovation recognised by such a prestigious award."

Livingstone Lodge was opened in 2007 and comprises of 9 authentic South African luxury safari tents. Each tent has an individual veranda overlooking the watering hole, where animals can be admired at close range displaying their natural behaviour. Visitors can enjoy a six course authentic African dinner whilst a bona fide Zimbabwean ranger regales them with wildlife stories and experiences from Africa. After a magical night under the stars, guests embark on a dawn safari to witness the birth of a new day for the 200 or more animals that roam free on the 100 acres of The African Experience.

Livingstone Lodge is located at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Ashford, which, along with Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury were set up by the late John Aspinall with the aim of protecting and breeding rare and endangered species with the view of returning them to safe areas in their native homelands.

©The Aspinall Foundation – Registered Charity 326567.
The Howletts Wild Animal Trust Limited Registered company no. 4711904, Registered charity no. 1100845
Registered office: Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Lympne, Nr Hythe, Kent, CT21 4PD

Totallywild.net is the official website promoting the charitable work of The Aspinall Foundation in protecting endangered species. The Howletts and Port Lympne wild animal, safari and wildlife parks are the UK based sites for endangered animal conservation. Unlike ordinary zoos, these parks allow visitors to see conservation in action, providing kids, families and adults alike with a wide variety of ‘Totally Wild’ fun days out, packed with exciting activities for the whole family. Our landscaped gardens and mansion house can also be hired for weddings, events and other functions.

All revenues raised through ticket sales support our animal conservation work and breeding programmes, so please, do come and visit us for your day out in Kent and do your bit for conservation!