Did you know, you can get married in a safari park right here in the UK? Port Lympne Reserve in Kent might just be of the most unforgettable wedding venues we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting!
If you’re animal-obsessed but your wedding budget doesn’t quite stretch to a full-blown African adventure, don’t worry, we’ve found the next best thing, and it’s just outside Canterbury. We recently spent a night there and we’re still buzzing!
Port Lympne is one of the largest wild animal reserves in the country, home to over 900 animals (including many rare and endangered species) and is totally dedicated to conservation. Their mission is to return every single animal they breed back into protected wild habitats. So, not only is it a jaw-dropping wedding venue, but your big day also supports something genuinely meaningful. Win-win.
Our Stay
We stayed in one of their gorgeous Treehouses. Think modern interiors, huge windows with panoramic views over the Kent countryside, and total peace and quiet once the park closed to day guests. PLUS, we got after-hours access to the park and our very own golf buggy to zoom around in. We won’t lie, driving it was almost as fun as spotting the giraffes.
Accommodation ranges from £139 to a bougie £2,250 a night, with something for every vibe.
The Pinewood Glamping Pods are ideal as a more budget friendly option or if you’re after something romantic, the Stargazing Bubbles are like sleeping in a sci-fi love nest under the stars. Feeling a little more primal? Wake up next to lions, tigers or rhinos in their epic animal-facing lodges – yes, literally next to them, with giant windows between you and your wild new neighbours. Just imagine having a bubble bath with a lion snoozing beside you. ICONIC.
The Ultimate Safari
Hands down, the highlight of our trip was the Ultimate Safari tour. We were whisked around the park and their 600-acre savannah (it felt more Kenya than Kent!) in a private truck with our lovely and ultra-knowledgeable guide, Matt. He told us all about the animals, the conservation work, and took us to see zebra, camels, wildebeest, capybara, and many more free roaming animals.
Then came the moment that made us squeal with joy – we got to hand feed giraffes and rhinos. It was a proper bucket-list moment, and we didn’t want it to end.
And Yes, You Can You Really Get Married Here!
Port Lympne has wedding packages to suit everything from wild elopements to massive celebrations for up to 140 guests. Prices start at just £3,000 for their new elopement package (more on that below) and every single wedding comes with a private safari tour for you and your guests. Not only does it make for incredible memories and photos, but it’s also the perfect entertainment while you’re off getting your “just married” shots.
The main wedding spaces are as quirky and unique as you’d hope. There’s a four-star mansion with hand-painted animal murals, a pink Moroccan courtyard, and gorgeously manicured gardens. You can marry under the ceremony pergola tucked away in a private walled garden and have your reception inside the orangery, already decked out with lush faux foliage and all the furniture you need. They’ve truly thought of everything.
Eloping?
If you’re having less than 15 guests, their new elopement package is a total steal. For just £3,000 you get:
♥ Exclusive hire of the Moroccan Courtyard or Spencer Roberts mural room
♥ A bottle of award-winning Gusbourne sparkling wine
♥ A private ranger-led safari for two
♥ Dinner at the beautiful Garden Room restaurant
♥ A night in their romantic bridal suite and breakfast the next day
♥ And a two-hour shoot with one of their fab photographers
So, whether you’re planning a romantic minimoon, a wild weekend with your person, or the ultimate wedding experience with real-life lions in attendance, Port Lympne is it. Quirky, ethical, luxurious, and seriously unforgettable.
For more information head to portlympne.com or email [email protected].
