The Reserve at Chester Zoo - a spectacular safari-style lodge resort - will officially open its doors to guests on Monday 18 August, offering one of the UK’s most unique short break experiences.
Combining luxurious accommodation with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the zoo’s world-renowned wildlife, our new resort is set to transform how travellers experience conservation in the UK. The Reserve features 51 beautifully designed lodges, some overlooking a private savannah where giraffes, zebras and blesbok antelope roam, and others nestled beside a peaceful lake.
The resort is set to attract an estimated 35,000 additional visitors to the North West each year, drawing nature-lovers from across the UK and beyond. Guests staying at The Reserve are projected to spend over £10 million annually, with all profits reinvested into the zoo’s charitable conservation work - supporting critical projects in Kenya, Uganda and the UK.
These include endangered species breeding programmes, global wildlife protection efforts and cutting-edge scientific research. Those behind the project say the innovative concept - where every hotel stay directly funds the protection of threatened species - will help strengthen the zoo’s role as “one of the country’s most loved and most impactful conservation charities.”
The Reserve at Chester Zoo is a game-changer - not just for luxury travel but for conservation. Born from our long-standing commitment to protecting African wildlife, we’ve created a truly immersive, safari-style experience right here in the UK, where guests may wake up to giraffes on their doorstep, enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters and relax in beautifully designed lodges surrounded by nature. But what makes The Reserve truly unique is its purpose.
Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo
Jamie continued: “Everything we do at Chester Zoo - now including The Reserve - supports conservation. As a not-for-profit, every single stay directly funds our groundbreaking work, here in the UK and around the world. That includes protecting black rhinos in Kenya and Rwanda, using AI to fight poaching of giant pangolins in Uganda and working with communities in Madagascar to save precious species like the golden mantella frog.
“Guests at The Reserve aren’t just going to enjoy a luxury break - they’re going to power our conservation movement for generations to come. This new venture will help strengthen the zoo’s role as one of the country’s most loved and most impactful conservation charities. We believe this is the future of travel, where unforgettable experiences and real conservation impact go hand in hand.”
Awaiting guests at The Reserve . . .
• Immersive wildlife stays in beautifully designed lodges (for up to 12 guests) built using sustainable materials. Every comfort is considered including hand-finished interiors inspired by the rich landscapes of Africa, where the zoo works to protect some of the planet’s most threatened species.
• Exclusive out-of-hours access to the zoo, providing guests with a rare chance to explore its most iconic habitats before the gates open to the public and when everyone else has gone home. Think peaceful morning walks and guided evening adventures, using night vision goggles and infra-red torches on darker nights.
• Up-close animal experiences and the opportunity to meet conservation experts who are working on the front line of global wildlife protection – including in Kenya and Uganda where the zoo supports projects to save the eastern black rhino, Nubian giraffe, giant pangolin and mountain bongo.
• Unparalleled comfort and luxury and curated dining at the new Amboseli Restaurant and relaxed evenings in the Tsavo Lounge, where guests can enjoy a drink on starlit evenings on the lakeside terrace. Each evening, grab a cosy blanket and join Chester Zoo’s expert rangers by the firepit for a sundowner or warming hot chocolate to share stories from the field.
The Reserve will also boost local employment through the creation of around 70 new job roles and support the wider Cheshire economy through an increase in local supply chain spending.
