Fancy a safari holiday where you sleep “within roaring distance of lions” but prefer to stay in London rather than fly to India?
That might become a reality, with the Zoological Society of London planning to give visitors the “adventure of a lifetime” in a new overnight experience.
Opening in spring 2016 at London Zoo if planning permission is granted, the safari camp known for now as Project Aslan will be part of the zoo’s upcoming Land of the Lions development that is providing a new home for the zoo’s critically-endangered Asiatic lions.
An artist's impression of what the zoo's camp could look like
Nine lodges will each provide room for up to two adults and two children, with guests spending the night in “luxury bespoke accommodation” after enjoying their own feeding time and getting an exclusive evening tour led by an expert guide.
The planned cabins have been inspired by the “welcoming charm of hotels in the lions’ native Gir Forest home in India”.
An aerial view of the planned overnight experience
The overnight experience will be open six nights a week from February to December, with designated family nights and adults-only nights.
With construction work well under way for Land of the Lions, building on Project Aslan will begin in November if approval is granted by Westminster City Council.
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