Book a wild African escape at Canberra’s Jamala Wildlife Lodge

In the heart of Canberra lies a luxury escape like no other: Jamala Wildlife Lodge, a multi-award-winning accommodation that blends five-star hospitality with the thrill of close encounters with some of the world’s most majestic animals. Offering 18 African-inspired suites, guests can find themselves sleeping beside lions, cheetahs, sun bears and tigers, or even enjoying morning coffee with a giraffe from their balcony. For those seeking the extraordinary, Jamala delivers a rare combination of indulgence and adventure.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge is Australia’s first all-inclusive luxury lodge built within a zoo and it has quickly become a national icon. With 18 exclusive rooms spread across three distinct precincts, the lodge blends five-star comfort with the thrill of an African safari. Each room has been carefully designed to immerse guests in the natural world. Suites and bungalows are adorned with original African art and décor, creating an environment that transports visitors far from Australia’s capital city. The interiors rival the world’s finest safari lodges while offering a warmth and intimacy that comes from being family owned and operated. Guests are invited to indulge in the comfort of deep soaking baths, luxurious bedding and private terraces, all while knowing that some of the planet’s most marvellous animals are just outside the door.

Unforgettable encounters

From the moment guests arrive, Jamala delivers a fully inclusive, immersive experience. Check-in feels more like a grand welcome, with high tea served in the opulent uShaka Lounge, where sharks drift through a saltwater aquarium nearby. Every stay includes exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the National Zoo and Aquarium, led by passionate guides who share their knowledge and insights into the lives of the animals. Guests may find themselves face to face with rhinos, hand feeding a giraffe, or listening to the deep roar of a lion just metres away. These experiences are designed not only to thrill but also to educate, offering a greater understanding of the challenges these animals face in the wild. This is no ordinary zoo visit; it’s a behind-the-scenes look into the lodge’s vital conservation work, bringing guests face-to-face with rhinos and rare species while sharing the passion and purpose that drive Jamala’s mission.

Unique service and hospitality

The accommodation is as unforgettable as the wildlife. Choose from the Giraffe Treehouses, Jungle Bungalows or uShaka Lodge suites, each designed to transport guests to another continent without leaving Australia. Whether your neighbour is a tawny lion or a giraffe, every room promises a breathtaking and intimate encounter. Evenings at Jamala are equally enchanting. Guests gather in the enchanting Rainforest Cave for a gourmet four-course meal inspired by African flavours, paired with fine wines and champagne. Pre-dinner drinks create an intimate atmosphere where guests swap stories of their encounters with the resident wildlife. The sense of community is palpable as people from all over the world come together to celebrate a shared love of animals and adventure. The fact that these memorable meals are often accompanied by a watchful white lion or curious hyena only heightens the sense that you are experiencing something extraordinary.

Conservation

At Jamala’s core lies a deep commitment to conservation, which can be felt at every point in guests’ stay. By staying at the lodge, guests directly support the zoo’s efforts to protect some of the world’s most endangered species. The stories shared by keepers highlight the fragility of the natural world and the urgent need to preserve it. For many visitors, the experience sparks a deeper appreciation for wildlife and inspires continued support for conservation efforts long after they leave Canberra.

It is rare to find a destination that so perfectly combines luxury, education and impact. Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers not just a holiday but a chance to participate in something meaningful. Jamala has won countless awards for its accommodation and dining, but perhaps its greatest achievement is the way it changes people. By inviting guests into the lives of the animals, it fosters a sense of connection and responsibility that extends far beyond the zoo. To sleep beside a lion or watch a giraffe bend its long neck towards your balcony is to be reminded of our shared place in the natural world. It is an experience that humbles, delights and endures.