3 Unique Boutique Hotels That Offer Guests The Opportunity To Cohabit With Lions, Giraffes & Elephants

Imagine sleeping beside a purring cheetah, bathing near a bear napping, or having your breakfast along with majestic giraffes. DP curates a guide to three unique properties that offer the chance to live with animals in their natural habitat. In a world that is increasingly dominated by crowded cities, many people yearn for a deeper connection with nature and animals. For those seeking an unorthodox getaway, these three properties offer an unparalleled opportunity to share their vacations with extraordinary creatures. 

1.  Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Canberra, Australia 

Jamala Wildlife Lodge is a boutique hotel located within the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, Australia. It is home to luxurious accommodations surrounded by some of the zoo’s animal enclosures. With three different accommodation options, including Jungle Bungalows, Giraffe Tree House, and uShaka Lodge, visitors can choose to spend the night near lions, bears, cheetahs, tigers, giraffes, colobus monkeys, or even sharks. The lodge also includes an African-themed dining room, bar, and scenic outdoor pool. The dining experience includes a four-course dinner, which regularly changes to accommodate seasonal fresh food. The evening begins with pre-dinner drinks on the terrace or in the Rainforest Cave where guests will most likely be joined by some special guests, which may include white lions or hyenas.

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This property was established in 1998 when a local family purchased what was then an aquarium and a small native wildlife park. They expanded it to the Jamala Wildlife Lodge and the National Zoo and Aquarium by taking in several animals that had spent their life in circuses or inadequate private collections and giving them a leisurely retirement home. Since then, the property has grown in size and reputation to be a well-loved facility in Australia, actively contributing to breeding programmes and helping to educate guests about wildlife conservation. 

#DPloves Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers guests guided tours and private encounters in the zoo where they can come close to some of its rarest, largest, and most dangerous animals such as rhinos, bears, lions, kangaroos, cheetahs, tigers, and giraffes.

2. Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya

Giraffe Manor is an iconic boutique hotel nestled within 140 acres of indigenous forests of Nairobi. Renowned for its extraordinary wildlife encounters, this opulent retreat offers guests a memorable experience. The manor is home to a herd of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Guests can feed these gentle giants right from their breakfast table or while enjoying afternoon tea. Large windows and balconies enable giraffes to visit without being confined or forced into contact with humans. Additionally, the management of Giraffe Manor follows strict ethical guidelines that prioritise the well-being and freedom of the giraffes, ensuring that their habitat remains undisturbed.

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​​This hotel boasts twelve well-furnished rooms and suites, each offering a mix of colonial charm and modern comfort. The largest accommodation is the 113-square-metre Karen Blixen suite that features a spacious balcony where guests can enjoy lovely south-facing views and feed the giraffes in the early morning. This two-bedroom suite houses a master bedroom with a king-sized four-poster bed, a second bedroom with two single four-poster beds, and a small daybed, which can accommodate a young child. The elegant guest suite also has a spacious lounge with a fireplace and a writing desk. 

#DPloves Giraffe Manor’s architecture and interior layouts which are carefully planned to allow the giraffes to interact with guests and come and go at their discretion.

3.  Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a retreat in Northern Thailand offering an escape from nature. In 2019, the property introduced its Jungle Bubbles experience, an immersive experience of sleeping under the stars in transparent bubbles surrounded by a herd of elephants in their natural habitat. These elephants roam freely and are used to having humans around them. According to John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation, Minor Hotels, “Thailand has a long history of elephants living alongside humans, and many of those elephants are no longer able to live in their ‘traditional’ roles of warfare, labour, or transportation.” He adds, “Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) provides a forest home for the elephants that live with us, giving them access to around 200 acres of Northern Thai forest and grassland and a choice of elephant friends to socialise with in a way that is more akin to wild than zoo elephants.”

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Conceptualised by Spanish company Sky Bubbles, the accommodations are designed to blend into their natural surroundings. The resort features two types of bubble accommodations—one-bedroom Jungle Bubbles and two-bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge. The two one-bedroom bubbles house a king-sized bed and seating area set under a transparent roof, an ensuite bathroom in the enclosure’s non-transparent section, and an outdoor terrace. The larger Jungle Bubble Lodge has two bedrooms connected by a communal living room and a larger outdoor deck with a plunge pool and lounge area. Furthermore, the property’s spa is a must-visit. The Anantara Spa at the Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort offers a range of relaxing treatments inspired by ancient Thai healing traditions and using natural ingredients. Guests can enjoy massages, facials, body scrubs, and other pampering services in a tranquil setting overlooking the Mekong River. Signature experiences include the Anantara Signature Massage and Golden Triangle Ritual.

#DPloves After spending a night under the stars in the comfort of their Jungle Bubble, guests can enjoy their morning coffee out on their private deck before saying goodbye to their elephant friends.