WEST Midland Safari Park hopes to complete work on eight new luxury lodges at the giraffe and white rhino enclosures next Spring - subject to planning approval.
The Bewdley attraction has submitted plans to Wyre Forest District Council, for its second phase of Safari Lodges accommodation, offering "luxury overnight stays with giraffe and white rhino".
The eight new lodges will sit next to the recently opened elephant and cheetah lodges stays. The two-story lodges will be integrated into updated giraffe and white rhino habitats.
The park says the rhino lodges will be the only experience of its kind in the UK with white rhino, a species for which the park recently celebrated the successful birth of two new male calves.
In the giraffe lodges, guests will be able to watch the park’s tower of seven giraffes from second floor living spaces, which also have open balconies with views out over the plains.
Alongside the introduction of the eight new lodges, the plans also focus on upgrading the park’s animal facilities. This includes a brand-new giraffe house and a state-of-the-art rhino and antelope house.
Head of wildlife Angela Potter said “Safari Lodges have provided us with an amazing opportunity to improve our animal facilities, something which is vital to the welfare of our animals.
“We have large groups of giraffe and white rhino here at the Park, and the impact the new indoor houses and updated external habitats are going to provide for them, will be wonderful.
"It’s an exciting next step and we look forward to continuing to look after these beautiful species and work to support their conservation in the wild.”
The park’s giraffe and white rhino are both part of European breeding programmes, which support the conservation of their species.
Managing director for the park, Chris Kelly said, “We’re thrilled to be entering our second phase of development for our Safari Lodges accommodation.
“Since opening our elephant and cheetah lodges in April, the reaction from guests has been brilliant, and the demand for bookings has been exponential. This has only further solidified our intentions with moving forward and submitting plans for our breath-taking new giraffe and rhino lodge stays.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far with Safari Lodges, and in continuing with our unwavering commitment to building a lasting legacy for our animals, our guests and the Park.”
Work is due to commence in September 2021, with ambitions for completion in Spring 2022.
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