Ever had a hankering to sleep just metres from a brown bear? Perhaps you’ve wanted to wake up and pop out to the verandah to feed the giraffes… Well, that’s no longer the stuff of dreams, with the opening of Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium.

It’s a chance to experience Canberra like never before and sleep with some of the world’s most dangerous and endangered animals. Well, not exactly WITH them, but as close as you’d want to get…

The highly regarded zoo has added a unique accommodation experience to its expanding premises in Canberra’s inner south.

Offering close encounters with some of its wildlife in specially embedded accommodation at the site, visitors get a chance to relax in one of three individually designed five-star African inspired accommodation hubs: Giraffe Treehouses, Jungle Bungalows and uShaka Lodge.

The combination of opulent surroundings, incredible animal encounters and gourmet cuisine alongside Jamala’s five-star hospitality ensures that all guests partake in a once in a lifetime experience during their stay.

Bathe while a bear grazes on the other side of the window, relax on your lounge while looking into the face of a lion, feed the giraffes on your back balcony or get ready for dinner while sharks swim by.

National Zoo and Aquarium founder and owner Richard Tindale, along with well-known Canberra supporters Mal Meninga and Ricky Stuart, took media on a special tour of the Lodge—a uniquely intimate experience offered by only a handful of zoos around the world.