24 hours inside Canberra’s most extraordinary group escape
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As Australia’s only five-star hotel where guests share their sleeping quarters with wildlife, Jamala Wildlife Lodge has long been synonymous with adventure – offering a rare walk on the wild side.
Now, as more travellers make their way to Canberra to book themselves into Jamala – and locals take the opportunity for a unique staycation – the experience has evolved into one of the best group getaway destinations in Australia.
Along with the Jungle Bungalows (five luxurious suites adjoining a variety of habitats) and the uShaka Lodge (a beautiful safari lodge with seven individual rooms and suites), two of the six Giraffe Treehouses have just had an upgrade, with a new internal door that allows guests access to two rooms.
Both overlooking Molonglo River and the gentle giraffe pair, Skye and Khamisi, the upgraded rooms are changing the game for families and friends travelling together, allowing them to experience the breathtaking and award-winning retreat without committing to larger accommodation.
But what is it like staying in Australia’s wildest hotel? Waking up to the sunrise and watching a giraffe nibble on leaves is just one of the many magical moments that the HerCanberra team experienced on our recent trip.
Here’s an insight into how you can spend 24 hours at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge’s Giraffe Treehouse Double Suite during your next family escape or friendcation.
1 pm: Arrival and High-Tea
The first thing to know about the Jamala Wildlife Lodge, is from the moment you park in the reserved guest parking, a luxurious experience awaits. Your adventure starts in the uShaka Lodge lounge area with a high tea/light lunch where you’ll be transported to deepest Africa while enjoying a selection of tea, coffee, sweet and savouries.
Featuring fine carvings, artworks and artefacts from throughout the African continent, the Lodge was the owners’ former residence and overlooks Colobus monkeys and stunning tropical gardens.
Nibbling on finger sandwiches and cakes while lounging on luxurious leather couches is a quiet beginning to a very busy (and unforgettable) afternoon.
1.45 pm: Afternoon Safari
While your rooms are prepared and your luggage is moved, an African safari is the next item on your itinerary. One of the very knowledgeable team members will lead you around the National Zoo & Aquarium to learn about some of the animals that reside there. Purchased in 1998 by the Tindale family, the zoo is a labour of love – one that has changed the lives of retired circus and rescued animals for the better.
With the aim of inspiring and assisting in the conservation of the natural world through exciting and innovative educational experiences, it’s worth noting here that all profit generated by Jamala goes directly into funding conservation programs and animal rescue projects.
Across the afternoon, you’ll meet and learn about the zoo’s animals as the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides tell you about the work they do before leading you back to your room for the next major highlight: getting acquainted with your animal neighbours for the night.
3.30 pm: Room access and giraffe feeding time!
Located in a private enclosure, somehow the Giraffe Treehouses feel a world away from the main zoo, even with it just steps away. But your first up-close animal encounter doesn’t begin with a giraffe when staying here – instead, deer and alpacas graze on your front lawns.
The six rooms might look cosy in proximity, but when you enter your Treehouse, you’ll realise just how private they are as they transport you to Africa. Like the uShaka Lodge, the décor is warm, earthy and features artefacts from throughout the African continent, with music to match playing in the background. The bottle of awaiting Moet champagne adds a luxurious touch, while the tea and biscuits promise to be a pre-dinner appetiser.
Designed for up to eight guests (six adults and two children), the Giraffe Treehouse Double Suite features two four-poster King beds, two double sofas (which are made up for you while you enjoy an award-winning dinner) and two bathrooms.
Also featuring two plush sitting rooms to soak up those views of the spacious animal enclosures, the rooms can be closed off from each other as desired – perfect for a private moment.
But it’s the giraffes lingering outside the windows that make this space really special. During our stay, we were lucky enough to hand-feed Skye and Khamisi, and if it wasn’t for Black Mountain Tower in the background, it was hard to believe we were just minutes away from Canberra’s CBD while looking a giraffe in the eye.
6.15 pm: Pre-dinner drinks
After enjoying an afternoon getting to know the neighbours and watching the iconic African animals graze and wander, each evening begins with pre-dinner drinks on the terrace of the Rainforest Cave. Pouring more Moet along with fine wines and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, it’s here that the education team introduces you to the resident hyenas, Pinduli and Zuberi (who are just waking up for the night).
But the main attraction is seeing the white lions, Jake and Mischka, enjoy their dinner before hopefully making their way into their penthouse in the Rainforest Cave. Yes – after watching white lions devour their own meal (with purrs so loud they rattle your bones), you’ll dine while overlooking the special guests.
6.45 pm: Dinner
Make sure you’re hungry, because this award-winning African-influenced “dinner party” is an experience in itself. The full menu features modern Australian-with-an-African-slant cuisine, and diners can choose from a range of entrées, mains, and desserts.
During the HerCanberra team’s stay, our options included a plate of hot and cold canapes, including a mouth-watering seared Kingfish with pickled daikon, traditional African beef bobotie and crispy pork belly with apple puree and candied bacon. This alone was a substantial meal.
For mains, the 350 g Tomahawk steak with crushed potato, baby spinach, grilled King Prawn, carrot purée, Café de Paris butter and red wine jus, along with the confit duck with cape blend cherry jus, were popular choices, with other options including pumpkin ravioli and a roasted vegetable salad.
Then came a palate cleanser of Jamala iced tea granita before dessert. And while you might feel full, you’ll find room with options like a warm chocolate fondant or Amarula Broulee on the menu.
Then, as the evening draws to a close, the bus service delivers you back to the Giraffe Treehouse as you enjoy the sounds of the zoo at night with your travel buddies.
8 am: Breakfast
Waking up to the sunrise and watching a giraffe nibble on leaves is the perfect way to start the day before walking back to the Rainforest Cave with a lion’s roar as your soundtrack for an à la carte breakfast and barista-made coffee.
Pinduli and Zuberi or Jake and Mischka might even make another appearance while you dig into options like smoked trout omelette, avocado bruschetta and shakshuka. Don’t forget to grab a pastry (or three – because somehow, you’ll still have room after the indulgent dinner the previous night) and enjoy walking back to your room with a stop along the way to say ‘Good morning’ to the meerkats.
10.30 am: Check out
After a deep sleep and relaxing start to the morning, if you are not in a hurry to reach your next destination, you can check out at Jamala Reception by 11 am and enjoy the zoo for the remainder of the day. With plenty more to explore (and many animals worth re-visiting), spending as much time as you can in this sanctuary is worth every minute. For those in Canberra, home might just be down the road, but until your tires hit Lady Denman Drive, it’s easy to escape the city for a few more hours.
Whether you’re planning a family adventure or an unforgettable friends’ getaway, this is one holiday that will go down in history.
For more information visit jamalawildlifelodge.com.au
