Lookout Lodge - Sleepover at the Zoo

Do ZSL Members get a discount?

ZSL Gold Members get a 10% discount on full priced lodge tickets.This discount is automatically applied at checkout when you sign in using the email address that your membership is registered under. ZSL Silver Members do not get any discount.

Do I get a discount for single occupancy?

Single occupancy or disabled guests attending with a carer are entitled to a 30% discount on the full-paying price of two guests. This can be booked online by selecting the relevant ticket type.

Can I pay a deposit to secure my booking?

We require full payment for your stay at the time of booking. 

Can I use Tesco Clubcard Vouchers to pay for Lookout Lodge?

Tesco vouchers are only accepted for general admission tickets (excluding car entry) when purchased on the day of you visit at the main gate. They cannot be used as payment for Lookout Lodge or any other ZSL experiences.

Can I spend the day in the zoo before/after my Lookout Lodge stay?

You can enter ZSL Whipsnade Zoo anytime from 10am on the day of your experience and stay for the full day after. You are also welcome to visit to ZSL London Zoo for free on the day of departure from Lookout Lodge (parking not included at ZSL London Zoo).

I am arriving by public transport, is there anywhere for me to leave my bags before check in?

When you arrive at the Zoo please speak to our admissions team who will be able to store your bags for you. The host team will them collect them and drop them at you lodge after check in. This is only available for Lookout Lodge guests.

What are the age restrictions?

On adult only nights, young adults aged 14 years old and over, are welcome to attend with an accompanying adult. The accompanying adult must be over the age of 18 years old.

On family nights children aged 5-13 years old are welcome to attend. Children under five years old are not able to attend on any night.

Each lodge can accommodate two adults or one adult and one child, plus a maximum of two additional children. The additional children will sleep on a pull-out sofa bed and must be aged between five and 13 years of age this is due to the size of the sofa bed. Children aged 5-13 years old must be staying in a lodge with an accompanying adult who is aged over 18 years old.

Young adults aged 14-17 years are welcome to stay in a lodge on their own but must have an accompanying adult aged over 18 years old staying in an adjacent lodge on the same night.

Can you sleep two adults and three children in one lodge?

Each lodge can accommodate two adults or one adult and one child, plus a maximum of two additional children. If you are a family of five you will need to book two lodges, one lodge for two adults and two children and one lodge as single occupancy. You can then split your group across both lodges as you choose.

What will we do during the event?

Please visit the experience page. 

What do I need to bring with me?

Staying overnight at Lookout Lodge is an informal and relaxed experience so there is no need to dress up. We would recommend wearing comfortable warm clothing, suitable for the forecasted weather (although Whipsnade can get much colder than normal due to its location on the Chiltern Downs). Sensible flat footwear is recommended, especially for the optional torchlight walk through the Zoo. You will be provided with a torch for this walk.

Are there showers?

There are separate female and male washing facilities each with showers and toilets. There are also toilets available with disabled access. We do not have a disabled accessible shower. The shower and toilets facilities are a short distance from the lodges. Towels are provided. 

Are we allowed to bring a birthday cake?

You are more than welcome to bring a birthday cake with you; however you are not allowed to use candles in your lodge.

Is Lookout Lodge wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Lookout Lodge has a double lodge and a twin lodge that has level access for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users are able to bring along a carer and will receive a 30% discount on the full price of a lodge. This can be booked online by selecting the relevant ticket type. Please call us on 0344 225 1826 to advise us of any specific requirements that you may have. If no wheelchair ticket is displayed then we have sold our wheelchair accessible lodges for your selected date..

Can I bring a guest who has additional needs?
Yes, we welcome participants with additional needs. Do let us know if you are planning on bringing along a guest with additional needs by emailing experienceenquiries@zsl.org or phoning 0344 225 1826 and we will do all we can to ensure that their needs are met wherever possible. Guests who need a a carer are entitled to 30% discount on the full priced lodge ticket. If the main guest does not need a wheelchair accessible lodge please select the single occupancy ticket and in the participant details box please put the names of both guests and that one is acting as a carer.

When do we need to arrive and how do we get there?
You can arrive at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo anytime from 10am on your day of arrival, but should head to the Lookout Lodge reception area no later than 5.00pm

Is car entry included?
Yes. Car entry to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is included in the price, just show your confirmation at the main gate.

Can children under five come along?

Unfortunately children under five years are not allowed to attend on any nights. Children aged 5-13 years old are only allowed to attend on family friendly nights.

Can I book a birthday cake, bottle of champagne or prosecco?

Absolutely. Birthday cake = £45, Champagne = £42.95,  Prosecco = £21.95

To book these extras either select at checkout or phone our Supporter Contact team on 0344 225 1826. These items need to be added at least two weeks before your experience.

Is car parking included in the price?

Yes, the price of car entry into ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is included in the price.

Can guests visit ZSL London Zoo on the day of departure?

Yes, guests can visit ZSL London Zoo on day of departure only (not day of arrival). They need to take their Lookout Lodge confirmation and show this at the main gate. Car parking is not included in the price.

Can you cater for specialist diets?

Yes we cater for vegetarians and vegans as standard. If you have any other specific dietary requirements we request that you notify us during the booking process via the participant information form, via email to experienceenquiries@zsl.org or by calling 0344 225 1826.

Do you cater for Halal diets?

We do not currently cater for Halal diets however you are welcome to enjoy the vegetarian alternatives.

How does the experience differ on adult only / family friendly nights?

The experience itinerary is the same, some adults prefer to attend without children present. The content of the talks will be tailored to whether there are children present. We do also have a children's menu available.

Can Lookout Lodge guests do Keeper for a Day?

Lookout Lodge guests can participate on Keeper for a Day (K4D) at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo at a reduced rate of £199 per person. This offer only applies on the day of arrival or day of departure from Lookout Lodge (LL). It is up to them whether they do K4D on day of arrival or departure at LL, if they decide to do it on day of departure then there will be a slight overlap and will miss the morning tour on LL. However, as they are doing K4D then they will get to do other experiences instead. To book this please phone our Supporter Contact team on 0344 225 1826. This discount is not valid alongside any other discount or voucher (e.g. Members or Patrons discount). Please note: Our Keeper for a Day experience is only available Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and participants must be aged 16 years or over. Read the full terms and conditions for Keeper for a Day.

Group bookings

Guests are welcome to book all lodges out exclusively and they are entitled to a 5% discount of all lodge places. There is no discount on the children places. If groups are not booking out the lodges exclusively, the maximum number of lodges that they can book on one night is five lodges. It is not fair for other guests, if they book up more than this on one night. This discount is not valid alongside any other discount or voucher (e.g. Members or Patrons discount).

Animal encounters

We do offer Meet the animals experiences. Lookout Lodge guests are entitled to a 15% discount on all Meet the Animals experiences at either ZSL Whipsnade Zoo or ZSL London Zoo. This discount is not valid alongside any other discount or voucher (e.g. Members or Patrons discount). The Meet the Animals experience must be booked for the day or arrival or day of departure from Lookout Lodge. Each Meet the Animals experience have different participation restrictions, please see our terms for full details.

Any other questions?
Please email us at experienceenquiries@zsl.org or call 0344 225 1826.