If you’re looking for a truly wild family day out in Kent this year, Port Lympne Safari Park should be right at the top of your list! Set across a breathtaking 600 acres of Kentish countryside near Hythe, this incredible wildlife reserve is home to over 900 rare and endangered animals from more than 75 species. And 2026 is a brilliant year to visit, with the much-anticipated Dinosaur Forest set to reopen in Spring after its winter refresh!
Whether you’re after a thrilling safari truck ride, a face-to-face encounter with gorillas, or an afternoon watching lions laze in the sun, Port Lympne delivers the kind of day that kids (and grown-ups!) will be talking about for years.
Best of all? You can book Port Lympne Safari Park tickets from just £28 through Day Out With The Kids, with 20% off already applied. No codes needed, just brilliant savings for an epic day out!
What is Port Lympne Safari Park?
Port Lympne is far more than your average zoo. It’s a full-scale wildlife reserve operated by The Aspinall Foundation, a leading conservation charity dedicated to breeding endangered animals and releasing them back into the wild. Every ticket you buy directly funds that vital work, from gorilla reintroduction projects in Gabon to black rhino conservation in Africa.
The park holds a genuinely remarkable record: it’s the only zoo in Europe to house three species of rhino (Black, White, and Indian), and it’s home to the UK’s largest herd of black rhinos. Over 75 gorillas have been released back to the wild thanks to the Foundation’s efforts, with more than 35 wild births recorded from those animals. Your day out really does make a difference!
A Safari Experience Like No Other in the UK
What sets Port Lympne apart from other wildlife parks is the sheer scale and authenticity of the experience. The park is divided into two distinct sections:
- Safari Zone: Explored by open-sided safari truck, covering the African, Asian, and South American habitats where animals roam freely across the Kentish savannah
- Walking Route: A circular trail through Carnivore Territory, the Primate Trail, and the Discovery Zone, where you explore at your own pace
It’s not a drive-through safari where you stay in your car. You’re on an open truck, surrounded by giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and spectacled bears with nothing between you and the animals but open air. That’s the magic of Port Lympne!
Top Things to Do at Port Lympne Safari Park in 2026
There is so much packed into a visit here that you’ll genuinely need a full day to take it all in. Plan for around 4 to 5 hours, and trust us, it flies by!
1. The Safari Truck Ride (Included in Your Ticket!)
This is the absolute highlight, and the great news is it’s included in the price of every ticket. Board one of the open-sided safari trucks and spend around 1.5 hours journeying across the Kentish savannah, guided by an expert ranger who brings the whole experience to life.
You’ll pass through the African Experience spotting Rothschild’s giraffes, Chapman’s zebras, and blue wildebeest. Then it’s on to the Asian section for water buffalo and Bactrian camels, before the South American zone introduces you to Kent’s only spectacled bears. It’s genuinely unlike anything else you can do in the UK!
Top tip: Book your safari truck time slot when purchasing your ticket. Once booked, it can’t be changed, so choose wisely! Arrive at the park at least 60 minutes before your slot, as it’s a 15-minute walk to the safari loading area.
2. Carnivore Territory
Brace yourself for the big cats! Carnivore Territory is where you’ll come face to face with Siberian tigers, lions, leopards, and the elusive African painted dogs. The enclosures are large and naturalistic, meaning you’ll need patience and a good pair of eyes to spot everything, which makes it all the more thrilling.
3. The Primate Trail and Palace of the Apes
Follow the winding woodland paths to discover an incredible variety of endangered primates. The highlight is the Palace of the Apes, the world’s largest gorillarium, home to a thriving troop of western lowland gorillas. Free animal talks run throughout the day, and the keepers’ knowledge and passion for these animals is genuinely infectious.
4. Dinosaur Forest (Reopening Spring 2026!)
Big news for 2026 visitors: The Dinosaur Forest is reopening this spring after its winter closure! This is the UK’s largest outdoor dinosaur exhibition, set across three acres of ancient woodland and featuring over 100 life-sized, anatomically accurate models. From the terrifying T-Rex to the towering Diplodocus, it’s an absolute must for dino-obsessed kids.
Please note: Check the Port Lympne website before visiting to confirm the Dinosaur Forest has reopened, as the exact Spring 2026 date hasn’t been announced yet.
5. The Discovery Zone
Don’t overlook this hidden gem! The Discovery Zone is home to some of the park’s smaller but equally fascinating residents, including meerkats, pygmy marmosets, green tree pythons, and several species of tortoise. It’s a brilliant spot for younger children who want to get up close without the scale of the main safari.
Port Lympne Tickets, Prices and Opening Times 2026
Here’s everything you need to know before you book!
| Ticket Type | Standard Price | DOWTK Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | £35.00 | From £28.00 |
| Child (3-15) | £35.00 | From £23.20 |
| Under 2s | Free | Free |
Book in advance through Day Out With The Kids and save 20% with the discount already applied at checkout. No codes, no faff! Grab your Port Lympne tickets here.
Every ticket includes:
- Safari truck ride (select your time slot when booking)
- Full park entry from 9:30am
- Access to Carnivore Territory, Primate Trail, Discovery Zone, play areas, gardens, and the maze
- Free animal talks throughout the day
- Entry to Dinosaur Forest (once reopened in Spring 2026)
Opening Times
Port Lympne is open every day of the week, 9:30am to 5:00pm. It’s a popular spot, especially during school holidays, so booking in advance is strongly recommended to secure your safari truck time slot.
Getting there:
- By car: Exit the M20 at Junction 11, follow signs for Hythe/A261, then follow the brown tourist signs. Free on-site parking is available.
- By train: Nearest stations are Westenhanger (10-minute taxi) and Ashford International (20-minute taxi, with high-speed links from London St Pancras).
Our Top Tips for Visiting Port Lympne Safari Park
We want your day to be absolutely perfect, so here are our must-know tips before you go!
- Book your safari truck slot early in the day. The most popular time slots fill up fast, especially at weekends and during school holidays. An early slot also means the animals tend to be more active!
- Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. The park covers 600 acres and much of it is on hilly terrain. You will be doing a lot of walking, so trainers or walking shoes are a must.
- Bring a picnic. Guests are welcome to bring their own food, and there are plenty of spots to sit and eat. The on-site cafes and restaurants (including Babydoll’s Wood-Fired Pizza and Basecamp Cafe) are great, but can get busy at peak times.
- Pack binoculars and a camera. Some animals have huge enclosures, so binoculars help you spot everything. The photo opportunities are absolutely incredible!
- Allow plenty of time. A typical visit is 4 to 5 hours, but animal lovers could easily spend longer. Don’t rush it!
- Check the Dinosaur Forest status. If you’re visiting in early Spring 2026, double-check that the Dinosaur Forest has reopened before you go.
- Under 2s go free. No ticket needed for the littlest members of the family!
Is Port Lympne Worth It? What Families Are Saying
Don’t just take our word for it! Port Lympne holds an impressive 4.8 out of 5 star rating from verified visitors who booked through Day Out With The Kids. Here’s what real families are saying:
“The safari experience was truly amazing. My kids really enjoyed watching animals and the staff were really friendly and supportive.” Rajapaksha P, London
“I can’t believe this place isn’t more famous! It’s the best animal attraction in the UK.” Amy, verified visitor
“Beautiful place. Really lovely to walk around and we managed to get very close to a tiger amongst other amazing animals. The safari tour was brilliant too.” Port L, Rotherham
Bear with us here! A recurring theme in reviews is that the sheer scale of the park can be exhausting, in the best possible way. One parent noted their kids were “tired from seeing too much,” which is honestly the best kind of tired after a day out. The animal enclosures are so spacious that some animals may be hard to spot, but as one visitor wisely put it: “The animals had lots of space, which is exactly how it should be!”
The verdict? Absolutely worth every penny, especially when you’re saving 20% by booking through us!
More Amazing Days Out in Kent
Love Port Lympne? There’s even more wild adventure waiting in Kent! Port Lympne is part of the Aspinall Foundation family alongside Howletts Wild Animal Park, located near Canterbury. Howletts is home to the UK’s largest herd of African elephants and is another world-class conservation park that families absolutely love.
And if you want to explore everything the county has to offer, our full guide to things to do in Kent has you covered with the best family days out across the region.
Ready to book your Port Lympne adventure? Grab your tickets now through Day Out With The Kids and save 20% instantly. Children under 2 go free, and your safari truck ride is included. It’s a day out the whole family will absolutely love!