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Stay · Infinity Holidays · 1 night

Overnight Boutique Wildlife Encounter in Canberra

From
$609 pp twin share
1 night
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Duration1 night
OperatorInfinity Holidays
StyleStay
HighlightAll-inclusive African-style lodge!
Experience the ultimate overnight safari at the National Zoo and Aquarium and Canberra’s first all inclusive, luxury lodge experience. You will meet many of the most dangerous and endangered species on earth…

This fabulous Wildlife Lodge experience is nestled in the grounds of the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra. It offers very different accommodation facilities and is amongst one of the most unique animal lodges in the world. You can stay in the Lodge which has its own shark tank. Therefore the lodge is call uShaka and is a grand lodge straight out of Africa.Only guests staying in the lodge have use of the infinity swimming pool, spa and tropical gardens.

Your stay at the lodge is an experience that you will never forget. All prices are for two guests and includes afternoon and morning tours, 5 star accommodation, gourmet meals and fine wines. Dining is in the tropical Rainforest Cave where you may be joined by magnificent white lions and hyenas.

uShaka Lodge is a beautiful 7 room lodge with a stunning lounge and dining area, pool, spa and tropical gardens, all of which are reserved for the fortunate few who stay in uShaka Lodge*. This is the owners’ former residence and has varying room sizes and designs.

Your adventure starts in the living area, with a magnificent shark tank extending from one end to the other and with two of the coolest Colobus monkeys watching you from the other side! From the minute you walk in the door you will be transported to deepest Africa – every part of uShaka is decorated in a truly African lodge theme and features fine carvings, artworks and artefacts from throughout Africa. Dining is in the tropical Rainforest Cave where you may be joined by magnificent white lions and hyenas.

The indoor and outdoor entertaining areas are only metres from the edge of Lake Burley Griffin and have magnificent views across the lake to Black Mountain. uShaka is the Zulu word for shark, but also refers to Shaka Zulu who was one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu kingdom and a stay here combines the magnificence of Africa and the wonders of the ocean.

Day by day

Itinerary

Draft Itinerary:

ARRIVAL DAY

1:30pm – 2:15pm - Early Arrivals

Meet in uShaka Lodge and chat with your fellow travellers and become acquainted with Colin & Colby (our Black & White Colobus Monkeys), and Homer & Lady (our Queensland Groper & Leopard Shark).

2:20pm - Afternoon Safari

You can enjoy this tour into the National Zoo & Aquarium with one of our talented guides and meet some of our beautiful animals. You also will learn some amazing facts about different species from around the world. Your guide will deliver you to your room around 4:00pm.

2.20pm – 3.30pm - Later Arrivals

If it’s more convenient to arrive a bit later, check in any time between 2:20pm and 3:30pm and you can either explore the zoo or relax in uShaka Lodge until your guide escorts you to your rooms at 3:45pm.

4:00pm – 6:00pm - At Your Leisure

Your guide will deliver you to your luxurious home away from home to relax or alternatively, you may wish to further explore the zoo.

6:15pm - Head for the Lodge

For guests staying in our Treehouses and Bungalows we invite you to walk through the zoo towards uShaka Lodge for pre-dinner drinks.

6:30pm – Pre-Dinner Drinks

This evening, venture through the Aquarium Rainforest and into ‘The Cave’ to enjoy pre-dinner drinks with your fellow guests and some exotic residents.

7:15 pm - Dinner

Indulge in our Chef’s African influenced “dinner party” menu. If Jamala Lodge is at capacity our uShaka guests will dine upstairs.

9:00pm – 10:00pm – Transfer

As the evening draws to a close we will have a bus service to deliver you back to your suite to enjoy the sounds of the zoo at night.

DEPARTURE DAY

7:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast

Please place your luggage on the inside of the front door to your room if you would like it collected while on tour and advise the breakfast team.

8:00am - Morning Safari

You will head back out into the Zoo and experience the sights and sounds as our residents awaken and prepare for the day.

From 9:45am until 11:00am – Farewell

Once you are ready to depart, please return your key to our Reception staff in uShaka Lodge. Guests in the bungalows or treehouses should make their way back to uShaka Lodge and go to the upper level of the aquarium and enter through the door directly to the left of the shark tank. If you’re not in a hurry to reach your next destination, feel free to check out and enjoy the zoo for the remainder of the day. Remember to check if any spots are available for further animal encounters before you leave.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • 1 night stay in the Wild Encounter Room
  • Meet a Cheetah encounter for two (T&Cs apply)
  • Pre-dinner drinks and canapes
  • 5-course gourmet African inspired dinner with drinks
  • Breakfast
  • Afternoon tea if check in arrival is by 1:30pm
  • 2 safari tours at the zoo
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Wildlife Encounter Room - This room is a short stroll from the main lounge, down a flight of stairs with views through mature pine trees towards the Molonglo River. The room also has a private terrace and its split level design features a lounge area that can comfortably accommodate 2 children.  Additional bedding utilises a double pull out sofa bed.

As there are no wild animals outside your room, we take you into the zoo in the morning to visit one of our cheetahs, where you have a special hands-on meeting with the fastest animal on earth!* Go into their enclosure to meet this unrestrained big cat! (If you are concerned about meeting the cheetah, an alternative encounter can be organised – please advise when booking.)

*Encounter is for 2 people. Minimum age for the Cheetah Encounter is 15 years. Please note that because animal’s natures and reactions can change, no guarantee can be given that we can introduce you to the cheetah. In the rare event that this meeting cannot happen, we will take you to one or more personal meetings with other animals after discussing options with you.

Welcome to your Wildlife Encounter Room at Jamala Wildlife Lodge
Welcome to your Wildlife Encounter Room at Jamala Wildlife Lodge
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

Age Restrictions:
Due to the safety regulations and the nature of our tours we can only accommodate children 6 years and over on our standard nights. The Lodge operates “Family nights” which are held once a month, when children 4 years and older are allowed to stay (please ask us for details of family dates).
Dining:
Rates include dinner, dinner beverages and breakfast. Dress for dining is neat casual.
What are the two tours?
Two optional tours are offered while you are staying with us. The first afternoon tour is to the main part of the zoo. It's a walk and talk tour where the guides do a few feedings. The morning tour is mainly to the new part of the zoo, where you get to meet some our new animals like the rhinos!
What if I have mobility issues?
The Lodge has two disabled accessible rooms – the beautiful Lemur Rooms have both a wheelchair accessible bathroom and a normal bathroom. In uShaka Lodge, the Reef Room and Wild Encounter Room 1 are not disabled accessible rooms, but there are no stairs involved. One Jungle Bungalow also has no stairs, all others and all Giraffe Treehouses have 6 – 8 stairs. If you have trouble walking long distances, mobility scooters are available for the tours, but you will need to book these (please advise at time of booking) and a bus pick up for dinner is also offered.
Can I feed the animals?
The beautiful animals are on strict diets to ensure they have a long and healthy life, so under no circumstances can you feed or touch our animals without a guide’s permission.
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The fine print

Terms & conditions

Read the operator’s full booking conditions

Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.

Travel at 60 Social Getaways

Travel further when you're not travelling alone

Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.

Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.

  • A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
  • Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
  • Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.

Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.

— The team at Travel at 60

A Travel at 60 host with travellers on a Social Getaway
From (twin) $609 pp
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