We spent our anniversary with an elephant (West Midlands Safari Lodges)

A few weeks ago Tim and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. 

It seems far longer than a decade ago that we eloped to Gretna Green (and you can read my original blog about that here).

I had big dreams for our anniversary. I had my heart set on renewing our vows, this time with our families present, but after a series of bereavements and health challenges I couldn’t muster the energy to pull anything together. Already feeling defeated by life before I’d started, I fell at the first hurdle, trying to find a venue, and so reminded myself how lucky I was to be married anyway. I didn’t need to do anything special.

As the day crept nearer though I was feeling better.  I knew that although we didn’t need to do anything, I really wanted to. Time to come up with a Plan B. 

With parental responsibilities, pets, and work, it wasn’t feasible to go away for longer than a night so although I felt the tug of Paris (I always feel the tug of Paris…) it was time to find something closer to home.

I am a huge animal lover so when a google search revealed the Safari Lodges at West Midlands Safari ParkI felt a frisson of excitement, amplified when I read that the lodges all have air conditioning. I’m not a lover of the heat and with our unpredictable summers it gave me peace of mind to know that we’d be comfortable.

We chose an Elephant Lodge (and I’ll run through the various options briefly below in case you are thinking of booking). The lodges aren’t cheap but it was a special occasion. The price includes two days entry to the park, a private sea lion show, evening meal and breakfast.

We arrived at West Midlands at 11. You have to park and drop your belongings off at check in hut as the lodges are mainly pedestrianised (although there is a provision for disabled visitors). At first, I found it overwhelming. I rarely go to super busy places since Covid. Being school holidays it was packed. Noisy. The booking-in process chaotic. There were families waiting to drop their luggage off and check in, as we were. Families waiting to collect their luggage to leave. Only one lady manning the desk. In the pit of my stomach, a curl of anxiety. Had we made a mistake? This was supposed to be romantic.

Eventually, luggage left, passes distributed and although we couldn’t access our accommodation until mid-afternoon we were free to explore.

Safely cocooned in our car again, I began to relax. We joined the queue for the drive through part of the park. Then we were in amongst the animals. The park was vast, really well maintained. The animals had oodles of space to roam. We had been given animal food so we could feed certain species out of the window, at other times we had to keep the windows rolled up.

It was a joy to take photos. I haven’t really used my camera much since Covid and I ended up with about a zillion pictures.

Then we could access our accommodation. On the door to our lodge hung some freshly baked bread (I mean in a bag, the handle wasn’t speared through the crust). I was won over before I stepped inside.

Our lodge was amazing. It looked exactly like the photos online which isn’t always a given, is it? The lodges are all family sized, the upstairs completely wasted on my husband and I but I guess it’s more economical for the park not to have lodges for two. It was clean. We were provided with robes, no slippers though. Our outdoor space was just as spacious and comfortable as the inside. There wasn’t an elephant in sight though (yet).

When the park closed, the atmosphere changed. The lions began to roar and they were SO loud. We could see them from our lodge (we were provided with binoculars) and with the absence of cars, greenery stretching as far as we could see, it was hard to believe we were in the same place. A calmness descended.

A keeper attached a hay bale outside of our lodges and before long Six, the elephant, trundled along for her dinner. She was adorable. We stood outside to watch her. After a period of time though I realised she was alone. I’m not an animal expert but I did feel sad about this as I thought elephants were herd animals. We set off to find a keeper to ask some questions.

The keeper was happy to chat, tried to reassure me that Six had been brought up on the park, the keepers were her friends and she wasn’t lonely. I’m glad she gets plenty of company, although I’m not convinced that humans are the same to her as  having one of her own species with her. But the keepers are committed and caring and the animals are clearly very well looked after.

We wandered around to some of the other lodges while the park was closed. It really felt very special to be there after hours.

Then, dinner! 

I had told Tim I wanted to dress up for dinner, he didn’t realise though that I had brought my wedding dress with me. As it turns out I didn’t wear it for long because, well, because I could barely zip it up, let alone breathe and sit down. I had no chance of eating in it. The first time around I had to be taped into it because it was so loose, now I needed a shoehorn to prise myself into it. Still, it was lovely to wear it again, albeit it only for a short time.

Dinner came in jars. Yes, jars. We had selected what we wanted from the menu a few days before. There was a microwave and plates and you fended for yourself. We had crayfish to start followed by a fish pie. It was all really tasty. Then, make your own Eaton mess which was lovely.

We sat outside with a glass of wine and watched Six until she wandered off to bed.

The bed was comfortable, the curtains thick and heavy. In the morning, we were delighted to see Six outside again having her breakfast which I bet tasted infinitely better than our breakfast. As gorgeous as our dinner had been the night before some things clearly do not work in a jar. Reheated bacon, scrambled egg and beans, all kind of damp and soggy through the moisture created by the glass.

Just. No.

Then it was time to check out. While the porters collect the luggage guests are invited to a private sealion show which was really entertaining. It was heartening to hear the trainer say at the beginning that she couldn’t guarantee how many sealions we might see, if any, because if they didn’t feel like performing they weren’t made to come out.

We loaded up the car and then spent the day wandering around the walkable part of the park. I braved the bat cave which, although I am scared of things that fly, was fine because I couldn’t actually see anything in the dim light. I passed my lack of sight off as bravery but then we went in the bird house and when a bird landed on me I screamed and ran away.

Did I mention how brave I was in the bat cave though…?

Then, a quick visit to the fair. I do love a ghost train. When we came out the other side the attendant said to me, ‘Are you okay? I was really worried about you.’

I replied, ‘I’m fine, why?’

And he said, ‘You’ve been in there for 4 months.’

Immediately, my writer mind kicked in, notepad came out of my bag and I stood, in the rain, jotting down notes for a creepy short story. Thanks random Ghost Train guy!

A last ice cream and it was time to go home. 

Thanks to all the staff (and animals) at West Lodge Safari Park for a brilliant time.

A quick run down of the lodges: – 

Elephant, Rhino and Giraffe – these are the only lodges that offer an outside space because, well, tigers etc. We loved sitting out, having a glass of wine and surveying the park when it had closed. It really felt like getting back to nature.

Lions and Tigers – when these passed by the viewing areas they were SO close and quite a sight. But when they aren’t visible the space might feel a little enclosed. One of the tiger lodges has a hot tub though!

The cheetahs. This was right by the elephant and we spent a lot of time at this viewing platform and although we could see their ears poking up from the long grass we didn’t see them move at all. Two lodges back on to the run and are opposite each other so you might be aware of the other occupants. I’m sure when the cheetahs are active it’s an incredible sight.

Red Panda cottage – this is the only one that is set in the actual walk around part of the park. There is one panda (I think) and it popped out every now and then. When the park is open everyone is standing staring at the Panda boxes and at the cottage, although once the park shuts this isn’t an issue. It looked really cosy.

The lodges are all angled so you aren’t aware there are other people around you (think Centre Parcs). Honestly, I don’t think you’d be disappointed with any of them.

We’d love to return.