Lookout Lodge - Frequently Asked Questions

Find our frequently asked questions here. 

If you have any questions not answered here please email us at experienceenquiries@zsl.org or call 0344 225 1826.

Booking Your Lookout Lodge Stay

Do ZSL Members get a discount?

ZSL Gold Members, Fellows and Patrons 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.

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.

Age Restrictions

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.

Please note that our accessible lodge can only accommodate a maximum of two adults and one child. 

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.

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.

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.

Accessibility

How long are the walks?

The Lookout Lodge experience is designed so that everyone can fully participate. Each tour consists of roughly 1 hour of walking and standing at enclosures, we will always use our concrete paths and we like to take our time moving around to make the most of the surroundings. The route is fairly flat with only one hill but if you feel either a wheelchair or mobility scooter would be useful to support your journey around the zoo you can hire one free of charge (refundable deposit required) please contact the retail shop on 01582 871517 or email us at experienceenquiries@zsl.org.

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?

Of course guests with additional needs are welcome. By notifying us in advance about a guest with additional needs participating in the experience our team will be able to ensure we have prepared any arrangements we are able to make to help support their visit with us. Guests who need a carer are entitled to a 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. Please contact us on experienceenquiries@zsl.org or by phoning 0344 225 1826 to notify us of any additional needs so we can do all we can to ensure that their needs are met wherever possible. 

Do you have a visual story available for the Lookout Lodge experience?

Yes, absolutely. If you would find a visual story helpful to support your Lookout Lodge experience, you can download our visual story here.

Catering

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.

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

Absolutely. Birthday cake = £48.50, Champagne = £49.95,  Prosecco = £23.95

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.

Your Stay at Lookout Lodge

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 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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Absolutely. Birthday cake = £48.50, Champagne = £49.95,  Prosecco = £23.95

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.

How long are the walks?

The Lookout Lodge experience is designed so that everyone can fully participate. Each tour consists of roughly 1 hour of walking and standing at enclosures, we will always use our concrete paths and we like to take our time moving around to make the most of the surroundings. The route is fairly flat with only one hill but if you feel either a wheelchair or mobility scooter would be useful to support your journey around the zoo you can hire one free of charge (refundable deposit required) please contact the retail shop on 01582 871517 or email us at experienceenquiries@zsl.org.

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 area no later than 5.00pm. Your Hosts will be ready to check you in from 4:30pm. 

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

What COVID-19 guidance do you have?

If you test positive for COVID-19 or display COVID-19 symptoms prior to your Lookout Lodge experience, please contact us on experienceenquiries@zsl.org to arrange re-booking your experience. We also appreciate that some visitors may be more confident than others with the most recent COVID-19 guidance. Our experience mostly takes place outside, and due to the size of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo there is plenty of space available to distance on tours if you would like to. If you feel there is anything we can do to help make your stay more comfortable please contact us on experienceenquiries@zsl.org.

I have friends or family staying at Lookout Lodge, can I add anything special for them? 

You are welcome to purchase a cake, prosecco or champagne for you friends/famiy. Please call our Supporter Contact team on 0344 225 1826 to arrange this. Alternatively if you would like to send any decorations, cards or flowers etc. for our Host Team to place in the Lodge for you, please contact us on experiences@zsl.org.

Am I able to send decorations in for someone to decorate my lodge before my stay?

Absolutely. If you are celebrating something special for your visit to Lookout Lodge and would like the Host team to decorate your lodge for you for your arrival then please get in touch with us on experiences@zsl.org (please note any decorations need to be sent to us in advance of your stay).

Arrival at Whipsnade 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 your lodge after check in. This is only available for Lookout Lodge guests.

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 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.

Adding other experiences to your stay

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.

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.

Group Bookings

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).