An Unforgettable Overnight Stay at ZSL London Zoo! 🦁🌙

This was my first visit to London Zoo in nearly 40 years—and what a spectacular return it turned out to be! My husband, our 17-year-old daughter, and I decided to book one of the zoo’s overnight lodges, and the entire experience was nothing short of magical. As a wheelchair user, we reserved the Leopard Accessible Lodge, which was spacious, thoughtfully designed, and made our stay comfortable and stress-free. ♿💙 Our daughter, who has sensory needs and mental health challenges, was initially quite anxious about the trip. But the incredible team went above and beyond to support us—allowing us early access to the lodge so she could settle in and relax before the first evening tour. 🏡✨ Our lodge host, Shiv, was an absolute star—warm, attentive, and always ready to help. The evening tour guides, Sophia and Lorraine, along with our morning guide, Alex, were equally amazing. They shared fascinating stories about the animals in an engaging and interactive way, making everyone feel included and captivated. 🦉🐯👏 Dinner was delicious, and the staff took special care with our daughter’s meal, plating it exactly as requested to accommodate her sensory preferences—a small detail that made a huge difference to her comfort. 🍽️❤️ We ended up skipping the second evening tour due to tiredness, but we were rewarded with an unforgettable moment: listening to the lions roaring right outside our lodge in the dark. It was powerful, primal, and utterly mesmerizing! 🌌🦁 The next morning started early but was worth every minute. We captured incredible close-up photos of the lions snuggled by the glass—a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment. After a hearty breakfast, we joined Alex for a one-hour morning tour, which was just as informative and fun as the night before. From start to finish, this experience was worth every penny. Every member of the team was genuinely happy to accommodate our additional needs, making us feel seen, heard, and valued. A special thanks to Gary at the entrance, who assisted me with access and patiently answered all our questions with a smile. 🎟️🙏 #ZSLLondonZoo #OvernightExperience #AccessibleTravel #FamilyMemories #AnimalEncounters