New lodges planned so guests can sleep next to rhinos at West Midland Safari Park

Visitors will be able to sleep near white rhinos and giraffes under plans unveiled for West Midland Safari Park.

The two-story lodges will offer panoramic views of the Park’s reserves including giraffe

The Bewdley attraction has submitted proposed plans to Wyre Forest District Council for the second phase of its Safari Lodges accommodation.

Eight new lodges will sit in a two-storey building next to the recently-opened elephant and cheetah lodges and offer panoramic views of the site's wildlife.

The eight new lodges will sit next to the recently opened elephant and cheetah lodges which launched in April

An artist's impression of the new giraffe lodge

Alongside the introduction of the lodges, the plans also focus on upgrading the Safari Park's animal facilities – including a new giraffe house and a rhino and antelope house, both of which will offer animals 24-hour access to their indoor and outdoor environments.

Angela Potter, head of wildlife at West Midland Safari Park, said: "Safari Lodges have provided us with an amazing opportunity to improve our animal facilities, something which is vital to the welfare of our animals.

“We have large groups of giraffe and white rhino here at the Park, and the impact the new indoor houses and updated external habitats are going to provide for them, will be wonderful.

“It’s an exciting next step and we look forward to continuing to look after these beautiful species and work to support their conservation in the wild.”

West Midland Safari Park's giraffe and white rhino are both part of the European breeding programmes, which support the conservation of their species and raising awareness of their endangered numbers.

The rhino lodges will be the only experience of its kind in the UK with white rhino

Chris Kelly, managing director at the park, added: "We are thrilled to be entering our second phase of development for our Safari Lodges accommodation.

“Since opening our elephant and cheetah lodges in April, the reaction from guests has been brilliant, and the demand for bookings has been exponential. This has only further solidified our intentions with moving forward and submitting plans for our breath-taking new giraffe and rhino lodge stays.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far with Safari Lodges, and in continuing with our unwavering commitment to building a lasting legacy for our animals, our guests and the Park.”

If planning permission is granted, work is due to commence in September – with ambitions for completion in spring 2022.