Rhinos at Breakfast? This Stay Was Wild!

We Slept Next to Rhinos for My Toddler’s Birthday And It Was One of the Best UK Family Stays We’ve Ever Done!

When I told people we were celebrating Roman’s 2nd birthday with a sleepover next to actual rhinos, most of them gave me the look. You know the one — half “how much did that cost?” and half “are you okay?” But honestly? I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

This wasn’t just a quirky stay or a cute birthday treat. It was one of the most unique family getaways we’ve ever done in the UK, and it had something for everyone:

• Incredible animal views

• Luxe lodge vibes with a rain shower and separate standalone bath tub

• A delicious 3-course dinner delivered to the lodge along with an extensive wine list

• Enough space for the kids to run riot (without judgment)

• The best of all? It was just one hour away from home in The Cotswolds.

Let me give you the full lowdown with honest pros, a few funny behind-the-scenes moments, and everything you need to know if you’re thinking of booking.

Quick Links:

• Where is the Rhino Lodge?

• What’s the lodge actually like inside?

• The rhinos: Do you actually see them?

• Food & drink: What’s included?

• What else is included in the stay?

• Celebrating Roman’s 2nd birthday

• What to know before you book

• Would I recommend it?

• Final Recap

Note: For a visual journey through my stay here, feel free to explore my dedicated Instagram highlight under the handle @SammyLouLuxe

Where is the Rhino Lodge?

The Rhino Lodge is part of West Midland Safari Park, which is in Bewdley, Worcestershire. If you're Midlands-based like us, it's super accessible and even if you're coming from further afield, it's well worth the journey.

There are a handful of Safari Lodges on-site, each designed to make you feel like you’re in the middle of Africa (but with underfloor heating and high-speed WiFi).

The Rhino Lodge is one of the most special: built right up against the rhino habitat, with floor-to-ceiling windows giving you uninterrupted views of the animals… all from your bed, the sofa, or even the large standalone bath tub.

What’s the lodge actually like inside?

Picture this: You walk into your own private wooden lodge. The interiors are all warm neutrals, wood panelling, and safari-chic details; think tribal cushions, natural textures, and subtle nods to Africa (without it feeling like a themed hotel room from 2006).

Straight ahead, there’s an outdoor terrace overlooking the rhinos where you can sit with a morning cup of coffee or relax in the swing chair with an evening glass of vino.

Inside there's:

• A spacious open-plan living area with a sofa, dining space, and small kitchenette (perfect for bottles, snacks, and late-night cups of tea)

• A master bedroom with a ridiculously comfy king-size bed, a dressing area and a standalone bath tub also facing the rhinos

• A kids’ twin bedroom (we pushed the beds together for our little ones)

• A bathroom with a rainfall shower

• A terrace with more seating ideal for a glass of bubbles once the tiny humans are asleep (ish)

Honestly, the lodge exceeded all expectations. It felt luxe, peaceful, incredibly spacious and just the right amount of fancy for a family trip. You didn’t feel scared to put a juice box on the table, but it definitely gave “special occasion” vibes.

The rhinos: Do you actually see them?

Yes. And not just for a few minutes. They are right there all the time. Grazing, stomping, and sometimes even running! We were all mesmerised. We even saw a Zebra and we saw the giraffes and giraffe feeding time from the upstairs window.

Waking up in the morning to see a rhino stroll past your window is honestly up there with some of the most surreal travel moments we have had.

Food & drink: What’s included?

Dinner and breakfast are both included in the stay at the luxury safari lodges. Check out the menus online for an idea of what you can expect.

Dinner was a three-course meal that actually felt like a treat. It wasn’t gourmet-gourmet, but it was beautifully done, tasty, and had solid options for adults and kids.

Laz and I opted for beef cheek with dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables. The children had spaghetti bolognaise. We were even sent freshly cooked bread to enjoy too.

We had the dishes already in our fridge (we had to pre-order them before our stay) and we simply warmed them up in the oven if needed. Wine is available via phone order from the wine list, although we brought our own with us.

The breakfast (again pre-ordered) was delivered between 7-8am in a crate outside our lodge door. For breakfast I chose continental for the children, buffet-style, with all the good stuff: pastries, cereal, fruit and yoghurt and juices.

Laz and I both opted for a salmon and cream cheese and chive bagel, which was divine! They also cater to allergies and there are options for vegans/ vegetarians.

They put butter and milk in the fridge for us too and there's a coffee machine, teabags and even hot chocolate to enjoy.

What else is included in the stay?

Your lodge booking includes:

✔️ Park entry for two days (you can arrive before check-in and stay after check-out)

✔️ Access to the Safari Drive-through both days (yes, giraffes walk past your car!)

✔️ Access to the walk-through safari park with animal enclosures, the Land of the Living Dinosaurs, and the theme park area

✔️ A private talk at the seals (although for us, the recent heatwave caused them to go into mating mode for 6 weeks so they barked throughout - that’s nature for you!)

✔️ 20% off food and shops within the Safari Park

We spent most of our second day exploring the park. Olivia loved the penguins, Roman pointed and squealed at every animal he saw, and we all had a go on the mini rides. It’s a proper family day out, but staying overnight makes it feel calmer and more relaxed.

Celebrating Roman’s 2nd birthday

Honestly, I debated doing soft play and cake like a normal person. But Roman is wild about animals, and I wanted to mark the occasion with something we’d all remember (even if he won’t, but that’s what photos are for, right?).

We kept it simple: Safari style party hats, cupcakes I brought from home, A few snaps of him toddling around like he owned the place. It didn’t need much, the setting did all the work. I genuinely can’t think of a better way to celebrate his second trip around the sun.

A few funny moments...

Because no family trip is ever perfect, here are a few of our real-life highlights:

• Roman tried to lick the glass to “kiss the rhino”

• Laz pretended to be David Attenborough during the drive-through safari (he’s not)

• Olivia asked if we could keep a rhino “just for the garden”

10/10 we would do it all again (and probably will!)

What to know before you book

Here’s the useful stuff I would’ve liked to have known:

• Price - It’s definitely a treat stay. Prices vary depending on season and lodge type, but expect around £550–£1250 per night (with dinner, breakfast, and park access included). For what you get, I think it’s worth every penny, especially for a special occasion.

• Discounts - You can be added to a list for last minute cancellations and low-cost stays off season. This is a great way to experience the safari lodges on a budget.

• Minimum stay - Usually one night, but book early, these lodges get snapped up fast. We booked our stay in January for a Friday night stay in July (high season).

• What to pack - Snacks and drinks for the room (fridge, oven, microwave and kettle provided)

  • Layers — even in summer it can feel chilly in the evening

  • Binoculars if your kids are into it (adds to the safari vibes)

  • Comfies for after dark once those rhinos go to sleep, so do you

  • We brought a picnic and drinks for day one, which was a great idea (although you do get 20% off food and drinks in the park)

• Is it toddler-friendly? YES. Our 2-year-old and 5-year-old both loved it. They have stair in place as standard and cots available on request. The layout made it feel like a proper home-from-home.

Would I recommend it?

1000% yes. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, want a UK staycation with a difference, or just need a bit of animal magic in your life, the Rhino Lodge delivers. There are nine different types of luxury animal lodges available to experience: lion, red panda, cheetah, elephant, hippo, giraffe, rhino, white lion and tiger.

It's memorable, luxurious, kid-friendly, and genuinely one of those trips you’ll talk about for years (and post about for weeks).

We left with full hearts and smiles, and a little in awe that something so magical is basically on our doorstep.

Final Recap

• Stay: Rhino Lodge at West Midland Safari Park

• Best for: Family celebrations, animal lovers, UK mini breaks

• Highlights: Floor-to-ceiling views of real rhinos, luxe lodge interiors, dinner & breakfast included, safari park access

• Our crew: Me, Laz, Olivia (5), and birthday boy Roman (2)

• Would we go again? Absolutely!!

Want more family staycation inspo, luxe lodge reviews, and travel moments that actually work with kids? Stick around, I’ve got plenty more where this came from.

Got questions about the lodge or want help booking something similar? Pop me a message over on Instagram @sammylouluxe — I love helping people plan dreamy-but-doable trips.

If this has sparked your wanderlust, make sure you’re following me over on Instagram and TikTok [@sammylouluxe] as that’s where I share behind-the-scenes stories, travel tips, and magical moments from my trips as they happen. Think of my Stories as your front-row pass to the adventure, long before it hits the grid or gets turned into a guide.