To call Jamala Wildlife Lodge a unique accommodation experience is selling it short. Guests in this five star luxury guesthouse can ‘share’ a room with a bear or giant cat, look into a 5-metre deep ocean aquarium or sleep in a terrace overlooking a shark tank!

Since opening in mid December 2014 Jamala Wildlife Lodge has been selected for a number of awards, including best deluxe accommodation in the Australian Hotels Association ACT Hospitality Awards for two years running.

Located in the heart of Canberra’s privately-owned National Zoo and Aquarium, Jamala is part of a program aimed at allowing the zoo to continue to grow and supporting its breeding programs.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers visitors the opportunity to experience close encounters with some of the world’s most dangerous and endangered animals, as well as relaxing in the unique atmosphere of its three individually designed five star accommodation hubs: appropriately named Giraffe Treehouses, Jungle Bungalows and uShaka Lodge. Yet Jamala also aims to subtly impress on its guests that everything possible should be done to ensure that these magnificent animals survive in the wild.

Guests of the Giraffe Treehouses can overlook and wander freely amongst a friendly herd of animals in a private enclosure. At the end of the tour, there is an opportunity to feed one of the resident giraffes. All Treehouses feature king beds, bath tubs, optional climate control, fold out sofa bed, complimentary wireless internet, music system with MP3 input, television with complimentary Foxtel and premium amenities. 

The Jungle Bungalows are luxurious individual suites adjoining a variety of enclosures throughout the property. A glass wall is all that will separate visitors from a pride of lions, cheetahs, tiger, brown bears or a Malayan sun bear! Regardless of whether you are relaxing in your lounge area, resting in bed or taking a leisurely bath, you will only be a heartbeat away from these amazing creatures. All rooms feature king beds, bath tubs, optional climate control, complimentary wireless internet, music system with MP3 input, television with complimentary Foxtel and premium amenities. However, due to the animals’ reactions, there are restrictions on young children staying in some of the bungalows.

The former owner’s residence has been transformed into the 7-room uShaka Lodge, which has an open lounge and dining area, pool, spa and tropical gardens. uShaka hosts a number of different rooms and experiences, including a terrace that sits above the shark tank (uShaka is the Zulu word for shark) and rooms with a large viewing window looking directly into a 5 metre deep ocean aquarium.

Bookings and further information is available at www.jamalawildlifelodge.com.au