Coronavirus statement
Following the latest advice of the novel coronavirus outbreak on March 18, 2020, we would like to assure all visitors to our parks that the health and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority, along with our animals as usual.
Both Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve and Howletts Wildlife Park are open as normal with some restrictions on our operation.
At Howletts Wild Animal Park our restrictions include:
- Walking with lemurs is closed.
- We have suspended all animal encounters and experiences.
- Our cafes will remain open, but we will be rearranging our seating capacity to ensure that visitors can maintain a suitable distance between them.
- Daily animal talks have been suspended.
- Treetop challenge is closed.
At Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve our restrictions include:
- We have suspended all animal encounters and experiences and are limited ranger-led activities.
- Our cafes, restaurants and bars will remain open, but we will be rearranging our seating capacity to ensure that visitors can maintain a suitable distance between them. Babydoll’s Wood-Fired Pizza remains open and we will be offering a an additional takeaway service for short breaks guests.
- Daily animal talks have been suspended.
- Our free Safari Experience continues to run.
Visitors will be able to see our animals in their enclosures as usual.
We are continuing to monitor the daily updates and recommendations from the UK Government and will where necessary, consider any advice issued on our day to day operating activities. At present, we are continuing to take bookings for the upcoming Easter and summer periods.
The advice from the government at this stage includes people being vigilant with handwashing and personal hygiene, being aware of their own health and self-isolating for 14 days if they or a member of their household develops a temperature or a new persistent cough.
We have adopted a series of policies and protocols for the ongoing maintenance and control of this situation, with specific cleaning regimes in place, ensuring that hand sanitizers are available at all points where people come into contact with each other and that all facilities are well stocked with soap and paper towels. All short break accommodation continues to be cleaned to the highest possible standard with enhanced checks to supplement our strict procedures.
Visitors can be rest assured that both Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park will act accordingly, should information and guidance change.
If you have any questions or concerns about your short breaks booking, please contact 01303 234112. For all other visitor enquiries, please contact 01303 264647.
For governmental updates on the coronavirus, including the current situation in the UK and information about the virus and its symptoms, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public.
