Port Lympne

Port Lympne is a zoo (sorry, a 'Conservation Centre') based on an escarpment overlooking the Romney Marshes in Kent.

Travel directions are basically M20 Junc 11 then follow the brown elephant signs (2 mins). Google gives many useful links about this location.

It features a manor house with formal gardens, roman ruins (of the original port when the marshes were covered by sea), the largest group black rhino outside Africa including a 5 month old toddler, big cats, wolves, elephants, giraffes, ostriches, monkeys, gorillas and lots of African plains animals.

These are best viewed from an 'African Safari', an hour long trip round the park on a truck which is available at extra cost (£15 for our party of 2 adults and 2 kids).

I had an enchanting moment when a young giraffe was intrigued by my D80; he got too close to focus, but I was able to gentle stroke his muzzle.

Our entrance fee was helped by a 'kids go free' voucher from the local press, food was typical tourist fare.

There are plenty of photographic opportunities especially if you've got a decent zoom lens (and vibration reduction/ image stabilisation for the 'Safari').

All the family enjoyed it, although the gardens weren't at their best (it was February half term).

Definately worth a visit, especially if you can catch it in bloom!

Port Lympne Images

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