Dear Guest, Welcome to Gir Lion Lodge, hidden within the Land of the Lions at ZSL London Zoo. Land of the Lions is our newest and most breath-taking exhibit, transporting visitors from the heart of London to India s vibrant Sasan Gir, where they can get closer than ever before to mighty Asiatic lions. Three walkways cover the 2,500sqm exhibit with thrilling, immersive Indian-themed areas to explore - including a train station, crumbling temple clearing, high street and guard hut. Gir Lion Lodge is located at the heart of the exhibit and has been inspired by the welcoming charm of hotels in the lion s native Gir Forest home in India. Please see below for timings of your Gir Lion Lodge experience: 4.00pm onwards 7pm 8.30pm 9.45pm 7.30am 8.00am 8.45am Welcome The Gir Lion Lodge hosts will be on-hand to welcome you to your lodge and settle you in. Tea and coffee facilities are available within the lodges. Guests are welcome to enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco or soft drink and will be shown around Land of the Lions and BUGS by our host team. Dinner Stop off to enjoy a delicious 2 course dinner. Beers, wine and soft drinks available to purchase. Torchlight Walk Head out on a torchlight stroll to see who is still awake. Relax Once back at your lodge relax and then enjoy good night s sleep. Morning Wake Up Please be ready to check out of your lodge at 8.00am and head to breakfast. Breakfast Enjoy a tasty hot breakfast with fruit juices, teas and coffees, to set you up for the day ahead. Morning Tour Explore the zoo before our day visitors arrive and see how the zoo prepares for the day ahead. 10am Experience ends With over 700 different species of animals at ZSL London Zoo, there is a lot to see and do so you are welcome to spend the following day in the zoo. During this time, you can visit any animals that were missed the night before. We hope you have an enjoyable and comfortable stay at Gir Lion Lodge. If there is anything you need, please speak to your hosts who will be more than happy to help.
Creature comforts in each lodge: Comfortable beds with soft linen and pillows En-suite bathroom with complimentary towels and toiletries Bedside table with table lamp Sofa bed (for children to fold out, extra linen will be supplied) Mirror Kettle and hot drinks selection (please ask the hosts if you would like extra) A heater to ensure you have a cosy stay Private veranda with seating so you can soak up the atmosphere and relax Hair dryer Heating controls There is a heater in each lodge, situated under the window. There are various settings to ensure you can create a comfortable temperature in your lodge. Please free feel to keep your window slightly open so your lodge is ventilated, and you can then also hear the animals whilst you re in bed! To turn your heater on please switch the button on the wall to on, then press the on button on the heater and then the clock symbol (not applicable in Leopard Lodge). Dinner The evening meal will be located in the Terrace Restaurant. The menu can be viewed in this folder. Beers, wine and soft drinks can be purchased during dinner. Table water, teas and coffees are complimentary. Please note all alcohol must be consumed within the restaurant and cannot be taken to the lodge area. Breakfast Breakfast is also served in the Terrace Restaurant. Guests are asked to be ready to leave their lodges at 8.00am. Check Out Guests need to check out of their lodges at 8.00am. Please ensure you bring all of your bags and belongings with you as you will not be returning to your individual lodge. Please leave your lodge keys in the locks. Dress code The Gir Lion Lodge experience is informal and relaxed, and you should dress for comfort and warmth. The majority of the tours take place outside and it can get very cold, especially on the night-tour after dinner. Please ensure you wrap up warm before departing for the evening tour at 18.30pm, as you will not return back to the lodges until 22.00pm. Please ensure you wear sensible, flat, warm shoes so you are prepared for the night tour. Smoking We kindly request that smoking takes place on the tours or outside the Terrace Restaurant during meal times. However, if you would like a cigarette at night time when guests cannot leave the lodge area please use the smoking point at the main gate of the lodge area. We ask that guests remain extremely quiet during this time due to the close proximity of the lions and please safely put your cigarette out and dispose of it in the bin nearby. Credit and debit cards The Terrace Restaurant accepts cash, credit and debit cards. Luggage storage You are welcome to spend the day in the zoo once the experience ends at 10.00am (or head up to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo). We will store bags within the lodge area during breakfast and the morning tour, and then move them to the luggage storage at the East Service Gate for the rest of your visit.
Emergencies Fire: If the smoke alarm in your lodge sounds - All members in your group should exit your lodge and notify one of the Gir Lion Lodge Team immediately. Please do not attempt to re-enter the lodge until a member of staff has given permission. If a fire breaks out anywhere inside the Gir Lion Lodge fenced area - Please notify one of the Gir Lion Lodge Team immediately. Please then exit the Lodge area through the main gate, turn left and exit the Land of the Lion exhibit. One of your hosts will escort the group to the muster point on the main lawn. Please ensure everyone in your group is together. Please wait there until further notice. Accident or illness: If you or any other guest is taken ill or has an accident, please notify one of the Gir Lion Lodge Team immediately. All lodge staff are first aid trained. They will assess the situation and take the necessary actions if needed. Animal escape: In the unlikely situation that an animal escapes from its enclosure, do not panic. Please stay calm and follow the instructions given to you by the Gir Lion Lodge Team. We request that you wait safely within your lodge if the alarm sounds while you are in there. Should you view an animal escape when you are not with a member of staff, please do not panic. Head immediately for the nearest building or lodge, and wait inside until further notice. If able to do so safely, please notify a member of ZSL staff immediately. If you are unable to leave your lodge please contact the hosts on 07917 784522. Issues with lodges: If you experience any issues with your lodge i.e. electrical, heating, plumbing etc. please notify one of the Gir Lion Lodge hosts immediately so it can be resolved. Night-time emergencies: If any of the above emergencies occur between 22.00pm 7.00am, please notify the host who is staying overnight in Pitta Lodge. This lodge is the first on the right-hand side as you enter the fenced Gir Lion Lodge area. Outside of this time, your hosts should be visible either around the lodge area or at the reception area. Alternatively, please call the host mobile on 07917 784522. Between 22.00pm 7.30am, guests are reminded that they must not walk around the zoo without a member of ZSL staff. Guests must stay within the lodge area, and the only exception to exit at night is to use the smoking point. We ask that users of this area do not walk anywhere else and they keep the noise down to an absolute minimum due to the close proximity to the lions. A security guard patrols the area regularly, and guests found walking around outside of the fenced area may be asked to leave the zoo.
Sofa Bed Instructions Remove the 2 throw cushions and the back cushion. Fold out the two padded sections, ensuring they are lying flat on the floor (If they do not lie flat, ensure the sofa bed and chest of drawers are pushed fully against the walls) Cover the bed with the sheet. Place the pillows at the end nearest the chest of drawers. Place duvet on top.