New lodge offers African safari - in the wilds of Kent

If money is an issue when planning your holiday, you can save on a trip to the savannah - by going to Kent instead.

Billed as 'Europe's only overnight safari lodge' - perhaps for a good reason - Livingstone Lodge is set to open in April next to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, near Hythe.

It may not be quite as dangerous as trekking through Kenya but the chances of spotting big game are pretty good - the building overlooks a water hole visited by more than 500 animals including black rhino, wildebeest and giraffe.



An overnight stay - at £175 per adult - on the 40-hectare (100-acre) site includes an evening meal and a 90-minute 'safari', as well as a tour of the main Port Lympne park.

'This has to be the answer to those suffering the credit crunch who would love to visit the wilds of Africa on safari,' said a spokeswoman.

There's a video here.