Jamala Wildlife Lodge: 2 nights in the tiger enclosure

The Jamala Wildlife Lodge was opened in November 2014 as part of the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, Australia. There are three accommodations options: (1) seven rooms inside the main lodge with a shark tank, swimming pool and spa, (2) six Giraffe Treehouses with views of the adjacent giraffe enclosure, and (3) five exclusive Jungle Bungalows that have been built within the habitat of lions, bears, or cheetahs.

In the Jungle Bungelows large glass floor-to-ceiling windows separate the animal’s habitat from the residence, so guests have full view of their designated animal. The animals can be viewed from the seating lounge, bed, or spa bath. Of course it’s up to the animals whether they want to see the guests and spend the evening with them.

I stayed for two nights in a Jungle Bungelow suite in the Bengal tiger’s enclosure. Bakkar the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. It is estimated that there are about 4,500 Bengal Tigers worldwide in the wild, natural reserves and wildlife parks. It has been classified as an endangered species.

Bakkar has been with the National Zoo and Aquarium for 10 years. He is light orange-brown with black stripes, weighing about 180 kg and measuring up to 3 metres with tail. He stayed the entire nights right against the glass, a metre from the bed. He was relaxed and inquisitive – an ideal companion.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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