Kokova Magazine

In the early 1990s I lived in Sandwich, Kent with my young family. A single-parent at that time, I would make sure the summer days were spent on the beach or out finding fun things to do as a family. Howletts Wild Animal Park (Howletts) and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve (Port Lympne). were definitely ear-marked as days out with my Mum and my (then) very small children. On 31st October 1992 we visited Howletts for the first time, having visited Port Lympne a few weeks earlier. I can pinpoint the day as I still have a family video, albeit very grainy, showing the date, year, and time, as well as some of the animals we met.

I had not made a return visit in nearly 33 years, and going back was definitely still on my to-do list. When I found out 2025 was the first time for Port Lympne Illuminated I decided this was the year to make it happen. Port Lympne is closer to Folkestone and Hythe, while Howletts is nearer to Canterbury, Kent. As we are now settled on the Surrey/Kent border, I decided to go 'out and about' last month, to re-visit both destinations with my partner (who has never visited either). Each destination is certainly worthy of at least a full day visit so we took the plunge and visited both venues over one weekend.

On Saturday 24th May we set out, joining the M25 at J6, and headed down the M20 towards Canterbury. It is about 60 miles, and takes little over an hour on a good run. The day was hot and sunny, and we arrived to find the car park very full, but still enough space to easily park. To get to the main entrance you will need to take a short walk, up and over a footbridge, and down a hill. On the way you pass the Howler monkeys, who are housed before the reception. Once inside you have the freedom to explore, and a lot of walking to do. Back in the 90s I am sure the paths were more muddy and less paved, and there are certainly more things to do now, more places to eat, and lodges to stay in. Port Lympne also offers event space, and luxury stays.

Spanning 600 acres and home to a large variety of animals, tall and small, from giraffes to meerkats, rhinos to big cats, gorillas and primates of all shapes and sizes, Port Lympne offers a drive-through safari included in your day ticket, with the additional option to pre-book more tailored experiences. We attended a few of the talks which run throughout the day, at various locations on-site. Details can be found on the boards as you enter the reception. In comparrison to Howletts, Port Lympne is the larger of the two destinations. There is a variety of food options, and a drink in the mansion house is definetly recommended on a hot summer's day.

We returned to Port Lympne again two weeks later, on Sunday 8th June. As there is much to see, we felt we had to repeat the experience with a lot slower walk around this time and we managed to see more animals by choosing a smaller selection. We even found time to relax with dinner at Babydoll's, where my gluten-free diet was well catered for. Sitting outside to eat, we were joined by a local robin and friendly little squirrell, plus a number of crows. I am passionate about crows, and to see so many, up close, was another highlight of the day.

If you are expecting to see the inhabitants of every enclosure, as many zoos used to provide, then you will have to adjust your expectations or take a bucket full of patience with you. This reserve is made for the animals and you are entering their world. If they feel like hiding all day, it is their choice. This is a great draw for us as adults and we are happy to wait, passing the time together.

For families with smaller children, or for those who want to make sure they see animals in as many enclosures as possible, then Howletts, set in 90 acres and with a much flatter terrain, is a great alternative or starter venue. Howletts Wild Animal Park was set up as a private zoo by John Aspinall in the late 1950s, and in 1973 Port Lympne was purchased with the intention of solving the lack of space at Howletts. Port Lympne was opened to the public in 1976, a year after Howletts opened in 1975. Visitor funding goes towards the costs involved in the care of the animals, as well as additional support for overseas projects.

On our first visit in May to Port Lympne, we were offered the oppourtunity to upgrade our day tickets to an annual pass. The entrance, at £70 for a couple, was offset against the £170 annual pass cost, and we paid the remaining balance for membership. This meant that the following day when we visited Howletts, the entrance fee was already covered, and by the time we went back to Port Lympne two weeks later, we had already saved on entry fees. We have the rest of the year until May 2026 to visit as often as we like.

The return to Howletts on Sunday 25th May brought back 30 year old memories, especially the elephant enclosure. It looked the same as the home video I have, complete with crying children still small enough to be in prams. Both of my children are now in their 30s, and this is a stark reminder of the passing years. We are planning to make the most of our annual pass, and we have already booked tickets for the Illuminated event this November, and are treating ourselves to a stay in the Lookout Bubble, turning the visit into a romantic getaway..

Port Lympne Reserve is open 364 days a year (excluding 25th December), while Howletts Wild Animal Park is subject to winter opening hours. From 28th November 2025 to 3rd January 2026 you can also book tickets to the Port Lympne Illuminated

The Aspinall Foundation

As an internationally renowned animal conservation charity, the Aspinall Foundation are world leaders in the breeding and protection of endangered animals working in partnership with Howletts Wild Animal Park (Howletts) and Port Lympne Reserve (Port Lympne). The Aspinall Foundation runs its own projects overseas and supports reintroduction programmes across Asia and Africa.

The Aspinall Foundation was founded out of a deep love for wildlife and a respect for nature. Our global wildlife conservation work, spanning thirty years, covers issues such as the illegal wildlife trade, the 're-wilding' of wild and captive born animals, and the recovery of threatened species and their habitat through community-based conservation. The Aspinall Foundation is one of the world leaders in wildlife reintroduction. I am extremely proud that we are at the forefront of breeding animals in captivity and re-introducing them back into the wild whilst protecting vital ecosystems around the world.

Damian Aspinall

Even though they were told it was impossible, and I remember this being a big news story in the 1990s, The Aspinal Foundation has, for over 30 years, been successfully reintroducing gorillas back into the wild, with a 95% annual survival rate, and over 30 births to released animals. That is where the data needs to be read, not just the releases but the survival and birth rate of those released. Visiting Howletts and Port Lympne helps to support these conservation and reintroduction programmes. For more information visit The Aspinall Foundation.