Hotel Selwo Lodge - Animal Park Tickets Included

“So much better than we anticipated ”

Have been coming to estepona for last 35 years and never visited since Selwo opened 20 years ago. We decided to make a little break so book cabana overlooking the mountains which included 2 days entrance to zoo/safari park breakfast and trip on the Serengeti safari bus. The zoo is really well d... more

Have been coming to estepona for last 35 years and never visited since Selwo opened 20 years ago. We decided to make a little break so book cabana overlooking the mountains which included 2 days entrance to zoo/safari park breakfast and trip on the Serengeti safari bus. The zoo is really well designed in different sections (there are some slopes but you are in the mountains) and the keepers do interesting talks throughout the day. We had a meal in barbecue restaurant which was good and not too expensive before being taken to our accommodation for the evening. The African themed hut had everything you would expect air con tv comfortable bed and spa bath. The views were fantastic watching the sun set and sun rise the next morning. Due to the location you ring reception who get the van to pick you up and again they were prompt and courteous Breakfast was of a high standard with hot drinks juice toast cereal pastries yoghurts etc. The animals on the park appeared to be well looked after with an abundance of water and food. We have visited Chester zoo Blackpool zoo and Sydney zoo recently and this is on a par with those.

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“Weekend in the zoo ”

We stayed in Masai cabinas. It was great to have extra time in the zoo and use of the facilities. Would recommend it for the most part. The one problem we did have was the single brd mattress,in cabin 30. Its either a memory foam with Alzheimer's or its had someone very heavy sleeping on it prev... more

We stayed in Masai cabinas. It was great to have extra time in the zoo and use of the facilities. Would recommend it for the most part. The one problem we did have was the single brd mattress,in cabin 30. Its either a memory foam with Alzheimer's or its had someone very heavy sleeping on it previously.. It was impossible to get comfortable on. It most definitely needs replacing.

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“Highs & Lows at Selwo”

We had a lot of highs and a lot of lows here. Some were things we couldn't avoid (like, omg it was so hot out, walking around the zoo with no shade). Others seemed like things that could be adjusted & updated for the future. We stayed July 6th-8th, 2022 (so, almost a year ago). We decided to ... more

We had a lot of highs and a lot of lows here. Some were things we couldn't avoid (like, omg it was so hot out, walking around the zoo with no shade). Others seemed like things that could be adjusted & updated for the future. We stayed July 6th-8th, 2022 (so, almost a year ago). We decided to arrive later in the day, to allow our kids to have their nap at home before heading out. Of course, once we were on the road, I realized that this wasn't a typical hotel & the front desk might not be staffed by the time we got there but it ended up being just fine as they had our paperwork ready to go (and we didn't arrive until 9pm or so - I had tried to call around 7pm but according to what I read online, the front desk isn't staffed past a certain point and so that's what had made me nervous). They have a 24hr shuttle that takes you to your village (we were staying in the Watu Village - that's the only place the shuttle goes). Our twins are in car seats but we decided to leave those in our car (parked in the general parking lot for the zoo) and just buckle them into the seats in the shuttle van. It might not be the safest and you do drive on regular roads for a bit to get to the village but we didn't know that prior. We had A LOT of stuff with us but since it was just our family in the shuttle, they had plenty of room. Once you get to the village, there's a small hill you have to climb with your stuff to your individual huts so it's not like you're dropped off directly in front of your room. Getting to your hut in the dark (the paths are pretty well lit though) and then leaving, with all our stuff, was a pain. We had our twins in their stroller so they couldn't run around but my husband had to make several trips to/from the room (when leaving from the room and then the van, when we arrived) to get everything. The Watu Room is a round hut that is open but just like a regular hotel room, the bathroom is enclosed room within your hut. We had a nice large comfy bed plus 2 smaller twin beds. Our kids were still in cribs/pack n plays so we flipped the twin beds on top of each other and had room, though not a lot, to put up each of their pack n plays with a SlumberPods over each one. We also had a mini-fridge that we used to keep our waters and snacks cold. There was a TV on the wall but we didn't use it. Since we arrived so late the first night, our only real full evening was the 7th. So after visiting the park, we went to the swimming pool. We weren't there for a super long time and the water was a bit chilly but they do have a life guard, or at least someone supervising, while there. I can't remember if it was before we went swimming or afterwards but we had dinner catered to our room. I think that was decent, if I remember correctly. While in the zoo and then walking to/from the pool after hours, you actually walk by the Masai Village and Zulu Villas. So if you're staying there, you have to walk quite a bit further to your location, though you don't have to worry about the shuttle. It seemed a bit odd to be on zoo grounds, where the general public can see your living quarters, but they were on a rise above the walking path and we didn't get close enough to see if they had a gate or anything that required a code or key or something. You can theoretically still use the park the day you arrive, even if you can't get into your room by then, and the day you check-out, again, even if you've already left your room. We opted just to go into the zoo on the 7th and do a full day of it and leave for our next location on the 8th, without going into the zoo. We had breakfast and lunch at the zoo on the 7th and it was just okay. It was kinda disappointing to not have many food options and because it was a little tricky leaving the grounds, with having to take the shuttle, we opted to eat dinner in our room rather than go down to their one location to eat and/or have to drive somewhere. So, our biggest low of the trip was the afternoon of the 7th. Our kids still napped (they were barely 2 years old) so after getting lunch at the zoo, we came back to our room. Our room had been cleaned by staff by the time we got back around 2:30pm or so. My son was unusually upset so I opted to snuggle/nap with him in our large bed instead of putting him in his pack n play. My husband has pictures of us sleeping at 3:30pm & 4:50pm. Sometime around 5pm, my son rolls over and we are all jolted awake as we hear a buzzing and then my son screaming. Apparently, a huge wasp (like, bigger than anything we have in the States) had gotten into our room (we think maybe while they were cleaning) and had made its way to our bed, where my son had rolled onto it and it stung him right next to his eye! Afterwards, we could hear it buzzing around the hut and we had never heard it the night before or anything, which is why we guessed it came in while the room was being cleaned. Anyway, we get my son to calm down and we open the window and eventually, the bee flies down to it as it wants to go towards the light. There's a screen on the window, though, so it's just walking around. There's a small opening at the bottom of the screen that goes outside so we close the shutters on it, hoping it will walk to the bottom and fly out. It eventually does but it's at least another hour. Not knowing what to expect, we call the front desk, who brings us a cream. It's already opened/used and they didn't ask too many questions so I have to wonder if this has happened before. We returned it to the front desk the morning we left for the next unfortunate guest who may need it. When we woke up to leave on the morning of the 8th, my son's eye is almost completely swollen shut. It's a little purple underneath but thankfully, there's not much discoloration. When he puts on his too-big sunglasses, you couldn't even see the swelling so that was a blessing. His eye being almost closed didn't seem to both him. The last day you could tell the area around his eye was swollen was the 17th so it was about 10 days of puffiness, though his eye being swollen shut was only about 1.5-2 days. To this day, my son will start screaming and running away if he hears buzzing from insects or sees them. He's getting better but he has a visceral reaction. Also, when we left on the 8th, they gave us a parking pass so we could exit the parking lot and not have to pay for any parking for the days we were there. When I look at their website now, it seems like either some of their amenities weren't offered at that time or they've just updated their website to reflect them. We were bringing our own pack n plays but they didn't inquire if we needed a bed or not. The Serengeti Safari was supposed to be a free thing we could do but it was already booked up for our day and I don't think you can book it prior to your arrival (you can if you're buying it but there doesn't seem to be an option to book it without paying for it). Thankfully, it wasn't something we were itching to do but it was disappointing that something that was included, we couldn't do.

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“Nice, BUT....”

It’s a child’s dream, all right – sleeping inside a zoo! They offer package prices: Breakfast, room and a jeep “safari” included. One also has a choice between different lodgings. We booked the apartment, which is a bit expensive for two (the price is the same for four persons), mainly because it... more

It’s a child’s dream, all right – sleeping inside a zoo! They offer package prices: Breakfast, room and a jeep “safari” included. One also has a choice between different lodgings. We booked the apartment, which is a bit expensive for two (the price is the same for four persons), mainly because it has an open air jacuzzi with a view. That was the biggest disappointment: The jacuzzi was freezing cold, and took too long to warm up, so we could not use it. There was also a kitchen, which came in handy, because there was no hot food to get after 18.00 (and we were not told this in advance, the web page states there is a restaurant, and not that it is closed!). Breakfast is good with meat, cheese and fruit, and served friendly and save. They have a driver, who takes you to your room, most of the time this is quick and friendly. However not on our day of departure, when we were a bit in a hurry to check-out, have breakfast and go on the “safari” (one is given a time in advance) – we had to wait over 20 minutes for the driver to arrive. The zoo itself is all right, but we have seen better ones, particularly with regard to animal welfare in some instances. But it is nice enough, quite a beautiful walk and the hanging bridges are a nice touch. The jeep safari was fun and informative, but we felt a bit uncomfortable in Covid-times, as we could not really keep distance neither in the jeep nor at the hippo enclosure. So, for each nice thing to report, there is also a “but”, why I decided to give only 3 stars.

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