Australian Tourism Awards 2023

Canberra stands tall! Jamala Wildlife Lodge takes home Silver at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards.

At the Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin on March 15th 2024, Canberra’s Jamala Wildlife Lodge added to their extensive collection of local, national and international awards.

Taking home Silver in the Unique Accommodation category at this years ceremony, the achievement is one that staff and guests are all very proud of.

Jamala became the first entrant from Canberra to win Gold at the National Awards since 2018, winning the Unique Accommodation category for 2022.

“Staff in all areas of the zoo have contributed to this and their efforts have led to our membership increasing 5-fold in the last few years. The positive feedback that we get about the presentation of the zoo and its gardens and of the friendly staff in every area of the facility bears testament to their commitment” General Manager Paul Whitehorn explained.

The General Manager of Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Amanda Mead, expressed similar comments about her staff and referred to the incredibly positive feedback about the staff and the overall experience received from guests.

“The fact that Jamala is nearly always full and that so many guests return, usually for an even longer stay, is evidence of their level of enjoyment. Their interaction with the animals, what they learn about them and about conservation in the wild has a significant impact on virtually all guests.

Apart from having one to five days of luxury, adventure and excitement, most go away with a new perspective on how they can contribute to the animal kingdom. If that isn’t enough, they also get to experience why Jamala also won Best Restaurant at the recent Canberra Tourism Awards” Amanda added.

All Jamala rooms, along with dining and lounge areas are furnished and decorated with African themes, including many artworks and artefacts from throughout that continent. “We have had so many current or past residents of Africa stay here and almost invariably they comment on how the accommodation transported them back there. They tell other guests that Jamala is such a great opportunity for Australian residents to experience Africa in their own backyard.” Amanda said.

Most proceeds from Jamala and the zoo go towards looking after the zoo’s animals, its future development, education programs, animal breeding programs, conservation in the wild, animal welfare agencies and assisting local and national charities, causes and those in need.