How much are you willing to pay for a ticket to the local zoo? Say $25, maybe $35? A one-day pass to the San Diego Zoo, the most expensive — and largely considered the best zoo in the U.S. — charges $58 (before discounts).
So how does Canberra, Australia’s National Zoo & Aquarium get visitors through the door with a four-figure fee?
For starters, the cost of admission comes with an invitation to stay the night.
Sleeping alongside lions, cheetahs and sun bears
Travelers willing to part with nearly U.S. $1,500 for a one-night stay usually expect a high degree of certainty with their bookings. But those reserving a Jungle Bungalow at Canberra’s Jamala Wildlife Lodge — located within the zoo — won’t get that.
The chance to sleep alongside lions, cheetahs, tigers or Malayan sun bears is worth the gamble. Guests in the property’s five premium rooms can rank their top three animals upon booking, but aren’t told which ones they’ll be snoozing nearby until their arrival.
Canberra'''s National Zoo & Aquarium gets rave reviews despite $1,000 cost