Ever since I was a small child, I have adored cats. And as a long-time cat owner, it’s certainly not unusual for me to wake up with a feline companion curled up at the foot of my bed.

What’s unusual this time, however, is that the cat in question is a big one – a Sumatran tiger, to be exact. Thankfully, it isn’t actually on my bed. Instead, we are separated by the glass wall of my luxurious Jungle Bungalow at Jamala Wildlife Lodge.

The African-inspired room is a masterpiece of design, with its rich wooden accents and warm, inviting tones, but the true highlight is the expansive glass panels that provide an unobstructed view into the tiger’s world.

As the early morning light filters through the windows, I can see Melati’s striking orange and black stripes glistening, her powerful form stretched out lazily in the soft sunlight. Her twin sister Mya, meanwhile, is already awake, stretching her sleek body languidly before padding silently across the grass.

Tigers are usually solitary creatures, choosing to live and hunt alone after reaching adulthood, but these six-year-old sisters are an exception to the rule and happily share their enclosure.

Waking up to the sight of a majestic tiger prowling mere inches from your bed is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that many people could only dream about. At Jamala Wildlife Lodge, however, this is not a just dream, but a breathtaking reality.

Nestled within Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium, the award-winning Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and wildlife encounters that transport guests into the heart of the animal kingdom while surrounded by elegance and comfort.

The Tiger Jungle Bungalow is just one of the luxurious accommodation options available. Other Jungle Bungalows have resident lions, cheetahs and sun bears, while guests can also opt to stay in a Giraffe Treehouse or one of several other rooms featuring lemurs, meerkats or sharks.

Feeding time at the zoo

On arrival, the adventure begins with a sumptuous afternoon tea in the stunning uShaka Lodge, where guests can watch cheeky colobus monkeys playing and leopard sharks gliding past in the mesmerizing aquarium.

A guided tour of the open-range section of the zoo is on offer following afternoon tea, but I decide to wait until the next day to explore the zoo. Instead, I select a few additional wildlife encounters to get up close and personal with some of the zoo’s most amazing animals.

When I step inside the meerkat enclosure, I’m immediately surrounded by a flurry of tiny, curious creatures. The meerkats, with their inquisitive eyes and twitching noses, quickly gather around me, inspecting every inch of their new visitor.

I sit on the designated feeding bench and place a provided towel over my legs to avoid getting covered in fly larvae (aka meerkat treats). Within moments, the meerkats begin to climb onto my lap.

Their delicate paws and soft fur brush against my skin as they eagerly seek out the food I hold in my hand. With my other hand, I stroke their backs as they nibble their treats. Their tiny, darting movements and gentle chirps fill the air.

It’s impossible not to be charmed by the meerkats’ antics, but alas, it’s time to bid them farewell and move onto the next experience, this time with a much larger animal.

This isn’t the first time that I have been lucky enough to hand-feed a giraffe; many years ago, I held out a carrot and had it swiftly taken from my hand by the gentle giant’s long, blue tongue. When I’m handed a large branch laden with leaves and told to hold onto it tightly, I quickly realize this is going to be a very different experience.

The giraffe’s strength is astonishing, and I have to grip the branch firmly with both hands to keep it steady as the towering animal begins munching on the foliage. Feeling the pull of its powerful jaws, I marvel at the sheer size and grace of the beautiful creature.

Next up is an encounter with a sun bear called Otay. Known for their distinctive golden, crescent-shaped chest markings, sun bears are often elusive in the wild. Sun bears are the world’s smallest bear, standing at only around 1.2 meters high, but I’m surprised to learn that they’re actually one of the most aggressive.

As we approach the enclosure, Otay spots us and, with a nonchalant yet graceful gait, she ambles over, her movements surprisingly agile for her size. Otay’s sleek, glossy fur gleams under the sun as she draws closer, her nose twitching in anticipation as she sits on her backside, holds onto the fence with her front claws and patiently waits to find out what treats we have in store for her.

I take a fork and carefully poke it through a hole in the fence and Otay politely takes the fruit in her mouth and politely awaits the next piece. When we run out of fruit, we need to show her the empty container before moving on to the fourth and final encounter.

It’s hard to choose a favorite experience, as each species is so special in its own way, but having the opportunity to feed the tigers who reside outside my bungalow is a definite highlight.

Under the careful supervision of a zookeeper, I find myself standing just a few feet away from these enormous cats – this time separated by a cage instead of the glass. Using tongs, I hold out a piece of chicken, my heart pounding as Mya’s eyes lock onto the food.

As she approaches, I can feel the sheer power behind her every movement. The big cat takes the meat with surprising gentleness, a moment that leaves me in awe of the incredible trust between the animal and its keepers.

Dining with the lions

After spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing in my bungalow – often pressed up right up against the glass as Melati and Mya lie just centimeters away on the other side – it’s time to head to dinner at uShaka Lodge.

Pre-dinner drinks are served outside on the deck as we gather to watch the hyenas and white lions being fed. Jake, the dominant male lion, roars loudly, the sound reverberating through the air, before retreating to his bed for the night. His sister, Mischka, seizes the opportunity and stealthily swipes a rib for herself before following him into the den.

Dinner at Jamala Wildlife Lodge is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The Rainforest Cave restaurant, with its dim lighting and natural stone walls, creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere. But the real magic lies in the large window that offers a direct view into the lions’ den.

As we enjoy our three-course dinner with accompanying fine wines, the lions slumber peacefully on the other side of the glass, their rhythmic breathing a gentle backdrop to our conversation. It’s a surreal experience, dining in such luxury while being so close to these magnificent creatures.

The Jamala Wildlife Lodge chefs are masters of their craft, blending exotic flavors with local ingredients to create a menu that is as memorable as the wildlife encounters. As I savor the last bite of my dessert – a rich chocolate fondant with caramel sauce and fresh berries – I reflect on the extraordinary day I have just experienced.

A stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge is more than just a night in a luxurious setting – it’s a journey into the heart of the wild. The chance to live among the animals, to see them up close and personal and to be part of their world, even for a short time, is an experience unlike any other.