Review: Our Winter Stay at Beekse Bergen

Bringing the year to a close with a Light Safari and festive cheer at Beekse Bergen!

If you’ve ever wondered what it is like to visit Beekse Bergen in the winter months and what their Light Safari is all about, look no further as we just visited for a night and checked it all out!

We took our daughters on what seems to have now become an annual winter tradition (last year we visited Winter Efteling), a cosy weekend away in December, this year to Beekse Bergen Safari Hotel.

The Safari Hotel

There was a lovely festive atmosphere which began as soon as we approached the entrance to the Safari Hotel, with a taster of the Light Safari outside and Christmas trees surrounded by oversized presents throughout the lobby and on the terrace areas.

We stayed in Savannah Room 1145. This was on the first floor with elevated views over the Wongo Savannah. The beds are incredibly comfy and the rooms are spacious with a seating area and table, coffee and tea facilities and a fridge which we found useful for bringing some of our own supplies. There is an enormous double bed which is located in the main living/sleeping area and has views through the floor to ceiling windows onto the terrace and savannah where the safari animals roam.

There is also a separate bedroom with a single bed and bunk beds, making it ideal for families. All areas are well equipped with sockets and usb ports. Using the digital control panel you can select your preferred temperature and light settings. The bathroom is equally impressive, with a bath, separate rain shower and complimentary Nuxe toiletries. We love the large outdoor balcony area which has a large dining table and two comfortable armchairs with side table, the perfect spot to relax and take in the surroundings.

Warming by the Campfire

Shortly after settling in, we noticed on the Beekse Bergen app that the campfire on the hotel terrace, which overlooks the animals, would be lit as the sun began to go down. With the December mist falling and the sun gently setting, we wrapped up warm and took the girls to check it out. We hadn’t realised that there would be a ranger waiting at the fire to assist children in roasting marshmallows too. Needless to say, our girls didn’t need any persuasion to join in.

As the Sun Set

As the dark drew in we began preparing for the highlight of our stay: the Light Safari. We had come prepared with glow sticks in all shapes and sizes to add a little extra fun to our adventures.

From our hotel balcony we looked out across the dark Wongo Savannah. It was too dark to see the animals but we could hear the lions roaring in the adjacent savannah, and the lighting, ambience and cosy balcony really added to the experience. As we huddled under a blanket with a drink by candlelight, our daughters busied themselves preparing our glow glasses and headbands.

Light Safari

The Light Safari was the main reason for our visit and what a delight it was! We spent around two and a half hours exploring the different light installations. Like a sea of colour that spread out before us and into the distance. Wherever we turned we could see the soft glow of colourful lights which was really pretty and ambient.

You can of course just stroll along and take the lights in at a steady pace but if you have more time or visit on multiple occasions during your stay, it’s easy to see how you could give more attention to the details and areas that are of particular interest to you and your children. Some of the features were animated, or were so large you had to walk through them.

What we hadn’t expected were the cosy areas where you can take a little rest, have a festive bite to eat, glühwein or hot chocolate and each of these areas had festive music playing and had been decorated in a Christmas market style.

The lights are incredible and aren’t just a collection of pretty things, they actually tell a story. This year the theme is the story of our planet from its beginnings to possible futures. Along the way you’ll encounter dinosaurs, volcanoes, stunning natural scenes, Romans and much more.

And There’s More…

Included in our overnight stay was a generous buffet breakfast at Restaurant Amma. There was a huge selection  to choose from, including pastries, cold cuts, cheeses, cereals, yoghurts, hot food, plenty of delicious fruits and of course poffertjes! There’s also a choice of fruit juices and hot drinks available at self service stations.

Facilities

Even with one night at Beekse Bergen we managed to pack a lot in and made the most of the facilities on offer. We visited the indoor play at Speelland which is open all year round and is ideal for cooler months. It is a large open area with comfy seating areas for adults and plenty of climbing and play areas for children. Our daughters enjoyed the elevated ball games area and the trampolines. For younger children there is a separate area to explore.

Our Sunday morning began with a delightful dip on the Safari Resort pool, even this had been given a touch of festive cheers with Christmas stockings lining the pool area. The rapid slide was a ton of fun, as was simply fooling around in the pool area. It was great to see that there is a good selection of floatation devices that can be borrowed by young children, or those who are not yet confident swimmers.

Both the Safari Resort and the Lake Resort have a children’s entertainment team and while we were there we could see them having good fun playing a human sized board game. The animation areas are just next to an indoor play that is great for rainy or cold days, or simply letting off a bit of steam as you pop by the shops or are waiting for your meal to arrive at one of the restaurants.

We’ve been visiting Beekse Bergen for many years, from when our children were toddlers right through to now, and they still love it just as much. With the addition of Speelland Indoor and the Light Safari last year Beekse Bergen has even more to offer in the winter months and is perfect for a magical festive getaway!

This was a press trip and we would like to thank Beekse Bergen for facilitating our visit.

For more info about Beekse Bergen or to book a stay click below:

Book before 4th January for up to 25% discount on your booking:

Book before 28th December for a free safari themed teddy for each child and €10 extra discount with our exclusive code LITTLECLOGS :