The Jungle’s 20th Birthday

As The Jungle approaches its 20th birthday in 2025, we want to celebrate every milestone with you – our guests, supporters, and the incredible community that made it all possible.

It all began in 2005 with a man and a dream. The Jungle’s home was, and still is, a working farm, but at the time, it was struggling, with its future uncertain. Refusing to give up, Robert Carmichael took a leap of faith, transforming 200 acres of farmland into Northern Ireland’s first paintball centre.

What started as a simple idea quickly evolved into something much bigger. Over the years, The Jungle has grown into a vibrant adventure hub, offering activities and events for all ages. From adrenaline-fueled experiences to seasonal celebrations, it has become a place where unforgettable memories are made.

As we gear up for our 20th anniversary, we invite you to take a trip down memory lane with us. Your support has shaped The Jungle into what it is today, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds – together!

Welcome to The Jungle: The Adventure Begins

In July of 2005, The Jungle took its first of many steps into becoming one of the country’s best and biggest outdoor adventure centres. The centre originally opened as The Jungle Paintball, thus becoming the first Paintball centre in the country.

At first, the setup was simple but effective, satisfying the adrenaline cravings of thousands of people across Northern Ireland. While the setup and equipment have changed, with up to 10 Paintball zones available, Paintball remains The Jungle’s core activity.

Beyond Paintball: The Jungle’s Leap Into New Adventures

In July 2006, The Jungle took a major leap forward, expanding beyond Paintball with the addition of three new activities: Archery, Clay Pigeon Shooting, and Team Building.

With Archery and Clay Pigeon Shooting, The Jungle continued its focus on shooting-based activities, offering guests new ways to test their precision and skill. Meanwhile, the introduction of Team Building marked a shift toward experiences designed to foster teamwork, camaraderie, and communication.

These additions quickly became staples at The Jungle, laying the groundwork for the diverse range of activities that would follow in the years to come.

The Jungle Goes Downhill: The Birth of Zorbing

In May 2008, The Jungle made history once again, becoming the first centre in Northern Ireland to offer Downhill Zorbing. This exhilarating activity quickly became a fan favourite, cementing its place as one of The Jungle’s most iconic experiences.

Zorbing has since become a signature part of The Jungle’s identity, featuring prominently across our media – from gift vouchers to our Facebook profile picture. It’s not just an activity; it’s a symbol of the fun, thrill, and adventure that defines The Jungle experience!

Stay, Play, Glamp: Adventure Extended

In April 2009, The Jungle expanded its offerings beyond adventure, stepping into accommodation with the launch of our Glamping Pods. Designed to provide a cosy and unique camping experience – without the hassle of the elements – these pods quickly became a favourite among visitors.

Over the years, they became a go-to choice for stag and hen parties, offering the perfect blend of comfort and outdoor fun. And in 2025, they are currently going through a well-deserved upgrade, bringing them in line with our premium cabins for an even better stay!

Swinging Into Action: The Jungle’s Tree Top Adventure

In August 2010, The Jungle soared to new heights with the launch of Northern Ireland’s first tree-top obstacle course. This exciting addition allowed visitors of all ages to experience the wild forest from a thrilling new perspective – up in the trees! The Tarzan Tree Top Adventure Course quickly became a favourite, offering a series of obstacles and challenges that grew and evolved over the years, bringing an exciting new dynamic to The Jungle’s adventure offerings.

A Walk on the Wild Side: Llama Trekking at The Jungle

In May 2011, The Jungle introduced yet another first for Northern Ireland – Llama Trekking. Designed for those seeking a more laid-back adventure, this unique experience allows visitors to take a peaceful stroll through The Jungle in the company of one of our friendly llamas.

Since then, both our llama family and The Jungle family have grown significantly, creating a strong and unexpected bond between these charismatic creatures and our adventure park. Over the years, llamas have become an unmistakable part of The Jungle’s identity. From being featured in branding and experiences to inspiring the Little Llama Café and the Lazy Llama restaurant, these gentle trekkers are now woven into the very fabric of what makes The Jungle special.

The Event That Started It All: Family Fun Day

In August 2011, The Jungle took a major leap forward by launching its first official event – Family Fun Days. This event gave families a hassle-free way to enjoy everything The Jungle had to offer, allowing them to buy activity tokens instead of booking individual sessions. It quickly became a staple event, shaping the way we designed future experiences.

Elements of Family Fun Days have since influenced our biggest annual events, including Easter and Christmas celebrations. In 2024, we took things even further by introducing unique themes, offering families new and exciting versions of Family Fun Days throughout the year.

A Decade of Terror: The Rise of Fright Night

In October 2012, The Jungle took its first step into the world of seasonal events with the introduction of Fright Night. What started as a modest Halloween experience has since transformed into one of Ireland’s most terrifying and thrilling attractions, pushing the boundaries of fear year after year.

Over time, Fright Night introduced more Scare Attractions, as well as an interactive story-driven Woodland Trail, immersing guests in a chilling horror experience. To enhance realism, The Jungle has since recruited professional actors and make-up artists, bringing nightmares to life like never before.

The Magic Begins: Santa Arrives at The Jungle’s Christmas Wonderland

In December 2013, The Jungle launched its second seasonal event, spreading holiday cheer with the introduction of Christmas Wonderland. Like all of our events, it has evolved over the years – adding more activities, more lights, and even more festive magic with each passing season.

Now recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s premier Christmas events, Christmas Wonderland welcomes over 16,000 visitors annually, offering families an unforgettable way to celebrate the season with The Jungle.

From History to Hospitality: The Evolution of the Manor House at The Jungle

In early 2014, The Jungle made a significant move to enhance the experience for large groups visiting the site. A partnership was established with the Moneymore Heritage Trust to lease the historic Manor House as a residential centre for school and youth groups. Steeped in Moneymore’s history, the Manor House has been a defining landmark since The Drapers’ Company founded the town in the early 1600s as part of the Londonderry Plantation.

Originally a private residence, the building was transformed into an agency in the 1840s by architect W.J. Booth. Over the years, it has served various purposes, from an agency for The Drapers’ Company to a restaurant, and most recently, a hostel. While its foundations have remained largely unchanged since the 1800s, its purpose has evolved dramatically. For over a decade, The Jungle has used the Manor House to create unforgettable residential experiences for groups from across the country – and beyond.

Outrun the Undead: The Birth of Zombie Run

In October 2014, The Jungle hit another milestone by launching its first-ever mud run – Zombie Run. Participants had to navigate a challenging course while protecting their three lives from relentless, flesh-eating zombies.

Zombie Run paved the way for what would become one of The Jungle’s most iconic events – Rampage, a hugely successful mud run that continues to test endurance, teamwork, and grit.

Bouncing into 2015: Body Zorb Football & Easter Egg Hunt Arrive at The Jungle

April 2015 was a milestone month for The Jungle as we introduced not one, but two exciting new additions: Body Zorb Football and our very first Easter Egg Hunt. These activities brought a fresh twist to our offerings, catering to both thrill-seekers and families with young adventurers.

Body Zorb Football took the thrill of Downhill Zorbing and brought it to the football pitch! Players strapped into upper-body zorbs for a hilarious 5-a-side game, bouncing, rolling, and crashing their way to victory.

Meanwhile, our Easter Egg Hunt introduced a fun-filled scavenger adventure for kids, packed with surprises and egg-citing rewards. While the event has evolved over time, it remains a firm family favourite.

Off the Leash: The Jungle Hosts Dog Show

In August 2015, The Jungle took an exciting new step by hosting its first-ever Dog Show. What started as a fun addition to our events quickly became a tail-wagging success, drawing in dog owners and animal lovers from all over.

With a variety of judging categories, from Best in Show to Waggiest Tail, every pup had a chance to strut their stuff. Over the years, we’ve kept things fresh by adding new categories, ensuring there’s something for every good boy and girl.

Team Building Levelled Up: Two Brand New Challenges Introduced

June 2016 marked a game-changing moment at The Jungle with the introduction of two massive team-building activities – The Crystal Challenge and Jungle Olympics. Designed to test teamwork, strategy, and physical skills, these activities quickly became staples for corporate groups and youth bookings.

Inspired by the cult classic TV show The Crystal Maze, The Crystal Challenge puts teams through a series of physical, skill-based, and mental challenges, requiring communication, problem-solving, and a competitive edge to succeed. Meanwhile, Jungle Olympics takes the best parts of a classic sports day, adding high-energy, head-to-head competitions that push teams to their limits in a fun and thrilling way.

The Jungle Goes Wild: Introduction of Forest School

In September 2016, The Jungle embraced the great outdoors with the launch of Forest School, blending education and nature into a hands-on learning experience. Designed to reconnect kids with the natural world, Forest School teaches valuable outdoor skills, encourages curiosity, and fosters a love for nature – all while having fun in a woodland setting.

Adventure Gets Bigger: The Birth of Kids Adventure Games

In December 2016, The Jungle introduced what would become the foundation of kids’ activities – the Kids Adventure Games. While this activity bundle has evolved over the years, its core remains a thrilling mix of Archery, Bungee Trampoline, Climbing Wall, Pedal Boats, Quad Train, and Rodeo Ride.

This exciting lineup quickly became the top choice for kids’ birthday parties and played a key role in shaping our School Fun Day package, a favourite among schools. It also became a staple in Family Fun Days, ensuring non-stop excitement for young adventurers.

Revving Up the Fun: Quad Bikes at The Jungle

In March 2017, we added an exciting new adventure to our lineup – Quad Bikes for kids! Designed specifically for young thrill-seekers aged 8-12, this activity introduced them to the world of off-road excitement on our cutting-edge Polaris Quad Bikes. This exhilarating activity has since become a staple of our Family Fun Days, giving kids the chance to take the wheel and create unforgettable memories.

Muddy, Tough & Unforgettable: When Rampage Began

In April 2017, we launched Rampage, our very own mud run challenge – and it quickly became a fan favourite! After the success of our Zombie Run in 2014, thrill-seekers got a taste for muddy mayhem, but just like the zombies, they were hungry for more.

Rampage evolved over the years, introducing 5K and 10K runs packed with bigger, bolder, and more challenging obstacles. As demand grew, we expanded the event to cater to all ages, adding adult, teen, and junior runs—making it an epic experience for the whole family.

Feel Like a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here Introduced

In July 2017, we introduced one of our most daring team-building activities yet – Get Me Out of Here! Inspired by the cult TV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, this adventure brings all the excitement, laughs, and challenges to life – minus the spiders and snakes! This activity has been a hit, particularly with stag & hen parties, who can enjoy the thrills of The Jungle without any of the dangers.

Laser Precision: How The Jungle Hit the Mark with Laser Tag

In April 2018, we introduced Laser Tag, giving younger thrill-seekers their own action-packed experience. While Paintball was The Jungle’s first adventure, there hadn’t been an alternative for those under 16 – until now! With our futuristic MP5 Laser Sub Machine Guns, players of all ages could team up and engage in epic battles, minus the sting of paintball hits.

But we didn’t stop there. In 2024, we took the excitement up a notch with the shocking twist of Taser Tag. Now, every hit delivers a minor electric shock, taking the adrenaline rush to a whole new level.

Spooky Fun for All Ages: The Jungle’s Hallowee’uns Experience

In October 2018, we introduced a more family-friendly version of Fright Night – Hallowee’uns – giving families the perfect way to get in the Halloween spirit at The Jungle. Unlike the scarier Fright Night, Hallowee’uns brought a fun, spooky atmosphere for all ages to enjoy together.

Over the years, the format of the event has evolved, but one thing that has remained a favourite is our homegrown pumpkin patch, where visitors can pick their perfect pumpkin. The event also features a Haunted Haycart Ride through The Jungle, offering just the right amount of thrills for the whole family. It also features a selection of kids’ activities, becoming a Halloween experience everyone can enjoy.

Comfort Upgraded: Log Cabin & Pond Cabin Introduced

In May 2019, The Jungle took its first steps into premium accommodation with the introduction of the Log Cabin and Pond Cabin – a significant upgrade from our original Glamping Pods. These new cabins offered comfortable beds, kitchen facilities, dining areas, and bathrooms, making overnight stays more enjoyable and convenient for visitors.

While the Log Cabin initially lacked a bathroom and hot tubs, these were added in 2024, elevating the experience even further. Each cabin brought its own charm: the Log Cabin provided a cosy, rustic feel with the ambience of a traditional wooden cabin, while the Pond Cabin offered a peaceful pond view, perfect for those seeking tranquillity.

Quirky Comfort: The A-Frames Arrive

In February 2021, The Jungle took another exciting step in enhancing our accommodation offerings with the introduction of the funky A-Frames. These unique cabins, named for their distinct triangular shape, offer the same top-tier amenities as the Pond Cabin, including comfortable beds, a kitchen, dining areas, and bathrooms.

But what sets the A-Frames apart is their bold and eye-catching design, bringing a touch of modern style and quirky charm to The Jungle’s accommodation options. Their geometric shape and open feel make them a fun and comfortable alternative for visitors looking for something special during their stay.

Hungry for More: The First On-site Restaurant

In July 2021, The Jungle officially entered the catering game with the opening of its first official on-site restaurant – the now locally famous Lazy Llama. While food had always been available at The Jungle, this marked the beginning of a whole new level of dining, bringing a full-service, quality experience to the site.

Since its opening, the Lazy Llama menu has evolved with time, featuring everything from burgers and hotdogs to a variety of BBQ options. Despite the changes, one thing has remained constant: the top-notch quality of the food. Whether you’re fuelling up after an adventure or winding down with a meal, the Lazy Llama has become a staple for both visitors and locals alike.

When it came to naming the restaurant, The Jungle didn’t have to look far for inspiration. The iconic llamas, already a beloved part of the site, became the perfect inspiration for the restaurant.

Back to Roots: The Farm Experience is Born

In March 2024, The Jungle introduced its latest addition to date, the Gortanewry Farm Experience. This experience is designed for large groups from secondary schools, youth organisations, and corporate teams seeking a unique adventure. This immersive experience allows participants to engage in traditional farm activities such as piglet catching, cow milking, bread making, and enjoying a traditional Irish stew. By returning to its origins as a working dairy farm, The Jungle offers visitors an authentic taste of farm life.

Thank you to all our incredible supporters for being part of our journey over the past 20 years! Your loyalty and enthusiasm have made this adventure possible, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s to many more milestones together in the years to come!