You can now enjoy luxury safari glamping here in Australia

Since 1983, South Australians have known Monarto as the vast open-range zoo outside Adelaide where animals from far away places lounge beneath gum trees. Now the wildlife destination is taking another step towards a full safari experience, with the April 2 opening of a new luxury tented lodge.

The Safari Lodge at Monarto Safari Resort adds an intimate glamping experience to the attraction, an hour’s drive from Adelaide.

Set within the park’s Wild Africa precinct, the lodge features 20 luxury safari tents, each positioned to look out over open plains and a watering hole where zebra, giraffe, Barbary sheep, nyala, ostrich, eland and oryx roam. Guests will also have access to exclusive safari drives through the 550-hectare habitat in custom-built open-air vehicles.

The lodge is the latest step in the transformation of Monarto Safari Park, which has grown into the largest open-range safari experience outside Africa, covering more than 1500 hectares. It is now home to more than 500 animals across more than 50 species.

While the park itself has existed since the 1980s, in recent years it has evolved into a major tourism drawcard. In May 2025, the keenly awaited Monarto Safari Resort opened beside the park, bringing a 78-room hotel, spa, restaurant and wildlife-viewing experience to South Australia’s Murraylands region.

The development quickly found an audience. Since opening, the resort has welcomed thousands of guests. It’s also attracted accolades, and was named best new tourism business at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards.

The new Safari Lodge aims to push the experience further, offering a stay that is closer to the tented camps of Africa’s national parks than a traditional hotel.

Each tent includes a lounge area, king or twin beds and a private deck overlooking the surrounding plains, while stays cover meals, drinks and guided safari experiences.

The setting is key to Monarto’s appeal. The park is designed as a vast open landscape where animals roam across large habitats connected by safari tracks and walking trails. Visitors explore via Zu-Loop bus tours, private safaris or a network of more than 12 kilometres of walking routes.

Beyond tourism, the park also plays an important role in conservation. It is involved in breeding and recovery programs for endangered species, including Tasmanian devils, scimitar-horned oryx and the southern white rhinoceros, while also supporting reintroduction efforts for threatened Australian wildlife.

More recently, Monarto has become home to one of the region’s most ambitious elephant conservation initiatives, with several Asian elephants relocated from zoos across Australia and New Zealand to a newly built habitat.

The new lodge will also host special events designed to showcase South Australia’s food and wine culture. Among the first will be “Sip, Savour, Safari”, an overnight experience scheduled for the Tasting Australia festival.

The event will combine a guided safari with welcome drinks, a degustation dinner highlighting regional produce and wines, and an overnight stay in the new luxury tents.

Monarto Safari Lodge and the resort are owned by Australian businessman, sports enthusiast, philanthropist and travel industry identity Gerry Ryan, who founded caravan and RV manufacturing company Jayco in 1975.

The lodge and resort are operated by Journey Beyond, while the wider park is owned and operated by Zoos South Australia.

A portion of every booking is donated to conservation efforts being undertaken at the safari park.

That’s a feel-good factor for travellers, as is – for Aussie visitors – not having to fly halfway around the world for a taste of safari life.

See monartosafariresort.com