It’s not every day that you can wake up to the sight of giraffes grazing outside your window, but now, just an hour from Adelaide, you can.
The long-awaited Monarto Safari Resort has officially opened its doors, welcoming guests to a one-of-a-kind, luxury wilderness experience in the heart of South Australia.
A five-star escape set on the edge of the largest safari experience outside of Africa, the $40 million Monarto Safari Resort features 78 luxury rooms, a world-class day spa, conference facilities, and two spectacular swimming pools overlooking the sweeping plains of Monarto Safari Park. It’s a bold new chapter in eco-tourism, one that celebrates both comfort and conservation.
The resort is the result of a years-long collaboration between owner Gerry Ryan OAM and the team at Monarto Safari Park, with Journey Beyond at the helm of this unique destination hotel, every guest is assured an exceptional and memorable experience.
At its core, Monarto Safari Resort is about connection, to land, wildlife, and purpose. Guests staying at the resort gain direct access to Monarto’s 550-hectare Wild Africa precinct, home to more than 500 animals including rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, and the park’s newest additions, the Asian elephants Burma and Permai, and Nile hippos Brindabella and Pansy.
One of the most unforgettable experiences on offer is the exclusive night-time safari. These guided adventures take place at dusk, a time when wildlife is most active and the setting sun paints the plains in golden hues. Picture zebras silhouetted against the horizon, rhinos wandering through the grasslands, and lions roaring softly as the day ends. It’s a front-row seat to nature’s greatest theatre.
And you don’t have to venture far from your room to take it all in. Many of the resort’s rooms, including the premium Waterhole and Savannah View options, offer direct views of the animal watering holes and open plains. Two elevated infinity pools also overlook the safari landscape, providing a surreal chance to lounge poolside while giraffes and zebras roam nearby.
Inside, the design is equally impressive. Created by Adelaide’s acclaimed Studio Gram, the architecture and interiors draw on both African and Australian influences. Local materials like Kanmantoo Bluestone and Harlequin Granite give the buildings a strong sense of place, while the colour palette reflects the ochres and textures of the surrounding mallee landscape.
For those looking to truly unwind, the resort’s Marula Day Spa offers treatments grounded in natural healing, with vitality and plunge pools, a sauna, and views across the wild terrain. There’s also the Kutjera restaurant, conference and event spaces, and a luxury tented Safari Lodge set to open later this year.
Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with kids, or planning a special event, Monarto Safari Resort promises an unforgettable escape into the wild, right in our backyard.
Bookings are now open.
To start planning your stay, visit Monarto Safari Resort.
