Safari experience close to home

It’s mid-morning and you are hoping for a passing parade of giraffes, zebras and other African animals wandering to a water hole less than 100 metres from your luxury tent.

First you choose an observation spot – either a comfy couch or the day bed on the deck. Then keep the binoculars ready, thoughtfully provided for guests at the newly-opened Monarto Safari Lodge, situated in the Monarto Safari Park’s Wild Africa precinct in South Australia, about 70 kilometres west of Adelaide.

Sad to report that only a couple of ostriches came into view on this morning, but that afternoon’s sunset safari more than made up for it with some spectacular sightings.

Monarto Safari Lodge has 20 spacious tents fanning out from the main building which houses a restaurant, bar, heated outdoor swimming pool and some plunge pools. The lodge opened in May, following the launch of the 78-room Monarto Safari Resort in May 2025 situated a couple of kilometres away.

Both properties are operated by Journey Beyond and the 560-hectare Wild Africa savannah plains are only accessible to resort and lodge guests, while the 1500-hectare Monarta Safari Park, which includes an open range zoo with animals from Africa, America and Australia, is open to the public.

While Monarto is a world away from Africa, the thrill of encountering wildlife on safari comes alive for lodge guests every afternoon when they head out on a two-hour safari in a nine-seater land cruiser, led by a safari park guide who is also the driver.

On my safari last month the guide said that a foal had been born in Wild Africa earlier that day, so there was great excitement when he spotted a herd of zebra with the newborn standing beside its mother and drove close to the herd.

A bit further along the winding tracks in Wild Africa was a group of giraffes grazing on leaves at the tops of trees, cheetahs at rest in long grass and a large Southern White Rhino strolling near a water hole.

The safari was capped off with a stop for sundowners – an opportunity to walk around a specially fenced-off area and enjoy a champagne or soft drink. The stop also had modern toilet facilities.

Wild Africa is also home to hippos, eland, oryx and blackbuck, while Monarta Safari Park has numerous animals roaming the plains including lions, Asian elephants, chimpanzees and hyenas.

Safari lodges in Africa have come a long way when it comes to luxury and the Monarto Safari Lodge has all the comforts of five-star glamping. The main tent section, which has zippered flaps on the sides for open-air views, is spacious and houses a luxurious king or twin bed, couch, desk and reading chair.

At the front are floor-to-ceiling doors and windows for panoramic views of the park, opening up to a private deck with a day bed and small table with chairs.

At the rear of the tent is a shower and ensuite that would feel at home in a suburban apartment, alongside a dressing room, kitchenette and mini-bar.

To encourage guests to relax and enjoy the safari atmosphere, there is no TV in the tents, only wifi.

Meals are a highlight of any stay at the lodge, starting with breakfast between 7am and 10am.

A light lunch is available at the lodge as well as at the Monarto Safari Resort, but the evening feast is what guests get excited about, starting with pre-dinner drinks and canapes around the lodge’s bar.

Then guests move into the restaurant for a multi-course meal, alternating nightly between chefs selections and a degustation menu.

If you are not out on safari during the morning, enjoy a health or beauty treatment at the Marula Day Spa in the Monarto Safari Resort, which is open daily. Among the popular treatments is the one-hour Soothe Massage, followed by relaxation time in the warm pool in the spa’s Soak House. There’s also a hydrotherapy pool and a sauna/steam room.

In African safari lodges that are situated in game parks, if you want to leave your accommodation to go for a meal, you need to be escorted by an armed guard in case of roaming predators, but at Monarto Safari Lodge there are no concerns as fences prevent the animals from coming too close to the tents and the lodge.

There is a two-night minimum stay at the Safari Lodge which includes a pass to the Monarto Safari Park.

For more information visit https://monartosafariresort.com/safari-lodge