There are open-range zoos and then there’s Monarto. South Australia’s latest destination – a combined safari park and resort – is an experience unlike any other in the country – and arguably, the world, outside of Africa. Karryon’s MARK HARADA dons his safari gear to see what Australia’s wildest new attraction is really like.
“Welcome to Wild Africa,” says Lindsay, our excited driver guide, as we enter the newly opened Monarto Safari Resort for our dawn safari drive.
Journey Beyond’s intention with its latest venture, a hotel and wildlife experience about an hour from Adelaide, is clear: can’t get to Africa? Then we’ll bring Africa to you.
Monarto Safari Resort is essentially two things: a hotel experience and a new wildlife reserve, which adds to the already existing Monarto Safari Park next door.
STAY
The 78-room hotel is a new-build resort that both blends in with the beautiful Murraylands plains and stands out thanks to its stunning exterior.
Inside, it’s even more eye-catching, with wonderful stone walls, timber ceilings and marble throughout the lobby and common area.
But the resort keeps it simple. On one side of a striking staircase is the hotel bar, and on the other side, the only restaurant. And that’s all it needs.
Both are bathed in natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows and glass sliding doors, with the eatery offering a selection of locally-inspired fare (think spicy Sahara scented fried rice, spiced dragon breath biltong and oven roasted wild carrot with Murray Bridge trumpet mushrooms) and the bar a wide range of Barossa Valley wines and SA gin, among other beverages.
The restaurant and bar overlook the resort’s two large swimming pools and jacuzzi, which offer expansive views of the open plains zoo. I can easily imagine soaking in the cool water in summer while African wildlife gathers around a waterhole in front of the resort.
Elsewhere, the resort offers meeting and event spaces as well as a luxurious day spa, boasting exclusive locally-made Jurlique products, a vitality pool and sauna, and a relaxation lounge that overlooks the savannah-like landscape.
For the lodging, the spacious hotel rooms are simple, yet stylish, and have an African feel, with brown and beige colours reflecting the outside hues.
There’s a comfy king bed, free wifi, big tv, large balcony with seating, and a lovely bathroom featuring LaGaia Unedited toiletries and an oversized shower – with rain and hand-held nozzles.
Adding to the local touch is the range of South Aussie Charlie Bar coffee and T Bar teas, which can be enjoyed in beautiful Moda brand porcelain.
Half of the rooms also overlook the wildlife park, so guests can enjoy a drink while soaking up the views of the plains and its animal population from the comfort of their balcony.
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According to Journey Beyond, the new 550-hectare Monarto Safari Resort, combined with the adjacent 1,000-hectare Monarto Safari Park, forms the largest African wildlife conservation park in the world, outside of Africa. That’s already impressive.
But the park isn’t just about its size.
Offering dawn and dusk safaris in sturdy, yet comfortable vehicles, the wildlife drives succeed in delivering a distinct African experience. I’ve done several safaris in South Africa, and can’t imagine it gets any closer to the real thing. And just like in many of the safari experiences in Africa, the safari drives here are exclusively reserved for hotel guests, which means guest numbers are limited. That means better and more intimate experiences.
Shortly after we enter the Wild Africa Precinct (each habitat is named after camps in South Africa’s Kruger National Park), we spot two hippos bathing in a watering hole. Up next, we see giraffes, zebras and ostriches, along with the occasional Aussie emu and kangaroo. With its tall wheatgrass, mallee trees and limestone, this environment is indeed perfect for Australian and African animals alike.
Over the next 1.5 or so hours, we view the smallest (blackbuck) and largest (eland) antelopes, along with oryx and Lindsay’s favourite, Barbary sheep. In a separate precinct, we add a group of cheetahs to the list.
But arguably the best comes last, as we get a good look at three rhinos, who come within about 20 metres of our vehicle.
Towards the end of our drive, we stop at the biggest of the park’s amazing sundowner spots for morning tea. It would be drinks and nibbles at dusk, hence the name ‘sundowner’ for the traditional end to a safari day.
It’s the perfect way to end an experience truly unlike any other in Australia.
Karryon was in attendance at the official opening of the Monarto Safari Resort. Read more about that in our report here.
For more information on the resort, click here. For more info on Journey Beyond, click here.
All images by Mark Harada
