Monarto Safari Park development announces market arrival with a roar

A new five-star resort and glamping development situated in the heartland of one of the world’s largest open-range safari parks has announced its market arrival with a roar.

The distinctive Monarto Hotel and Glamping development occupies an enormous 65.66 hectare (656,600sqm) freehold site overlooking the Monarto Safari Park’s majestic, African- inspired landscape, in South Australia’s Murraylands.

The development features a 78 room, five-star resort that seamlessly blends modern luxury with the rustic charm and exotic wildlife of an African wilderness escape. Complementing the resort are 20 luxury glamping tents featuring panoramic views of the surrounding wildlife plains and safari park animals.

Monarto Safari Park Developer, Gerry Ryan OAM, said I was introduced to Monarto Safari Park through their rhino conservation program and was immediately captivated by the vision of creating accommodation that would draw more people to South Australia to experience the beauty of the land and learn about the Park’s vital conservation efforts.

“This inspiration led to the development of a five-star resort and glamping site in the heartland of the world’s largest open-range safari park outside of Africa,” said Mr. Ryan.

“Our aim has always been to offer guests an unparalleled experience, allowing them to immerse themselves in the natural wonder of the land while raising awareness about the crucial conservation initiatives taking place. Monarto Safari Park offers a truly unique and captivating experience, and we are excited for the next visionary, who will continue to share its wonders with the world.”

The Expressions of Interest sale process is being undertaken by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group’s Nick MacFie and Peter Harper.

Nick MacFie, Vice President – Investment Sales, said this exciting development presents an immediate opportunity to acquire and operate a state-of-the-art five-star resort with significant destination hotel potential.

“Incoming investors will have an attractive entry-point with flexibility of branding and management, together with the further potential for expansion and / or complementary uses,” said Mr. MacFie.

Peter Harper, Managing Director & Head of Investment Sales, said Monarto Rising will offer a quintessential African safari lodge experience just 50 minutes from Adelaide.

“While incredibly unique for Australia, similar operations at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos demonstrate the captured audience and demand for such an experience,” said Mr. Harper.

The Monarto Safari Resort is designed by Intro Architecture and occupies 17.85 hectare (178,500sqm), featuring:

• 78 rooms
• conference facilities, gourmet restaurant, and bar
• Two swimming pools (adult and family), including a pool bar, spa, and cafe
• day spa with vitality pool, sauna, and cold plunge pool, and,
• EV charging facilities.

Safari tours regularly depart from the resort’s main entrance.

The Wild Africa Lodge (the glamping site) occupies 47.81 hectare (478,100sqm) and features:

• 20 luxury glamping tents on raised platforms
• a conference room, resort-style gourmet restaurant, and bar facilities
• a pool restaurant, plunge pool lounge, and bar facilities, and
• a fire pit and outdoor lounge.

Advise Transact Managing Director, Mark Wizel, said the sale presents a highly strategic and rarely offered opportunity to own an exclusive, five-star resort and hospitality asset in the world’s burgeoning $40 billion safari tourism sector.

Chief Executive of Zoos South Australia, Elaine Bensted, said that they cannot wait to have guests being able to experience the largest safari experience in the world outside of Africa.

“This has been a vision of ours for many years and it is incredibly exciting that we are almost ready to open to accommodation guests,” Ms. Bensted said.

The development is scheduled for completion in the coming months and will open in line with new ownership.