Monarto Safari Park

Monarto Safari Park is South Australia’s premier open-range zoo experience, where you can see Africa’s most iconic animals roaming across a vast 1,500-hectare landscape. Located just an hour’s drive from Adelaide, this immersive wildlife sanctuary offers a thrilling day out for families, couples, and solo travellers alike.

Highlights & What to See

• Zoos Africa Tour – a guided bus tour that takes you up close to lions, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, and zebras as they roam freely in large enclosures.
• Walk & Talk Experiences – join keepers at the Meerkat, Cheetah, and Chimpanzee habitats for fascinating insights into animal behaviour and conservation.
• Behind-the-Scenes Encounters – opt for premium experiences like feeding giraffes, patting a rhino, or meeting a meerkat (book in advance).
• Wild Africa Plains – a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the savannah-like plains where herds of antelope, ostriches, and wildebeest graze.
• Conservation Centre – learn about the park’s breeding programs for endangered species and its role in global conservation.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a full day (at least 5–6 hours) to comfortably experience the guided bus tour, a couple of keeper talks, and a self-guided walk. Arrive early to catch the first tour of the day, when animals are most active. If you’re short on time, a half-day (3–4 hours) still allows for the bus tour and one or two key exhibits.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Adelaide – the state’s capital, just 70 km away, with its vibrant food scene, museums, and Adelaide Hills.
• Kangaroo Island – a wildlife haven with seal colonies, rugged coastlines, and wilderness tours (ferry from Cape Jervis).
• Barossa Valley – Australia’s most famous wine region, one hour north, perfect for cellar-door tastings and gourmet dining.
• Flinders Ranges – a dramatic outback landscape with ancient gorges and Aboriginal rock art, ideal for a multi-day road trip.
• McLaren Vale – a premium wine region just south of Adelaide, offering boutique wineries and coastal views.

Please check official sources for current details.