Monarto Safari Park — Attraction in Monarto

Dear Monarto Zoo Team,

Id like to provide feedback on my recent visit to Monarto Zoo, which has always been my favorite zoo. However, I was disappointed by several aspects of my experience this time, and I hope this constructive feedback will help improve future visits for all guests.

Transport Issues: The bus system was inadequate. Buses were overcrowded, and my family had to miss out on a seat and wait for the next bus and then sit separately due to scattered seat availability. This was frustrating, especially considering the heat and dusty conditions at the bus stops. With buses running every 15–20 minutes, even on a day that wasn’t particularly busy, it seems more buses or a more efficient system are urgently needed.

Exhibit Conditions: The exhibits appeared neglected and would greatly benefit from themed landscaping to better reflect the animals’ natural habitats. Most enclosures are treeless and dusty, with little to no water features or vegetation. These upgrades would not only improve the animals’ well-being but also enhance the visitor experience.

The elephant enclosure was particularly disappointing. The elephant, on the day of our visit was kept in the shed, far from public view, and the enclosure itself lacked any resemblance of a natural environment. The decision to accept the elephant before the enclosure was completed seems premature, as it has moved from a lush, green habitat in New Zealand to a dry, dusty environment in the South Australian mallee. Observing it swaying and pacing near the shed door was upsetting. Im no tree hugger but that elephant seemed distressed. If the elephant is going to be off display until the enclosure is ready, this should also be clearly communicated to visitors.

Volunteer and Staff Standards: While I appreciate the work of volunteers, some of them appeared untrained and ill-equipped to provide accurate or engaging information about the animals. For instance, one guide made confusing and incorrect statements about elephants, stating that you keep special white elephants and that if you give them water they will be happy. What the heck? Some people giggled in the bus. The poor old duck seemed like she needed a tea break and a nap. Later, another tour guide on a bus had bad hygiene, spitting as he spoke and left a poor impression. It would be beneficial to ensure volunteers are well-trained and knowledgeable or to involve more zookeepers in these roles.

Unfortunately, the paid staff also seemed dismissive, with an air of exclusivity. We often felt ignored rather than welcomed. Improved customer service training and a more approachable attitude could make a huge difference. The paid staff give an impression that they are of an elite club and everyone else are peasants.

Visitor Centre and Souvenir Shop: The new visitor center has potential but feels under-utilised. The upstairs space is largely empty, with just a few pictures and timeline facts. This area could be transformed into an interactive space or used to house educational displays.

Additionally, the old visitor center at Stop 2, now a half-stocked souvenir shop, felt neglected. The empty shelves and a staff member absorbed in her phone gave a poor impression.

Pricing and Accessibility: Close-up animal encounters are priced far beyond the reach of the average family. While I understand these experiences are special, making them more affordable or offering occasional discounts could make them accessible to more visitors.

Conclusion: I hope you will take this feedback on board, as Monarto Zoo has so much potential. My family paid $200 in entry fees for a 3-hour visit, not including other costs, and while we want to support your efforts, the experience felt below standard for the price.

I plan to return in two years to see the new elephant enclosure completed, but if the service and conditions remain unchanged, I would find it hard to recommend the zoo to others.

I sincerely hope these suggestions help improve the experience for all visitors and ensure the animals receive the care and environments...

Hi Monarto Safari Park. It feels wrong to leave a 3 star review when your park is overall really great! I would’ve loved to have left a 5 star review but unfortunately I can’t! The animals are amazing and getting to experience them in such a unique environment is very special. The concept is fantastic and there are so many different enclosures. There are however a few things that are quite disappointing. Today our group of 4 visited. We decided to have lunch first as it was pouring with rain, but the cafe is very very small considering the amount of people the park welcomes. The food was incredibly overpriced & drinks were ridiculous expensive. $14 for two lattes, $8 for a Pepsi ?? We had pre - booked a Lions 360 experience. I must say though that $75 to be in the dome was (I thought) very reasonable considering we got to see the Lions face to face through the dome wire.

After the Lions 360 we entered the park at 1.50pm (still early afternoon we felt) and waited for a bus. We hopped on and got off a couple of stops ahead at the Meerkat and Chimpanzee enclosures. Wandered and then headed to see the entertaining chimps. Before long a guide behind us informs us that we’d Better get going as the last bus was leaving in 10 minutes or we would be forced to walk. We hot-tailed it back to the bus stop and a male guide approached us to tell us that this was the last bus but he didn’t think we would all fit (others were also waiting) and that he’d have to organise another one and we’d better be on it as he “wanted to go home as he was tired” I said .. can we just walk the rest of park ? He said “Ughh you’re one of those? What’s with everyone wanting to walk today! I can’t go home if you don’t get on that bus and it’s been a long day, I’m cold and tired!” We were all a bit shocked by this interaction. It felt odd and unfriendly. I said to him “if you’ve called for another bus, can I go to the toilet while we have time” He pointed to the direction of where it was and I went. When I came back, my 22 year old son advised me that the female bus driver was incredibly angry when she pulled up to pick passengers up, that I had gone to the bathroom. He explained to her that the volunteer guide had said I could do so, but she yelled and aggressively commented “why would she think that’s ok to do ?? This is the last bus, why would she do that? We have to leave? Why is she in the toilet?” He again explained to her that another bus was coming for us and she got angry again, speeding off he said. I couldn’t believe the way we were being addressed by these volunteers. It was a cold day and a wet one also, and I understand it’s tiring but the unfriendly, bossy and belligerent way we were spoken to was so disappointing. The next guide on the bus we were picked up on was also commenting in each enclosure things like “we are looking forward to going home, it’s been a long day, does anyone want to walk the park? No .. I didn’t think so, the animals even want to call it a day” It felt like we were basically being pushed out the door as everyone was a little over the wet and cold (which in ward I get) but .. after spending nearly $500 .. I also don’t!! I have left feeling quite disappointed by these things and would love to say I’ll come again but I’m not sure...

Monarto Safari Park 63 Monarto Rd, Monarto.

Another review is done for the Giraffe Lookout separetely.

Location: 1500 hectares of amazing animal sanctuary. Located between Mount Barker & Murray Bridge, only an hours drive from the CBD.

Service: Not a lot of staff interaction, but when we did they were knowledgeable & very helpful.

Decor: Brand new visitor centre & huge amounts of walking paths to really feel a part of nature.

Atmosphere: VERY Busy being on a public holiday Monday, with lots of family & groups of people.

Bathrooms: Brand new, clean & tidy.

Value for money: We purchased the 2 x Zoo special for $120 & think that was a great option for us. For families it would be hard to fork out the $101 (2 x adults & 2 x kids) for park entry, however if you pack your own food & drinks like we did, the cost can be minimised. They offer adult memberships for $118.50 & kids 4 to 14 $55.50, under 4 Free, students & concession $82 per year, which gives you unlimited access for 12 months to Monarto Safari Park, Adelaide Zoo, Perth Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo)& Taronga Park Zoo. Which is a great option if you travel regularly. If you really love the Zoo’s you can get a life membership for $2750.. hmmm We think we got a great deal & think it is wonderful value for money.

Drinks: We had a Chai Latte at the end of the day, which was hot & tasty. Heaps of hot & cold drink options from the cafe, but cheaper to bring your own obviously.

Food: We had our left over pizza & Indian for snacks during the day. There is a cafe, but we only had a Chai Latte & a slice of Chocolate Cheesecake, which were both very nice.

Features: What a bloody fabulous place..!! We decided to walk half the park (7 klms) before taking the tour bus the rest of the way. We saw the Cheetah, Southern White Rhino, Giraffe, Ostrich, Eland, Nyala, Tasmania Devil, Barbary Sheep, Addax, Chimpanzee & the Yellow Footed Wallaby. We joined the tour bus at 3pm and got to see Przewalski’s Horse, Red Deer, American Bison, Black Rhino, Mesopotamian Fallow Deer, Indian Antelope, a trip back into the Giraffe area, African Painted Dogs, Spotted Hyena & the king of the jungle, the African Lions…!!!!

We were so lucky to see a baby Giraffe, who was only 3 days old. He/she was very inquisitive of the bus & it felt like he/she was really interested in what was going on.

Synopsis: I had not been to Monarto in a long time, and have to say that the improvements are exceptional.. It is now the largest park of its kind in Australasia, which brags that you could fit every major Australian Zoo within Monarto & still have room left over…!!!

We had a wonderful day and thoroughly enjoyed everything. The bus ride through the back half of the park was so good. The driver & tour guide (both volunteers), we’re just fabulous. So knowledgeable & passionate about conservation. Overall a...