Want to see rhinos, giraffes and zebras in the wild but can’t quite make it to Africa? Your safari dreams are closer than you think! Next year, Australia’s largest African-style savannah resort is set to open in regional NSW – and it’s your ticket to a true African wildlife adventure.
Last year, Taronga Western Plains Zoo – located four hours northwest of Sydney – unveiled a massive $12.1 million platypus refuge to help grow the population of these adorable semi-aquatic creatures. Now, construction has begun on the Dubbo zoo’s most ambitious development to date: the Serengeti Resort. Set across 55 hectares of open grasslands, this bold project will transform a previously unused area of the zoo into an expansive African-style savannah, home to free-roaming giraffes, rhinos, zebras, antelopes and more.
The brand-new Serengeti Resort will be five times the size of the existing African savannah habitat, giving animals – and visitors – more room to explore. And it’s not just for the wildlife: the resort will feature a sleek function and events centre, a café-restaurant and a sparkling infinity-edge pool, all positioned to offer prime views of the roaming animals.
If you’re keen for your own Wild Thornberrys adventure, you can wake up in the wild at one of Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s three unique accommodations – from a billabong campsite near the lion pride (don’t worry, it’s totally safe) to all-inclusive luxury lodges with views of roaming wildlife or tranquil bushland.
The new Safari Resort marks the largest investment in the zoo's history, set to double overnight stays and inject almost $400 million into the Dubbo region over the next 20 years.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe says, “Taronga does incredibly important work in the wildlife conservation space. Both nationally and internationally, they are renowned for their breeding programs, research facilities and animal hospitals. This new facility will help visitors connect with nature in a whole new way, whilst boosting revenue for the zoo and the local economy.”
The Serengeti Resort is set to open in the second half of 2026. In the meantime, you can learn more about Taronga's vital conservation work over here.