SIP, SAVOUR, SAFARI: AN IMMERSIVE FOOD, WINE AND WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

Sip, Savour, Safari: An Immersive Food, Wine and Wildlife Experience at Monarto’s new Safari Lodge

Monarto Safari Resort’s Safari Lodge is proud to announce Sip, Savour, Safari, a new signature experience forming part of the 2026 Tasting Australia associated program. An overnight adventure taking place 14-May 2026, this exclusive event unites South Australia’s finest food and wine at the State’s newest luxury stay, Safari Lodge.

As one of the first experiences available at the highly anticipated Safari Lodge (opening April 2026), Sip, Savour, Safari represents an intimate celebration of place. Developed in partnership with Zoos SA and select South Australian wineries. The special event demonstrates the power of regional collaboration.

Guests arrive Thursday afternoon to welcome drinks and canapés before settling into luxury safari tents overlooking the open plains. The afternoon unfolds with a bespoke guided safari through Monarto Safari Park’s Wild Africa precinct, in an intimate 9-seater LandCruiser, offering rare insight into the park’s conservation programs. This immersive encounter places guests at the heart of Zoos SA’s mission to protect endangered species in their care.

As evening approaches, guests return to the lodge for pre-dinner drinks before gathering for a seven-course degustation dinner curated by Executive Chef De Buys Nortier. Drawing on South Australia’s seasonal produce and native ingredients, each dish reflects the surrounding landscape and the stories it holds.

“We’re incredibly fortunate in South Australia. The quality of produce we have access to is world-class,” says Executive Chef De Buys Nortier. “To be part of Tasting Australia, which highlights exactly that, and to collaborate with such talented winemakers from South Australia, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase what makes our state exceptional. The menu celebrates that: incredible local ingredients, prepared with care, in a setting unlike anywhere else.”

Each course is thoughtfully paired with select wines, with winemakers personally guiding guests through the pairings. Throughout the evening, they share stories of their vineyards and the region’s hero varieties.

The night concludes beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by the sounds of the wild, an unforgettable moment that captures the spirit of Monarto itself. Friday morning brings a leisurely breakfast at The Lodge before departure, with guests carrying a deeper connection to South Australia’s food, wine and conservation story.