Imagine waking up to giraffes wandering past your window or watching a herd of zebras and rhinos making their way across wide open grasslands, all without leaving the state. That’s exactly what’s planned when the new Serengeti Resort opens in regional New South Wales. Set to debut in 2026, the project will be the largest African-style savannah experience in Australia, complete with immersive wildlife encounters and one-of-a-kind places to stay. Here’s a first look at everything you can expect.
Serengeti Resort
The Serengeti Resort will cover 55 hectares of previously unused land within Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The new precinct will be five times larger than the zoo’s existing savannah and will house giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and antelope in a landscape designed to reflect the African grasslands. Aside from a lot more room to explore, the experience promises visitors a chance to see these animals in a setting that feels more expansive and authentic than ever before.
Guests will also have access to a central hub with a function and events space, a cafe-restaurant, and even an infinity pool, all designed to look out over the savannah. If you’d like more time to mingle with the wildlife, the zoo offers three distinct accommodation options for overnight stays: a billabong campsite near the lion pride, safari-style lodges overlooking the savannah, and premium retreats set amidst tranquil bushland.
The upcoming Safari Resort represents the zoo’s biggest development to date, with plans to double the number of overnight visitors and contribute close to $400 million to the local economy across the next two decades.
“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,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, says.
Can’t wait to experience it all? Construction is already underway, and the resort is expected to welcome its first guests in late 2026. Read more about Serengeti Resort here.