Zoofari Lodge at Taronga Western Plains

Two days of zoo entry and private, close-up tours with lions, rhinos, giraffes and elephants came with our stay, and it exceeded expectations. The glamping tent had a king bed with soft bedding, air conditioning, a full-size shower and a freestanding bath. It felt like everything had been thought of, from the toiletries to the coffee and tea. Wildlife wandered just three metres from our private veranda. In the guest house, breakfast and a three-course dinner were served with Mudgee wine, and the service was excellent. We even got a sky full of stars from Mother Nature. A must-do for everyone.

The included meals were good, and the wine and beer with dinner were reasonably priced, though drinks weren’t included. We also really enjoyed the two behind-the-scenes tours. The zoo entry covers the day before and after your stay, and one full day was enough to see it all, so a single night could work. We stayed two nights in early December and were glad we did. Try to arrive near 2pm, when check-in opens. Around 2:30, keepers lay feed in front of the tents, bringing the animals close, so it’s worth being settled in by then. The savanna had five giraffes, two rhinos, four or five zebras, three kinds of antelope, and an ostrich moved there for bad behaviour elsewhere. It seemed to think it was a giraffe. Our well-equipped glamping tent sat within five metres of the savanna, with most of the fence down in a ditch below eye level. The air conditioning and big bathroom were welcome. It’s still a tent, so there’s no soundproofing. The animals were fairly quiet at night, but you could hear voices from other tents. It isn’t the cheapest place, but I think it was worth the money and I’m glad we made the effort to go.

The animals roaming nearby at wake-up are a magical sight, and the lodge is comfortable, beautifully appointed and designed to give it an authentic safari feel. The encounters were again our favourite part: guides made them personal, engaging and informative, and helped us understand the animals and the conservation work behind the scenes. We came back for a second stay within a year because the team made such a strong impression. Everyone was welcoming, passionate and knowledgeable about the animals and conservation, and went out of their way to make our visit special. Tanya and Deb deserve a particular mention for kindly and professionally sorting out a problem we ran into. Their help meant a lot to us. Zoofari Lodge is a memorable experience beyond just a place to stay. We’d happily recommend it to family and friends, and are already looking forward to coming back.

The sunset animal viewing from the lodge room was a highlight, and the tours were informative. Food was good too, and with everything included it felt like good value, as well as a great experience for all ages. This was our second Roar and Snore at Dubbo in six years, and this time was even better. The staff were exceptional, friendly and knowledgeable, and very accommodating with our dietary requirements. Nothing seemed too much trouble.