Caravan king Gerry Ryan is selling his SA safari development
Jayco founder Gerry Ryan is selling the luxury resort he has bankrolled at the Monarto Safari Park before it even opens.
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Jayco founder Gerry Ryan has put the Monarto Safari Resort up for sale, just months ahead of the opening of the $40m-plus development.
Australia’s caravan king announced the South Australian development in 2019, after being introduced to the Monarto Safari Park and its rhinoceros conservation program.
The development includes two main elements – a safari resort on 17.8ha, including 78 five-star rooms, conference facilities and a day spa, plus the Wild Africa Lodge featuring 20 glamping tents, pools and conference and restaurant facilities.
A prospective sale price for the tourism development has not been released, however the expected capital expenditure for the project when it was announced was $40m.
“I was introduced to Monarto Safari Park through their rhino conservation program and was immediately captivated by the vision of creating accommodation that would draw more people to South Australia to experience the beauty of the land and learn about the park’s vital conservation efforts,’’ Mr Ryan said.
“This inspiration led to the development of a five-star resort and glamping site in the
heartland of the world’s largest open-range safari park outside of Africa.
“Our aim has always been to offer guests an unparalleled experience, allowing them to
immerse themselves in the natural wonder of the land while raising awareness about the
crucial conservation initiatives taking place.
“Monarto Safari Park offers a truly unique and captivating experience and we are excited for the next visionary, who will continue to share its wonders with the world.”
The development is nearing completion, and is expected to open in the third quarter of this year once new ownership is finalised.
Mr Ryan is no stranger to tourism development, previously developing the Nagambie Lakes Leisure Park, now owned by the G’Day Group, and buying the Mitchelton winery which he improved with a luxury hotel and day spa.
The Ryan family also owns the Hubert Estate winery in the Yarra Valley, which they invested heavily in.
Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said the organisation was looking forward to the safari lodge operations opening.
“This has been a vision of ours for many years and it is incredibly exciting that we are almost ready to open to accommodation guests,” Ms Bensted said.
The expressions of interest sale process is being run by JLL Hotels & Hospitality
Group’s Nick MacFie and Peter Harper.
Mr MacFie said the development presented an immediate opportunity to acquire and operate a state-of-the-art five-star resort with significant destination hotel potential.
“Incoming investors will have an attractive entry-point with flexibility of branding and management, together with the further potential for expansion and/or complementary
uses,” he said.
Advise Transact managing director Mark Wizel, who is advising Mr Ryan on the deal, said the sale presented a highly strategic and rarely-offered opportunity to own an exclusive, five-star resort and hospitality asset in the world’s burgeoning $40bn safari tourism sector.
The Monarto Safari Park is the largest such park outside of Africa, and is home to rhinoceros, elephants, lions, giraffes, meerkats and many other animals.
All the details
The Monarto Safari Resort was designed by Intro Architecture and occupies 17.85 hectares featuring:
• 78 rooms
• Conference facilities, gourmet restaurant, and bar
• Two swimming pools (adult and family), including a pool bar, spa, and café
• Day spa with vitality pool, sauna, and cold plunge pool
• EV charging facilities
The Wild Africa Lodge (the glamping site) occupies 47.81 hectares and
features:
• 20 luxury glamping tents on raised platforms
• A conference room, resort-style gourmet restaurant, and bar facilities
• A pool restaurant, plunge pool lounge, and bar facilities
• A fire pit and outdoor lounge
Originally published as Caravan king Gerry Ryan is selling his SA safari development
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