Delivering an Iconic Safari Experience at Monarto Safari Park
Nothing says adventure quite like a LandCruiser, especially when it’s been custom-built for the wild. That’s why we were so excited to deliver seven uniquely tailored LandCruisers to Monarto Safari Park, helping bring an authentic safari experience to the heart of South Australia.
We were extremely proud to partner with Monarto Safari Park and Aldom Transport Engineering to create these bespoke safari vehicles, all manufactured locally here in SA. The result is a fleet of rugged, open-air LandCruisers that offer guests an immersive wildlife experience unlike anything else in the region.
Director of Monarto Safari Park, Peter Clark, said that when discussions began about the hotel at Monarto Safari Park, the team saw an opportunity to create an authentic safari experience here in SA for their guests.
“Having been to Africa on many occasions and seeing the transport used there, and knowing the exhilarating feeling of being so close to safari animals, we really wanted to recreate that,” Peter said. “In designing these vehicles, we wanted to make them as open as possible to allow guests to get close to wildlife and provide as much comfort and accessibility as we could.”
“The Safari LandCruiser project started about three years ago, as we began to look towards the Wild Africa experiences that would solidify the resort as one of South Australia’s great experiential tourism destinations,” said Peter.
The 9-seater safari vehicles use the chassis of a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, and feature a custom tiered passenger tray that allows easy and safe boarding from both sides of the vehicle. This design maximizes passenger comfort and provides excellent visibility for wildlife viewing.
Craig Stewart, Business Development Manager at CMI Toyota West Terrace, has worked with Peter for over a decade and was thrilled to see the vehicles in action.
When talking about the vehicle modifications, Craig explained, “We had to start by having the chassis cut and extended by 900mm, which also required the chassis to be strengthened with a brace kit so that the body could be later fitted.
“We also had the rear wall of the cab removed so the passengers in the back could see through and talk directly to the driver/guide. The GVM had to be increased, and we needed to replace the differential, use a Brake Booster, a Heavy Duty Clutch and Flywheel.”
Once the mechanical modifications were complete, the body was designed, seats and seatbelts installed, and the staggered seating layout was tested. An intercom and speaker system were added to ensure clear communication between the driver and passengers in the open-air setup.
The design also involved some unique considerations as well.
“During meetings interesting things came up that normally we would not have to consider, such as if a passenger was to drop their phone in the vehicle we had to ensure it could not slide off the side of the vehicle as retrieving it in with Hyenas or Cheetahs would obviously not be possible,” Craig explained.
“We also had to install a constant view rear view camera for the driver/guide so they could make sure there were no residents of Monarto sneaking up behind the vehicle!”
Peter and his team at Monarto Safari Park kindly gave some of our team an exclusive tour, showing us where the Safari LandCruiser vehicles will be used.
“It was incredible to get such a close view of the cheetahs, rhinos and giraffes. An experience you wouldn’t expect to have right here in South Australia!” Craig said.
We are extremely proud of the collaborative effort and the innovative solutions developed to ensure these Toyota LandCruisers meet the unique demands of Monarto Safari Park. These vehicles not only highlight our team's technical expertise and creativity, they also demonstrate our commitment to working with our valued customers and local suppliers on unique and bespoke projects. We look hearing about how these vehicles continue to create unforgettable moments for visitors, while ensuring the safety and comfort of both the passengers and the incredible animals at the park.
